Building a G3/Cetme/FAL

Pred · 03-03-2006, 03:28 PM

After my AR build, I've got a bug up my you know what

. I really like my current G3, but must have more. SO..... I know you can get the FAL/G3/Cetme kits for less than $300, so exactly how much does a receiver cost? Thats all you need for these correct? One of the kits and a receiver?

Big Dog · 03-04-2006, 05:09 AM

From what I've read, building an FAL is fairly straight-forward. More involved than an AR, but doable. The G3/CETME requires a powerful hydraulic press to set the barrel into the trunnion, then welding the trunnion into the receiver - far more involved than most home-hobbyists can do! We rag on the 'Century Assembler Monkeys', but they have the right tools.

Mooseman684 · 03-04-2006, 11:06 PM

Fn FAL Receivers are 200 to 400 bucks depending on manufacturer, but you have to know how to fit the barrel and Have the Proper Block Wrench for the receiver or you can mess it up fast while pulling Torque to lock in the Barrel.
It has to be 100% inline for the Gas system and Headspace. The rest of the assembly is straight forward other Than the Locking Shoulder Bolt that has to be measured and ordered for the right thickness, and that is Tricky if you don't have the Proper Micrometers and a special gauge.( I machined mine on my lathe) and a set of Go-No Go guages !
Rich

Pumpkinheaver · 03-05-2006, 05:19 PM

www.falfiles.com

Pred · 03-05-2006, 05:34 PM

Hmm, ok, so how hard is it to build an AK compared to those with a kit?

Big Dog · 03-05-2006, 07:12 PM

Our own BRG3 is THE MAN when it comes to AK builds. Hopefully, he'll be along to field this one. :cheer:

Pred · 03-05-2006, 07:25 PM

It just sounds like you need alot of expensive tools to do those, which I didn't know.

Mooseman684 · 03-06-2006, 12:41 AM

Ak's are Easier to build if you can rivet, Have taps and drills, and some files,Or have a hydraulic press, if you do a complete rivet build,and You buy a Reciever that has the rails welded already and the heat treating done!
You can see my AK and FAL builds at http://www.flickr.com/photos/mooseman684-guns/

BattleRifleG3 · 03-06-2006, 12:23 PM

I haven't done FAL builds, but my impression is that AK builds are easier, or at least more forgiving. You don't always have to adjust headspace on an AK build, as long as the trunion, barrel, and bolt have already been headspaced. With the FAL, there's no way not to, due to the bolt locking into the receiver. Check for matching numbers on the bolt, trunion, and barrel. Checking is a good idea, but that may be all you have to do for headspace.

Pred · 03-06-2006, 01:27 PM

Well, maybe you can explain another question I have. I was looking at a few sights and see they have the Yugo or Polish or whatever parts kit for like the Russian PPSH41/43. They say cut to BATF specs, whats that mean? Can you just buy one of these kits and find a receiver and your done?

Beer Forever · 03-06-2006, 01:35 PM

Man Pred, you are the master of projects. You should see my workshed, full of half-finished projects that I never got around to finishing. I saw at this past gun show that there was a booth with nothing but tool kits, if I knew ahead of time, I would have picked you up one for your .308 build

Pred · 03-06-2006, 01:38 PM

LOL thanks. Actually, what I'm trying to do is figure out what I can and can't do at the moment. Until I get a house with a nice big work area I'm up the creek if you know what I mean. I'd like to find some of these kits that can be put together like I did with my AR, or alittle more work, but nothing I need presses and stuff for, atleast not yet.

Beer Forever · 03-06-2006, 01:47 PM

Well, have fun either way. I will be picking your brain soon about putting everything together to make the complete lower. Just got the stag stripped a few days ago, it is NICE!

BattleRifleG3 · 03-06-2006, 01:49 PM

I have begun and not finished a project that requires a press and decent lathe. Bet you can't tell what I'm still needing to complete it.

An AK can be a workbench, not workshop, kind of project. A G3, that's pushing it.

Mooseman684 · 03-06-2006, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pred

Well, maybe you can explain another question I have. I was looking at a few sights and see they have the Yugo or Polish or whatever parts kit for like the Russian PPSH41/43. They say cut to BATF specs, whats that mean? Can you just buy one of these kits and find a receiver and your done?

What this means is they are a Machine Gun cut into pieces That The Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Feds say are now NON-Guns Just parts ! They are Guns Not allowed to be imported Whole and Only A Licensed CLASS 2 Manufacturer can Build them Back as A Law enforcement/ Government weapon Only that is Not available to the General Public!

