Threading FAL Barrel

[Robert]

Forgive me if this has been asked before but I did a search and did not come up with what I was looking for. I am in the middle of my first FAL build and have reached a crossroads. Do I want to try to assemble it myself or pay to have it done. I have done some reading and am pretty handy so I am sure that in concept I can do it. The problem is with my barrel. I have a DSA Type 1 reciever and a Imbel-esk kit. I talked to a FAL shooter and he told me that there is metric and then there is metric. I have read that the barrel should hand tighten to about 11 o'clock. Mine threads in about 3 turns and gets awful tight. Not want to FUBAR anything I do not push it. My question is, is this normal or do I have differing metric threads? If I have to have new threads cut then I'll just cough up the cash and have them park it, build it and call it done... if this is normal and all I need to do is vice it and tighten it down then I will take a crack at it. Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[Gene_WI]

I have a DSA type 2 and an imbel kit. My barrel is very tight going in as well. I think that the threads need to be chased.

My barrel timed to 10 o clock by hand.

 

[usp_fan]

IIRC the only metric deviant was the israeli kits. The IMBEL barrel and DSA receiver should be a good match. Your local auto store or hardware store should have thread pitch gauges for you to use if you'd like to double check.

Do you have the receiver wrench? If you decide to go forward, this is an essential peice of equiptment. I made one, but there are several good inexpensive designs out there to buy. You may also be able to borrow one from someone that's built before.

If you have the wrench, I'd go slow and tighten you can even use a grease or anti-seize at this point. You simply want to make sure it's going to tighten. If you need to chase threads, see if you can borrow the tools--buying is expensive.

Good luck,

--usp_fan

 

[Robert]

Thanks for the help. I need to get the wrench and a few other things but I think I will go forward. I take pride in the fact that I can do something like this. All too often we just pay to have someone else do things that we could do if we just took the time. I will start with a thread gauge and check the threads and go from there... If need be I can shell out a little money to get em chased. Still got to park it too. Again thanks for the help.

 

[usp_fan]

Gus,

I've gone traveled this learning curve in the past. If you have any questions as you go, feel free to PM me. FAL's are fun to build!

--usp_fan