CAI Receiver Whoas

Just got a "kit" with two lowers (Aussie and NZ), what appears to be an early CAI Inch Receiver (wide mag cut) and all of the parts to complete it. Had it assembled by a local gun smith who does FAL's (he even had all of the pins to test for HS before he chose a locking shoulder). I provided him with an inch mag to test fire it with. He did the assembly and test fire, but could not get the inch mag to fit in the mag well so used a metric. I heard that the CAI receivers are known to be fussy about mags. I had an Inch CAI with a Hesse receiver before that worked fine with inch mags but didn't like the metric mags well. Now I find that this one just likes metric's. I can see that the lug on the front of the i mag is probably what is holding up the use of those mags, so I was wondering if in-letting a space as wide as the mag lug and as deep as the shoulder (looks to be about .10" above the lug and .05" below the lug) has been done by anyone. If so, with what success? Thanks, Bruce.

Hello Bruce,
yes it has been done, just be careful that you do not break thru the front wall of the receiver mag well. On a real metric FAL the front of the mag well is often cut away more on the exterior than a comparable inch pattern.

On a US aftermarket receiver, one cannot say...

It's something that should be done slowly with a lot of patience, and several mags to try.

As a note, DO NOT cut the bottom of the latch pocket as (I am told) it is in the same position in Inch and Metric receivers.

Or, just use the Fal mags, after all if it isn't broken, why fix it?

Thanks for the advice, Lee Enfield. Measuring the mag well, I have plenty of room to work with. And, as you suggested,slow and easy does it.

mrclark303, the first reason I am contemplating doing it is that the "kit" came with 7 inch mags. I have since picked up one more for a descent price. Second, I like to tinker with things to make them function as designed. If something doesn't work right with the parts it's supposed to use, I get an itch to see that it does.

Thanks all for the replies. Cheers, Bruce.

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Originally Posted by bacarnal

Thanks for the advice, Lee Enfield. Measuring the mag well, I have plenty of room to work with. And, as you suggested,slow and easy does it.

mrclark303, the first reason I am contemplating doing it is that the "kit" came with 7 inch mags. I have since picked up one more for a descent price. Second, I like to tinker with things to make them function as designed. If something doesn't work right with the parts it's supposed to use, I get an itch to see that it does.

Thanks all for the replies. Cheers, Bruce.

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Fair play Bruce, I know what you mean, it's the sort of thing that would probably niggle me too.

I was just thinking that if the rifle functions well with Fal mags, then leave it be.

You could argue that the after market receiver is using the magazines it's designed for. Only anoraks like us would know the difference at the range anyway.

But, back to point one, if I were in your shoes, I would likely do the same, to ensure the rifle was an inch pattern clone, as close as possible.

Part of the great pleasure of our hobby is putting your own stamp on things after all.

Best of luck with it and do let us know how you get on.

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Well, took the leap today and inletted the mag well. As dumb luck would have it, my test mag was the tightest fitting one, and I kept it snug. Worked out well. The last is of it polished up a bit then cold blued. Cheers, Bruce.

How about an overview once it's assembled and done?

Right now she's out to get the lower and cover Cerecoated to a close color of the receiver since nobody around here parkerizes and I really didn't want to spend the time parking it myself. On some things getting downright lazy in my old age. I can hand function the bolt on dummy rounds, and after some light polishing, she functions smoothly. I'll send pix after I do the full assembly and test fire. Cheers, Bruce.

Just got her back from Ceracoating. Had the lower done in a dark grey and the cover done in black. Except for the pitting by the safety I should have taken care of, she (to me) turned out pretty good. I steamed as many dents out of the wood as possible (and to still keep a used look) then re-finished with Howard's cherry and several coats of BLO. I left the rack number on the stock since I thought it looked good there. Cheers, Bruce.

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Any problems with it running ,a lot of the CIA built receivers had feeding issues etc. ?

When originally built, it would not accept L1A1 mags, as stated above, but fed and fired well with metric mags. After inletting the receiver to accept inch mags and doing a little polishing, she has slingshot cycled on all of the inch mags I have using dummy rounds. I plan to test fire her next week. Cheers, Bruce.

Whoas to woes to wows!! Function check complete and she fires GREAT!! I have to admit that I was spoiled with my STG58 having a gas block showing fire and grenade. My first four rounds were singles while I fiddled with the gas selector😊. Now I know what the line on the L1A1 gas block means. After pulling my head out, set it on 4 and she functioned perfectly. She is a bit of a mag snob, preferring Inch mags to Metric mags. She's a keeper!! Anyone want an STG58 on an Enterprise receiver😁. Cheers, Bruce.

Glad it all worked out. Those of us that started with FNs are already believers and know what you speak of. Pics?

Pix are on 1st page, last item. I still love Garands and building them, but this one with wood furniture is a nice change. Cheers, Bruce.

Post #9, looks great...like something many of us carried for many miles.

Despite the difference in ammo weight, I would have gladly carried the L1A1 or the M1 for that matter over the M16A2. Confidence factor. Cheers, Bruce.

Have to agree with Jim, your rifle looks great. I do like the rack number.

As the owner of a straight-pull L1A1 (single shot - all we're allowed here, and should be thankful for that I guess), I'm definitely envious.

Great job. :thup:

Yep, great looking rifle, lovely job!

Thank you all for your comments. Looking at the other posts in the FAL section proves that it would overstating if I used the term "novice" for myself on this subject. Praise from those of you considered as experts in this field of knowledge is humbling and gratifying. Regards, Bruce.