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Thread: A real inch pattern geek question..

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    Contributing Member mrclark303's Avatar
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    A real inch pattern geek question..

    Hi all,

    A very anorak question I've been mulling over...

    Fn made the ABC group pay for every change to the Fal, as the design morphed from metric to to inch pattern and they changed just about everything with the possible exception of the breech block and the pivot pin assembly!

    Now Canadaicon and Australiaicon kept the Fal half moon shaped machining around the locking should reinforce, the UKicon opted for squaring off the reinforce, so did the UK have to pay more for this specifically UK change?

    As a follow on, why the machining change by the UK??

    I challenge anyone to come up with a more geeky question than that!
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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

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    Contributing Member CINDERS's Avatar
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    Guess your question follows along the same line as this book I have Clarky!
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    Contributing Member mrclark303's Avatar
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    It certainly looks like it Ron!!

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    Legacy Member nzl1a1collector's Avatar
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    The machining was a national preference, Australia followed the Canadianicon design that was a basic design for the Rifle Steering Committee. The Britishicon continued with their methods of milling, thus you get different styles of cuts, the critical measurements met the specification, looks were secondary and in fact if you compared the Canadian and Australianicon Rifles you will see differences in the machining.

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    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by nzl1a1collector View Post
    The machining was a national preference
    That makes more sense to me. I'd have a hard time believing that when rifle was made on Long Branch machines that Belgiumicon took offense to machine cut differences.
    Regards, Jim

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    Contributing Member mrclark303's Avatar
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    Cheers Kev, that makes sense, as you say, differences in all three. the mag well lightning cut on the CAL rifle, is similar to the Fal, where the UKicon and Lithgowicon opted for a simpler narrow scallop.

    It does makes you wonder why they would change things like the gas block assembly, where even the angle of the gas bleed channel was altered...
    Last edited by mrclark303; 01-30-2023 at 03:48 AM.
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    Legacy Member Daan Kemp's Avatar
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    I venture it has to do with NMH - not made here.

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    It's a complected story. At this stage I haven't come across first hand written evidence that the ABC were paying for changes. The Rifle Steering Committee (made of FN, Canadaicon, UKicon and America) discussed any and all changes that effected the FAL Rifle. Some porposals where accepted, some rejected others became national preferences. There were thousands of minor manafacturing tolerance changes done. FN did get ****ed off when the ABC rifle went with the larger front lug on the magazine, requiring a deeper slot in the front of the magazine well. FN looked at this and because of the way they were manufacturing their bodies claimed they would be unable to do the deeper slot. The front lug solved the problem of the weaker pressed 'beak' on the FN mags at the time. FN took on changes they saw would enhance their rifle such as the 2 piece firing pin. American designed flash eliminator slots. Etc.

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    Quote Originally Posted by nzl1a1collector View Post
    It's a complected story. At this stage I haven't come across first hand written evidence that the ABC were paying for changes. The Rifle Steering Committee (made of FN, Canadaicon, UKicon and America) discussed any and all changes that effected the FAL Rifle. Some porposals where accepted, some rejected others became national preferences. There were thousands of minor manafacturing tolerance changes done. FN did get ****ed off when the ABC rifle went with the larger front lug on the magazine, requiring a deeper slot in the front of the magazine well. FN looked at this and because of the way they were manufacturing their bodies claimed they would be unable to do the deeper slot. The front lug solved the problem of the weaker pressed 'beak' on the FN mags at the time. FN took on changes they saw would enhance their rifle such as the 2 piece firing pin. American designed flash eliminator slots. Etc.
    As ever Kev, you are the all things inch pattern fountain of knowledge!

    Just when I think I'm finally getting a handle on the subject, you open a new door mate....
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    Contributing Member Flying10uk's Avatar
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    A square corner is easier/quicker to machine than a radius corner, especially if carried out on a manual machine or, when FN/SLR rifles were produced, CNC machines were in their infancy.

    Sometimes people think that you can "just stick a rad on a corner" or "machine a square hole, with square corners using a round cutter that is revolving", no problem. Sometimes things are not that simple and more complicated machining equates to more time/cost.
    Last edited by Flying10uk; 01-30-2023 at 10:14 PM.

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