Imbel vs G1 vs L1A1 vs anything else

BattleRifleG3 · 10-06-2002, 01:29 AM

I've seen parts kits for each in Tapco and FAC, and receivers in FAC by Imbel and various US manufacturers.

I hear that Imbel is better, and I would guess that the fit and function would be better between an Imbel receiver and parts kit than between a G1 parts kit and US made receiver. The US compliance parts (stock set and fire control parts) all come together anyway, so a US made receiver isn't necessary.

Or should I consider a different set of parts and receiver?

And how would this compare to a pre-assembled L1A1 from Centerfire (presumably Century... anyone else make them for under $500?)

MikeC · 10-16-2002, 02:14 AM

G3, What do you mean "Imbel is better"? Do you mean their receivers or rifle kits? The receivers are less expensive than the DSA, BUT the DSA counts as a US part. Currently I'm waiting for a DSA type 01 from the falfiles.com group buy. (not sure if any are left, nice price break). I have a G1 kit, waiting for some extra $$ for the other parts. Many of the Imbel kits are in better condition than the G1's, more use on those. As far as fit, hmm, there hasn't been any problems mentioned about that. It just goes for the look you want I guess.
Remember, the L1A1 should be an "inch" pattern, the Imbel's and G1's are metric. Also, check around for reliability issues with the Century.

BattleRifleG3 · 10-16-2002, 09:13 AM

Yes I know that the L1A1 is inch and the others metric. When I said Imbel was better, I meant my impression was that the kits and receivers would be better than the G1 kit and the cheaper US receivers (as sold by FAC for under $200).

And as far as US parts go, the compliance kits I would use all have enough parts to use a foreign receiver. Another reason I would be inclined towards Imbel receiver and kit is that they were originally together.

M1rifleman · 10-17-2002, 05:40 PM

well i got a CAI L1A1 and can give soime pros and cons

PROS: the thibng is actually prettyaccurate for its appearence and shoots and handles real well from offhand and recoil is light due to the adjustable gas systems

CONS: the trigger is really heavy and i was having a hard time concentrating while tryin to pull that 12-14 pound thing. the sights could be better and when i first shot it they were way off ......they didnt even hit the target.

overall i think that the Century L1a1 that i have was pretty good and even though its not a target rifle me and my dad could get 1 1/2 to 2 nch groups at 100 yards consistently with surplus ammo. and if you do buy it from Century clean it like 10 times before you shoot it cause all that cosmoline doesnt come off the first time

Indy · 10-20-2002, 08:47 PM

I bought a CAI L1A1 at a gunshow Saturday. It looked in excellent shape, but naturally I had my doubts on whether I was taken or not. Cleaned it well after disassembly. I had to take a mallet and a piece of wood to get the lower and upper to unlock.
I shot it out back in the woods behind my house yesterday. I wanted to check extraction and ejection. Of course, it aroused the neighbors and about busted my eardrums. Everything worked good.
I took it to the range today. It sure was fun to shoot and showed amazing accuracy. I am not sure how to move the rear sight. If anyone knows please pass it on. At 100yds it rang the steels almost every time. At 200yds I compensated and hit the steels a few times. I believe it is a keeper.
Indy

Viper Mike Golf · 10-29-2002, 05:59 PM

Not sure what way you needed to move the rear sights, but the windage is accomplished by push me pulee me screws to the left and right sides of the sight. Maybe not the correct technical term, but when you tighten one you must loosen the other. As far as elevation is concerned push the rear sight to the side, it is spring loaded so you have to hold it there while you move the sight up or down. Hope this helps. I own a Century L1A1 and despite all of the negative press, it is a pleasure to shoot. Never had a malfunction yet, and I have probably put 5-600 rounds through it.

