Bulletboy's official FAL build progress thread

Bulletboy · 09-16-2006, 02:36 PM

I pulled the old kit from the depths of the closet and did some dissassembly on it. Removed the handguard, gas tube, carry handle, and so on. Getting my hands dirty on it again gave me the encouragement to cowboy up and do this build myself. SO, although I think its going to be slow as hell compared to the time frame some of you guys could get it done in, I figured I might as well post the process.

At this point, I've noticed that I'm missing a shitload of parts, including the bolt and bolt carrier (I'd bitch about it, but I got this kit for free). I just ordered this http://estore.websitepros.com/832529/Detail.bok?no=327 to remedy that. Next I'm going to need the setup for removing the barrel. In the meantime, there'll be a more thorough dissassembly and cleaning of each part. I plan on blasting and Gunkoting everything (within reason).

Pics will come..

Sanders · 09-17-2006, 12:03 PM

Removing the barrel is the fun part -- take a dremel or small angle grinder and cut away the receiver stub on the left side in the charging handle channel. Just don't cut all the way through into your barrel's threads. Then take a chisel and pop that rascal off...:chinese

Bulletboy · 09-17-2006, 05:01 PM

I might do that today, gotta wait till the other half gets home so she can keep an eye on the little one while I'm in the garage. Yesterday I re-watched both the AGI FAL dvd, and the Gunplumber videos, so I'm feelin good to go. Took a pic of what I'm workin with,

As you can see, I'm missing the bolt and carrier, top cover, magazine catch/release, and hinge pin. I did order the bolt and carrier yesterday as posted above, and I took an extra assignment for tuesday night which should get me the $200 I need for the missing and compliance parts.

Bulletboy · 09-18-2006, 10:20 PM

Cut the receiver stub yesterday, but didnt have a chisel to break it free, so I went and got one today. Also just ordered a charging handle, an FCG, a pivot pin, and a magazine release set. Maybe this wont take as long as I thought!

7.62x39 · 09-19-2006, 01:33 PM

Did you find a top cover yet?
I have a spare, if you still need one.

If you want to send me a couple bucks to cover the postage you can have it.

Pogo · 09-19-2006, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bulletboy

Cut the receiver stub yesterday, but didnt have a chisel to break it free, so I went and got one today. Also just ordered a charging handle, an FCG, a pivot pin, and a magazine release set. Maybe this wont take as long as I thought!

Splitting that stub is pretty easy. Saw as deep as you can without getting into the barrel threads, and then a couple of good "whomps" with a hammer on the chisel, and she should split.

RetVet · 09-19-2006, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pogo

Splitting that stub is pretty easy. Saw as deep as you can without getting into the barrel threads, and then a couple of good "whomps" with a hammer on the chisel, and she should split.

I have a VERY heavy duty barrel vice and quality receiver wrench and still had to resort to that method in getting an Imbel barrel off the stub. They do love to torque them boogers on sometimes!

Pogo · 09-19-2006, 03:11 PM

Yeah, it's easier to just split the stub than to wrestle with one that is stuck.

Bulletboy · 09-19-2006, 07:08 PM

7.62x39, I havent found a top cover yet, I was planning on ordering one from DSA because I want the picatinny on top. What type do you have?

The receiver stub took quite a few whacks to break the cut through all the way because I was paranoid about screwing up the threads, but I did get it. Then a few more whacks with the hammer and I unscrewed it by hand. The threads are still good as new, so I was naturally pretty happy about that! Got an email from gunpartsguy that my bolt and carrier shipped (yesterday I think), and my other parts should ship today or tomorrow I'm guessing. I can't wait..

Pogo · 09-20-2006, 07:31 AM

My Gun Kote arrived yesterday. I'll probably spray mine today or tommorow.

Yeah, it looks like your on a roll now.

7.62x39 · 09-20-2006, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bulletboy

7.62x39, I havent found a top cover yet, I was planning on ordering one from DSA because I want the picatinny on top. What type do you have?

It's just a plain original factory Imbel cover, nothing fancy.

Bulletboy · 09-20-2006, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7.62x39

It's just a plain original factory Imbel cover, nothing fancy.

I definitely appreciate the offer, If you pm me how much you need for the shipping or whatever, I'll be happy to liberate it from ya!

Bulletboy · 09-28-2006, 11:48 PM

Ok, after breaking off one of the tabs on the trigger return spring bracket as I had posted here, http://www.dirtydozensbunker.com/showthread.php?t=9704 I just came back in from the garage.

I went down to Home Depot and bought a length of steel box tubing that was approx the same gauge. It also happened to be almost the same distance from bend to bend, so I just cut a section the width of the bracket, and then cut it in half and filed it down. I drilled the hole, and dremeled the slot. I drilled out the welds on the original bracket but not all the way through into the lower, and knocked it right off. Then I spot welded the shit out of the new one (the second time, after I broke my first spot welds within a few minutes) and tried it out. I had to bend it a little to make up for the slight distance in length, and it works great so far. Hope it holds up! Heres pics. It was much prettier before I burnt the crap out of it with the welder.

Cephus · 09-28-2006, 11:58 PM

Ya did good !!!!!!
Keep us posted !!!

