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8/13/2007 12:50:43 PM EDT
I got a DSA FAL about a month ago.  I have yet to field strip it (that is usually the first thing I do with any new rifle).  

My rifle is different then most FAL's I see on the net too.  Something I did not notice when I was buying it.  The takedown lever is horizontal and not vertical as I see that most are.  

So what the heck do I have?  Is there some special way that I need to swing this bad boy around to be behind the pistol grip?  Do I have a modified take down lever?  

Mine is simular to this.  This rifle is Manic_Morans and not mine.

8/13/2007 1:42:00 PM EDT
[#1]
Push up on the lever.
8/13/2007 1:42:16 PM EDT
[#2]
Seriously?  All of the pics I see are with the lever on the other side.  

I will try this as soon as I get home.
8/13/2007 1:44:46 PM EDT
[#3]
Push up on the lever and break it open. Bolt has to be closed.
GLOCK-23
8/13/2007 1:53:32 PM EDT
[#4]
Thanks guys.  I bought it used so I never got a manual.  

I will go break it down tonight.
8/13/2007 3:41:50 PM EDT
[#5]
I believe there is a manual here in the archives,  You can go to biggerhammer.com and get one or go to the Falfiles.com for all the good poop.

That lever is common.  Just push up on the lever.  

Welcome to the addiction.  
8/14/2007 10:49:43 AM EDT
[#6]
After ALOT of clp and alittle bit of bad language I got the take down pin to move up.  However I could not get the rifle to break open like in the manual that I downloaded.  

Does it click or make a sound when it is the right position for break down?

I let it sleep in clp and will see if I can pry it open tonight.
8/14/2007 1:29:38 PM EDT
[#7]
What you may want to try is pushing down on the receiver while you push the lever upward. Sometimes they have a fairly snug fit and it takes a little finesse. Let me know how it works.
8/15/2007 7:49:16 AM EDT
[#8]
Still not opening open.  

I had the upper receiver in a 2 vices (soft ones that would not damage the finish) and I could still not get it to open.  

Right now it is soaking in more CLP and I made sure that it got into the area where the receivers mate.  Going to try again tonight.

I might try and get a rubber mallet.  Any other ideas?  I dont want to sell this bad boy or send it back in.  
8/15/2007 8:25:38 AM EDT
[#9]
cock the rifle and try removing the pivot pin.  You should be able to separate the receivers that way....then you can see if the latch is even working.  
8/15/2007 2:34:47 PM EDT
[#10]
I will try that and post what happens.
8/15/2007 6:47:35 PM EDT
[#11]
OH, just place the handguard over your thigh and bump the top of the flash hider with your palm.


It helps if the other hand is holding the stock and thumb pushing up on the take down lever.

8/17/2007 7:21:01 AM EDT
[#12]
Thanks everyone.  So I finally got it broken down using a combonation of Colt45Guy and CGWco techniques.  I would also like to thank Jeff at DSA for taking my call.  

It looks like it was never broken down or cleaned before.  Pretty much the finished was bone dry in the interior, the take down pivot inside the receiver that mate the upper and lower was completely dry.  Even the top cover was hard to get off.  

Part of the reason seems to be the finish around the pivot pins.  It honestly looked like it was never broken apart or before and the finishes was just thick enough to cause it to grip more there.  There was also no carbon build up anywhere so I dont know if it was even fired.  If it was it probably was not much.  

Time to go buy some mags and ammo

8/17/2007 8:04:27 PM EDT
[#13]
I have an extra manual.  If you'd like a copy IM me and I can send it out to you.  
9/2/2007 4:19:33 PM EDT
[#14]
I just bought an FAL have the same issue.  How hard does one have to pry on the halves?  I can't get it to budge.  Is there a way to get it apart w/o using the takedown latch.

Thanks!

ETA I notice that with the bolt closed I can still see the bolt recoil spring rod still passing back into the cutout in the lower receiver.  Should this be so?
9/3/2007 6:23:48 AM EDT
[#15]

Quoted:
I just bought an FAL have the same issue.  How hard does one have to pry on the halves?  I can't get it to budge.  Is there a way to get it apart w/o using the takedown latch.

Thanks!

ETA I notice that with the bolt closed I can still see the bolt recoil spring rod still passing back into the cutout in the lower receiver.  Should this be so?


Yes, the rod will still be in the divot on the recoil buffer. Make sure the bolt is forward after you cock the hammer by cycling the action(be sure the gun is unloaded of course). Actuate the takedown lever with your right thumb as you hold the butt with the same right hand. Put your left hand on top of the handguards and lightly(I mean lightly-do not force it in any way) bump the bottom of the receiver on your upper thigh. It will open right up.
9/3/2007 9:23:55 AM EDT
[#16]
Finally got it.  Turns out that the divot that the takedown latch recesses into in the buttstock was not deep enough tot allow that latch to open completely.  Had to remove the stock and drill it out.  Works like a champ now.

Crazy stuff!
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