Skalkaho Slim

Sam and LtdShooter: Thanks for the help and information. I really appreciate it! Carlos and Flexmoney: Sorry for posting on the wrong forum. My apologies. Toujours Pret! Slim

Wasn't sure where to post this, so I figured this was as good a place as any. I'm curious as to what function the locking shoulder pin is for on an FAL. The only thing I have found is that it is not to be removed unless you're going to adjust the headspace. Can anyone "clue me in" on this? Thanks! Toujours Pret! Slim

Wasn't sure where to post this, so I figured this was as good a place as any. I'm curious as to what function the locking shoulder pin is for on an FAL. The only thing I have found is that it is not to be removed unless you're going to adjust the headspace. Can anyone "clue me in" on this? Thanks! Toujours Pret! Slim

I hope this doesn't sound like a stupid question, but here goes: Does the "interior" (i.e., the surface that comes in contact with the bullet) of a stainless barrel become harder over time? I guess what I mean to say is if I put 50 rnds (for example's sake) through it at every shooting session, will the heat and friction cause the steel to harden in any way? I know that tempering involves higher temperatures than that produced by simply firing 50 rds, but I am curious to know if there is any "hardening" of the steel whatsoever over a significant amount of time. I hope this makes sense. Toujours Pret! Slim

O.K., let's say for the sake of arguement, that a breaking in period is required. I've already put about 50 rounds through my M1A w/stainless barrell. My question is this: Is it too late to begin the break-in process? Should I just clean the heck out of it and start over? Toujours Pret! Slim

That is indeed a hard choice. I went with the M1A. Just something about it. The wood, the history, the "feel". I really like the FAL as well, and most likely will get one at some point in time (when funds allow). As you've seen already, both rifles have their pluses and minuses. My suggestion would be to pick one up and if possible shoot it. I love my M1A and would not give it up for anything. Toujours Pret! Skalkaho Slim

Couldn't find anything on a search. Could anyone tell me if they have any experience with the STG 58 produced by DSA? The Austrian version with DSA receiver. Thanks. Toujours Pret! Skalkaho Slim

After performing a search, I came up with only two results. One concerning M1A mags and the other dealing with the topic I have put forth. A gentleman stated that he wasn't sure that the M1A's would stand up to 3 gun matches. I was simply surprised by the response, knowing the background of this rifle. I can't imagine the M1A performing quite well (except perhaps for the recoil, as pointed out). I'd still make it my first choice for any "real-world" use any day. Toujours Pret! Skalkaho Slim

I've heard tell that M1A's aren't that good for three gun matches. I am wondering why this is so. As an owner of one, although I don't use it for this sort of thing, I am curious as to why it won't stand up. Thank you. Toujours Pret! Skalkaho Slim

When I lived in So Cal, there was a pretty good selection of shops around. The only one I would ever go to was "that little hole in the wall". Owned by an elderly gentleman for the past 20 years. One of those shops that you had to walk around piles of "stuff" in order to get around. He'd let you go behind the counter and handle anything you wanted. Dig through piles of reloading equipment, whatever. I sure do miss that place. I absolutely refuse to go into any of the "chain" stores anymore. I'd rather buy online or out of catalogues. Toujours Pret! Slim

I don't mean to offend anyone, and I don't want this to start a flame war, but I got a serious gripe/question. Let's say I just moved into town. I'm an avid shooter and by no means feel that I know everything about firearms. I am confident in the fact that I can hold my own in a conversation dealing with firearms. I decide to make a visit to all of the local shops (let's say 5) just to familiarize myself with them. Why is it that there is only one, maybe two, that treat their customers with any amount of respect? By this I mean, unless you aren't part of the "coffee crowd", the majority seem to rather ignore you than present you with a decent "How ya doin'?", "Lookin' for anything in particular today?", etc.. They would rather stay in their little coffee cocoon and chat with the regulars. I'm here to possibly lay down $500.00+ on a firearm. Are they in the business of making money or what?! Don't get me wrong, I have been part of the coffee crowd at various shops, but only those where the owner has the common decency and courtesy to acknowledge customers when they come in the door. Who knows, maybe this new guy can have some good info to share with the rest of us. It just seems as though the majority of people behind the counter treat you in one of two ways: 1. They think you are completely ingnorant about firearms and know nothing about them. 2. They think you are a freak because "maybe you know a little TOO much about them." There, I'm done. Thank you for listening to my prattle. Toujours Pret! Skalkaho Slim

The brass doesn't seem to have any real bulging at all. Upon jamming, the slide is about halfway back, but the case is no longer attached to the extractor. The case is just sitting there, halfway out of the chamber. After locking the slide back and dropping the mag, the case falls right out very easily. Slim

Have a pard who owns a Glock 29 (short and stubby 10mm). Been shooting "American" brand ammo, who in fact uses Starline cases. The extractor seems to pull free of the rim after pulling the case about halfway out of the chamber. You can see a definite "ding" on the rim where the extractor seems to take a small chunk of brass with it. It shoots Blazer ammo just fine, which confuses me because I thought that Blazer uses aluminum cases, which should be softer than brass (I think). Seems to shoot nickel brass just fine as well. I can't imagine this being a problem with the gun, but rather the ammo. Anyone else have this problem with Starline brass or other brands? Toujours Pret! Skalkaho Slim

I bought one a couple of weeks ago and have only put about 200 rounds through it so far. No problems at all as of yet. I haven't found anything that I dislike about it yet. Nice and light, easy to carry (except for the beforementioned lack of quality off-duty holsters). I may be crazy, but I really like the DA feature of being able to have the striker down. Toujours Pret! Skalkaho Slim

Thanks for the info guys! I loaded up a dummy round last night using the OAL as prescribed in my manual. After cycling it from the magazine, it would only get hung up and not chamber. It was jamming up into the top of the chamber and leaving a real good crescent "ding" on both the bullet and the case. I used the OAL as prescribed in my Speer manual. I'm using a FNL (truncated cone) lead pill. It'd be a real bummer to load up a bunch of these only to find out that they won't chamber. Any ideas as to why this is happening? To tell ya the truth, I wonder if I might be better off buying factory stuff. There seems to be a lot of nitpicks with this round that I'm not sure I'm real comfortable with. Maybe I'll just stick to my CAS reloading and leave the auto stuff to you folks. Thanks again for your help! Toujours Pret! Skalkaho Slim (Edited by Skalkaho Slim at 8:08 pm on Sep. 4, 2002)