WyrTwister · 12-29-2002, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Indy
I bought a CAI L1A1 at a gunshow Saturday. It looked in excellent shape, but naturally I had my doubts on whether I was taken or not. Cleaned it well after disassembly. I had to take a mallet and a piece of wood to get the lower and upper to unlock.
I shot it out back in the woods behind my house yesterday. I wanted to check extraction and ejection. Of course, it aroused the neighbors and about busted my eardrums. Everything worked good.
I took it to the range today. It sure was fun to shoot and showed amazing accuracy. I am not sure how to move the rear sight. If anyone knows please pass it on. At 100yds it rang the steels almost every time. At 200yds I compensated and hit the steels a few times. I believe it is a keeper.
Indy

Best I remember , you loosen one screw on one side of the rear sight & tighten the other . For elevation , the front sight screws up or down , with a set screw to keep it in place .

Wyr
God Bless

WyrTwister · 12-29-2002, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BattleRifleG3
I've seen parts kits for each in Tapco and FAC, and receivers in FAC by Imbel and various US manufacturers.

I hear that Imbel is better, and I would guess that the fit and function would be better between an Imbel receiver and parts kit than between a G1 parts kit and US made receiver. The US compliance parts (stock set and fire control parts) all come together anyway, so a US made receiver isn't necessary.

Or should I consider a different set of parts and receiver?

And how would this compare to a pre-assembled L1A1 from Centerfire (presumably Century... anyone else make them for under $500?)

Go with the Imbel receiver .

Wyr
God Bless

REM.303 · 01-07-2003, 11:58 PM

Hey guy's, are CSI recievers "Inch" or "Metric"? My L1A1 with the CSI Reciever likes the Metric mags only (Inch will not fit). It works well, not a malf since I have had it. please let me know.

guffster · 01-08-2003, 05:49 PM

Rem.303, if yours is like mine & most of the older century L1A1's they have an Imbel metric receiver & everything else is British L1A1 inch pattern.

MAX7.62 · 01-27-2003, 10:26 PM

The newer CAI L1's seem to have some sort of inch type rec but metric mags seem to fit better? Someone above mentioned the 15 plus pound trigger - pretty standard FAL. A bit of cleaning on the sear notches with a stone helps but BE CAREFUL, FAL triggers can be touchy, easy to take off too much. A set of Wolff springs is not a bad thing but make sure to use a SET, not just one or two springs. FAL's will never have a match trigger feel but they can be cleaned up and the triggers that Century uses are pretty notchy. You can go the big bucks way and get a complete DSA trigger set for about 90 bones. The only other major operational problem I've seen with some Centurys is the 2 piece gas piston but some of the newer ones are comming with a one piece piston. Some simple adjusting and tuning makes the Century rifles really good shooters and the earlier ones did have an Imbel reciever. I'm not sure who's making their new recievers but I get the feeling it's Hesse.

Max

Jambo · 01-31-2003, 09:05 PM

are there any crappy FAL rifles. I know that with Mausers, you gotta look out for war-time manufactered German 98s (slaves sabotaged the metalurgy) and all Turkish made 98s. But is there any country that made poor quality FAL's or any variant to look out for?

gunsmith_tony · 02-09-2003, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jambo
are there any crappy FAL rifles. I know that with Mausers, you gotta look out for war-time manufactered German 98s (slaves sabotaged the metalurgy) and all Turkish made 98s. But is there any country that made poor quality FAL's or any variant to look out for?

Some of the FAL's made in India generally exhibit overall poor finish quality. That being said...I've never heard of any problems with them relating to proper function, or reliability. They just don't "Look" as good as some. Of all the countries that made them, the only pieces of junk I've seen thusfar are some of the Century "Throw-together's". Their very much the crap-shoot. And of course German G1's and African R1's generally show lots of wear compaired to their Austrian and South American cousins.

Jambo · 02-22-2003, 04:05 PM

that's what a figured out about the Imbels. I asked on of the Sophmore's at Murray State College (where I go) said to get either an STG58 kit ($300-$450) or Imbel ($100-$150) Got a hand picked Imbel kit coming in from TAPCO and gonna get an Imbel receiver ordered from Sarco Inc ($229.50). I'm pretty excited.
thanks for the input.

