FAL Diagnosis Needed

[HMMurdock]

An associate of mine recently accquired an FAL .308 rifle that we took out this weekend. She performed like a dream for the first three for four mags, then she started tapping the firing pin too lightly. The primers were dimpled but did not ignite. Then it would do it repeatedly for another 10 - 20 rounds and then worked fine for a magazine or two. Then went back to the same 10 - 20 rounds before lighting off an entire magazine again. It seems to be striking lightly. I am awayre of the usualy diagnoses for when this happens to a rifle, but is there something special about the FAL that makes it do this? Any suggestions?

TRL

 

[MisterPX]

What kind of ammo? Also, on the no fires, did you hear the hammer go forward?

 

[DnPRK]

It can mean the headspace is set too long. Disassemble the bolt and have a competent gunsmith check headspace with GO and NO GO gages. FALs have replaceable locking shoulders that can be used to adjust headspace.

 

[Seven High]

What brand of FAL is it? What kind of ammunition were you using? DSA does not recommend any steel case ammo being used in their FALs. I had a similar problem with mine until I changed the out of spec hammer and axis pin.

 

[HMMurdock]

It's a JLT or JDL or something Industries FAL. The ammo was some cheap South African crap, so that could likely be it. And yes, we heard the hammer strike. It just barely dimpled the casings.

TRL

 

[Thefabulousfink]

I took my FAL out to the range a few weeks ago with SA surplus ammo. I fired 80 rounds and had 2 that failed to ignite, so there is a possibility that it is just bad ammo.

However, you should allways have a non-factory (i.e. used or from a company like Century) gun headspaced after you buy it. Improper headspace can result in the case breaching and hot gases escaping the action right next to your face. Any gunsmith that is familiar with FALs can check the headspace in 5min and will probably just ask a few $. If you plan on buying or building more FALs or .308 guns, you can buy a set of headspace gauges (about $30) and check it yourself.

If you plan to do it yourself, go over to http://www.falfiles.com and search their forum. There is lots of info on the different measurements between gauges and the difference between .308 and 7.62x51mm.

 

[FALna45]

originally posted by HMMurdock:
It's a JLT or JDL or something Industries

JLD makes G3 clones, not FALs AFAIK
did it look like this? (G3)

or more like this?

if it is a FAL-type, you can check the firing pin & spring for breaks & burrs, and the corresponding recess in the bolt where they go for goo or other obstructions to the pin's free travel.

 

[Bwana John]

First thing I would check is the firing pin and firing pin raceway.

 

[Grayrider]

My thoughts as well. Check firing pin for proper movement, and try a different ammo. Also echo the comment on the brand indicating it might be a G3 rather than a FAL.

John