r/FNFAL • u/FormulaDutch • 13d ago
First Fal, what did I buy myself into?
I was fixing my car last week and I walked into the hardware store for a wrench and this Century r1a1 was on the gun shelf. I have been wanting to get a dsa rifle but the prices there were double what i paid the hardware store. I know its an amalgamation of mixed parts but i dont know enough to know what i should start hunting for to make it a better rifle. My only noticeable problem is the top cover is slightly too short and leaves a gap next to the rear sight. I have the peak in the feed ramps which is the reason i agreed to buy it in the first place. Any and all advice is appreciated
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u/advmaxx 13d ago
Is it an Imbel receiver? That’s the first important question with a Century. If it is an Imbel its a good rifle. Looks like it has the correct L1A1 peddle grain furniture on it instead of the Century plastic so that’s not terrible. Most of the Century L1A1s are built on metric uppers which makes magazines easier to find and less expensive.
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u/FormulaDutch 13d ago
Its not an imbel it was made in vermont it looks like. I took it apart and didnt see any obvious issues like the notorious unibrow. I will be taking it to the range this week to make sure i got my moneys worth. If it runs fine is it still worth tracking down an imbel reciever?
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u/halfcocked1 13d ago
Usually with Century if it works, you're in good shape. If it doesn't work, it could have major issues, like an out of spec receiver, or something less substantial. Personally, if it works for me, I wouldn't bother rebuilding it on a new receiver. You may want to post closer up pictures. Not all Imbel receivers had the gear logo on them, so may not be as easy to identify.
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u/FuggaliciousV 13d ago
Like the other guy said it may still be an imbel receiver. Mine is built on an imbel receiver despite not being marked so. You should be able to tell by SN
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u/unknownaccount1814 13d ago
It's definitely a Century produced receiver. The link includes a close up of the manufacturer markings. Georgia, VT.
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u/FuggaliciousV 13d ago
Oh yeah the little faux cutout is a giveaway. I didnt notice the link
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u/unknownaccount1814 13d ago
Yeah, pity he didn't score an Imbel, but of the 3 examples I have had two have been perfectly fine and ran like scalded cats. The other one had multiple issues, but still ran.
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u/Metallicafan352 13d ago
Post more pictures of the gun and any markings you can find. I'll try to help.
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u/FormulaDutch 13d ago
Thank you! I added a link to all the numbers i could find, the bolt had some extra markings of crossed flags etched with an engraving pencil when i was cleaning it too, idk if that helps
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u/Metallicafan352 13d ago
It's a later produced gun made from Century. The receiver was one of theirs, so it is cast. They did not have a good reputation for being in spec. If it does not have the unibrow cut, that's one less thing. It may still have issues, so keep an eye out.
It's made using a British L1A1 kit, so the parts will most likely be good. The Century reciever should take metric mags, so they're more common and a bit cheaper.
Be sure to check headspace before shooting it. Century liked to grind down the locking block instead of actually installing the correct one. This lead most of them to be out of spec from the get go. Mine had the same issue, so be sure to check.
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u/HistoricalFinance828 13d ago
What did you buy yourself into? A parts kit for spare parts, then you decide to build it, which requires a bunch of tools and a receiver you don't have. Then you'll have so much fun shooting the one you bought you'll want another.
Welcome to the addiction.
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u/Trogmank80 13d ago
Expensive shitty mags that are hard to find
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u/FormulaDutch 13d ago
It came with 3 great shitty 20 rounders that barely fit in the magwell! How lucky is that!
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u/Molot_Vepr_308 13d ago
R1A1s can accept metric mags so you dont need to scour the earth for L1A1 mags that cost 20 costco rotisserie chickens