dsa

[front page]

Has anyone used the sand cut bolt on the dsa? Does it help reliability?

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

My DSA has the sand cuts, and the only time its failed has been when I'm futzing with the gas system. I don't have one without sand cuts, so I can't say whether its reliable because of those cuts or not. However, the FAL is an incredibly rugged rifle with a reputation of reliability (go over to FALfiles and search for 'ol dirty) like an AK built with western finesse. I have the feeling that no civilian that pays DSA-level money for a rifle will ever put it through conditions that would require sand cuts to keep the rifle functioning.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Sorry if this is an ignorant question, but what are "sand cuts"??

 

[Winston_Smith]

http://www.dsarms.com/PARA-Carrier-with-Sand-Cuts-----P033/productinfo/P033/

The sand cuts are the zig zag lines.

I have never had a problem with a standard bolt, but I also don't let it get very muddy. I am sure the sand cuts help if you are in a sandy or muddy environment.

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

Sorry if this is an ignorant question, but what are "sand cuts"??

See those little zigzag cuts on the side of the carrier? Its those. Presumably they give grit that gets in the action somewhere to go so the rifle can continue to function.

ETA: Winston Smith beat me to it.

 

[Winston_Smith]

The first post in this thread shows the difference well. The bottom rifle has the sand cuts.

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=400798

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Ok, thanks.

 

[Grayrider]

Sand cuts were specified by some nations armed forces that used the FAL in desert environments. Sand box tests apparently demonstrated this had some positive affect on reliability. Some of those tests were worst case scenarios, essentially blasting the rifles with fine grains of sand. Most civilian shooters will never use the rifle under such circumstances. When shopping for a FAL I would not let the presence or absence of them keep you from buying a rifle if it has the other features you want.

John