{ "apiVersion": 1, "kind": "work-order", "purpose": "Taking the firearm apart for a job such as refinishing, and putting it back together to specification.", "firearm": { "slug": "fn-fal", "name": "FN FAL", "manufacturer": { "id": "fn-herstal", "name": "FN Herstal" }, "category": "rifle", "action": "gas-operated-short-stroke", "calibers": [ "7.62x51mm NATO", ".308 Winchester" ], "alsoKnownAs": [ "Fusil Automatique Léger", "L1A1 SLR", "R1", "StG 58" ], "coversAlso": [ "L1A1 SLR (inch pattern, with differences)", "StG 58", "R1", "Most metric-pattern FAL variants" ], "page": "firearms/fn-fal.html", "bundle": "api/v1/firearms/fn-fal.json", "lastUpdated": "2026-10-29" }, "notices": [ "This work order is written for the FN FAL. It is reported to cover L1A1 SLR (inch pattern, with differences); StG 58; R1; Most metric-pattern FAL variants — if the firearm on the bench is one of those, check the torque notes: values do not always carry over.", "No torque values are recorded for this firearm. Get them from the manufacturer or a gunsmith; do not estimate." ], "disclaimer": { "headline": "Read this before you use anything here.", "points": [ "This is a guide, not an authority. Entries are compiled from manufacturer manuals, technical manuals, published references, and community knowledge. Some of it comes from sources that are not authoritative, and some of it may simply be wrong.", "Always consult the manufacturer's manual for your specific firearm and serial-number range. Manufacturers change designs mid-production without renaming the model. The manual that shipped with your firearm outranks anything on this site.", "Consult a licensed gunsmith for anything beyond routine field stripping and cleaning, for any firearm you are unsure about, and for any procedure marked as gunsmith-recommended here.", "Treat every firearm as loaded. Verify it is unloaded, with the magazine removed and the chamber physically and visually checked, before any procedure in this database. Point it in a safe direction the entire time.", "Disassembly can damage a firearm or injure you. Springs are under tension, parts can launch, and reassembling a firearm incorrectly can make it unsafe to fire in a way that is not obvious from the outside. If a reassembled firearm does not pass a function check, stop and see a gunsmith.", "Torque values are shown in two groups. Values from the manufacturer or the issuing military are shown as such, with the document they came from. Values reported by anyone else — parts makers, gunsmithing publishers, articles, forums — are shown separately with who said them, how reliable that source is, and their exact words. Those are not specifications. Confirm any torque value with the manufacturer or a licensed gunsmith before relying on it.", "Nothing here is legal advice. Firearms law varies by country, state, and city, and some modifications or configurations are regulated or prohibited. You are responsible for knowing and following the law where you are.", "No warranty of any kind. Contributors and maintainers accept no liability for damage, injury, or loss arising from use of this material." ], "page": "disclaimer.html", "legal": { "summary": "Legal notice: this material is third-party information compiled from sources of varying reliability and is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not gunsmithing, technical, safety or legal advice, it is not verified or endorsed by any manufacturer, and it must not be taken as fact. Any work on a firearm beyond the routine field stripping described in its own owner's manual should be performed only by a licensed and insured gunsmith. You use this material entirely at your own risk. Fundamental Build LLC and the project's contributors make no warranty of any kind and accept no liability for death, injury, damage or loss arising from its use. Full terms: LEGAL.md.", "page": "legal.html", "notice": "https://github.com/Fundamental-build-LLC/Pew-Takedown/blob/main/LEGAL.md" } }, "sourcing": { "confidence": "medium", "verification": "community-reviewed" }, "manufacturerDisassembly": { "status": "not-recorded", "limit": null, "statement": null, "source": null }, "recalls": [], "shopTier": { "tier": 3, "group": "rifle", "rating": "Pew-Takedown editorial rating (1 easy – 3 hardest), not the manufacturer's", "reason": "FN breaks the strip into 18 groups, most of them for armourer or workshop. Several springs fly when released: the hammer spring housing, the sear, and the frame-body lock spring. The return springs in the butt come out only with FN's special butt-screw tool. The gas regulator and rear sight settings have to be preserved. There are many sprung parts and a dedicated tool, which puts it at the hard end of the rifle group.", "confidence": "medium", "partCount": { "value": 115, "kind": "line-items", "covers": "complete semi-automatic FAL per the Gun Digest exploded drawing