Century arms INCH gun question
I just bought a Century arms (FN Fal clone) and most of the signs indicate it is an "inch" gun. My questions are
What makes an inch gun different???
What is the more desirable a metric or inch?
What makes an inch gun different???
What is the more desirable a metric or inch?
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Desire is up to you, mostly based on ergonomics. I prefer metric...
MOST Century inch guns are inch kits put on metric receivers. Check your mag cut to determine if it is really inch or metric.
A true inch gun can use metric mags (mostly... they wobble somewhat) but not vice versa.
A true inch gun doesn't have a last shot bolt hold open - but that can be added.
Adjusting the gas is different based on bolt hold open (metric) or not (inch).
EDIT since there are 9 replies already...
You posted a pic of the back side of the mag - post a pic of the front side, that will tell us if it is an inch or metric mag...
But I'm still betting on typical Century frankenfal with metric receiver (maybe imbel or argy - is it marked "made in canada" ?) and an inch kit applied.0 -
Probably 80% of the FAL parts out there are metric pattern and that makes metric rifles a bit more desirable, although by no means superior to inch pattern rifles.
These are the two types of FAL magazines: Inch on the left and metric on the right:
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What exactly is the item that is metric or in? Receiver? 0 -
The receiver as well as the parts are manufactured either to metric standards or inch standards and just like nuts and bolts; the fit might be very close but in most cases it just won't interchange. Uppers and lowers will fit at teh hinge pin but not many of the other parts will interchange. I ripped this off from another site but it should give you an idea of what will fit and what won't:
interchangeable parts - inch versus metric
muzzle device
NO - threads are same pitch but turn opposite ways
barrel
YES - although inch requires a breeching washer
gas block
YES - although metric port meets barrel perpendicular, whereas inch meets at angle, also inch block is taller
gas knob
NO
gas knob retaining clip/spring
NO
gas plug
NO
gas piston
YES
gas piston spring
YES
gas tube retaining collar (the part that screws into the receiver)
YES (small issue here - but generally the answer is yes)
front sight
NO
front sight plate
(metric only)
front sight plate spring
(metric only)
front sight retaining scrw
(inch only)
handguards
YES
handguard screw
SOMETIMES - depending on source and length
handguard ring
YES
front swivel
YES
upper receiver
YES - (more or less), depending on what you hang on it
lower receiver
YES, if simply installing a complete lower from one type onto another
ejector block
YES
ejector
YES
bolt
YES
extractor
NO unless it is already installed on a bolt
extractor plunger
???
extractor spring
??? I think so
bolt carrier
YES
firing pin
generally NO -- except the discussions of one-piece and two piece firing pins, and the differing lengths and configurations, give me a brain cramp
Most metric is one-piece, and most inch is two-piece. So that settles the issue for general comparisons
firing pin spring
??? - don't think so - although it may be if a two-piece firing pin is used in a metric rifle.
firing pin retaining pin
YES
rat tail
YES
rat tail spring
YES
rat tail rivet
YES
bolt hold-open
metric fits inch but not vice-versa (inch is fatter)
bolt hold open retaining screw
YES
magazine catch
YES, but be careful of spring length (inch is longer)
magazine catch spring
NO - unless you switch the magazine catch at the same time - inch is longer
rear sight
YES - but heights differ (inch is taller)
rear sight screws
YES
top cover
metric will work on inch - but not vice-versa without bubbafication
trigger axis-pin
??? I think so
hammer axis-pin
??? I think so
hammer
NO
trigger
NO
sear
NO
hammer spring
NO
hammer plunger
NO
trigger plunger
NO
sear plunger
NO (inch doesn't even have a sear plunger)
sear spring
NO
trigger return spring
NO
hammer spring
NO (inch plunger and spring are hermetically-sealed assembly)
hammer spring shroud
NO
locking plate
NO (inch plate is unitized with lower)
selector
metric fits inch, but inch won't fit metric without modification
recoil springs
YES (both)
recoil spring plunger
YES
recoil spring tube
YES
recoil spring retaining nut
YES
locking shoulder
YES
locking body
YES
locking body plunger
??? I think so
locking lever
yes
locking body spring
yes
locking lever retaining screw
??? I think so
buttstock
NO
buttplate
NO
buttplate retaining screw
sometimes sorta (depends on configuration and length)
rear swivel
NO
pistol grip
NO
pistol grip retaining nut
NO (inch has a screw)
pistol grip retaining scrw
NO (metric has a nut)
trigger return plunger retaining plate
(inch only)
pistol grip "popsicle stick"
(inch only)
trigger guard
NO
magazine
metric usually fits inch, but not vice versa without modification
magazine followers
disagreement over this issue - most say NO
magazine springs
disagreement over this issue - most say NO
magazine floorplate
NO0 -
This is the mag
The handle is smooth on top - inch
The bolt carrier has sand cuts - inch0 -
So what do I have, an inch gun on a metric receiver?
Thanks in advance..0 -
Looks like that is what you have. 0 -
So I order metric mags? Or either? 0 -
my mags do not look like that metric example?
but they are stamped out not welded0 -
Last time I checked, Century was building commonwealth FALs/L1A1's.
So, AFAIK, that would make your FAL/L1A1 an inch gun.
Does your bolt carrier have sand-cuts? I think that was a British thing for desert warfare. However, it's been a long time, I wouldn't swear by it. Perhaps the metric guns have sand-cuts, as well?
Anyway, the first time I shot a FAL, was love at first shot. [:D]0
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