FN-FAL -- Any interest?

[Tazman1602]

Hey people,

I've been a long time member here but haven't been as active as I'd like to be due to life (no health problems Thank God...) and haven't cast a Bullet in a couple of years BUT, I am finally getting finished with every reloaders dream shop - and I mean DREAM SHOP. this is mostly due to the most wonderful wife in the world and I will post lots of pictures when it's finally done.

Back to the subject. In the last few years I've been mostly into Black Rifles and have built dozens -- just like I used to do with my beloved Mausers.

SOOOO, being bored with these I decided to take on a new venture. I've always loved the design of the FN-FAL rifles as well as their design so I decided I'd build one.....only problem being the surplus of receivers has done the same thing as the surplus of Mauser actions did many years back, dried up. I was severely bummed out. Complete rifles are rediculous in price so I went on a hunt, unsuccessful for many months. Then I discovered a company with which I'm also a dealer actually makes receivers, Coonan Inc. They are discontinuing their line of G3 receivers as of the end of this year but if you want an original G3 they are taking orders through December 31st. After that they will CONTINUE to make receivers in the type III DESIGN with ejector blocks installed and carry handle cuts should you desire. I have ordered a few just for me -- the lady I talked to at Coonan was extremely knowledgeable about the FAL design and I was informed most kits do fit the Type III design and the G3 with custom serial numbers was mainly for guys that wanted to have an original numbers matching rifle of which I could care less.

Now, I've got to tell you -- I know less than almost NOTHING about what's called the worlds finest battle rifle (FN-FAL), but I intend on learning.

The bad news (maybe) is they expect a six month wait and were very up front about that -- I've been waiting a year for McMillan to get me a stock, and waited three years for a set of Randall knives I now possess so no biggie for me. Also, if you call Coonan and get on their list, if they happen to run across a truckload of receivers (which they told me they've run into twice in the last ten years...) you will get first pick.

Sorry to be long winded here but I know some of you guys have big mouths like me so spread the word if you would, call them if you're interested, the more they can sell, the more they're going to make. I'd love to hear responses because I feel like a kid at Christmas right now, if you think I'm nuts, feel free to tell me that too....

Oh yeah, latest AR build is a 50 Beowulf which I will attempt to find, size and shoot Cast bullets from (that BS about clogging the gas tube is just that by the way.....BS ="Bull Stuffies".....

Hope I'm not out of line here, I'll get back to posting casting stuff as soon as dream shop is completed, thanks for taking the time to read this and.....

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Art

[Smoke4320]

Fal is a great rifle .. be prepared they are hard on brass .. they love to put a huge extractor mark in the rim

[WFO2]

and if you dont adjust the gas they will too them to the next county .

[JSnover]

You're gonna love it! They are hard on brass but there is a way to tune the ejector, just a matter of carefully dressing the face.

[Multigunner]

So long as you don't use slow burning powders the gas regulator can be set to compensate and allow reasonable extraction with minimal damage to the case rim.
I've seen a FAL nearly tear the rim off match grade ammo loaded with slow powders.
Excessive gas port pressure causes the action to begin to open before the bullet exits the muzzle and chamber pressure locks the case body into the chamber.

Proper gas port pressures are a necessity for smooth operation of most gas operated designs.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Any interest? You're kidding! I'd love to have one--or maybe two or three! Preferably the British inch pattern. But, I am in disagreement with your statement that they were/are the best battle rifle in the world. I'll take the M14. :D

[nicholst55]

You may also experience some problems with the Coonan receiver. I won't go into details, because it would take too long. Join the Fal Files and do a search for Coonan receivers by Gunplumber. You'll have plenty of reading. Unfortunately, DSA receivers, the only other real option at this time, aren't any better. You'd be better off watching the classifieds there for a take-off Imbel receiver.

[Multigunner]

I have an FN FAL lower with stock , grips, and internals sitting in my gun closet at the moment.
Its not mine. it belongs to a friend who asked me to make a left handed lace on cheek piece to replace the right hand one that's on the stock now.

Been a long time since I've given these any thought. I'll dig that lower out later and check the markings.

[6bg6ga]

I built a Israeli Heavy Barrel FAL. I would purcase a different upper than the Coonan myself I used a DS Arms upper receiver and it went together very well and is very accurate. I have no problem with brass getting torn up either. I'm thinking about selling it to pay the hospital bill from having my heart worked on. I also have a Israeli Heavy barrel that has been machined down in length along with a standard barrel. The heavy barrel is the cream of the crop generally generating around $2500. for a super nice one.

[historicfirearms]

Hey people,

I've been a long time member here but haven't been as active as I'd like to be due to life (no health problems Thank God...) and haven't cast a Bullet in a couple of years BUT, I am finally getting finished with every reloaders dream shop - and I mean DREAM SHOP. this is mostly due to the most wonderful wife in the world and I will post lots of pictures when it's finally done.

Back to the subject. In the last few years I've been mostly into Black Rifles and have built dozens -- just like I used to do with my beloved Mausers.