legend 'FAL Standard Autoloading Rifle' (Browning/FN commercial FAL), keys 1-115, magazine included (112-115). Key 61 'Trigger Mechanism", "basis": "publication-diagram", "source": { "title": "The Gun Digest Book of Exploded Gun Drawings (975 isometric views) - Browning 'FAL Standard Autoloading Rifle'", "publisher": "Gun Digest Books / Krause Publications (scan on archive.org)", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://archive.org/download/the-book-of-exploded-gun-drawings-975-isometric-views/The%20Book%20of%20Exploded%20Gun%20Drawings%20-%20975%20Isometric%20Views.pdf", "page": "book p. 560 (PDF page 561)", "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "Locking Catch Lever Retaining Screw" } }, "painPoints": [ { "issue": "The hammer spring housing is levered out of its notch under hammer-spring pressure and has to be held with a thumb or it flies.", "during": "both", "source": { "title": "F.N. Light Automatic Rifle (FAL), English-language manual with stripping/assembly (archive.org text layer)", "publisher": "Fabrique Nationale Herstal", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://archive.org/download/gunmanual_FN-FAL_Manual/FN-FAL%20Manual_djvu.txt", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "keep the thumb lightly on the housing to prevent it from flying out under action of the hammer spring" } }, { "issue": "The sear comes off its axis pin under its spring and is held by hand while the pin comes out; the sear spring itself is riveted.", "during": "both", "source": { "title": "F.N. Light Automatic Rifle (FAL), English-language manual with stripping/assembly (archive.org text layer)", "publisher": "Fabrique Nationale Herstal", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://archive.org/download/gunmanual_FN-FAL_Manual/FN-FAL%20Manual_djvu.txt", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "Hold the sear with the left hand to prevent it from flying out" } }, { "issue": "The two return springs in the buttstock are held by the butt screw and need FN's special tool, held firmly against the springs.", "during": "both", "source": { "title": "F.N. Light Automatic Rifle (FAL), English-language manual with stripping/assembly (archive.org text layer)", "publisher": "Fabrique Nationale Herstal", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://archive.org/download/gunmanual_FN-FAL_Manual/FN-FAL%20Manual_djvu.txt", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "Using the special tool provided, remove the butt screw; hold the tool firmly to control the action of the" } }, { "issue": "The frame-body (takedown) lock spring launches when its retaining pin is drifted out, so the drift is left in and the spring held back.", "during": "both", "source": { "title": "F.N. Light Automatic Rifle (FAL), English-language manual with stripping/assembly (archive.org text layer)", "publisher": "Fabrique Nationale Herstal", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://archive.org/download/gunmanual_FN-FAL_Manual/FN-FAL%20Manual_djvu.txt", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "Hold back the spring with thumb or index finger then remove the drift" } }, { "issue": "FN says the full strip is not difficult, but a few operations need special tools and most groups are armourer/workshop only.", "during": "both", "source": { "title": "F.N. Light Automatic Rifle (FAL), English-language manual with stripping/assembly (archive.org text layer)", "publisher": "Fabrique Nationale Herstal", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://archive.org/download/gunmanual_FN-FAL_Manual/FN-FAL%20Manual_djvu.txt", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "too much stripping causes extra wear on certain parts and a few operations require special tools." } } ], "minutes": { "strip": 55, "rebuild": 80, "basis": "estimated", "note": "Estimate: field strip, trigger mechanism (hammer and housing, sear, trigger and plunger, safety, hold-open, magazine catch), pistol grip, return springs with the butt tool, butt stock, frame-body lock, carrying handle, gas regulator and cylinder, front and rear sights, handguards, flash hider. Rebuild longer for the hammer spring housing, the lock spring, the return springs and resetting the gas r", "source": null }, "stripScope": [ { "assembly": "Lower (trigger frame)", "removes": [ "hammer spring housing, rod and spring", "hammer and axis pin", "sear and axis pin", "trigger and trigger plunger/spring", "safety selector", "holding-open device", "magazine catch and spring", "pistol grip and nut screw", "trigger guard", "frame-body lock, spring and plunger, locking lever" ], "tools": [ "FAL butt screw tool" ] }, { "assembly": "Buttstock", "removes": [ "butt plate", "return springs (inner and outer), plunger, butt screw", "butt stock and support screw", "rear sling swivel" ], "tools": [ "FAL butt screw tool" ] }, { "assembly": "Upper (body) and barrel", "removes": [ "cover, slide, breech block, firing pin and spring", "extractor (with cartridge or tool)", "cocking handle, detent and spring", "carrying handle", "gas plug, piston, piston spring", "gas regulator sleeve and spring, gas cylinder", "handguards", "foresight and detent", "backsight", "flash hider" ], "tools": [ "FAL gas regulator spanner" ] } ], "hardware": { "pins": 13, "springs": 20, "detents": 10, "basis": "counted by name in the same legend (line items). Pins: 13 gas block retaining pin, 14 retaining pin, 24 slide rod pin, 32 ejector pin, 39 firing pin retaining pin, 52 lug and cocking handle detent ret" }, "specialTools": [ { "tool": "FAL butt screw / return spring tool", "usedFor": "Butt screw and return springs" }, { "tool": "FAL gas regulator spanner", "usedFor": "Gas regulator sleeve" }, { "tool": "Pin drifts", "usedFor": "Frame-body lock retaining pin, sling swivel pin" }, { "tool": "Front sight tool", "usedFor": "Foresight elevation (only if moved)" } ], "fitOnRebuild": [ { "check": "Gas regulator setting", "why": "The gas setting is factory/armourer-set and must be restored (note the click count before removal)", "source": { "title": "FAL User's Manual, Light Automatic Rifle Cal. 7.62 mm", "publisher": "Fabrique Nationale Herstal", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://archive.org/download/lots-of-gun-pdfs-firearms-manuals/Gun%20PDFs/fn_fal762.pdf", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "Before leaving the factory, every rifle has been adjusted for correct gas setting." } }, { "check": "Backsight stop screw", "why": "Only one backsight support screw is removed; the other is a locating stop", "source": { "title": "F.N. Light Automatic Rifle (FAL), English-language manual with stripping/assembly (archive.org text layer)", "publisher": "Fabrique Nationale Herstal", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://archive.org/download/gunmanual_FN-FAL_Manual/FN-FAL%20Manual_djvu.txt", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "It is not advisable to touch the second screw" } }, { "check": "Zero", "why": "Foresight and backsight moved for coating mean a re-zero by an armourer", "source": null }, { "check": "Locking shoulder/headspace", "why": "Not disturbed in a coating job, but the breech block and body are fitted; keep the rifle's own breech block", "source": null } ], "assessed": "2026-10-29" }, "videos": [], "configurations": [], "tools": [ { "name": "Cartridge rim or a small tool", "required": false, "usedFor": "Adjusting the gas regulator on variants where it is not hand-adjustable." } ], "phases": [ { "id": "clear", "title": "Clear and make safe", "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger." }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "Press the magazine release and rock the magazine forward and out.", "partsFreed": [ "Magazine" ] }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Pull the cocking handle fully to the rear and lock the bolt open using the hold-open device." }, { "n": 4, "instruction": "Inspect the chamber and magazine well with a light and physically confirm the chamber is empty." }, { "n": 5, "instruction": "Place the selector on safe and remove all live ammunition from the work area." } ], "videos": [] }, { "id": "disassemble", "title": "Disassemble", "videos": [], "procedures": [ { "procedure": "field-strip", "title": "Field Strip", "level": "field-strip", "configuration": false, "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure and ease the bolt forward." }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "Press the takedown lever at the left rear of the receiver and hinge the upper receiver forward and down, opening the rifle at the front pivot.", "warning": "Support both halves as they separate." }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Withdraw the recoil spring assembly rearward out of the receiver.", "warning": "The spring is under compression. Control it as it comes out.", "tip": "On folding-stock rifles the recoil spring is in the receiver rather than the buttstock, and comes out differently.", "partsFreed": [ "Recoil spring assembly" ] }, { "n": 4, "instruction": "Pull the bolt carrier and bolt rearward and out of the upper receiver.", "partsFreed": [ "Bolt carrier", "Bolt" ] }, { "n": 5, "instruction": "Lift the bolt off the carrier, tipping it up and forward to disengage it.", "partsFreed": [ "Bolt" ] }, { "n": 6, "instruction": "Press in and rotate the gas plug at the front of the gas block, then withdraw it.", "partsFreed": [ "Gas plug" ] }, { "n": 7, "instruction": "Withdraw the gas piston and its spring from the gas cylinder.", "partsFreed": [ "Gas piston", "Piston spring" ] }, { "n": 8, "instruction": "Stop here for routine cleaning." } ] } ] }, { "id": "refinish", "title": "Refinish", "components": [ { "name": "Recoil spring