Head space adjustment for learners

[tanka]

I'm new to the FAL and I have researched info on Head spacing. I learned
how to time the barrel and line up sights. I dont understand how you
adjust head space on the fal and what type of gauges do you use for measurement. Compared to HK/cetme roller lock design is this as easy to
maintanance?

[rpmfly2]

FALs are very easy to maintain and just slightly easier in my opinion than CETME and HK firearms.

[Radkoch]

I'm new to the FAL and I have researched info on Head spacing. I learned
how to time the barrel and line up sights. I dont understand how you
adjust head space on the fal and what type of gauges do you use for measurement. Compared to HK/cetme roller lock design is this as easy to
maintanance?

You use locking shoulders which are pressed into the upper receiver and lock the bolt in place. They are usually set with a set of pin gauges and a headspace gauge. You would want to research a little before you try it though.

[Otis61]

Its easy. One thing you want to do before you start is take the extractor out of the bolthead so it does not cause any interference when your useing the headspace gauge. You take the locking shoulder out and fit the biggest pin gauge in that hole you can that still allows the bolt to close on a go-gauge. When you find the right pin gauge you order a locking shoulder that size. Thats all there is to it.

[chili]

Its easy. One thing you want to do before you start is take the extractor out of the bolthead so it does not cause any interference when your useing the headspace gauge. You take the locking shoulder out and fit the biggest pin gauge in that hole you can that still allows the bolt to close on a go-gauge. When you find the right pin gauge you order a locking shoulder that size. Thats all there is to it.

Yep! It's that easy! Here is a pretty good link on that topic http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=119640

[BattleBornArms]

you need to take into account the size of the headspace gauge also, not just the size of the locking shoulder or pin gage.

FN FAL minimum is 1.6315"
forster go gage is 1.630
clymer go gauge is 1.632

if using a clymer gage you need to subtract the difference

they also only made certain sizes of locking shoulders so you must take this into consideration too if you are using a FN locking shoulder. There are people who can custom grind to exact size though. here is a partial list that i saved to my computer for reference.

V 6.63 mm .2610"
W 6.65 mm .2618"
X 6.67 mm .2625"
Y 6.69 mm .2633"
Z 6.71 mm .2641"
A 6.73 mm .2649"
B 6.75 mm .2657"
C 6.77 mm .2665"
D 6.79 mm .2673"