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Subject: Re: Afternoon Herr Schuetzenman


Author:
Scheutzenman
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Date Posted: 22:08:03 02/10/03 Mon
In reply to: Guinny_Ire 's message, "Afternoon Herr Schuetzenman" on 20:01:24 02/10/03 Mon
 >1) I have no familiarity with semis. While I own a
>mini-30 I've never gotten around to firing it. It's
>still NIB.

My advice is sell the Mini 30 and go get a good SAR-1 or use the money to do your FAL project. Any SAR I've ever seen shoot and that's about 2 dozen, will way outshoot a mini 30.

What material would you suggest that I need
>to read to be familiar with building a FAL from the
>ground up? [big question I know]

Hi Guinny! To answer your first question I don't really have any good advice. I built mine without any diagrams or information on how they go together. I litterally tried each spring and part in each hole in the lower receiver to find out where it went. I have a very high mechanical aptitude not to brag and it took me about an 2 hours to figure out where all the bits and pieces go.

On the fire control group I did a sketch and then took notes on the order of disassembly so I could use these to reassemble if it took me multiple evenings and should I forget what I did between sessions.

If you can find an exploded diagram with numbered names of each component IMO it should be adequate. All one needs to know is how the weapon works or lets say that's sufficient for me. Gas goes through a hole in the barrel, into the gas block which is the front sight base. From here it pushes on the gas piston and that is contained inside the gas tube. The tail end of the piston pushes on the bolt carrier to open the action and eject the spent round. A recoil spring assembly contained in a tube coming off the rear of the lower receiver slows the speed of the blot group, (carrier and bolt) then throws it forward again to chamber the next round. This is not too much different than an AK or any other gas operated semiauto weapon.

I would also suggest you go hang at the Falfiles forums. Read the posts in the Gunsmithing section. Run some searches and read old posts. This is where I picked up extra information that I needed to complete the project. For example the know how on how to put the barrel in the receiver. Headspacing is also covered there. BTW if you get stuck I can probably put the barrel on and headspace it for you for of course a price. ;) Once you do the first one you'll be set and can do them very easily afterward.

>2)Do you prefer the Imbels over the FNs? I see the
>West German police FNs at FAC for $99.

I asume you mean the G1 type FAL by FN's. I have no real preference I think they both look good. I just built the G1 type but I will be building an Imbel next. Remember the Imbels are a result of direct licensing by FN Herstal Belgium. These weapons are built using Belgium tooling so they are exactly like later FAL's made by Belgium. The handguards I think are even of similar construction being a fiberglass composite material.

With respect to Tapco kits, word on the street is the Imbels are in better shape in particular concerning barrel quality.

G1's have metal handguards and bipods. The handguards heat up from firing, they also get real hot if summer sun is on them. The bipod heats up fast, not a problem if deployed but you need a glove if its folded up against the handguards. So say those that have shot the weapons extensively. I have yet to experience this first hand, no pun intended. :)

Imbels having composite handguards heat up slower and are not as cold nor as hot due to climate. Aside from these features both weapons are very similar, sights for one are not different to any significant degree.

G1's came originally with wood stocks and grips. Some kits come with synthetic grips and buttstocks. I think these are replacements or possibly reflective of newer weapons that were built after the STG58 models worked out the synthetic stock technology. My G1 had a wood stock and grip. I used a US polymer grip for one of my compliance parts, you'll need 6 to 7 depending on a smooth muzzle or a threaded muzzle. 7 for the threaded barrel. I refinished the buttstock so it looks pretty good now. It was pretty badly dinged up, had to strip the stock finish then swell out dents then sand.

>Also, does the $20 handpick at Tapco cover two kits or is it $20 per kit. Since you mentioned you were doing this just as easy to ask you.

The hand pick fee is $20 dollars for each kit. It includes parts cleaning to get the cosmoline off. IMO, worth the money. An acquaintance of mine here in NC builds FAL's and other weapons for a living. He pays the hand pick fee to assure his getting good useable barrels instead of a smooth pipe called a barrel. :) So I advise you to pay the handpick fee it seems to matter. I'm still waiting on my kits to get here. If I don't see them by tomorrow I'm calling to get a tracking number. Good luck.

>That's pretty much it. Beat as a dog from no sleep
>[son screamed mommy all night] and trying to catch up
>workwise. I'm also worried that I'm going to call up
>and there won't be any kits left if there are any now.
>Thanks bro
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Re: Afternoon Herr SchuetzenmanGuinny06:41:08 02/11/03 Tue

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