Q & A time

AR-tim · 04-13-2003, 10:09 PM

Before the questions, I thought this was cool.
I just saw in Shotgun News that Tapco is making furniture for FAL's that are based off of the M249 SAW. The buttstock tappers down and then spreads out again. I like that design because with a bi-pod in the prone position, you can cross your left arm over and brace the stock with that hand. The stock also has a buttplate that flips up like the SAW (or M14/M1A). There is also a carry handle and pistol grip like the SAW has. If you have been on the Tapco site lately, there is a FAL with this stock on on the top of the "page".

I have a few questions about about my STG-58(Hesse receiver) and about FALs.

1. How big is the "bi-pod cut" on the barrels? On the barrel on my rifle, it is the same size and cut as the front sling swivel mount. It is about 1/4 of an inch long. Is this for a bi-pod, or is this something else??? From the STG kits I have seen for sale, the bi-pods take up a much bigger area. Is there a bi-pod that would work on this? I have seen different ones for sale (heavy barrel, quick detach, etc.) but do not know what ones would fit. Any ideas? The hand guards on my rifle are cut for the legs of the bi-pod to fold into....

2. The bolt hold open doesn't work unless I push it up, and then pull the charging handle (it doesn't work when firing). I have seen bolt hold open springs for sale, and I was wondering if this is what I would need to fix my problem???

3. Is there anything bad about plastic hand guards? Do some have "heat shields" in them and some don't? I was thinking about buying some so they wouldn't heat really fast when I would let some rounds fly....

I'll say thanks in advance for the help. Hopefully I can shoot it tomorrow, weather permitting. This will probably be the 3 or 4 time I have got to shoot it, since I got this one. I still have to sight it in, and make sure it functions reliably. I think I will be sending Tapco a check pretty soon......

Pumpkinheaver · 04-14-2003, 04:20 PM

I don't know the answer to the bipod cut question as mine doesn't have it. But as far as the bolt hold open question goes go to http://www.dragonbbs.com/members/100...ltholdopen.htm and it will show you how to repair your bolt hold open pin, it's easy I "fixed" mine in about 20min.

AR-tim · 04-15-2003, 11:02 PM

Hey thanks for that link. Is there a reason that the "pins" were removed? I have a friend that's bolt hold open doesn't work, so I might have to pass this on.

Just asking, but what kind (and who assembled it) of FAL do you have?

Pumpkinheaver · 04-16-2003, 03:11 PM

Some countries especially the british, canadians and Aussies didn't like idea of having an open bolt on a rifle intended to be used for combat(dirt/crud could enter the action easier then if the bolt closed after the last shot) so they ground off the pins on all of their rifles. You will also notice that the inch version of the FAl the L1A1 has sand cuts on the bolt carrier something the regular FAL does not have.

Don · 04-18-2003, 12:31 PM

Pumpkinheaver; that was true of the Brits and the Aussies; however, in Canada we always left it in. Additionally we used the open body cover with the quick charger, for reloading magazines on the the rifle.

04-13-2003, 10:09 PM	#1
AR-tim Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: WI Posts: 307	Q & A time Before the questions, I thought this was cool. I just saw in Shotgun News that Tapco is making furniture for FAL's that are based off of the M249 SAW. The buttstock tappers down and then spreads out again. I like that design because with a bi-pod in the prone position, you can cross your left arm over and brace the stock with that hand. The stock also has a buttplate that flips up like the SAW (or M14/M1A). There is also a carry handle and pistol grip like the SAW has. If you have been on the Tapco site lately, there is a FAL with this stock on on the top of the "page". I have a few questions about about my STG-58(Hesse receiver) and about FALs. 1. How big is the "bi-pod cut" on the barrels? On the barrel on my rifle, it is the same size and cut as the front sling swivel mount. It is about 1/4 of an inch long. Is this for a bi-pod, or is this something else??? From the STG kits I have seen for sale, the bi-pods take up a much bigger area. Is there a bi-pod that would work on this? I have seen different ones for sale (heavy barrel, quick detach, etc.) but do not know what ones would fit. Any ideas? The hand guards on my rifle are cut for the legs of the bi-pod to fold into.... 2. The bolt hold open doesn't work unless I push it up, and then pull the charging handle (it doesn't work when firing). I have seen bolt hold open springs for sale, and I was wondering if this is what I would need to fix my problem??? 3. Is there anything bad about plastic hand guards? Do some have "heat shields" in them and some don't? I was thinking about buying some so they wouldn't heat really fast when I would let some rounds fly.... I'll say thanks in advance for the help. Hopefully I can shoot it tomorrow, weather permitting. This will probably be the 3 or 4 time I have got to shoot it, since I got this one. I still have to sight it in, and make sure it functions reliably. I think I will be sending Tapco a check pretty soon...... __________________ "Unfortunately, the Army has revealed no plans to develop an air-droppable, laser-guided, self-chilling keg of beer!" From "Airborne" by Tom Clancy

04-14-2003, 04:20 PM	#2
Pumpkinheaver Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,188	I don't know the answer to the bipod cut question as mine doesn't have it. But as far as the bolt hold open question goes go to http://www.dragonbbs.com/members/100...ltholdopen.htm and it will show you how to repair your bolt hold open pin, it's easy I "fixed" mine in about 20min. __________________ Just because your paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you!

04-15-2003, 11:02 PM	#3
AR-tim Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: WI Posts: 307	Hey thanks for that link. Is there a reason that the "pins" were removed? I have a friend that's bolt hold open doesn't work, so I might have to pass this on. Just asking, but what kind (and who assembled it) of FAL do you have? __________________ "Unfortunately, the Army has revealed no plans to develop an air-droppable, laser-guided, self-chilling keg of beer!" From "Airborne" by Tom Clancy

04-16-2003, 03:11 PM	#4
Pumpkinheaver Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,188	Some countries especially the british, canadians and Aussies didn't like idea of having an open bolt on a rifle intended to be used for combat(dirt/crud could enter the action easier then if the bolt closed after the last shot) so they ground off the pins on all of their rifles. You will also notice that the inch version of the FAl the L1A1 has sand cuts on the bolt carrier something the regular FAL does not have. __________________ Just because your paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you!

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04-18-2003, 12:31 PM	#5
Don Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan Posts: 56	Pumpkinheaver; that was true of the Brits and the Aussies; however, in Canada we always left it in. Additionally we used the open body cover with the quick charger, for reloading magazines on the the rifle.