Are barrels the same between CETME and FAL rifles? I'm new to the CETME scene and want to build one before the prices rise beyond what I can afford. This means I need to acquire the right parts now and then learn and build later.

I am talking with someone who has some "light Argentinian FAL" and "FAL Imbel" barrels in varying conditions between $50 and $100. Would any of these barrels work on one of these barrel-less CETME kits?

I have heard of the inch/metric difference but is this just among FAL rifles or do CETME rifles have the same distinctions?

i do not believe the FAL and CETME are of the same families of rifles...

Why do people keep thinking that the FAL and CETME/G3 rifles are the same thing? They are not, they are completely different weapon systems, the only things they have in common are that they are magazine fed, fired from the shoulder, closed bolt, air cooled, and are chambered in the same round.

The answer is no, the barrel on an FAL is quite different.

well said.

New to the FAL arena. And the CETME arena. So they are totally different rifles, and I hear that the CETME even has a fluted chamber (new concept for me).

So now that I have found FAL barrels, where do I go for cheap FAL barrel-less kits?

L1a1 rifles are inch pattern, correct? This is the cheapest kit I've found so far:
http://www.centerfiresystems.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1521

Will any FAL barrel work with this kit, or does the metric/inch distinction affect compatibility here too? I am wondering if a "FAL imbel" barrel or an "Argentinian light FAL" barrel will be compatible.

Yes you can use a metric barrel with that kit. Especially if you build it on a metric receiver. But an inch barrel will fit a metric, and a metric barrel will fit on a inch receiver.
There is some difference with the gas blocks, but it can be made to work.
Also the L1A1 charging handle is different then a metric so if you get that get and a metric receiver, the CH will work, but the handle will not fold all the way down. 15 minutes with Dremel and file and its good to go.

Biggest difference really is the mags. Metric mag will work in an inch receiver, but not the other way around. metric mags are far cheeper.

Also considering I have put an FAL barrel on an AK it it worked I bet you could get one to work in a CETME. You would need to decide on using the CETME gas system or FAL. I believe the CETME would be easier. And you need a lathe or someone that can turn the bbl for you (GoZuki)

Pete

Also considering I have put an FAL barrel on and AK it it worked I bet you could get one to work in a CETME.



If you had access to a lathe, then maybe.


But it really wouldn't be worth the effort. It's not like barrels for either rifle are expensive or hard to come by...

Sometimes its not about the effort or price but just to see if you can get it to work :D

Is the kit I linked to a good option if I can find a decent barrel? Or is there a reason to look for a different kit?

If I understand correctly any FAL barrel is compatible with any rifle, inch or metric, correct?

I vote yes on that kit, all wood FAL/L1A1 rifles are downright sexy.

That and the L1A1 has some nifty looking sand cuts on the bolt carrier.

If the L1A1 kit is inch, can I build it on a metric receiver to be able to use cheap metric mags?

It is my understanding that inch receivers can use metric magazines, but not the other way around(unless they are modified).

As for parts compatibility, I'm not 100% on that, Aloharover's built a whole hell of a lot more FALs than I have.

What would you choose to build this parts kit assuming both barrels are in the same condition: a $70 Argentinian light barrel or a $70 Imbel barrel? Or would you use something else?

Is the kit I linked to a good option if I can find a decent barrel? Or is there a reason to look for a different kit?

If I understand correctly any FAL barrel is compatible with any rifle, inch or metric, correct?



Those are good kits. I have considered one and doing a .243 build, so if they're still available a month from now, I'll probably pick one up.

I vote yes on that kit, all wood FAL/L1A1 rifles are downright sexy.

Yeah, and then you can say you got wood :D You're going to end up with both anyways... my L1A1 and my Metric FAL both cycle metric mags just fine. Horrible lighting pic of my L1A1 for motivation.

http://www.abusivemotorsports.com/guns/FAL05.jpg

I've been reading through the FALfiles FAQs and read that some barrels are metric threaded and some are standard. I guess this means either inch or metric need to be coupled with the proper front trunions in order to interchange in inch/metric receivers? Or do the receivers include the trunnion kinda like a milled AK receiver? If this is the case then how would an inch barrel fit a metric receiver?

And does anyone have a link to an idiot-level introduction to parts interchangeability? I've read a few FAQ threads on FALfiles and I feel like a 600 page book with no illustrations has been dropped from several feet onto the desk in front of me. Just looking for the idiot FAQ.

Yes you can use a metric barrel with that kit. Especially if you build it on a metric receiver. But an inch barrel will fit a metric, and a metric barrel will fit on a inch receiver.
There is some difference with the gas blocks, but it can be made to work.
Also the L1A1 charging handle is different then a metric so if you get that get and a metric receiver, the CH will work, but the handle will not fold all the way down. 15 minutes with Dremel and file and its good to go.

