L1a1 Barrel replacement

[jmoore]

Need to install a barrel on a fellow's "L1A1" thing.Once I find my stash 'o breeching washers anyways. Did a test fit w/ a 0.060" washer, but it'll hand tighten to within about 5 degrees of proper alignment! Is it better to run the barrel in using a desired final torque value or to use a preliminary under turn value? The underturn method would seem to be easier to calculate (concerning the proper breeching washer thickness).


Probably got the info lying about somewhere, but this is more fun than actually looking (or trying to remember)!

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[jmoore]

D'OH!! Thought the answer was posted by Alan de Enfield recently in the Milsurps Lee Enfield forum, but it leaves out actual initial preferred state from which the washer selection was made. Close but not there yet.

[S-A-M3]

The dangers of over torquing barrels are known, but what about under torquing, the worst that could happen is bad accuracy? If the threads are engaged does it really matter? It`s not as if it`s an old British motorbike and you can watch some bolts undo as you ride it! How about some comment?
Stuart.

[Peter Laidler]

There are some dodgy things you need to know about breeching up L1A1 rifles.....and I assume FN FAL's too. I'll read up and come back to you. I do know that there were sone very intricate body clamps and torque figures. In short, not the sort of thing to do with a stilson wrench....................

[jmoore]

Have a proper action wrench (with which the rotted out barrel was removed) and plenty o' torque wrenches! Barrel will clamped in a steel fixture mounted to a plate steel table. Thanks loads!

[jmoore]

Found my stash of breeching washers. A tutorial would be grand!

(Also have a hydraulic press available with which, if required, to change out locking shoulder pins.)

[NuJudge]

Firearm Technical Trivia, April 2001
The FAL Files Forums - British Army Instructions for Headspacing

[jmoore]

Well, that ought to get it done! Been a long time since I swapped one out, (pre-internet!) and just kind of made it up as I went along. Worked, but I remember it being a bother.

[arado]

When I was building my FAL's I used the 11o'clock position for final installation. I cut shoulder face on metric barrels and surface ground breeching washer on inch pattern to get that position. I then torqued to alignment marks. 75 to 100 ft.lbs got me there. Gary

[jmoore]

Dang, forgot all about this little project. Need to find out how its doing. (OK, I guess, or I would have heard something further!)