Texas Jungle Carbine Build

---

The image to the left WAS "The Goal".   I had been thinking about expanding my horizons and getting into Sport Utility Rifles (SUR's), a phrase coined by someone on one of the "Gun" discussion forums I frequent. What better rifle to have plunged into, but the rifle dubbed  "The Right Arm of the Free World".

 When I first saw "The Right Arm of the Free World." A particular Izzy carbine clone built by Mad Dog 7.62 who frequented The FAL FIles Forums and whom put out some neat camo'd stocks hooked me hard. After a bunch of research and evaluation, I decided that a "Frank-N-FAL Carbine" would be an excellent start to my journey into SUR's. The original plan was to copy Mad Dog 7.62's Izzy Clone, however after much internal debate with myself and deciding I wanted something unique, I came up with the "Texas Jungle" Carbine idea. Utilizing the synthetic handguards and US made pistol grip that came with my parts kit, I added a Steyr manufactured buttstock and had Mad Dog 7.62 work his magic and apply his textured camo finish. I  also installed a tactical "Paratrooper style" dual aperture rear sight to round out the concept. Although, I lost the multiple range zero ability of the factory rear sight going this route, I figured since it's a carbine that will be at home in the Texas jungles (brush), I wouldn't miss that feature. One other goal I had, was to finish the project and have all the bugs worked out by September 11, 2002 in honor of those who died on that fateful day in 2001. A range session was scheduled on that date and is documented within these pages. 

 This section is here to basically CMA (Cover my Arse) should you, the viewer of this website, decide to use this as a guide in building your own FN/FAL. Even though I'm building this at home for recreation, the satisfaction of doing it myself and saving a few bucks, I still have to follow all rules and applicable laws a professional gunsmith or firearms manufacturer needs to adhere to in converting this select fire weapon into a legal semi-auto. A good discussion on the rules and laws can be found on the web and Gunplumber's Guide to Home Gunsmithing the FN/FAL video and workbook (Which I highly recommend purchasing if still availabe) goes more into depth of the applicable laws.

Basically the FN/FAL has 17 (16 if you don't utilize a muzzle device thingy) of the 20 "evil features" outlined in the law. To be compliant, it can only have 10 of these. Since I installed a threaded on muzzle device (Which needed to be permanently attached), the project needed to have 7 parts that are manufactured in the good ole US of A. I chose these US made parts for this project: Muzzle Device, Pistol Grip, Hammer,Trigger, Sear, Gas Piston and Charging Handle.

I was asked to clarify if there's any other modifications needed to convert the FN/FAL from a "select fire" weapon to a BATF legal semi-auto. Actually there's nothing *you* have to do to convert it perse. With the exception of the 6 US parts (7 if muzzle device is used) needed to be BATF legal, there's nothing to modify at all. It's all in how the upper receiver comes when you get it. A select fire FAL has a safety sear that fits at the hinge pin which keeps the upper and lower together. The upper's available to build the kits from, don't have the opening for the safety sear to install and are not recessed to accept them. That makes it rather difficult for ya to build a select fire FAL. So as you can see there's nothing for you to really modify to ensure it's legal. It's all in the parts and done for you. 

 In my opinion, I feel these laws are a joke. They merely restrict a law obiding individual's constitutional rights as a US citizen. They not only infringe on my 2nd amendment rights to "Keep and Bear Arms", but they futher violate my life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I'm making a conscious decision to adhere to these ludicrous laws, but strive to petition, lobby, and influence those in office who came up with this nonsense to strike, repeal or rescind it and other laws that have further erroded our constitutional rights from the books. I'd rather fight the "good fight" outside of jail, than have to fight off "Bubba" who will try to violate my virginal posterior while in jail. =)

"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes... Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; They serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man." -- Thomas Jefferson