Greetings THR, question about Inch FAL handguards

[WinchesterAA]

I've recently acquired an inch pattern FAL with a cracked forend that I'm looking to replace, but I'm not having much luck finding a replacement.

My questions about the forend are --

Will a metric forend fit an inch FAL?

Will this forend fit an inch FAL?

Is the thin plastic version, such as the one I have that is cracked, melt if given the opportunity?
(It seems possible, because the ring is metal and rests on the barrel which can get quite warm, as well as making contact with the gas block which also gets quite warm)

Does anyone know where I could find a complete wood furniture set for an inch FAL?

In general, what parts ARE swappable between inch and metric versions of the FAL?



Thank you for your time.

 

[docnyt]

Something tells me your questions may be better answered at falfiles.com

 

[docnyt]

inch versus metric interchangeability

http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=240806

 

[akolleth]

Congrats on the Fal purchase. They have been an addiction to me for many years. Once you have run some rounds through the Fal you won't ever want to get rid of it-

1-The handguards on a Fal are interchangable between inch and metric including the one you posted.

2- The plastic handguards will not melt unless you really put some heat to them (multiple mag dumps in rapid succession)

3- Wood furniture sets: You can find them for sale over at the marketplace on Falfiles or Gunbroker quite often. Just remember that while the handguards are interchangable, the buttstock and PG are not. With your inch lower you need to use a PG and stock made for
an inch set. Another good choice is http://ironwooddesigns.com/IWDsite/IWDFNFAL.html Ironwood designs who make US made stocks, handguards, and pistol grips. Matt's work is top notch and it helps keep your 922r status.

4- Check out the link docnyt provided for interchangability. Many parts are swappable, many are not. Sometimes whole assemblies can be swapped where individual aprts would not. An example is the lower, you can swap a complete lower, but not the FCG parts inside the lower.

 

[Patriot1/3]

Purchase the STG kit. Steel handguards are the ticket.

Hence:You will have other spare parts you can use.

 

[WinchesterAA]

Thank you for your response akolleth!

@Patriot1/3, I can't justify spending more money on a parts kit than I did on the rifle.. At least not at this point =)

 

[Z-Michigan]

Post #4 nailed it. And I have some Ironwood handguards and they are quite nice, as long as you can finish wood decently.

I have a Tapco T48 handguard, and apart from it being discontinued, it's really nothing special and I don't recommend it. My biggest complaint is that it leaves the gas tube/spring exposed to be damaged. If you really want one, PM me and I will make you an offer on my barely-used one.

Steel handguards can get painfully hot very quickly and hardly anyone switches to them for functionality, only for authentic appearance on an STG-58 or G1.

 

[Patriot1/3]

AA it's a choice of making a wise decision on having spare parts for wear and tear. It's obvious that you haven't been in a critical situation on parts wearing out in need of a back-up. When it comes to life or death,my spare parts have saved my life numerous times. Good luck.