Pogo · 09-29-2006, 08:28 AM

That should work just fine. You won't see it anyway after the rifle is assembled.

09-16-2006, 02:36 PM	#1
Bulletboy Troubleshooter Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Wa. Posts: 3,369	Bulletboy's official FAL build progress thread I pulled the old kit from the depths of the closet and did some dissassembly on it. Removed the handguard, gas tube, carry handle, and so on. Getting my hands dirty on it again gave me the encouragement to cowboy up and do this build myself. SO, although I think its going to be slow as hell compared to the time frame some of you guys could get it done in, I figured I might as well post the process. At this point, I've noticed that I'm missing a shitload of parts, including the bolt and bolt carrier (I'd bitch about it, but I got this kit for free). I just ordered this http://estore.websitepros.com/832529/Detail.bok?no=327 to remedy that. Next I'm going to need the setup for removing the barrel. In the meantime, there'll be a more thorough dissassembly and cleaning of each part. I plan on blasting and Gunkoting everything (within reason). Pics will come..

09-17-2006, 12:03 PM	#2
Sanders Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 66,557	Removing the barrel is the fun part -- take a dremel or small angle grinder and cut away the receiver stub on the left side in the charging handle channel. Just don't cut all the way through into your barrel's threads. Then take a chisel and pop that rascal off...:chinese __________________ "The truly dangerous man dresses inconspicuously and is soft- spoken. He walks away from most confrontations. The only time you learn that the truly dangerous man is mad at you is a split second before you die, for he never fights. He only kills. The truly dangerous man knows that fighting is what children do and killing is what men do." - Charley Reese 1986 3

09-28-2006, 11:58 PM	#14
Cephus The OLD COOT one and only Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Glovers Gap WV Posts: 10,277	Ya did good !!!!!! Keep us posted !!! __________________ FREEDOM ONLY ACCEPTS ONE PRICE AND THAT IS BLOOD

09-17-2006, 05:01 PM	#3
Bulletboy Troubleshooter Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Wa. Posts: 3,369	I might do that today, gotta wait till the other half gets home so she can keep an eye on the little one while I'm in the garage. Yesterday I re-watched both the AGI FAL dvd, and the Gunplumber videos, so I'm feelin good to go. Took a pic of what I'm workin with, As you can see, I'm missing the bolt and carrier, top cover, magazine catch/release, and hinge pin. I did order the bolt and carrier yesterday as posted above, and I took an extra assignment for tuesday night which should get me the $200 I need for the missing and compliance parts.

09-18-2006, 10:20 PM	#4
Bulletboy Troubleshooter Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Wa. Posts: 3,369	Cut the receiver stub yesterday, but didnt have a chisel to break it free, so I went and got one today. Also just ordered a charging handle, an FCG, a pivot pin, and a magazine release set. Maybe this wont take as long as I thought!

09-19-2006, 01:33 PM	#5
7.62x39 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 47	Did you find a top cover yet? I have a spare, if you still need one. If you want to send me a couple bucks to cover the postage you can have it.

09-19-2006, 03:11 PM	#8
Pogo Mystic Knight of the Sea Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: The Great Swamp Posts: 82,000	Yeah, it's easier to just split the stub than to wrestle with one that is stuck.

09-19-2006, 07:08 PM	#9
Bulletboy Troubleshooter Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Wa. Posts: 3,369	7.62x39, I havent found a top cover yet, I was planning on ordering one from DSA because I want the picatinny on top. What type do you have? The receiver stub took quite a few whacks to break the cut through all the way because I was paranoid about screwing up the threads, but I did get it. Then a few more whacks with the hammer and I unscrewed it by hand. The threads are still good as new, so I was naturally pretty happy about that! Got an email from gunpartsguy that my bolt and carrier shipped (yesterday I think), and my other parts should ship today or tomorrow I'm guessing. I can't wait..

09-20-2006, 07:31 AM	#10
Pogo Mystic Knight of the Sea Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: The Great Swamp Posts: 82,000	My Gun Kote arrived yesterday. I'll probably spray mine today or tommorow. Yeah, it looks like your on a roll now.

09-28-2006, 11:48 PM	#13
Bulletboy Troubleshooter Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Wa. Posts: 3,369	Ok, after breaking off one of the tabs on the trigger return spring bracket as I had posted here, http://www.dirtydozensbunker.com/showthread.php?t=9704 I just came back in from the garage. I went down to Home Depot and bought a length of steel box tubing that was approx the same gauge. It also happened to be almost the same distance from bend to bend, so I just cut a section the width of the bracket, and then cut it in half and filed it down. I drilled the hole, and dremeled the slot. I drilled out the welds on the original bracket but not all the way through into the lower, and knocked it right off. Then I spot welded the shit out of the new one (the second time, after I broke my first spot welds within a few minutes) and tried it out. I had to bend it a little to make up for the slight distance in length, and it works great so far. Hope it holds up! Heres pics. It was much prettier before I burnt the crap out of it with the welder.

09-29-2006, 08:28 AM	#15
Pogo Mystic Knight of the Sea Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: The Great Swamp Posts: 82,000	That should work just fine. You won't see it anyway after the rifle is assembled.