Saga of non shooting FAL

[H&Hhunter]

For those of you who know me you know that I tend to be a boring traditional hunting rifle kind of guy. I like Mauser auctioned bolt guns and double rifles.

Through a couple of weird twists of fate my safe is all of a sudden over flowing with evil "black" guns. And I like it....

I've got a an M1A that shoots great. I just bought a Bushmaster Predator that is an absolute tack driver. I can't wait to go do some yote busting with it.

And then my problem child...I've got a custom built DSA Light weight FAL. It looks cool, it is light, it's short, it carries well. AND it doesn't shoot worth a CRAP!! When it is heating up it strings vertically like a big dog. After it reaches "operating" temperature it settles into a very consistent 3 or 4" gun. It's driving me nuts as I really like the operating system and the rifle.

But much like having an absistinant bi-polar super model for a girl friend. She may be good looking and she may feel nice but if she won't perform she's either gotta go get some counseling or she's on her way down the road.

Can any of you fine and all knowing rifle loonies out there help me save my relationship with this supermodel of a rifle?

Any advice will be appreciated. I want this rifle to shoot!

 

[hagar]

I assume barrel is clean and in good shape? If it has a bipod, remove it. Try a different bolt and carrier, preferably an inch type because they lock up a little tighter. If it still shoots bad, contact DSA. If no joy from them, send it to AZEXARMS in Mesa, AZ.

Fals can and should shoot well. Don't accept mediocre performance froma DSA rifle. Bug them to make it right.

As for the girlfriend, her name is not Susanna S, and from Germany by any chance? If it is, kick her butt out the door asap!

 

[DMK]

When it is heating up it strings vertically like a big dog.

Vertical stringing is a common problem with FALs. Check with the forums over at falfiles.com. They are a friendly and helpful bunch.

In the mean time, a couple things you could consider:

1) Try shooting it without the handguards. If the handguards are putting pressure on the gas block, it could cause vertical stringing. I had to sand down the back of the DSA handguards where it fits in the ring to allow a little play fore and aft. This helped a little with mine.

2) If it still strings, try shooting with an empty mag, turning the gas valve off. Single load a round in the mag through the ejection port and manually cycle the action. Shoot a couple groups like this from a stable rest. This will test whether the gas system is causing your problem.

3) There is an interesting train of thought by some on the 'files that the bolt has play in the rear of the bolt carrier (Cycle the action, closing the bolt and letting it lock up, break the rifle like you are going to clean it. Now reach underneath and push up on the bottom rear of the bolt. It will have a considerable amount of play. The theory is, this causes each shot to lock up differently.). Some folks are welding up a hump inside the rear of the bolt carrier and grinding it down until the bolt has minimal play. There's a few threads on Falfiles that explain this much better than me.

Good luck! Pretty girls are high maintenance.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Ok guys some good starting point here. Thank you. I'll give it a shot.

hagar,

No that's not her name but she sounds like some serious dangerous game. Which is right up my alley. You got a phone number?