Need a smith or machinist for fixed mag fal.

[Jimbob]

I assembled a fixed mag fal from an Imbel parts kit and a Coonan receiver. I planned to feed it via stripper clips through a top cover with a guide. Stripper clip top covers have tabs that stop them from sliding forward under use, but the receiver needs relief cuts in the back to accept the tabs. I'd rather not booger up a $400 receiver by attempting to cut the reliefs on a drill press or with a dremel. So, I'm looking for recommendations for a gunsmith who could machine the cuts on the receiver. And some pictures of the cuts and the rifle in question.

[mattyj513]

Simple to do with a mill, unfortunately in order to do the work i would need an ffl, a building in a commercial zone, and approval from the village county state and fed. This state is the worst.

[UVBNAXED]

let me know how this works out. I too would like to dothis

[Jimbob]

The rifle itself is quite nice. It was fun and fairly simple to build. I cut the tabs off and held that first cover in with some JB weld. It's finicky to feed with clips, not as easy as an sks.

[GWBAHREN]

I have not tried this yet, but was considering it. I heard that the performance of clip loading has a LOT to do with the quality of the top cover. Cheaper ones( Tapco-$45.(no longer produced)) are not nearly as good as a $150-$165 Canadian or Belgian Mil Surp(when you can find them). Have you had any experience with this difference? or heard likewise?

[Jimbob]

I had read that as well on places like fal files, though I haven't experienced it. The cover I have is the dsa reproduction of the Belgian cover. One reason I want to cut the receiver is so that down the line I can find a milsurp one and not have to cut up an original part.

[GWBAHREN]

Please keep us posted about this. I am all for what you said about not butchering an authentic surplus part..

[E]

Not sure if there is anyone local that can do it. Might have to send it out of state. - call Adco and see if they can do it.

[Jarheadsergeant]

That is a ten minute job on a mill.

[Jimbob]

Exactly, this is a simple job. I just lack the tooling to do it correctly. I'll have to call around some of shops on the island and see if they have mills.

[Jarheadsergeant]

Exactly, this is a simple job. I just lack the tooling to do it correctly. I'll have to call around some of shops on the island and see if they have mills.

Bob G can easily do it

[Jimbob]

So I stopped by Country Gunsmith to see if they could do the cuts. I was told that it would be impossible in not so polite terms. Any other suggestions?

[GWBAHREN]

As silly as it sound, for such a simple task, you may have to send the cover and barreled receiver to one of the reputed FAL specialists. There may not be anyone locally with the experience or expertise for such a job, as simple as it may be. It may be well worth it too, if it prevents you from getting a butchered hack job.

[Lostinthewoods]

The easiest workaround is to use a DSA stripper clip scope mount top cover. It does not need the grooves and it functions perfectly. I have one on my fixed mag SAR48.

http://www.dsarms.com/p-12956-fal-stripper-clip-sa58-extreme-duty-scope-mount-with-5-plates-10-screws.aspx