HNGD - Brazilian FAL

Mr Clark said:
Jester, love the Fal, those Imbels are superb rifles, I would concur, GGG is the way to go.

Just to add my few to the Fal family on here, I have two, an Enfield made 1962 L1A1 and Lithgow made, 1964 dated example.

The Enfield, was the very first UK produced L1A1 back in 2011, it was made with a Reciver and bolt kit supplied by Helston Gunsmiths and a custom barrel, machined to L1A1 spec, obviously without the gas port.

I painted the rifle and restored / fitted correct early furniture.

I fancied a Lithgow L1A1, so again Helstons supplied the correct parts kit and I finished the rifle as a late spec Lithgow, with correct Lithgow coachwood and rare firstbpattern Laminated forend.

The next mission was a .22 conversion kit, this was located in the US, and imported to the UK, with the Liner machined to a perfect fit for my Enfield.

I also have a spare liner on my FAC, just in case it ever gives out!

Pics of both, with the .22 kit and fitted with a very rare No74 trails scope, one of only 100 ever made.
Click to expand...
Very nice examples and the 22 kit is always a nice addition.

I really must try to make it to one of the SLR/FAL specific comp events at Bisley. I gather there's an occasional gathering for a fun shoot off.
 
Jester said:
Very nice examples and the 22 kit is always a nice addition.

I really must try to make it to one of the SLR/FAL specific comp events at Bisley. I gather there's an occasional gathering for a fun shoot off.
Click to expand...
I must admit, apart from my twice a year ammo restock at the NRA , on my way to Guilford, I dont get to Bisley much anymore.

It's a 'royal' pain in arse to get too from the South West and my local ranges are more than good enough mate.

Re the .22 kit, the ever present issue ( as they did in service) is the possibility of the liner bulging into the bore and becoming ' firmly ' wedged in position.

Back in the day, the 'fix' was to put the full bore bolt group into store and paint a white band with '.22 lr only' written on the rifle, it would be a trainer for rest of its service life, or until some unlucky REME Armourer had the job of fixing it!

If my liner did this, it would be a royal pain in the arse removing the liner from the bore.

I had a machinist mate turn down a steel rod, fractionally smaller than the bore and a rodded stuck case extractor to grip the chamber of the insert from the rear, a workshop, two people and a bit of luck, it might be removed without damaging the rifles bore!

I have very occasionally over the years considered the possibility of permanently fitting a .22 liner as a dedicated LR rifle to the Enfield.

One method I considered ( if I ever did do it) would be to remove the FE, cover the muzzle, do the same with the liner, oil up the liner and use a syringe to inject resin into the bore, to create a temporary 7.62mm smooth bore.

When set, remove liner, clean away all traces of oil with solvent and gorilla glue the liner permanently in position the bore, re-crown and refit the FE.

That way it will 'never' bulge...

I would then reproof the rifle as .22lr and inform the police of a change of calibre, moving it to a vacant. 22 slot on my FAC.

Ive thought about that for over10 years now.

I do have a complete ( none controlled) spares backup for both rifles and conversion kit, hammers ( because they crack and fail), action springs, hammer spring struts, sears and firing pins and retaining pins, extractors and ejector blocks.

It's getting harder to source parts these days and I want to ensure these rifles remain operational for many years ahead.
 
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