Fal gas system

[modifiedbrowning]

I am curious about the Fal gas system. The only ammo I have used so far is Argentinian surplus purchased at the gun show. If I move the gas adjustment past the #3 setting I have problems with extraction and ejection. Basically, the rifle will not extract or eject spent rounds, so I have a single shot rifle.
Is the Argy ammo low powered? Is that why I have to have the gas setting at #3? With the setting at #3 the rifle throws brass at least 10 feet if not 15, but will not function properly at #3 1/2 or #4.
Obviously, I need to try some different ammo to see how it functions, but is there a problem with my rifle or just lower powered ammo?
BTW, please don't suggest going to the Falfiles, that place, while a good source of info, is a PITA to search.
Thanks, Mike.

 

[50 Freak]

You know, I think it's the ammo. I have a para that seems to hate the Argie ammo. It jams once every 100 rounds. Made me loss all confidence in my FAL.

Didn't use to do that before with other ammo.

 

[SMLE]

Dis-asemble the gas system and clean it. The try the Argie ammo. If the problem persists, it's likely the ammo. Clean the gas system again, and then try some Aussie, SA, or Port. ammo as well. If the problem STILL persists, then it may be the rifle.

 

[P95Carry]

Indeed - do clean gas system - over time carbon build up can prejudice action. Once that is known to be clean then try other ammo too if possible.

I cannot remember port sizing data tho that would IIRC be on FALfiles - it is quite critical.

Haven't used Argy ammo but SA and Australian do real well for me - at a relatively low setting as I recall.

 

[goon]

I would try different ammo too. If that doesn't work clean it. If a thorough cleaning doesn't work it isn't TOO big of a deal to drill the gas port out to the next biggest size or two. I had to do that myself.
I was nervous about drilling but it wasn't that big of a deal.

IIRC the port should be about .089 or so for a standard metric gun. Mine is now drilled out to something like a .104. Can't remember without digging out my wire gauge drill bits.
Still though, try some other ammo first.

 

[Barrelmaker]

Remove gas piston and measure the front end. Should get a measurement of .429 for best performance. Otherwise look for gas leaking past the gas tube threads.

 

[BusMaster007]

Get an AR10 and keep it clean.
No problem.
WAY better optics mounts and you can change calibers/uppers at will...
Oh.
You didn't ask that.
Sorry.

 

[Warner]

Get an AR10 and keep it clean.
No problem.
WAY better optics mounts and you can change calibers/uppers at will...
Oh.
You didn't ask that.
Sorry.

THE MERE MENTION!

And RIGHT in the middle of a gen-u-wine, warm and fuzzy FAL thread!.........I feel so, dur-tee.

Direct Impingement,





modifiedbrowning, while somewhat rare, it's not unheard of to have a smallish "burr" somewhere in a Fal's barrel tap port/hole, and that will make a difference.

 

[Raygun]

I've got a related question here.

While I've had my hands on a couple of different FALs in my time, I've never had the opportunity to take one apart and examine how the gas system actually works. I know it's a short stroke piston system, but what I'm particularly interested in is the regulator.

Lately I've been reading up on the different types of gas operation and how they work, but I haven't yet found any information about the FAL gas system in particular. Does anyone know where I can find that kind of detailed info, preferrably with pictures? A patent would be exactly the kind of thing I'm looking for, but so far the US patent website has brought up exactly jack in a full database search for various terms "saive, rifle, gas" etc...

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[50 Freak]

Get an AR10 and keep it clean.
No problem.
WAY better optics mounts and you can change calibers/uppers at will...
Oh.
You didn't ask that.
Sorry.

What were you saying about caliber changes? I haven't posted pics of my fal in it's HB Sniper configuration. But here is a couple to wet your whistle.

 

[db_tanker]

I hated those Argy cartuchos. And I know for a fact that it wasn't my gas system. After every 200 rounds the gas system got a throrough cleaning and dry-moly lube sprayed on it. It would chew up anything else...LC, SA, IZZY, anything...but truly it loved Hirt...that little rifle would shine shine shine.

Clean up your gas-block and plug real good. Somtimes, you have to get in there with a brass/bronze o-ring pick and scrape that stuff out. Hit it with some CRC Dry Moly lube...let it dry completely...reassemble and shoot away.

I am not sure if the 200 round thing was too soon or not soon enough, but it worked for that L1 of mine. YMMV

 

[Nightcrawler]

There's a lot of bad .308 ammo out there.

Unfortuantely, the most common stuff seems to be south african. I had to crank down the gas system on my FAL for this stuff, but other than that no problems.

Portugese was the good stuff, but it seems to have dried up.

It's possible you've got a bad lot of ammo.

Get an AR10 and keep it clean.

Riiiiight. Very, very, very clean.

 

[Luchtaine]

FNM is portugese right?
I have sneaking suspicion I can't get it in California because it is linked, so I'll share. of course I was anyways thats just for dramatic affect. of course if you wanted to buy a couple cans and unlink them and send them this way...

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=217612