03-03-2006, 03:28 PM	#1
Pred Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,873 Blog Entries: 3	Building a G3/Cetme/FAL After my AR build, I've got a bug up my you know what . I really like my current G3, but must have more. SO..... I know you can get the FAL/G3/Cetme kits for less than $300, so exactly how much does a receiver cost? Thats all you need for these correct? One of the kits and a receiver?

03-04-2006, 05:09 AM	#2
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,201	From what I've read, building an FAL is fairly straight-forward. More involved than an AR, but doable. The G3/CETME requires a powerful hydraulic press to set the barrel into the trunnion, then welding the trunnion into the receiver - far more involved than most home-hobbyists can do! We rag on the 'Century Assembler Monkeys', but they have the right tools. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

03-04-2006, 11:06 PM	#3
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,632 Images: 2	Fn FAL Receivers are 200 to 400 bucks depending on manufacturer, but you have to know how to fit the barrel and Have the Proper Block Wrench for the receiver or you can mess it up fast while pulling Torque to lock in the Barrel. It has to be 100% inline for the Gas system and Headspace. The rest of the assembly is straight forward other Than the Locking Shoulder Bolt that has to be measured and ordered for the right thickness, and that is Tricky if you don't have the Proper Micrometers and a special gauge.( I machined mine on my lathe) and a set of Go-No Go guages ! Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

03-05-2006, 05:19 PM	#4
Pumpkinheaver Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,336	www.falfiles.com __________________ Just because your paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you!

03-05-2006, 07:12 PM	#6
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,201	Our own BRG3 is THE MAN when it comes to AK builds. Hopefully, he'll be along to field this one. :cheer: __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

03-05-2006, 05:34 PM	#5
Pred Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,873 Blog Entries: 3	Hmm, ok, so how hard is it to build an AK compared to those with a kit?

03-05-2006, 07:25 PM	#7
Pred Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,873 Blog Entries: 3	It just sounds like you need alot of expensive tools to do those, which I didn't know.

03-06-2006, 12:41 AM	#8
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,632 Images: 2	Ak's are Easier to build if you can rivet, Have taps and drills, and some files,Or have a hydraulic press, if you do a complete rivet build,and You buy a Reciever that has the rails welded already and the heat treating done! You can see my AK and FAL builds at http://www.flickr.com/photos/mooseman684-guns/ __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

03-06-2006, 12:23 PM	#9
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,401 Images: 13	I haven't done FAL builds, but my impression is that AK builds are easier, or at least more forgiving. You don't always have to adjust headspace on an AK build, as long as the trunion, barrel, and bolt have already been headspaced. With the FAL, there's no way not to, due to the bolt locking into the receiver. Check for matching numbers on the bolt, trunion, and barrel. Checking is a good idea, but that may be all you have to do for headspace. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

03-06-2006, 01:27 PM	#10
Pred Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,873 Blog Entries: 3	Well, maybe you can explain another question I have. I was looking at a few sights and see they have the Yugo or Polish or whatever parts kit for like the Russian PPSH41/43. They say cut to BATF specs, whats that mean? Can you just buy one of these kits and find a receiver and your done?

03-06-2006, 01:35 PM	#11
Beer Forever Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,714	Man Pred, you are the master of projects. You should see my workshed, full of half-finished projects that I never got around to finishing. I saw at this past gun show that there was a booth with nothing but tool kits, if I knew ahead of time, I would have picked you up one for your .308 build __________________ Paramedic sks forever

03-06-2006, 01:38 PM	#12
Pred Banned Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,873 Blog Entries: 3	LOL thanks. Actually, what I'm trying to do is figure out what I can and can't do at the moment. Until I get a house with a nice big work area I'm up the creek if you know what I mean. I'd like to find some of these kits that can be put together like I did with my AR, or alittle more work, but nothing I need presses and stuff for, atleast not yet.

03-06-2006, 01:47 PM	#13
Beer Forever Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,714	Well, have fun either way. I will be picking your brain soon about putting everything together to make the complete lower. Just got the stag stripped a few days ago, it is NICE! __________________ Paramedic sks forever

03-06-2006, 01:49 PM	#14
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,401 Images: 13	I have begun and not finished a project that requires a press and decent lathe. Bet you can't tell what I'm still needing to complete it. An AK can be a workbench, not workshop, kind of project. A G3, that's pushing it. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf