My Rifle - Aussie clone.

[dcollector]

I don't post much here, but I do read a lot: This is my Aussie parts kit built on an Imbel receiver.
Arizona Response Systems did the build.
I sourced the wood and small parts, which is becoming trickier.

I own a number of FN FAL in metric, so I chose to keep this in metric configuration to only require one type of magazine in storage.

This one is one of my favorite rifles to shoot, and I have shot several thousand rounds through it, I do not baby it. It just keeps ticking and makes that wonderful metallic ka-ching when you shoot it.

I have ARS doing an NZ in black plastic currently.
(I look for unloved CAI thumbhole's with Imbel receivers.)

Anyway, it's nothing textbook, but, a is an appreciated shooter that I thought might be interesting.

[browningautorifle]

It just keeps ticking and makes that wonderful metallic ka-ching when you shoot it.

One thing that you can hear from a bit of distance, the distinct ring of the steel when it fires.

Very nice piece, I carried one of those many miles through thick and thin.

[Daan Kemp]

I found the 30 round magazine works well up to the point where jams are common. The cartridged move in the magazine when shooint and the bullets dent the front of the magazine, making them catch in the dents. Small hammer rectifies that but it happens again.

Check the locking bar/shoulder in the receiver regularly for movement. Mine shot loose after about 10 000 or more rounds, severe flame cutting in the gas cylinder too.

[mrclark303]

Very nice, I assume Mark removed the AD serial from the TMH and engraved the master from the receiver?

Does anyone make inch pattern cut receivers in the US?

[Ovidio]

Very nice, thank you for sharing.
I like FALs a lot, but due to space restrictions, I decided to only have bolt-action rifles 1900-1945.
The only exception I made is my Garand (for which I reloaded yesterday evening, after a looooong time).

[Bruce_in_Oz]

That locking shoulder is supposed to be installed with the assistance of a small hydraulic press.

The factory made a bewildering array ,(SIXTY), of shoulder sizes; both the headspace setting, and fit / retention press-fit-wise. Use the issued tapered gauge to establish correct headspace, then select the shoulder to be an "interference" fit into the body. This process of removal and replacement of locking shoulders is NOT infinitely repeatable, because of "wear and metal displacement in the body (which is softer than the shoulders), will eventually render the body "beyond repair". In service, this should take several decades of abuse from the "rough and licentious soldiery". Get it right, NOW and the rifle will probably outlive you.

There is a reference table either in the EMEIs and / or the "Factory Handbook". The "taper" of the recess in the body will USUALLY handle the job of retaining 'tolerance" in the interference fit for several shoulder changes. Basically, the primary variable id Headspace, If you can swap out the shoulder to provide acceptable headspace AND the new "standard-fit" shoulder passes the "center-punch test" all is good.

The shoulder should NEVER be a "racing fit". and wander out in normal use. Per the "instructions, a "fifty-pound" strike from an automatic center punch MUST NOT dislodge the shoulder. If it does, the rifle should be shunted from "unit" workshop responsibility to a more serious establishment; (Field, Base or Factory). If the locking shoulder is not secure, there is every likelihood that other "issues" will also become apparent.

I have never tried to use "FAL" shoulders in an L1A1, and never had the requirement to "re-shoulder" a FAL.

In Oz service, there WAS an armourer "test" of the "security" of the shoulder in the body. This involved an "automatic" centre-punch set to a VERY specific "force", 50 Pounds).

Is this an "aftermarket" receiver / body? There appear to be some "interesting" (in that Chinese Curse sort of way) hybrid bodies being offered.

Here in the penal colonies, all we have are the memories and the notebooks.

[Daan Kemp]

Made in South Africa R1. Doubt if they are supposed to shoot that many rounds but when I handed it back after some more thousands it still shot better than I could.

[Flying10uk]

Did Australia ever produce a wooden carry handle for their version of the SLR? My understanding is that they didn't.

[browningautorifle]

Did Australia ever produce a wooden carry handle for their version of the SLR

I HAVE seen them in picture, even here on forum. Here's the thread... https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=39578

[WGB-762]

Re: Wooden Handles on Aussie SLR's - Sure did, in the 'Bad Old Days' when we were trusted to actually possess these firearms, I had two. First was built as an early, 1969 model - With Wooden Handle (1), and the second as a late production with Plastic Handle (2).
Can't find 'photos on a quick look, I'll persist.

(1) These had a deep phosphate finish, oiled/varnished timber work, triangular forend;
(2) Phosphated and painted(black) finish, creosoted timber work, rounder/fatter and heat-shield lined forend [I also had a 'Hythe' dual-aperture rear sight fitted].

Interesting to note that the illustrations in the Technical Brochures issued by SAF show both the Wooden and Plastic Handles, randomly.