Frequently Asked Questions

- L1A1 Barrel profile at the breech has a longer taper.



- On the Metric the gas block ears are closed on both. The L1A1 Gas block ears are open on each side & front sight post has a set screw at the face of the gas block.

- Magazine tooth on the L1A1 inch pattern is a much larger squared protruding lip. The metric has a small radius protrusion. The corresponding relief in upper receiver will be cut as a deep channel on the L1A1 all the way across the inside of the engagement surface. The Metric upper receiver will have a small semicircular notch in this area that will match the protrusion on the Metric magazine.

- The L1A1 Lower receiver has extensions where the buttstock meets the back face of the lower/trigger housing. These extensions have a radius as they form into the buttstock tang. On the metric the back edge is straight vertical line. Also on the L1A1 the trigger plunger assembly is housed in the pistol grip. On the metric rifle the trigger plunger is mount on protrusions on the bottom of the lower. The internals are also different.

- L1A1 Bolt hold open shaft is slightly larger than metric shaft.



- L1A1 charging handle slide bar is slightly thicker than the metric version. L1A1 can be shaved down to fit a metric receiver.



- Bolt & carrier groups will interchange as complete assemblies however extractors and firing pins do not interchange.



- Muzzle end barrel threads are 9/16 24 TPI right hand on the L1A1 but left hand on most metric versions. Some Belgian rifles can be found with either or. Early Belgian rifle can be right hand.



- Top covers on the L1A1 have 2 protruding ears on the bottom rear that fit into recesses milled into the upper receiver. Metric top covers do not have these ears.

They are basically the same, the only difference is cosmetic. Type 1 comes with and without a cut for a carry handle. Type 2 comes only with cut for carry handle and it has different lighting cuts on the rear left and right side that radius in and out.

The type 1 came first in the 1950's and early 60's then the type 2 started in the 1960's. This is a personal preference choice and can been seen on the photos posted on our site or in the FAL Rifle Book.

You need find a local FFL holder and have them fax a sign copy of the FFL to us to (847) 277-7259. They can either order from us or they can call to give us permission to have the customer (you) order it from us and pay directly. It can only be shipped to their licensed address so you can fill out the necessary BATFE paperwork. We do not control what they charge for this service; however we do need their permission. Dealer pricing will only be given to a dealer who has a valid license on file.

It varies depending on the type of rifle you order. We are custom manufacturer, since there are many options available it can effect the production time. We fabricate many different configurations and accessories. A basic rifle can take several weeks up to several months. It depends on our production schedule for a particular models barrel. We cannot fabricate every different barrel at once. We do a certain SKU or variation in the hundreds then move on to the next model. This rotates as does production of the different receiver types. We will always do our best to deliver what you require and are constantly making improvements to this process. These are labor intensive rifles to fabricate and assemble and not like a standard cookie cutter AR15 type rifle. It takes longer to fabricate the parts as there are much more precision machined parts.

If you have a backorder item it will be indicated on the invoice with the letters BO. We do not charge for any backorders until that are filled and ready to ship.

Our rifles take metric magazines and are fabricated using the original metric blueprints.

After the order is invoiced and packed you are automatically emailed a tracking # to the email you provided at the time of the order

It is ok to use either type as the difference is only approximately .003" chamber dimension.

Using a good commercial grade ammo with 147 gr FMJ bullets approx. average 3" to 4" at 100 yards. However, much greater accuracy has been achieved and reported by many customers including MOA. This depends on many variables that are too lengthy to list in this section.

Refer to page 24 in the field manual (you can download page 24 & 25 from our web under "printable forms" tab) and remember, to capture more gas, turn the regulator toward the gas block, (clockwise or towards the right) when looking down from the top of the handguards. This will make the rifle extract and eject with more force. To release more gas, turn the regulator away from the gas block or towards the left. Keep in mind you want the rifle to eject positively yet have the regulator opened enough so as to cause less recoil and wear on its working parts. However it should not be opened so far as to cause a short cycle, this will differ depending on the differentloads and brands of ammunition.



This feature is unique to the FAL and one of the great advantages of the FAL system. So utilize it to your benefit. It enables the rifle to keep functioning with high round counts when other rifles will just fail due to being too full of carbon and debris

All overseas order must be under $100.00 for parts and accessories. No barrels or bolts will be shipped until an approved export license is obtained from the State Department Office of Defense Trade Controls. This can take anywhere from 1 month to 9 months depending on their backlog and response time. Remember this is a Government agency and not in our control, don't shoot the messenger as we do not dictate policy.



Hopefully changes in these cold war era policies will be forthcoming and positive.



If you have issues or complaints with these policies we suggest you contact the FAIR Trade Group at (202) 296-2537. Also contact the NRA ILA at (703) 267-1166.



If you would like us to apply for an export license for you on our products, a nonrefundable fee of $250.00 is required. This does not guarantee an approved license will be issued. We will also need a Purchase Order, a copy of your import license or in cases of government orders an official request on Government letterhead and in some cases a DSP-83 end-user certificate. Look for guidance and forms at www.pmdtc.org

ITAR NOTICE:



Export of certain commodities described herein in strictly prohibited without a valid export license issued by the U.S. Department of State, Office of Defense Trade Controls, prescribed in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR)

The best way to find out is to watch our "New Products Section"; this is where we list these first as well as trade publications and shows.

PICATINNY GAS BLOCKS AND LOWERS: Picatinny gas blocks and lower have to be used together and not separate to keep the sight plane correct. The picatinny set up is great if the user wants to co witness with an optic. The picatinny set up is also great if the rifle is a scoped only rifle and needs only back up irons sights or no iron sights at all. The picatinny set up is best applied with a full rail interface option. For this option the user would have to purchase an extended scope mount and the rail interface hand guards.







FORWARD ASSIST: The forward assist option was created by the Israeli’s so they could assist the action in closing. It works by pushing in and forward at the same time. The forward assist is not compatible with a Para FAL because of the sand cut carrier.







L1A1 FOLDING COCKING HANDLE: This option was developed by the Canadians and used on most Inch pattern (L1A1s) FAL rifles. It was only used a lot PARA FAL metric rifles. The L1A1 folding cocking handle can be used on most FAL rifles except rifles ordered with a free float hand guard.







MATCH TRIGGER SET TRIGGER: This trigger was developed by DSarms and will give the rifle a 2.5-3 lb trigger pull. This trigger option uses a reduction button that is installed into a SAW grip (only). This is an excellent option for a FAL rifle that is going to be primarily used in a stable position, like off a bench or bipod.







SPEED TRIGGER: This trigger was also developed by DSarms and will give the rifle a 4.5-5 lb trigger pull. This trigger option is great for all around use and a great improvement over a standard FAL trigger.

Nitriding is a process that has been utilized by many manufacturing fields for many years including firearms manufactures. Mil-Spec chrome lined barrels have a chrome lining that is .0003" to .0005" thick on top of the steel, while the Nitride hardens the material .005" deep. Since chrome lining is plating process, it can chip and flake off as well as effect accuracy, where Nitride is a treatment that changes the barrel steel on a molecular level. This makes the steel “stronger/harder” by increasing the Rockwell hardness. Nitride also covers the inside and outside of the barrel, this is important as well because the Nitride process offers excellent corrosion resistance with a Rich deep black finish.