Custom order C1A1?

[browningautorifle]

a C2 beat a bren

Anything is possible when a trained crew uses a weapon they've practiced with and someone else heads out without quite enough practice...or a bad day...

[stencollector]

I am jumping into this duscussion a little late, but noticed that there was mention about the private sales of FNs to DCRA. I bought a deactivated C1A1 a couple years ago to add to my collection and noted the serial number was very near the highest known for C1A1 production. I then noticed in Blake's book on the North American FALs, the receipt shown included the serial number of this rifle. There was an anomaly to the rifle in that it had the earlier solid gas block rather than the "8L' type with the removable sight ears. It would be interesting to know if the others that came on this invoice also had that feature? Were the replaceable ear blocks all sold to DND? Or were some earlier parts used up on the civilian rifles?

I also have a C2A1 in my collection (also deactivated) that came from the estate of a DCRA shooter. It was a full auto, and other than a 1968 receiver, seems to have mirrored a typical C2A1 production rifle.

[browningautorifle]

I wonder if your rifle had a barrel change before deactivation. This may sound strange but if I were doing one(and I have), I'd pull off the good barrel and install a less stellar example. I never saw a solid gas block on an 8L series and I did see lots of them. My theory is of course since you're going to butcher the barrel anyway, why not butcher a shot out or worn barrel...they aren't that hard to change. I guess the alternative to that is the competitor that owned this rifle shot out the original barrel and this one was the available replacement...

[stencollector]

I guess I could have a look down the bore and evaluate.

All I have ever found for C1s are the 8L series with the bolt on ears, so this one at least represents the other style ears. I keep hoping to find an earlier C1A1, but to this point they have alluded me.

[tankhunter]

And as an aside. Your Hinge Pin screw is in the wrong way round. & the gas Regulator Retaining clip is on upside down!.........................(Armourers eye for detail!).........

[browningautorifle]

look down the bore and evaluate.

It is deactivated isn't it?

[stencollector]

Yes, which is why I will down the bore and not through it. Not that it matters I suppose. I can examine the rifle for any signs the barrel was changed although it sounds like tank hunter has noted a few inconsistencies already.

[browningautorifle]

The things he sees are common faults done by either a junior soldier stripping and assembling or someone with no training in that area. Doesn't really matter. It's an excellent looking example...

[tankhunter]

The things he sees are common faults done by either a junior soldier stripping and assembling or someone with no training in that area. Doesn't really matter. It's an excellent looking example...

B.A.R is correct in his comments. However.......If a things worth doing. It's worth doing CORRECTLY! VERY good to get into the habit of doing that!.......

The gas retaining ring/ clip for example. If not fitted 180 Degrees round from the position where it is shown in your picture. May WELL catch a finger/ clothing etc in handling. That is WHY it SHOULD be in the position just described! & as for the hinge pin screw. Yes technically it doesn't matter which side it is in. The Rifle WOULD function if it were a live example. But, esthetically. It would LOOK nicer in the correct plane. Yes?..........

The point of this forum is to HELP others with advice & assistance where possible I believe. We all have spheres of Knowledge that benefit each other. Otherwise, well. What is the point?............Just my Two Pennies worth.

[Peter Laidler]

Another thing about having the 'prongs' of the gas regulator circlip at the top, exposed is that you can bet, just as sure as god made little green apples and as night follows day that one of the more 'learned' crunchies WILL unhook it with the small blade of the combination tool and it'll disappear under the handguards, deep into the bowels of the gas cylinder. Then he'll unscrew the handguard screw and take off the handguards and THEN, he'll have access to the gas cylinder that is, according to him, a bit loose because it has a small degree of rotation built in. So the next thing is he'll blame that on his pi55-poor scores that morning and try to tighten it up against the small PIN, gas cylinder that he hasn't noticed under the gas regulator.

No small pin to use as a tommy bar to tighten the gas cylinder............ Not even a problem. In his belt he has tucked his leatherman tool. And so it goes on and on and on.

Don't laugh, it actually happens and we used to see it time and time again. There would be two outcomes to this. The first would be that when it's totally all come unstuck, it'd be put back into the armoury like this or the second scenario would be that he'd walk over to the Armourers shop and say words to the effect '...... sod-all to do with me..... I got it like this!

Is it still like this today Skippy, Son? Arte et Marte