FAL - Having problems where mag followers meet bolt hold open device (it's a Hesse)

[History Prof]

I know Hesses are crap, from everything I've read on every web search I've done, but I got it for free, along with almost thirty magazines. First, it is actually accurate, and fun to shoot.

The ONLY problem I have is that the magazine follower pushes past the pin on the bolt hold open device, rather than pushing it up as it should. The result is that the bolt closes after the last round, and the magazine gets stuck. It is easy to remove by opening the bolt and pushing down on the magazine follower. But it is very inconvenient. It must be a receiver spec problem, because every mag I’ve used does this.

Is there a bolt hold open device with a longer pin available? Anyone know of a better way to fix this problem? TIA

 

[HSMITH]

Pull the pin out and put a longer one in. On one of mine it needed this done (Imbel reciever with Aussie kit), and since then it has been flawless. Unless yours is one without a roll pin it shouldn't be a problem to put a new pin in. Most mom&pop style hardware stores have a drawer full of roll pins...

 

[History Prof]

Did a web search after getting discussion board advice (I know, should have done so in the first place, but hey, discussion boards would be boring without discussion, huh?) It appears that my BHO device is not one of the more common ones. The hole for the pin does not go all the way through, so I can’t knock it out from the back. Also, it hasn’t budged in my efforts to get it loose. Maybe I’ll just trim it off and go without the last shot hold open until I can replace it with a BHO with a longer pin. Shouldn’t be too hard to find the parts online, que no? Thanks for the advice.

 

[Derby FALs]

Look on the FAL Files

 

[Jim K]

Are you sure the pin can't be driven out front to back? The original pins are two diameter, with the large diameter to the rear so they cannot come out to the front. Sometimes, the rear is finished off and parkerized so it is hard to see. Once you do get it out, you can either drill the holdopen to a single diameter and use a roll pin or make a two diameter pin like the original. Either way works. (Diameter of the pin is not, within reason, critical.)

Jim