SOOOO, being bored with these I decided to take on a new venture. I've always loved the design of the FN-FAL rifles as well as their design so I decided I'd build one.....only problem being the surplus of receivers has done the same thing as the surplus of Mauser actions did many years back, dried up. I was severely bummed out. Complete rifles are rediculous in price so I went on a hunt, unsuccessful for many months. Then I discovered a company with which I'm also a dealer actually makes receivers, Coonan Inc. They are discontinuing their line of G3 receivers as of the end of this year but if you want an original G3 they are taking orders through December 31st. After that they will CONTINUE to make receivers in the type III DESIGN with ejector blocks installed and carry handle cuts should you desire. I have ordered a few just for me -- the lady I talked to at Coonan was extremely knowledgeable about the FAL design and I was informed most kits do fit the Type III design and the G3 with custom serial numbers was mainly for guys that wanted to have an original numbers matching rifle of which I could care less.

Now, I've got to tell you -- I know less than almost NOTHING about what's called the worlds finest battle rifle (FN-FAL), but I intend on learning.

The bad news (maybe) is they expect a six month wait and were very up front about that -- I've been waiting a year for McMillan to get me a stock, and waited three years for a set of Randall knives I now possess so no biggie for me. Also, if you call Coonan and get on their list, if they happen to run across a truckload of receivers (which they told me they've run into twice in the last ten years...) you will get first pick.

Sorry to be long winded here but I know some of you guys have big mouths like me so spread the word if you would, call them if you're interested, the more they can sell, the more they're going to make. I'd love to hear responses because I feel like a kid at Christmas right now, if you think I'm nuts, feel free to tell me that too....

Oh yeah, latest AR build is a 50 Beowulf which I will attempt to find, size and shoot Cast bullets from (that BS about clogging the gas tube is just that by the way.....BS ="Bull Stuffies".....

Hope I'm not out of line here, I'll get back to posting casting stuff as soon as dream shop is completed, thanks for taking the time to read this and.....

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Art

I was into the FAL for a while and still would like to get another. The Coonan receivers have had issues over the years, it would probably be best to look for a Imbel gear logo receiver. Also, the price of parts kits and original barrels have gone through the roof. It's usually quite a bit cheaper to buy a complete rifle than build one yourself.
By the way, I'm practically your neighbor now, we move just outside Petoskey.

[jdfoxinc]

I have 2 that I acquired years ago during the Brady ban. One inch pattern American made, one metric CAI kit with thumbhole stock I hate. I can't reach the safety normally. The inch pattern is supposed to hold metric mags but they sit too low for proper feeding of cartridges. Both are battle rifle accurate.

I didn't know they went up in price like they seem to have. I paid less than $750.00 for the complete rifle. No I don't want to sell.

[Tazman1602]

I was into the FAL for a while and still would like to get another. The Coonan receivers have had issues over the years, it would probably be best to look for a Imbel gear logo receiver. Also, the price of parts kits and original barrels have gone through the roof. It's usually quite a bit cheaper to buy a complete rifle than build one yourself.
By the way, I'm practically your neighbor now, we move just outside Petoskey.

Yup you’re real close, I live out in Brutus in back of Harbor and Alanson. Coonan did admit to having issues which is why they’re scaling back. Have a shooting range out back and would love you to come over and shoot some day this summer!

Art

[TAC14]

There are plenty for sale on GB.

[HangFireW8]

Excessive gas port pressure causes the action to begin to open before the bullet exits the muzzle and chamber pressure locks the case body into the chamber..

Uh... no. The gas port is too far down the barrel, too much link and tilting block inertia, etc. for this to possibly happen.

It takes time for brass to relax from the stiction phase and be ready for easy extraction. All auto-loaders push the limit on how soon they begin extraction, which is why we have to full length resize self-loader fired brass. But before the bullet exits? No. Physical impossibility, at least with a good design like the FAL.

[Multigunner]

"Uh... no. The gas port is too far down the barrel, too much link and tilting block inertia, etc. for this to possibly happen."

The gas port is certainly not further down the barrel than the M1 Garand gas port, which has suffered the same effects of slow burning powder and excessive gas port pressures when using heavy bullet match grade loads better suited to bolt action rifles.
Its pretty close to the same position as the M14 gas port , but the M14 has a very different method of bleeding off and metering the flow, the hot gas expanding after the valve closes itself.

You might be correct that the major problem is the brass not springing back quickly enough, but that's not how it was explained to me, and I doubt that amount of transitory friction would have resulted in the magnitude of rim damage I witnessed.

[MT Chambers]

Used the FN in the Army and never again...heavy, inaccurate, pain in the *** to clean,etc.

[NoAngel]

I have two STG-58’s and while they are good for their intended purpose, they stink for much else. Good luck getting one to feed a cast bullet without beating it to death. They’re quite destructive on brass too.

[Geezer in NH]

There are no "Surplus" Receivers and there never was. Receivers were Full automatic therefore not importable.

Receivers were aftermarket without the full auto features. The supply of kits dried up and with newer BATF rules barrels were forbidden.

As usual laws stopped the builds and fun.

[NoAngel]

There are no "Surplus" Receivers and there never was. Receivers were Full automatic therefore not importable.

