FAL Disassembly Question

[Anthony]

Hello Everyone,

I am contemplating the purchase of an FAL and had a quick question on disassembly.

Most of my rifle experience is based on the AR-15 and one of its great features is that you can swap out the top half and configure your rifle into a myriad of combinations (e.g., barrel length, optics, forend, etc.).

Looking at the DSA catalog I notice that they sell "forends" that consist of the barrel, forend, front sight, etc. Now obviously these are listed separately for those who build FALs from kits, those who own an FAL and want to reconfigure their rifle without buying another one, or both.

Is it possible to swap the "forend" (per DSA catalog) or the top half of an FAL with the ease of the AR-15 system of weapons?

It is my hope that one could have two or three top halves configured for your FAL that could be swapped easily and quickly.

Thank you for the input.

 

[AZ Jeff]

A FAL's "top half" consists of the main reciever (with serial number), barrel, gas system, handguards, and receiver cover.

If one wanted multiple 'top halves' for a FAL, one would wind up with mulitple rifles, at least from a legal perspective, as the SN is assigned to the UPPER receiver, and not to the trigger housing, as is the case on an AR.

I don't see how one would be able to swap barrel assemblies on a common receiver without having to deal with headspacing each time one rebarrels.

 

[Coronach]

Meeper over on FAL-Files offers a conversion/swappable bbl arrangement, that enables the user to have one receiver and a couble of different caliber barrels.

That's about the closest I can think of. However, to achieve AR-like "swappable uppers", I agree...you would have several different rifles, and just a "lower" that you would change between them. Even then, it is not as easy as an AR, because the rear sight is on the lower and the front sight (or any optic you added) would be on the upper- not exactly just swap and go.

Easier just to buy multiple rifles.

Mike

 

[blfuller]

It is possible to swap top ends on the FAL similar to the AR. With the FAL the upper receiver is the part that is classified as the firearm. Due to the design of the FAL you cannot easily swap out a barrel on a FAL like you can on a AR.

On the FAL the bolt is of a tipping design and locks up with the receiver, specifically the locking shoulder. To swap a barrel on the FAL it requires a special receiver wrench and a barrel vise. The barrel also needs to timed properly to get the front sight to align at 12 o'clock. After the barrel is installed headspace needs to be checked. If the head space is out of tolerance a new locking shoulder will need to be installed in the receiver. There is a special gauge that will tell which locking shoulder is required. Locking shoulders are pressed in and out with an arbor press.

The AR bolt locks up with the barrel extension which is attached to the barrel. The pin on the barrel extension times the barrel properly and you only need a barrel wrench. You should check headspace when you change barrels on an AR.

Hope this helps.

 

[Anthony]

Thanks for the information guys.

Can anyone direct me to Meeper's information on the FAL Files?

 

[Coronach]

Not to be a smart (_!_), but go to www.falfiles.com and doa search for meeper. There should be a boatload of threads about him.

Mike