Biggest difference really is the mags. Metric mag will work in an inch receiver, but not the other way around. metric mags are far cheeper.

Also considering I have put an FAL barrel on an AK it it worked I bet you could get one to work in a CETME. You would need to decide on using the CETME gas system or FAL. I believe the CETME would be easier. And you need a lathe or someone that can turn the bbl for you (GoZuki)

Pete

Yeah, and then you can say you got wood :D You're going to end up with both anyways... my L1A1 and my Metric FAL both cycle metric mags just fine. Horrible lighting pic of my L1A1 for motivation.

http://www.abusivemotorsports.com/guns/FAL05.jpg


That definitely qualifies as "sexy". Consider me motivated! :smokin:

Did you buy this as a barrel-less kit? Where did you go for a barrel and what make did you buy?

That definitely qualifies as "sexy". Consider me motivated! :smokin:

Did you buy this as a barrel-less kit? Where did you go for a barrel and what make did you buy?

Sent Pete (AlohaRover) my credit card info. I'd listen to him.. I build AK's and fucked up AK variants.. haven't ever done a FAL.

I've been reading through the FALfiles FAQs and read that some barrels are metric threaded and some are standard. I guess this means either inch or metric need to be coupled with the proper front trunions in order to interchange in inch/metric receivers? Or do the receivers include the trunnion kinda like a milled AK receiver? If this is the case then how would an inch barrel fit a metric receiver?

And does anyone have a link to an idiot-level introduction to parts interchangeability? I've read a few FAQ threads on FALfiles and I feel like a 600 page book with no illustrations has been dropped from several feet onto the desk in front of me. Just looking for the idiot FAQ.




There is no "trunion" so to say, as found on an AK. The barrel threads directly into the receiver--hence the need for a barrel vice and receiver wrench.

Different barrels should thread into different receivers. The critical part of this area is the barrel's timing. If it's underclocked, you get to file away at the barrel until it fits. If it overclocks, you get to use spacers.

Pics of FAL barrel vs CETME barrel.


Top is an Imbel barrel from a metric kit. Bottom is a PTR-91 barrel for obviously the PTR-91, and is similar to the CETME original barrels.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/animator752/P1010161.jpg


Chamber
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/animator752/P1010162.jpg


Overall
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/animator752/P1010163.jpg

same price? take the Imbel...their quality standards are higher...

New to the FAL arena. And the CETME arena. So they are totally different rifles, and I hear that the CETME even has a fluted chamber (new concept for me).

from the factory quite a few HK rifles have a fluted chamber. It aids in positive extraction with a roller delayed blowback weapon.

But is not completely "needed"

Ok I just found a site offering "retapping" of barrels or receivers: "Retap receiver or barrel to inch or metric $42.50" http://www.entreprise.com/fnsmith.htm

If barrels are interchangeable between metric and inch patterns why does Enterprise list this service?

Would an Imbel barrel be inch or metric? How about an Argentinian light barrel? I've read that Imbel stuff is pretty high quality so I think I will stick with that, I still need to know what thread pattern the barrel uses.

Ok I just found a site offering "retapping" of barrels or receivers: "Retap receiver or barrel to inch or metric $42.50" http://www.entreprise.com/fnsmith.htm

If barrels are interchangeable between metric and inch patterns why does Enterprise list this service?

Would an Imbel barrel be inch or metric? How about an Argentinian light barrel? I've read that Imbel stuff is pretty high quality so I think I will stick with that, I still need to know what thread pattern the barrel uses.



Imbel = metric.

Look at the thread guide on FAL files. Inch and Metric barrels have the same size threads. Same diameter, same pitch.

The difference is that a inch receiver uses a washer between the receiver and barrel.

Get that kit, get a metric receiver, get a metric barrel.
You will need to redrill the gas port in the barrel. Install gas block. Get a .30 lead slug and push it into the barrel until its where the gas block is.
Get a .1 drill bit and drill down through the holes that are in the gas block into the barrel. Its on a 45* angle.
Drive out the lead slug.
UBDone
And again 15 minutes on the charging handle slot on the receiver and the charging handle will fold down completely. This is not required, rifle will function fine with out it.
You can put a inch lower on a metric receiver and visaverse no problem.
Using the metric barrel gives you a better option on flash hiders.
If you must have the inch fingered FH send the barrel to GoZuki and ask him to set it up with rh threads. Hes doing two of mine right now :)

Imbel and Argi are both metric pattern barrels.
The Argi barrels I got where all brand new, unused.

The only thing I can think that Entreprise is doing is to relieve the face of the metric receiver so it takes a spacer. Or moving back the shoulder on a metric barral so it takes the spacer.

The threads are the same.