Workbook

PREFACE

(Revised 11-01-00)

The purpose of this workbook is to assist others in working on FN FAL rifles and their variants. The

target audience is the home gunsmith with a low budget, a minimum of tools, and a willingness to

jump in with both feet. Writing from Free America (Arizona) I have little knowledge of the rules and

regulations in the Occupied Territories. Some of the FAL configurations in this workbook may be

forbidden in your area, and in places like the Peoples Republik of Kalifornia, any post 01-01-00

manufacture may be prohibited. Some FAL configurations may conflict with federal rules if

performed on post 1989 or post 1994 receivers. I made an attempt in the chapter on laws to address

these issues, but it remains your responsibility to verify your compliance.

This project started out of laziness – I got tired of answering the same questions over and over on

various FAL related mailing lists on the Internet. So I prepared some standard answers, then a

"Frequently Asked Questions" file, and finally this workbook. This is a working document and I

constantly revise and update it as I learn new tricks or as the thousands of fellow hobbyists and

gunsmiths send me their ideas and experiences. The name of the file is "yymmdd," where "yymmdd"

is the date of the last major revision. I identify individual chapters with the last revision as well.

Anyone who purchases the shareware version ($10) or printed version ($25 delivered Priority Mail)

may download any updated editions free. Both the printed edition and the shareware edition contain

the same text, however the printed edition contains exploded view drawings and other graphics

which I will not make available in shareware. The printed edition comes in a quality three ring

binder for easy update. For the same reason, you will note the workbook pages are not numbered.

Download copies are available in .txt format or .pdf file.

Also available from Arizona Response Systems is a companion videotape ($25 delivered Priority

Mail). The video is a six hour step by step walk-through of the procedures and techniques outlined

in this workbook. The video covers tool selection, barreling, headspacing, timing, custom barrel

work, parts comparisons, function testing, and climaxes with a trip to the range to test the assembled

StG 58s.

Now for the obligatory warnings. Don't ever forget that you are dealing with a deadly weapon. Your

recklessness, carelessness, ignorance, or stupidity can get you or someone else killed. If you have the

slightest doubt about your ability to perform the tasks outlined in this workbook, or if there is any

question as to the safe operation of your weapon, STOP. Seek the assistance of a competent

gunsmith. If you get in over your head, remember that Arizona Response Systems is a full-service

firearm refinishing and custom gunsmithing shop. We can probably bail you out. I WILL NOT

discuss any aspect of this workbook by voice telephone. Let me reiterate: DON’T CALL ME FOR

HELP IN BUILDING YOUR GUN! We reserve voice communications for paying customers.

You may request assistance by e-mail (gunplumber@arizonaresponsesystems.com) - I'll be happy to

assist you at my convenience, usually within a day or so. Any comments, typographical errors,

recommended improvements, etc. are always welcome, as is your $10 shareware payment.

In earlier drafts of this manual, I tried to maintain some degree of sensitivity and to refrain from

commenting on other products – you know . . ."If you can't say something nice, don't say anything."

This edition contains detailed reports on my experiences with FAL parts and accessories – both good

and bad. Some companies are turning out crap and if they are offended by me identifying their

products as such – they should fix their products – not whine about objective evaluations. I only

regret that I had to buy the parts to discover how poorly made they are.

If you obtained this document by download, please remember it is not free. It is shareware. This

means, if you like it and find it useful, you mail me $10. If you don't like it, you delete it. I DO NOT