L1A1 & FN Fal

[browningautorifle]

It could be a rough chamber needing some fine oiled machine paper to polish it. You'd be surprised. Also the exact ammo can be at fault, some guys use the cheapest crap they can get and wonder why it's less than great.

[desperatedan]

They all tend to be ammo sensitive it seems - I don't think it's specific to Imbel straight pulls - Other (non ACR) L1A1's and others such as M14s are reported to have extraction issues with milsurp ammo (MEN seems to cause issues but Lithuanian GGG gets favourable comments). By definition they've all got non-original barrels.

[Peter Laidler]

There shouldn't be a hard extraction problem with L1A1 or the L1A1 family because there is primary extraction. Not as great as the No4 but sufficient to unlock the fired and obturated case from the chamber. I would suggest that the geometry of the new(?) barrel chambers in relation to the top face of the body and rocking surface of the unlocking breech block isn't quite what FN/FAL designed. Add to that anyway.......... Additionally, like BAR says, the slightest coarseness in the chamber will aggravate the situation

[bnz41]

I tested the Fal yesterday with 7.62x51 GGG Nato spec factory ammo extraction was ok ish. Also used some RWS .308 factory very slick extraction, then thought test some of my reloads = RWS & Lapua brass, CCI primer, 145gr PPU & 155gr Matchking bullets and a well known powder, well super slick not one extraction issue brass perfect no marks no stretching no primer problems. I Know what I'm going to be using from now on.

charlie303
I used to be a member of LERA with a Fal about 10 years ago, I turned up for my first shoot at Bisley No4 and Fal I was told can't use that here it's not a Enfield. Never went again, not the fal above a different one 20" barrel but still no extraction issues used IMI .308 ammo. So I do not think it was me you knew, kept my Fal for several years.

I also have a M14 thats works perfect with 7.62x51 Nato spec GGG...

[mrclark303]

I would suggest that the geometry of the new(?) barrel chambers in relation to the top face of the body and rocking surface of the unlocking breech block isn't quite what FN/FAL designed. Add to that anyway.......... Additionally, like BAR says, the slightest coarseness in the chamber will aggravate the situation[/quote]

Morning Peter,

In a nut shell that's the issue, though some SP build L1A1's use Walther barrels, others have been built up using a variety of different barrel options (not at liberty to say here) but they don't include original L1A1 barrels for reasons we have previously discussed. The slightest variation in chamber reaming/finishing, seems to have a big effect on how ammo fussy they are.

You can have two L1A1's, both by the same builder, one will function with complete ease with one brand, but seizes solid with another, while the second rifle will be the complete opposite!

Am I right in thinking that "as built", a semi auto rifle like a L1A1 will have a slightly different chamber dimension than say a bolt action L42 to aid reliable operation??

[Peter Laidler]

I can't comment on what barrel a maker opts to use or the CHS he uses. In an L1A1 using NATO ball, even a S-P type should have a CHS of between 1.632 and 1.643 for a start. How many have checked this or even have the facility to check it? The primary extraction of the BB lifting during the unlocking and mechanical safety phase ...... blah blah blah etc, the extractor claw should/will just tweak the rim of the fired and now very tight spent case and break the tapered seal. Just reading all of this this from the Students Adv. Weapon and Design course work. So from this you'll see that the thickness of the rim is also important not just from the strength point of view but so the extractor has some 'depth' on which to exert sufficient leverage.

But every weapon will benefit from a polished chamber. Note 'polished' chamber. That's not wrapping some fine emery cloth around an ill fitting chamber stick - which I have seen people do

[Charlie303]

turned up for my first shoot at Bisley No4 and Fal I was told can't use that here it's not a Enfield. Never went again,

Hi bnz441,
That's a real shame and I'm sorry. There was never such a rule as far as I'm aware. One particular bloke in LERA used to say stupid things like that, and he's now departed. Lots of LERA members shoot different rifles in addition to an Enfield.
Charlie

[Peter Laidler]

But, on the other hand and being the devils advocate, if it was a Lee Enfield shoot that day.......

[mrclark303]

Should have gone back dressed as Kaiser Wilhelm with a boot full of Mauser's Neil!

[bnz41]

The chap who said cant use that here, did have a modern ish sniper rifle with him which I thought thats not a Enfield but who am I to say anything, he was dressed from head to foot in camo gear ex army but still thought he was still in, barking out orders.
Sorry if members here think they know who I'm talking about but only my opinion.

John as it happens I did have my Mauser sniper with me but left in the car boot.

Peter there were other makes of rifles on display all WW1&2 so maybe the Fal was too modern.