Pumpkinheaver · 02-23-2003, 02:59 AM

I bought a century R1A1 yesterday and had a chance to try it out today. 60 rounds with zero malfunctions using surplus spanish ammo. My rifle has an Imbel receiver by the way, inside the mag well is 2000 etched into the metal. The only problem I've had is that the rifle came with two mags a metric and an inch pattern, only the metric will fit.:assult:

Jambo · 02-24-2003, 02:05 AM

the inch magazines can be modified to fit metric upper recievers, I just can't remember how, though. but it IS possible.

10-06-2002, 01:29 AM	#1
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,475 Images: 13	Imbel vs G1 vs L1A1 vs anything else I've seen parts kits for each in Tapco and FAC, and receivers in FAC by Imbel and various US manufacturers. I hear that Imbel is better, and I would guess that the fit and function would be better between an Imbel receiver and parts kit than between a G1 parts kit and US made receiver. The US compliance parts (stock set and fire control parts) all come together anyway, so a US made receiver isn't necessary. Or should I consider a different set of parts and receiver? And how would this compare to a pre-assembled L1A1 from Centerfire (presumably Century... anyone else make them for under $500?) __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

10-16-2002, 09:13 AM	#3
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,475 Images: 13	Yes I know that the L1A1 is inch and the others metric. When I said Imbel was better, I meant my impression was that the kits and receivers would be better than the G1 kit and the cheaper US receivers (as sold by FAC for under $200). And as far as US parts go, the compliance kits I would use all have enough parts to use a foreign receiver. Another reason I would be inclined towards Imbel receiver and kit is that they were originally together. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf Last edited by BattleRifleG3; 10-16-2002 at 09:15 AM.

10-17-2002, 05:40 PM	#4
M1rifleman Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Cypress, CA Posts: 33	well i got a CAI L1A1 and can give soime pros and cons PROS: the thibng is actually prettyaccurate for its appearence and shoots and handles real well from offhand and recoil is light due to the adjustable gas systems CONS: the trigger is really heavy and i was having a hard time concentrating while tryin to pull that 12-14 pound thing. the sights could be better and when i first shot it they were way off ......they didnt even hit the target. overall i think that the Century L1a1 that i have was pretty good and even though its not a target rifle me and my dad could get 1 1/2 to 2 nch groups at 100 yards consistently with surplus ammo. and if you do buy it from Century clean it like 10 times before you shoot it cause all that cosmoline doesnt come off the first time __________________ http://www.subtlepassion.com/md/m1_sig.gif

10-29-2002, 05:59 PM	#6
Viper Mike Golf Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ontario, OR Posts: 19	Not sure what way you needed to move the rear sights, but the windage is accomplished by push me pulee me screws to the left and right sides of the sight. Maybe not the correct technical term, but when you tighten one you must loosen the other. As far as elevation is concerned push the rear sight to the side, it is spring loaded so you have to hold it there while you move the sight up or down. Hope this helps. I own a Century L1A1 and despite all of the negative press, it is a pleasure to shoot. Never had a malfunction yet, and I have probably put 5-600 rounds through it. __________________ Andy "God willing and a good boresight"

01-07-2003, 11:58 PM	#9
REM.303 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: 15 miles PAST the end of the earth Posts: 151	Hey guy's, are CSI recievers "Inch" or "Metric"? My L1A1 with the CSI Reciever likes the Metric mags only (Inch will not fit). It works well, not a malf since I have had it. please let me know. __________________ Remember, the easy path IS ALWAYS Mined... Last edited by REM.303; 01-08-2003 at 12:00 AM.

10-16-2002, 02:14 AM	#2
MikeC Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 96	G3, What do you mean "Imbel is better"? Do you mean their receivers or rifle kits? The receivers are less expensive than the DSA, BUT the DSA counts as a US part. Currently I'm waiting for a DSA type 01 from the falfiles.com group buy. (not sure if any are left, nice price break). I have a G1 kit, waiting for some extra $$ for the other parts. Many of the Imbel kits are in better condition than the G1's, more use on those. As far as fit, hmm, there hasn't been any problems mentioned about that. It just goes for the look you want I guess. Remember, the L1A1 should be an "inch" pattern, the Imbel's and G1's are metric. Also, check around for reliability issues with the Century.

