I am about to throw my new DSA FAL in the lake

Z

Zeebrahed

New member
I have recently aquired a NIB SA-58 carbine (full length handguards) FAL. I have sent approx 400 rounds downrange but am having a weird problem. The gun will only function on a gas setting of 1 or 2. In addition, it varies from slinging brass 10-15 feet to barely falling out of the ejection port. After about 70 rounds, the gun is jamming up several times a mag. After a hundred rounds...forget it. $1300 paperweight. Different ammo..no help. Different mags (possible bent feed lips) no help. Gas system seems to foul very quickly, ie. the piston and plug are so caked and sooty its almost unbelieveable.

I am going to have to pay to send this d*** thing back to DSA, when I expected it to be the best out of the box. What do I do? Spend the scratch and send this thing back to DSA and wait heaven only knows how long to get back. Or....option 2. Sell this rifle (at a loss) let someone else worry about it and use the money to totally overhaul my beaten up Garand? Why did I think I could get something better than the old Garand anyway? It has never failed me.

I am sorry for the rapid breathing and the drama. I have just about had it, and I needed to vent. Thanks.
 
Z,

I'm surprised to hear about your problem. What has been DSA's response so far? Have you called them?

I own an SA-58, and it's rock-solid. Likes a gas setting of 4-5 normally. Can you detect any sort of burrs or machining flaws in the chamber? How does the action feel - any unusual drag there? What kind of lubrication are you using? How much, and where are you applying it? Finally, what ammo have you tried so far? What kind of accuracy are you experiencing? Some more data might help us suggest a cause for your woes...

If you run out of options with DSA, e-mail me before you toss 'er in the lake! I might be able to scrape up some cash to prevent the soaking.

Best,
Steve
 
WE all need to vent every so often. What ammo are you using? Are you keeping the gas system free of oil and grease? You have a metric rifle; make certain your mags are metric and not inch-pattern.
 
Steve,


>I'm surprised to hear about your problem. What has been DSA's response so far? Have you called them?

They told me, "send it in"

>Can you detect any sort of burrs or machining flaws in the chamber?

No. It is finely crafted to be sure, I see no blatant visual indicators.

>How does the action feel - any unusual drag there?

Action is still tight. Wear marks in the usual places.

>What kind of lubrication are you using? How much, and where are you applying it?

I am lubricating IAW the documentation that was provided with my rifle. Specific oil is Rem Oil. Is this in need of a change?

>Finally, what ammo have you tried so far?

Primarily, RG w/ late 80's headstamps. Shoots fine in my buddies Century. I have tried some Federal red box (expensive)and its the same story.

>What kind of accuracy are you experiencing?

One word: Incredible. This rifle, when working, makes me look way better than I really am. I topped it with a DSA mount and ACOG Reflex II. No problems with the accuracy at all. Very happy.

Robcon,

Gas system is totally greaseless. Mags are all metric.

Thanks
 
Z, my experience is limited to FNs, but I suspect that the gas port pressure is low enough that you are having to run it wide open on your DSA. The 16" barrel will contribute to that to some extent but that fouling is troublesome. I too use the RG stuff without problems in my FAL, HK and Beretta but it is filthy; much worse than Lake City military, German military, Hirtenberger or any US commercial ammo. I would send the rifle to DSA with a request for quick action and a detailed account of your difficulties. Best of luck, Rob
 
It really sounds like there is something seriously wrong with the gas ports. Perhaps they put a full size rifle one on the carbine? I would ship it back to them, make sure you whine a lot and maybe they will throw in some free stuff to make it up to you. ;)
 
Well, with a New FAL, you are supposed to fire during the break in period with the gas ports fully closed - NO BLEED.
This is for the first 1,000 rounds. After that fire it with the ports wide open, then "Tune it down" by closing it one click at a time until your ejecting 6-8 feet.
 
If you still want to throw it into a lake - I'll come by and take it off your hands... for free. No charge - and you dont even have to go find the lake!
 
Hey George,

Lake is behind my house :)

Gun will NOT function on any setting besides wide open. I was under the impression normal operating range for this rifle is a setting of 4-5.
 
Good point, George. If I'd had that much trouble initially, I'd have been inclined to send it back to the factory. Your trouble sounds excessive for a new rifle.

Option 2 is to try to break it in meticulously. I'd recommend using either very GOOD milsurp ammo (I've had great success with Malay stuff), or PMP. If you can afford to shoot some commercial quality through it, then do so. As well, clean the bore frequently (every 20 rounds), and clean the gas system at first failure.

