Problem with my L1A1

[Amatikulu]

I recently purchased a L1A1 at a gunshow that looks to be in pristine condition. It has been built on a IMBEL receiver brought in by Century Arms.

The specific problem is that the rifle will not cycle in the semi-automatic mode but only single shots

I have stripped it and inspected everything I can think of but after reassembly and testing it today at the range, it still won't cycle.

I am using the Indian 7.62 NATO rounds and they work perfectly in the other FAL I own so do not suspct the ammunition.

I have tried the gas settings at all positions. The gas tube plug has two positions it can be fitted in - the one side of the plug has a groove on the outside - I am not sure what is the correct position for this groove but hav tried it both ways.

Can someone give me a few more ideaas of what to check for?

[Peter Laidler]

Shoot it with the top cover off and see whether the breech block carrier at least STARTS to move. If it does, then you know that it's a gas problem. You just ain't getting enough! Look at the gas plug and if it's an L1A1 type, then the curvature MUST lead the gas from the barrel, rearwards through 90 degrees, into the gas cylinder. If that is in its correct position (the opposite is to STOP the gas during grenade firing or when firing a few blanks so that you don't get the gas parts dirty.............)

Don't be fooled into thinking one sort of ammo will function another rifle either! Many things will cause it to not cycle but if there is a bit of gas getting through, it might not cycle but you'll see the breech block and carrier start to move.

I'd say start by using some RG ammo and if this doesn't function it, check the gas cylinder for splits at the gas block end

[Amatikulu]

Thanks Peter, I'll see if I can get back to the range today, if not it'll be next week. I don't have any RG ammo, but do have some South African so will see if that makes a difference.

[Peter Laidler]

If there's stiull a problem, bring it down to the Armourers shop and we'll see what we can do................................

[Amatikulu]

It might be a bit easier for me to bring it to South Carolina if you are visiting anytime in the near future :)

[jeff hamerstone]

This may sound stupid , but make sure the gas block is in the open position, maybe it might be as simple as that

[Amatikulu]

I don't think any suggestion is stupid - I'm not sure about the correct nomenclature but assume by gas block being in the correct position you are referring to what I call the gas plug. That's the pices that you remove to take out and clean the gas piston?

[jeff hamerstone]

That is correct, the gas plug should have the hole aligned with the barrel gas port hole to operate in semi mode. the line on the gas plug should be facing up. Make sure the hole in the plug is open, if so like peter said you are losing gas pressure somewhere, probably in the ends of the gas tube , I've seen some real sloppy ones.

[Peter Laidler]

Just bring it to the Armourers shop during the week, with the customary bag of tea bags, jar of coffee, carton of milk and a packet of biscuits (cookies to you wild colonials...) and I'm sure that Sgt XXXX will have it sorted by lunch time. Then in the afternoon, we can go to the 25 yard range and give it a damn good blasting ....., er, I mean range test!

[FALBLDR]

FAL manfunction,

1. Indian ammo is crap and is often the problem.

2. Gas position?

3. Regulator setting.

We all know Century ALWAYS means quality......

Is it a short cycling problem, ejects but doesn't pick up a new round?

I've also seen a gas tube out of position and pin jammed in place.

[Amatikulu]

1. I have heard that the Indian ammunition is variable in quality but I have used it with 100% sucess on my other FAL built on the Imbel metric receiver.

2. I have tried the gas plug position in the two ways that it will fit with no change.

3. I have tried the regulator at all values with no change

4. I have also heard that Century builds are of questionable quality but I may have misled you in that this is a build on a century imported Imbel L1A1 receiver.

5. I guess it could be called a short cycling problem as the bolt carrier does not appear to cycle at all.

6. I have checked the position of the gas hole into the barrel and confoirmed it is clear.

[Amatikulu]

Update:

Followed Peter's advice and removed the dust cover. Bolt carrier moves about an inch rearward when a round is fired. Not enough to eject the round or strip a new one from the magazine. This was the same with Indian and some Swedish 7.62 NATO rounds.

Decided to move the gas regulator to position "9" - i.e. closed and fired again

This time the rifle cycled correctly with both the Indian and the Swedish ammo.

Moved gas regulator to position "8" and it doesn't feed again.

Do I have too small a gas port, too strong springs, or what else should I start looking at?

[Peter Laidler]

You need to loook at the 'problem afresh now you have identified that it works on 9 but not on 8 or anything less............ This is in simple words, insufficient gas to operate the system. After all, we KNOW that it works properly but only on 9 upwards!

You now know that this happens on Swedish and Indian ammo but does it happen on RG ammo? TRY THAT AMMO next because it was made to run on that......., a bit like running your car on 80 octane when it was made to run on 95 octane.

If it does the same on RG ammo, then you could ream the gas passage from the barrel through the gas block to clear any fouling but I doubt that will have affected it.

Then replace the gas cylinder and make sure that you fit it properly. Clean out the threads in the gas block (we had a special tap). Clean thoroughly, grease with graphite grease and insert new gas cylinder. Screw in until it stops then unscrew until the PIN, retaining gas cylinder hole in the block aligns with the flat of the gas cylinder and push it it.

But here's a little secret......... If the pin and gas cylinder flat are almost lined up when you screw it in tight, then don't back it off half a turn. Just take a gnats knacker of metal off the front of the cylinder so that it rotates to the point where it does line up.

Keep us informed...........................

[Will M]

Maybe not a gas problem, not common, but are the butt return spring and tube clean, not rusted up or full of grease?

[Brian Dick]

I've still got a few gas cylinders if you need one.

[OlManDow]

I have had a few that wouldn't cycle where the problem turned out to be a very worn gas tube. I found an amazing range of inside diameters in my spare gas tubes, and replacing the problematic one with a small diameter tube cured the problem.

OdManDow

[Amatikulu]

Well guys, I need to spend more time on this problem. I took the rifle to the range last saturday, along with my worn out and cruddy metric FAL ex Southern Africa.

The SA Fal performed perfectly but my pristine L1A1 functioned at gas setting #9 (almost closed) for one magazine but that was the end of it! It wouldn't function on any other magazine after that or on the original magazine (just in case).

I brought it home and stripped it down for close examination.

The gas hole is clear - I can fit an appropriate sized drill bit down it and into the barrel - so there's no build up or blockage.

The gas piston showed fouling past the head and onto the first section of shaft. So, maybe I've got a worn gas tube ...hmm

Checked the tension of the spring on the gas piston with the SA FAL's one - no difference.

Never taken the butt off before or checked the springs - will do today sometime, any special way of doing it or simply remove the two external screws?

[JBS]

Measure piston head diameter. The solders learned a nasty little trick that would get them past a cleaning inspection. The gas piston was subject to bad carbon build up and very hard to get off. The troops found that if they stuck the piston in the dirt or sand and rolled the shaft between the palms of the hands the grit of the sand or dirt would cut the carbon off the piston and make it shinny and clean,,,,,,,,,and after a while of doing this undersized. Measure the piston and replace if required. The other trick was to put some sand in the tube and use the piston to work it back and forth. Same result, removed carbon and undersized piston and over sized tube. :mad:

[nzl1a1collector]

Is there a Pin retaining the gas cylinder in place? There have been countless accounts of the gas cylinders being fitted minus its retaining pin. If its like that all the gas escapes and unless your looking for it everything else looks 'correct'

[concretus]

This may sound stupid , but make sure the gas block is in the open position, maybe it might be as simple as that

+1 your may need to adjust the gas regulator. I've heard alot of BAD stuff w/ Indian ammo. If you can avoid it, do so.