Receivers were aftermarket without the full auto features. The supply of kits dried up and with newer BATF rules barrels were forbidden.

As usual laws stopped the builds and fun.


There was a rare exception. Steyr did make a few (very few) receivers without the auto sear cut. There were only about 3 thousand or so. I was lucky enough to run up on one not long ago. They were imported just before the import ban in the 80’s.

It’s one of my Crown Jewels. Lol!

[Moleman-]

Only put one together, an Imbel kit on an Imbel gear logo receiver. Not as easy as an AR15 but pretty easy. The commercial manufactured receivers are supposed to have more issues with barrel timing, feed ramp, lower lockup ect. Mine shot almost or as good as my M1A but with the adjustable gas system it seemed softer recoiling. Wish they would of thought ahead about optics mounting when designing it as the dust cover mounts always seemed cheesy to me. Sold mine when money got tight, but I'd get another one.

[6bg6ga]

Only put one together, an Imbel kit on an Imbel gear logo receiver. Not as easy as an AR15 but pretty easy. The commercial manufactured receivers are supposed to have more issues with barrel timing, feed ramp, lower lockup ect. Mine shot almost or as good as my M1A but with the adjustable gas system it seemed softer recoiling. Wish they would of thought ahead about optics mounting when designing it as the dust cover mounts always seemed cheesy to me. Sold mine when money got tight, but I'd get another one.

They were imported before the ban and most came without the auto sear. However I have personally seen preban with the auto sear just like I have seen AK47 kits with ALL the full auto parts in them. The auto sear can be removed and the gun is legal in my opinion.

They are no harder on brass than any other 308 semi automatic when they have the correct parts in them. Mine had an incorrect spring and this resulted in about a half dozen bent cases before the spring was changed. I can now run a hundred or two thru it and there are no bent rims on the cases. Its kinda like having a 5 year old change plugs in your Vette. He can probably get the job done but you may have a cross threaded spark plug or two. The gas system can be adjusted to drop the cases on the bench right beside the gun or you can throw them out 30 feet and spend an hour looking for them. Mine handes any jacketed bullet I care to put in the magazine without an issue. I personally would not use unjacketed bullets in my FAL but then again thats me.

They are no more inaccurate than an M1A or Garrand. Barrel must be timed correctly and this is done quite easily and any 6 year old could do it. The "Gear" receivers are the best but the DS arms run a close 2nd. Either of these fits and goes together with a minimum amount of trouble.

The recoil with the same rounds is less than other semi-automatics and this is due to the superior gas recoil system.

[roysha]

Used the FN in the Army and never again...heavy, inaccurate, pain in the *** to clean,etc.

What in the world are talking about???

No heavier than my M-1, (just an off the rack grade rifle), and just as accurate.

As far as cleaning, if it was any simpler it would have to clean itself. Move the takedown lever in the appropriate direction, tip barrel down, remove dust cover, remove carrier and bolt and EVERYTHING is open and ready to clean, whether it is just a barrel swabbing or a total clean.

As much as I like my M-1, I would/will take my FAL anytime, every time. I have two of them. A G-1 made with an Entreprise G-1 marked receiver and a 270-308 custom made on a Coonan type 1 receiver. Have not had a bit of trouble with the Coonan.

Tasman: I'm not sure what you are saying about the G-3. To my knowledge, for sure I don't know it all, there is no G-3 FN-FAL. There is an H&K G-3, Spanish version CETME, but the only 3 I am familiar with in regard to the FAL is Type 3 which is the plain receiver without the lightening cuts.

Oh and one last thing. The individual known as gunplumber on the FALFiles is a absolute JERK.

[historicfirearms]

Yup you’re real close, I live out in Brutus in back of Harbor and Alanson. Coonan did admit to having issues which is why they’re scaling back. Have a shooting range out back and would love you to come over and shoot some day this summer!

Art
Thanks Art. Finding a place to shoot around here has been one of my biggest challenges. We had a 100 yard range out the backdoor of our old house. Now we have several neighbors within 100 yards. When the weather gets nicer we will have to have a cast boolit shooting day.

[elmacgyver0]

I built one on the Coonan receiver I got from Sarco, I think they have some in stock again now.
Mine seems to work fine although I have not shot it much yet.

[Multigunner]

The FAL is only heavy in comparasion to much shorter and lighter assault rifles, and some of them weigh about the same.

The rifle is not noted for precision accuracy, the British preferred the Bolt action rifles for sniping, but few Main Battle auto loaders can match the best bolt actions in long range accuracy without special work and close up keep.

I like the FAL but when I first got to fire one it did seem awkward compared to the M-1 I was used to.
When the Garand was developed almost all autoloader designs did their best to mimic the handling qualities of the WW1 era bolt action short rifles. Even the BAR followed that design philosophy.
The FAL stock and grip was designed more on the line of the LMGs like the Lewis. In fact in some WW1 set war movies you can see that prop Lewis guns are often just a FAL dressed up with a fake barrel jacket and drum.
I've wondered why the FAL based squad auto's weren't successful. I've heard they were found to be less effective or reliable than the BAR.