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L1A1 - Metric or Inch-pattern

davidcparker
Good morning.

Saturday, I bought an L1A1 sporter built on an Imbel receiver (Brazil) by CAI.

It came without any magazines, so I am interested in buying several.

Unfortunately, I do not know if this is a metric or inch-pattern receiver.

And, I do not know how to tell.

Does anyone know?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

DCP.
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • Wehrmacht_45
    Imbel receivers are metirc patterned. Metric mags will work in your gun.
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  • Mossbergboogie
    L1A1 would be a british inch pattern. The reciever is metric but I think it will take either Inch or metric. Fal files might get you a better answer.
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  • iwannausername
    L1A1 by definition is inch... inch FALs can use both inch (expensive) and metric (relatively cheap) mags, but the metric ones may wobble, etc.

    HOWEVER... yours is a Century gun. Some of these were inch kits assembled on a metric cut receiver.

    http://www.centuryarms.com/receivers.htm

    That should give you a visual aid in figuring out how your mag well is cut.
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  • richbug
    Some Imbel receivers were modified for use with Inch components. Does your rifle have:

    Inch Mag catch?
    Folding charging handle?
    tabs on the dustcover?
    Folding rear sight?
    Open eared front sight?


    If so I would be suspicious of it being set up for inch mags. If it lacks the above features I suspect it is purely Metric.

    A photo of the pocket in the front of the mag well will tell for sure.
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  • Nwcid
    As it was said metric mags will fit in an inch gun but are semi loose, but should function.

    L1A1 is considered an inch gun normally but with CAI you never know exactly what you get.

    I had a CAI L1A1 with Imbel receiver and it did take inch mags. I always assumed it was inch unless the above posters info is correct about them being modified.

    From what I had read the Imbel receiver guns from CAI were all actually pretty good guns. I know I never had any problems with mine. Sadly I miss the days I bought mine, the gun was $275 and ammo was about $125/k for it. No this was not that long ago, about 12-13 years ago.
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  • davidcparker
    Thanks to everyone for the help.

    I'll check it out when I get home.

    DCP.
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  • redhead71
    just buy metric mags and you will be safe!
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  • Grasshopper
    8 out of 10 chance Imbel will be metric,,[:I]..imo,,as I have had a few...nambu
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  • mark christian
    Virtually every Century L1A1 I have seen had inch pattern parts jammed onto a metric pattern receiver. The differences between inch pattern and metric magazines are very easy to spot by looking at the front of the magazines:
    [img][/img]FALL1A1mags.jpg
    The magazine on the left is inch pattern while the magazine on the right is metric.
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