[commygun]

Well, I've got most of the Fal dissassembly figured out but I'm
still baffled by the carry handle. I thought it would come out
when the gas rod/piston/whatsis was removed but apparently
that's not the case. Also, how do you get the plastic handle off
the wire? It looks like you need to remove the little split rings
but I'm darned if I can figure out how to go about that. Any
expertise shared would be greatly appreciated.

[Badger Arms]

The Gas tube itself holds the Handle on IIRC. You need a wrench with a hook on it like the one that you use to remove the collapsable stock on an M-4 Carbine. As for taking the handle off the wire part, WHY?

[commygun]

Badger,
Thanks for info about the handle. While the wire is in fine shape
the handle itself is badly chewed up and I'd like to replace it
with a new Penguin.

[Pointman]

Use the bottle opener on a swiss army knife, works like a charm.

[boing]

You can also insert the tip of a brass punch into one of the grooves on the gas nut thingy, and tap it with a hammer in the direction to unscrew it.

Tragically, I don't know which direction that is. :D