R1A1 Break Down During Firing

[bacarnal]

I have a Century Arms R1A1 built on a British lower. It's so finicky that it won't take metric mags like some do, but the Thermold Inch pattern's work great. The dilemma that I have presently is that the weapon tends to break down shotgun style when firing. Before firing, the locking catch lever is about 2mm from all the way forward, and when the weapon has been broken down, it sits all the way forward and doesn't seem to have any play, so the spring seems to be good. I am using MKE Nato ammo and the gas setting is at 4. The cases show no signs of pressure and are ejecting well. Very disconcerting to be firing at the offhand and having to jack the weapon back together. Thoughts?

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[browningautorifle]

I had an FN C1 A1 that did this when fired...the butt release catch and spring were changed and problem solved. We have several here that used to work on them professionally and they'll be along to advise you further...

[Brian Dick]

The locking lever should not be all the way forward when latched so I'd say your body locking lug and catch are OK. I'd guess it needs a new locking catch spring or possibly a new catch if the one installed is rounded off or altered in any way. Is it built with a Hesse cast receiver? I've had a few through here for repair including a post sample MG and they can be made to work OK although a bit crude. Century's biggest problem was using kits where some of the parts were very tired/worn. There was no quality control or gauging standards adhered to during their builds.

[Peter Laidler]

It's all about the engagement of the body locking catch and the body locking lug on the body - aided by the spring, the lever, the important spring stay and last but not least, the pin, retaining. But before I go on, there's two ways I can elaborate further. The EASY way is for you to tell me whether you have a parts list so that we can be sure that we're both talking about/discussing the same items. The difficult way is of you ain't got an identification list. In which case I'll advise you to get one before I go any further.

Brian at BDL will have the Skennertons SAIS booklet I'm sure, The ultimate easy reading ready reckoner in my opinion

But in very basic terms, the body and TMH are held together and secure at the rear by friction - aided by the angular camming action of the body locking catch on the body locking lug. Which has to overcome the spring load before it will break clear. Think .300" M1919 browning top cover

[bacarnal]

Brain, I don't know who made the receiver for the reasons written below.

Peter, The list of parts I would be working from is the breakdown diagram at Numrich. I can see what you are talking about with the M1919 top cover. That said, I found a gun shop here where I'm working that seems to have access to some good gunsmiths in the area, one of whom knows a great deal about FAL's, both semi and selective. Hopefully they can get the bugs worked out, for I've kinda gotten to like this hunk of iron, despite it's idiotsyncracies. IF they don't get it working again, I'll be sure to be back here. Thanks all. Cheers, Bruce.

[Peter Laidler]

Mmmmmmm.......... If they don't fix it I feel that they might burn your boats trying to.

[mrclark303]

the locking catch lever is about 2mm from all the way forward

That's were its supposed to sit, after a mod to the latch mechanism was applied in.... (ask the resident armourers).... I do know these latch assemblies are the devils work to strip and reassemble, so definitely get a gunsmith to affect the repair/adjustment required, just make sure they have a good understanding of the Fal/L1A1 before you let them at it.

[Peter Laidler]

IT was a bit of an ongoing saga ending in 1985 or so as I recall with the issue of the last EMER and another catch size to prolong the life of tired rifles. I just hope that these local experts know what the Armourers know about this............

[Brian Dick]

Well, I can tell you that CAI built rifles using both Imbel receivers that were made under license from FN in Brazil and receivers that were made domestically by Hesse Arms. I'm guessing it's a Hesse because of the magazine problem although some of the Imbel receivers were machined for the large L1A1 magazine lug. However, those usually work perfect with both types of original military magazines. The Hesse Arms receivers are a crap shoot as to quality and kind of ugly to boot but can be made to work properly with a bit of effort. Both types of receivers are clearly marked by the manufacturers. The quality comparison between the two is miles wide with the Imbel obviously being the best. Good luck with it.

[Peter Laidler]

I don't think that the rifle breaking during firing is as dangerous as it is disconcerting. I was informed today by another Armourer that there was an instruction issued to this effect and all rifles that exhibited this fault were to be immediately sentenced Z-UF (Base workshop repair and unfit to fire) and marked accordingly (distinct yellow paint). The problem was that as they did break during the rearward action of the working parts, the ROD, return spring (or the rats tail) on the breech block carrier would start to compress the return spring down the return spring tube and bend as the rifle opened. Having done this, now bent, it'd damage the return spring tube and jamb the rifle in the part-open condition.

Thanks Roger!