Although not recommended in the manual, I did the following to hasten the cleaning process:
  • * after thoroughly cleaning the piston and environs,
    * wipe down with isopropyl alcohol,
    * preheat the piston to 120F,
    * treat with Sentry Solutions "Smooth Kote" on all bearing surfaces, and on the inside of the gas plug,
    * dust lightly with BP-2000 powdered lubricant,
    * reassemble
This made it possible to remove crud with just a light brushing, rather than scouring!

Hope this helps!
-Steve
 
What kind of "jams" are you having? I just shot my DSA rifle (not carbine) this weekend for the first time with some mil-surplus ammo and I had an occasional failure to fully chamber the next round. Had one FTE, but closed the gas port a notch and fixed that problem.

It would occasionally (once every 20 rounds) fail to fully close the chamber, and extracting the unfired round was tough. Two hands on the bolt handle. The round looked fine, no scrapes or dents, and would chamber fine and fire the next time. I did notice an occasional "soft" round that didn't eject quite as vigorously. I assumed that's why the ammo is surplus. (I know about dud rounds)

Afterwards, during cleaning, there was a light dusting of carbon over the forward third of the gas piston. Is that OK?

I just assumed that the chamber was dirty and/or maybe closer to a match chamber than the standard military kit barrels. Does anyone know if the DSA chambers are 308 versus 7.62 NATO?

It's such a great rifle. I'm not giving up yet.
 
My DSA receivered FAL runs perfectly at 4-5 on the gas regulator.

I've noticed that the Radway Green ammo differs in power, depending on year of manufacture. An acquaintance was firing my gun with a mixed (year of manufacture) mag of of RG and some empties would eject as usual, but others would seem to just fall out of the ejection port.

I'd call DSA and ask, then demand, that it be made right. They should, and probably will, back their products.
 
If your really sick of it I'll buy it off of you SERIOUSLY!!
But I think you should trying calling DSarms up and screaming at them.
 
With my DSA, I had problems with Radway ammo. I switched to Hirtenberger, and had no more problems. Are you lubing the piston? You should always make sure your gas system is as dry as you can get it----otherwise you get a really nasty crud buildup.

Do you have one of the screw-in-and-pin full-length gas tubes? If you do, gas can leak and cause cycling problems. If you have the soldered half-tube, you won't have this problem.

Last, make sure you clean that long tube runnung inside the buttstock (with the springs in it). Sometimes, it gets thick with carbon/lube blowby, and slows the bolt velocity WAAAY down. can cause feed problems (fail-to-feed). Try running a patch through the tube....I'll bet that's it (had a VERY similar problem with my babydoll).
 
Don't give up on the Rifle,, Take the time to break her in. Patince....was your wife "Great out of the box"?
BREAK FREE...get some and use it. It was made for rapid fire actions. Soak the action for 2 weeks and tell me I am wrong. Cycle the weapon, rub the bolt, carrier and everything down with BreakFree. Let her sit for a week and go to the range. Warm her up and cool her down..in time she will shoot better. After all, you are a ladies man aren't you? Touch, caress and tender handing will get you miles and miles away....Or you can send her to anyone here that whats to care for her.
Just maybe it is not the rifle but just maybe you have a problem with a rifle. Back step and get to know her, caress her and make her feel at home. Cycle her and in time she will do for you what you want her to do. she is the awesome friend, it is you that needs to learn to be her friend.

Karsten
 
Respectfully,

The FAL pattern rifle is a combat proven small arm. Its reliability has been proven to be exceptional. In addition, I sprang the extra money for the best made FAL today, the DSA. Now people may debate me on that, but a parts quality comparison between DSA and a run of the mill STG is an eye-opener.

In short, I expect the maximum amount of reliability with a minimum amount of maintenance. It is a tool, not a woman. Your analogy is incorrect, and applies human traits to a inanimate object.
 
I have been shooting FN's for 8yrs now.Your major problem I think is the gas hole in the barrel is sized for the rifle length barrel.Check it,it should be .135. The best lube has
been white lithium grease.DO NOT PUT ANYTHING IN THE GAS SYSTEM.It is designed to work dry with no foreign materials in it.Your dirty gas system is from ammo and the gun has no bearing in it.Change ammo.Check the action where the mag goes in(reciever) for burrs.You might need to break the corners with a stone Now if the gas hole is undersize send it back.Do not do it yourself.its too easy to dreak a drill bit off and not get it out.
I hope this has helped.Feel free to email me direct if you want.
 
D@$# you guys!;)

Some joker was extolling the virtues of RG 7.62 ammo for the FN-FAL.
I received my DSA SA-58 Medium Contour last July and have yet to fire "IT" extensively. Only used Black Hills.
That was just to "break it in".
ARRRGGHHHHHHHH!

Now some of you are telling me it takes ~1000 rounds to "break-in" a rifle?
Sheesh! <rolleyes>

Jon
 
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