Finally...

[AR-tim]

I bought an STG-58 with an Imbel receiver awhile back at a gun show for $450. It came with two mags and a mag pouch. I cleaned it, then took it out to the range. I would not cycle consistantly. It would eject the brass, but not load a new round. I played with the gas system, and tried different mags and ammo. Nothing helped. I couldn't contact the dealer I bought it from because there was no phone number, or address on the receipt. Finally, I saw that same dealer at another gun show, and explained the situation. He said he would send the rifle in (to Century, I beleive) and have them fix it, and ship it to my front door. -I brought the rifle with me to that gun show, figuring that he would be there, and he was- Well, the other day I came home to a long, thin box. Open it up, and there was my baby. It was a completely different rifle! I noticed right away, the butt stock was different; it had a rear sling swivel, and it had more of a shinny finish. The rifle also had metal front hand guards, where as the old one had plastic ones. The "charging" handle was polished(?) aluminum (bright finish, not black). Here is the biggest surprise though. I sent it in an Imbel, and it came back a Hesse!!! After a good cleaning, the rifle looks pretty decent. I know someone with this same rifle, and his works great. I have yet to shoot it, but I'll let you know how it works out. The guy sent me another mag pouch and one more mag too. He said to let him know if I have anymore problems with it, and thanks for being patient. Both rifles have Centurion 58 stamped on the barrels, and the new one has "assembled by CAI" on the receiver.

I would say that is pretty decent customer service. I hope I can use up some of that English surplus 7.62X51 I just bought (660 for $120) this weekend.....

[BattleRifleG3]

Dang, it looks like they just outright sent you a new rifle. I actually believe a Hesse receiver is a step down from an Imbel, which is one of the better FAL receivers.

[AR-tim]

I'll hold out my official opinions until I shoot it. If this one works, that will be good enough for me. Keep in mind, the Imbel didn't work (not saying the receiver was the problem), and the Hesse might (keeping fingers crossed).

The guy I know with the Hesse was shooting with a guy with a DSA. Long story short.... The guy with the DSA said "Hesse, I have heard bad things about them". Then he fired a mag or two, and his DSA kept jamming on him. So the guy with the Hesse, had to show him up, and ran 2 mags though his gun pretty quickly, with no problems. I can't remember if he said anything, but it shows you can't judge a book by it's cover.

When I was looking for an FAL type rifle, I wanted a DSA, but couldn't afford one (even the $800 dealer price would be high-I know a dealer real good). So I went on the long hunt, not a lot of FAL's in my area. Everyone knows AKs and ARs, but what the hell is an FN-FAL/STG-58???? So I find an Imbel, and buy it. From what I hear, they are respectable rifles. Now I end up with a Hesse. Should of saved the time and hassle and bought a DSA, but who knows. This may be my best rifle yet...Then again, still want an M-14/M-1A, so I have 3 common US military rifles (M-1, AR-15).........

Two questions:
1. On the rifle with the Imbel, the gas tube went all the way from the front sight post to the receiver (if I remember right). On the Hesse rifle, the gas tube has gap in it, about an inch or two long. It is not in an area where the "head" of the gas piston would ride. Is this normal??

2. How long is the "groove" where a bi-pod can attach? On this rifle, it has a "groove" that just looks like another mount for the front sling swivel. It is about 1/4-1/5 long (from memory). Is this for a bi-pod? The hand guards have the "cuts" in them for a bi-pod to fold into. This "groove" is just ahead of the front sling swivel.


Time to buy a bi-pod, sling, plastic hand guards, mags, and as always, more ammo.

Thanks.

[FALPhil]

Originally posted by AR-tim

1. On the rifle with the Imbel, the gas tube went all the way from the front sight post to the receiver (if I remember right). On the Hesse rifle, the gas tube has gap in it, about an inch or two long. It is not in an area where the "head" of the gas piston would ride. Is this normal??

The later versions, especially the second run of StG-58s had a brazed in short gas tube. If the short tube is not brazed in, I would be suspicious. If it is brazed, then chances are it is an StG-58 or late model metric FAL.

Originally posted by AR-tim
2. How long is the "groove" where a bi-pod can attach? On this rifle, it has a "groove" that just looks like another mount for the front sling swivel. It is about 1/4-1/5 long (from memory). Is this for a bi-pod? The hand guards have the "cuts" in them for a bi-pod to fold into.

Thanks.

Yes. The bipod cut on a metric FAL barrel is a cut band that goes completely around the barrel about the same width as the sling swivel cut. In the top of the bipod cut, there is a keyway cut that keeps the bipod from revolving around the barrel when it is in deployed position.

[AR-tim]

Thanks for the input... I also forgot to mention that the "new" rifle came with a carry handle on it, and the "old" one didn't have one. Just one more detail.

[AR-tim]

I took it out to the range for a quick "test" session. It worked pretty good. I need to sight it in still, but I'll do that some other day. I only got to fire about 25 rounds through it. It hung up a few times(3-4), but I didn't try a different mag or anything... I am just glad this one works.

[WyrTwister]

Originally posted by AR-tim
I took it out to the range for a quick "test" session. It worked pretty good. I need to sight it in still, but I'll do that some other day. I only got to fire about 25 rounds through it. It hung up a few times(3-4), but I didn't try a different mag or anything... I am just glad this one works.

Before you shoot it again , please get some one to check the head space for you . Or order a No-Go & check it your self ( $ 15 - 25 ) .

I have a Century FrankenFal that shoots fine , but do not trust your life with anything Century has assembled !

After cleaning , I lube my FrankenFal with grease on the high speed parts , like a Garand . Gun oil on the rest of the metal .

You probably know this , but adjust the gas until it functions & then increas the gas one more number . When adjusted this way , my rifle is very soft recoiling . :-)

Oh , and if it still gives problems , test fire it with different ammo , although , it ought to be OK with any NATO ammo .

Wyr
God Bless

[MAX7.62]

The only other notorious problem with the century FAL's has been with their 2 piece gas pistons. They are junk - period and will cause cycling problems, intermittent to won't work at all. The 2 piece pistons are easy to spot, they usually have tooth marks from either a pipe wrench or vice grips. Replacement is cheap and easy and usually fixes about 99% of the cycling problems with the Century FAL's

[AR-tim]

Thanks, I'll take a look..