Troubles with my L1A1

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oilcan72

New member
Went to the range the other day and loaded up my Australan L1A1, shot the first round and it did not cycle, I adjusted the gas ring and cycled the action, fired again still no cycle. I fired about 20 rounds cycling the bolt by hand, and adjusting the gas ring each time from 0 to 8 and back down again. I only had a couple that were hard to eject by hand, the rest were pretty easy, so I am thinking, gas piston binding up, bent gas tube, extremely weak springs. I built the rifle from a parts kit and I am just getting it finished, so it has been a long and hard process of getting it built, I was pretty bummed to have it not cycle properly. If anyone has any ideas please let me know.

Thanks,

oilcan72
 
Screw the gas adjusting ring all the way in to the closed position till it stops Then try again backing off till it just short strokes then close 2 clicks.
This is to make sure the gas adjuster is not turned out 1 full turn which will give the symptoms you're describing while looking normal.
 
Did you just mount a scope on it?
There are some scope mounts out there that are made wrong, and they bind the piston rod so as to keep it from working.
 
There are some scope mounts out there that are made wrong, and they bind the piston rod so as to keep it from working.
Click to expand...
Can you explain that a bit more, please. To the best of my ledge the gas piston is nowhere near the fittings for a scope mount, but inside the handguard above the barrel.

Could you be thinking of the DSA scope mounts where the internal tabs can rub on the bolt carrier if not installed correctly?
 
Troubleshooting-L1A1

Things to check:

Piston warp- roll the piston on a flat surface.
It should roll smoothly. If there is noticeable wobble the piston is warped.

Piston bind- clean the piston and gas tube.
Remove the receiver dust cover and install the piston, minus spring,
point the rifle up and slowly cycle the charging handle.
The piston rod should follow the bolt carrier up and down without binding.
If the piston does bind check the barrel for correct timing and the gas
tube interior for smoothness.

Gas block

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In the picture the plug is set for gas operation.

Gas port obstruction/alignment- Remove plug, piston, and bolt.
Insert a piece of wire through the exhaust hole down into the barrel.
The wire should pass through and be visible looking through the barrel.
If the wire will not go into the barrel the gas block may be misaligned.

Gas tube retaining pin- This is an important and easy to miss item.
Underneath the regulator sleeve is a hole for the tube retaining pin.
This small pin keeps the gas tube from unscrewing during operation.
If it is not installed it will allow enough gas to leak to affect function.
A snug fitting piece of finishing nail, cut to length, works great.

Good luck.

"An elegant weapon from a more civilized age."
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p_r
 

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Pack Rat,

The gas tube retaining pin was the ticket, I installed a pin in there and tried it out today. Everything worked exactly as it should after I adjusted the gas setting, it is on #2.

Thank You very much for your help,

oilcan72
 
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