assembly", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 3 }, { "name": "Bolt carrier", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 4 }, { "name": "Bolt", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 4 }, { "name": "Gas plug", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 6 }, { "name": "Gas piston", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 7 }, { "name": "Piston spring", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 7 } ], "manufacturerPartsList": null, "partsDiagrams": [], "materials": [], "note": "The components the procedures above separate. Coating, masking and cure are outside this database; follow your coating system's instructions. A part the manufacturer marks \"factory fit\" should not be swapped or reworked." }, { "id": "reassemble", "title": "Reassemble", "videos": [], "procedures": [ { "procedure": "reassembly", "title": "Reassembly", "configuration": false, "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "Insert the gas piston and spring into the gas cylinder, then install the gas plug and rotate it to lock.", "warning": "The gas plug must be locked. Firing without it properly installed vents gas into the handguard." }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "Seat the bolt onto the bolt carrier, engaging its locking surfaces." }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Slide the carrier and bolt into the upper receiver from the rear and push them fully forward." }, { "n": 4, "instruction": "Insert the recoil spring assembly into the receiver and seat it." }, { "n": 5, "instruction": "Hinge the upper receiver closed onto the lower until the takedown lever latches.", "warning": "Confirm the takedown lever has latched fully before the rifle goes back into service." }, { "n": 6, "instruction": "Cycle the action several times and perform the function check." } ], "instruction": null } ] }, { "id": "torque", "title": "Torque", "coverage": "none-recorded", "manufacturer": [], "reported": [], "notes": "The manufacturer's documents give no torque value. They say: \"— Replace the pistol grip and nut screw and tighten screw (fig. 104 and 105).\" (F.N. Light Automatic Rifle (FAL) — English-language manual with stripping/assembly and lists of components, PDF p. 45)" }, { "id": "function-check", "title": "Function check", "checks": [ "Verify the rifle is unloaded with no magazine inserted before each step.", "Cycle the action by hand and confirm the bolt locks and returns fully to battery.", "With the selector on safe, press the trigger. The hammer must not fall.", "Move the selector to semi, cycle the action, and press the trigger. The hammer should fall.", "Hold the trigger back, cycle the action, and release the trigger to feel the disconnector reset.", "Confirm the bolt hold-open engages on an empty magazine.", "Confirm the takedown lever is fully latched and the receiver halves are tight." ], "videos": [] } ], "troubleshooting": [], "sources": [ { "n": 1, "id": null, "title": "FN FAL Light Automatic Rifle Handbook", "publisher": "Fabrique Nationale de Herstal", "reliability": "primary", "url": null, "accessed": null }, { "n": 2, "id": null, "title": "The FAL Rifle", "publisher": "Collector Grade Publications", "reliability": "secondary", "url": null, "accessed": null }, { "n": 3, "id": "fabrique-nationale-fn-scan-hosted-on-740eae", "title": "F.N. Light Automatic Rifle (FAL) — English-language manual with stripping/assembly and lists of components", "publisher": "Fabrique Nationale (FN) — scan hosted on archive.org; publisher name not visible in the scan (see notes)", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://archive.org/details/gunmanual_FN-FAL_Manual", "accessed": "2026-09-27" }, { "n": 4, "id": "tier-34710978", "title": "F.N. Light Automatic Rifle (FAL), English-language manual with stripping/assembly (archive.org text layer)", "publisher": "Fabrique Nationale Herstal", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://archive.org/download/gunmanual_FN-FAL_Manual/FN-FAL%20Manual_djvu.txt", "accessed": "2026-10-29" }, { "n": 5, "id": "tier-077d9b25", "title": "FAL User's Manual, Light Automatic Rifle Cal. 7.62 mm", "publisher": "Fabrique Nationale Herstal", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://archive.org/download/lots-of-gun-pdfs-firearms-manuals/Gun%20PDFs/fn_fal762.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-29" }, { "n": 6, "id": "tier-41721d1b", "title": "The Gun Digest Book of Exploded Gun Drawings (975 isometric views) - Browning 'FAL Standard Autoloading Rifle'", "publisher": "Gun Digest Books / Krause Publications (scan on archive.org)", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://archive.org/download/the-book-of-exploded-gun-drawings-975-isometric-views/The%20Book%20of%20Exploded%20Gun%20Drawings%20-%20975%20Isometric%20Views.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-29" } ] }