Imbel kit with tapco unfinished receiver

Poccur · 02-08-2003, 07:34 AM

OK, I understand from the atf that its legal to make your own rifle so long as you make it yourself and you do not sell it.
So, I see tapco sells kits for imbels and they also sell an unfinished receiver. This brings to mind a few questions:
1, how easy is it to finish a FAL receiver?
2, other than the barrel removing tool, is there any other 'special' tools that would be needed?
3, is it possible/feasible to do this thing?
4, do I still need to replace the required amount of parts with USA built ones? Even though I am the gun manufacturer?

Obviously I would get a gunsmith to check the headspace/overall build quality before firing...

I have restored a bunch of Nagants, some SKS but never worked on a FAL and thought this might be a great way to get to know the breed...your views please

respectfully
Poccur

gunsmith_tony · 02-09-2003, 08:20 PM

1, how easy is it to finish a FAL receiver?
If your referring to the "80%" casting...if you dont have the necessary tooling, it can be a hellish nightmare. If you don't have the proper blue-prints, you'll have to reverse-engineer it from a finished Imbel receiver. That too can be very problematic. Needless to say...hand tools won't do it. I have 4-lathes, a mill, 2-drill presses, 2-arbor presses, and 25-yrs experience as a gas-gun builder...and I won't do it.
2, other than the barrel removing tool, is there any other 'special' tools that would be needed?
You can get by with vising the barrel on the flats...assuming you have a "Real" vise. A good receiver wrench however, is a MUST. You will need a set of headspace guages (GO & NoGO). And you will need either a Guage Rod, or a set of Pin Guages with which to measure your headspace in conjunction with the headspace guages. A buttstock tool is also very handy.
3, is it possible/feasible to do this thing?
Sure. As with any project, it depends on how serious and determined you are. The FAL is amung the few service rifles that CAN be built by someone other than a qualified gunsmith. But be warned...don't even try it without the proper tools, and just as important...information.
4, do I still need to replace the required amount of parts with USA built ones? Even though I am the gun manufacturer?
Yes. If your building it up from a parts kit consisting of foreign parts, you'll still have to render it compliant even though you've "Made" the receiver. And since you are not a licensed manufacturer, you'll have to obtain a letter from the ATF certifying that "Your" receiver is a US mfg. part. However, you can easily render it compliant without having to go through all that.

Poccur · 04-08-2003, 02:21 PM

Thanx for the info......Eventually have chosen to go the route of a Dans grade 3 kit and I will buy an imbel receiver.....Not quite so cool as building it myself but I would like it done before this summer!!

If anyone knows of a cheap receiver going for sale......I sure would like to know.....

Thanx again for the info

Poccur

MikeC · 04-11-2003, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Poccur

If anyone knows of a cheap receiver going for sale......I sure would like to know.....

Poccur

Define cheap.

Poccur · 04-23-2003, 02:45 PM

I guess less than $200..what do you have?

MikeC · 04-23-2003, 10:50 PM

Contact Harlan at FAC. They have Imbel type III and their own Dan Coonan type I receivers for $199. There is a backorder on certain versions of the Coonan's but I think they have the Imbel. The Imbel is from Brazil, the Coonan is a US part.

If you are a glutton for punishment, or you have friends who have built some FAL's Harlan has the Century for $129 BUT they can be tough to get to function correctly.

02-08-2003, 07:34 AM	#1
Poccur Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 15	Imbel kit with tapco unfinished receiver OK, I understand from the atf that its legal to make your own rifle so long as you make it yourself and you do not sell it. So, I see tapco sells kits for imbels and they also sell an unfinished receiver. This brings to mind a few questions: 1, how easy is it to finish a FAL receiver? 2, other than the barrel removing tool, is there any other 'special' tools that would be needed? 3, is it possible/feasible to do this thing? 4, do I still need to replace the required amount of parts with USA built ones? Even though I am the gun manufacturer? Obviously I would get a gunsmith to check the headspace/overall build quality before firing... I have restored a bunch of Nagants, some SKS but never worked on a FAL and thought this might be a great way to get to know the breed...your views please respectfully Poccur

02-09-2003, 08:20 PM	#2
gunsmith_tony Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.W. Atlanta, GA Posts: 39	1, how easy is it to finish a FAL receiver? If your referring to the "80%" casting...if you dont have the necessary tooling, it can be a hellish nightmare. If you don't have the proper blue-prints, you'll have to reverse-engineer it from a finished Imbel receiver. That too can be very problematic. Needless to say...hand tools won't do it. I have 4-lathes, a mill, 2-drill presses, 2-arbor presses, and 25-yrs experience as a gas-gun builder...and I won't do it. 2, other than the barrel removing tool, is there any other 'special' tools that would be needed? You can get by with vising the barrel on the flats...assuming you have a "Real" vise. A good receiver wrench however, is a MUST. You will need a set of headspace guages (GO & NoGO). And you will need either a Guage Rod, or a set of Pin Guages with which to measure your headspace in conjunction with the headspace guages. A buttstock tool is also very handy. 3, is it possible/feasible to do this thing? Sure. As with any project, it depends on how serious and determined you are. The FAL is amung the few service rifles that CAN be built by someone other than a qualified gunsmith. But be warned...don't even try it without the proper tools, and just as important...information. 4, do I still need to replace the required amount of parts with USA built ones? Even though I am the gun manufacturer? Yes. If your building it up from a parts kit consisting of foreign parts, you'll still have to render it compliant even though you've "Made" the receiver. And since you are not a licensed manufacturer, you'll have to obtain a letter from the ATF certifying that "Your" receiver is a US mfg. part. However, you can easily render it compliant without having to go through all that. __________________ Tony Marshburn M&M Gunsmithing 489 Pomona Circle, SW Atlanta, GA 30315-7229 M&M Gunsmithing

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04-08-2003, 02:21 PM	#3
Poccur Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 15	Thanx for the info......Eventually have chosen to go the route of a Dans grade 3 kit and I will buy an imbel receiver.....Not quite so cool as building it myself but I would like it done before this summer!! If anyone knows of a cheap receiver going for sale......I sure would like to know..... Thanx again for the info Poccur

04-23-2003, 02:45 PM	#5
Poccur Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 15	I guess less than $200..what do you have?

04-23-2003, 10:50 PM	#6
MikeC Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 96	Contact Harlan at FAC. They have Imbel type III and their own Dan Coonan type I receivers for $199. There is a backorder on certain versions of the Coonan's but I think they have the Imbel. The Imbel is from Brazil, the Coonan is a US part. If you are a glutton for punishment, or you have friends who have built some FAL's Harlan has the Century for $129 BUT they can be tough to get to function correctly.