10-20-2002, 08:47 PM	#5
Indy Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 336	I bought a CAI L1A1 at a gunshow Saturday. It looked in excellent shape, but naturally I had my doubts on whether I was taken or not. Cleaned it well after disassembly. I had to take a mallet and a piece of wood to get the lower and upper to unlock. I shot it out back in the woods behind my house yesterday. I wanted to check extraction and ejection. Of course, it aroused the neighbors and about busted my eardrums. Everything worked good. I took it to the range today. It sure was fun to shoot and showed amazing accuracy. I am not sure how to move the rear sight. If anyone knows please pass it on. At 100yds it rang the steels almost every time. At 200yds I compensated and hit the steels a few times. I believe it is a keeper. Indy

01-08-2003, 05:49 PM	#10
guffster Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: MS, 20mi. outside Mphs.TN Posts: 277	Rem.303, if yours is like mine & most of the older century L1A1's they have an Imbel metric receiver & everything else is British L1A1 inch pattern.

01-27-2003, 10:26 PM	#11
MAX7.62 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Classified Posts: 934	The newer CAI L1's seem to have some sort of inch type rec but metric mags seem to fit better? Someone above mentioned the 15 plus pound trigger - pretty standard FAL. A bit of cleaning on the sear notches with a stone helps but BE CAREFUL, FAL triggers can be touchy, easy to take off too much. A set of Wolff springs is not a bad thing but make sure to use a SET, not just one or two springs. FAL's will never have a match trigger feel but they can be cleaned up and the triggers that Century uses are pretty notchy. You can go the big bucks way and get a complete DSA trigger set for about 90 bones. The only other major operational problem I've seen with some Centurys is the 2 piece gas piston but some of the newer ones are comming with a one piece piston. Some simple adjusting and tuning makes the Century rifles really good shooters and the earlier ones did have an Imbel reciever. I'm not sure who's making their new recievers but I get the feeling it's Hesse. Max __________________ The Second Amendment, it ain't about DUCK HUNTING! I feel more like I do now that I did when I first got here!

01-31-2003, 09:05 PM	#12
Jambo Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bum-**** Egypt Posts: 22	Crap FAL are there any crappy FAL rifles. I know that with Mausers, you gotta look out for war-time manufactered German 98s (slaves sabotaged the metalurgy) and all Turkish made 98s. But is there any country that made poor quality FAL's or any variant to look out for? __________________ "Get yer stinkin' paws off my guns, you **** dirty Liberals!!"

02-22-2003, 04:05 PM	#14
Jambo Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bum-**** Egypt Posts: 22	N/A that's what a figured out about the Imbels. I asked on of the Sophmore's at Murray State College (where I go) said to get either an STG58 kit ($300-$450) or Imbel ($100-$150) Got a hand picked Imbel kit coming in from TAPCO and gonna get an Imbel receiver ordered from Sarco Inc ($229.50). I'm pretty excited. thanks for the input. __________________ "Get yer stinkin' paws off my guns, you **** dirty Liberals!!"

02-23-2003, 02:59 AM	#15
Pumpkinheaver Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,379	I bought a century R1A1 yesterday and had a chance to try it out today. 60 rounds with zero malfunctions using surplus spanish ammo. My rifle has an Imbel receiver by the way, inside the mag well is 2000 etched into the metal. The only problem I've had is that the rifle came with two mags a metric and an inch pattern, only the metric will fit.:assult: __________________ Just because your paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you!

02-24-2003, 02:05 AM	#16
Jambo Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bum-**** Egypt Posts: 22	the inch magazines can be modified to fit metric upper recievers, I just can't remember how, though. but it IS possible. __________________ "Get yer stinkin' paws off my guns, you **** dirty Liberals!!"