Range issues L1A1

[newcastle]

Took my L1A1 / SLR to the range this morning.
Last time out there were feeding issues and i put them donw to the fact that I brought FAl magazines instead of L1A1 magazines so they weren't seating properly (or so I thought).

This time however I had correct L1A1 magazines but again experienced significant issues. These were an occasional failure to eject but mainly a consistent failure to feed properly, where the next round was jammed at an angle against the bolt. This happened slightly less when I was down to the last few rounds in the Magazine. I am in CA so there are blocks in the mag to restrict them to ten rounds but that should not make a difference as its just like shooting with the full 20 rounds in the magazine, but could the mag springs be too strong?

I adjusted the gas level to the max but I confess as this point I have NOT cleaned out the gas system since I bought the rifle so that could be an issue - so I'm just off to strip and do that right now. Any other thoughts please or possible places to look or springs n things that might be weaker / need replacing??

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[Peter Laidler]

You can immediately eliminate a magazine problem by trying a loaded 20 round magazine and operate the action hard through the full 20 round cycle. If it works then you KNOW it's a 10 round mag problem. Ain't got a 20 round magazine...... well get one!

Failure top eject sounds like a gas problem to me so this could be the feed problem too. Mind you, gas problems are a whole new can of worms........... The first being try the rifle using 7.62mm UK made NATO ball.

[nzl1a1collector]

PtP, newcastle can't use original 20 round magazines due to California firearms laws. He's restricted to 10 rounds or less.

It might come down to the make of 'US' receiver, I remember there were some receivers from the early days (civilian manufacturer) that didn't have the correct feed ramps which was causing issues. This might be a case that you will have to talk to the kit builders on the FALFiles as it might require the receiver (body) to be modified.

[newcastle]

Sadly nz1 is correct and I can't have a 20 round magazine legally. What I COULD do is to Unblock one of these mags in the basement, fill it with a bunch of rounds with the top 5 or so being dummy rounds do safety. By working the action manually I should be able to tell if it is the feed ramps. I cleaned the gas system and all was fine and relatively clean. Will report back.

[Peter Laidler]

I realise all that was said about 20 round magazines. But needs must and all that! The L1A1 gas cylinders were prone to splitting at the front end where the gas pressure is at its peak and the threaded cylinder is at its weakest. VERY difficult to see as it starts under the cylinder threads into the gas block.

Is the body a locally made one or a real L1A1 body? It seems as though you have asked the '.....my car won't start' question Newcastle

[Gil Boyd]

Newcastle,
A short video of the issue might assist and help isolate the problem, but I agree with Peter, it sounds very much like gas setting.
The magazine, unless of course its not standard, will shoot like a dream with even 3 in it, or should do if using the correct ammo.
It could be a series of cyclical problems manifesting themselves bouncing off the main issue which will hopefully be an easy issue to fix.

[browningautorifle]

Your gas system needs regular cleaning to remain serviceable and oiling before firing will help function too(the breech block carrier). The blocks installed in magazines do upset the operation, anything inside a magazine that's designed to work one way, then altered, will affect it.

[newcastle]

The entire rifle except the Entreprise receiver is Enfield made. The gas regulator does click but seems somewhat looser than my FAL - maybe this is allowing gas to escape. I'll check it this evening closely. I am using NATO ball ammo (german made Hirtenberger stuff which is fabulous - I buy it by the thousand). I will cycle the action tonight a few times by hand and see if I can replicate the F2F. If not then it seems that it must be what pushes the bolt back as opposed to issues with it stripping the next round.

[Ex Crab]

The entire rifle except the Entreprise receiver is Enfield made. The gas regulator does click but seems somewhat looser than my FAL - maybe this is allowing gas to escape. I'll check it this evening closely. I am using NATO ball ammo (german made Hirtenberger stuff which is fabulous - I buy it by the thousand). I will cycle the action tonight a few times by hand and see if I can replicate the F2F. If not then it seems that it must be what pushes the bolt back as opposed to issues with it stripping the next round.

Are you sure that your ammo is German made? Hirtenberger is an Austrian company that makes its own ammo.
In my SLR (Enfield made) I have fired German surplus ammo, Lake City and Prvi Partizan, all function without problems. The gas setting needs slight adjustment due to the slight differences in the various makes.

[Paul S.]

Just an odd thought here, but have you made sure that there is no carbon build up blocking the gas cylinder or gas port?