First attempt with Magpul Pmags for the XCR and more ACOG experience with FAL

I finally got to the range today to start breaking in my FAL and try out the new Pmags in the XCR. I had taken off the ACOG to cut out the foam in my Pelican case and this would also be a first try at putting it back on and seeing how far off the sights might be.

During my first range trip with the XCR I had put 200 rounds through it at short ranges up to 25 yds or so. This time I was short of time and only wanted to verify the new Pmags worked while simultaneously firing my FAL for the first time and getting it's gas setting right.

Not wanting to shoot the FAL at the shorter range, I set up my IDPA cardboard target at the Aurora Gun Club's 100 yd range at the 50 yd point. Putting the ACOG back on the XCR and inserting a Pmag and I was ready to let the lead fly.

First, about re-mounting the ACOG, I didn't make any attempt to put it back in the same slot on the rail - mostly because I didn't note where I had it the first time - so I didn't know until getting back home and looking at the pictures I posted previously that I didn't put it back in the same place. Lining up and sending the first round downrange resulted in the empty shell winding up on the bench right next to me. Ditto the next shot. The third one didn't eject and it was then that I remembered that I had set the gas setting down to 1 playing with the rifle and left it there. Fortunately I had a wrench with me and it only took 2-3 minutes to set it to the 3 setting (others have reported it working well at setting 2, but I only had 200 rounds through it so just bumped it down one until it's more broken in). At setting 3, it worked flawlessly and threw the rounds about 10 to 15 feet to the 2 o'clock position.

I was holding for the center of the head area of the IDPA target so that my shots wouldn't hit low on the 100 yd berm and wound up with a nice grouping about 4 inches low and centered about 4 inches left of the center line. Now this was standing up, without benefit of a rest and shooting semi-rapid fire. I would have to say that the POA had definitely shifted a little left and probably down a little bit but since I wasn't shooting at the same distance, hadn't really zeroed it at either distance, and didn't mount it back in the same location the jury is still out about shifting POA when removing and replacing the ACOG.

Now on to the FAL. Even though the TA31F ACOG is calibrated for the 5.56x45 round and has a shorter eye relief than the versions set up for 7.62x51, I wanted to see if I could use it on the FAL. I mounted it as far back as I could, right up against the rear iron sight and checked how much distance between my eye and the scope -I didn't want to get too close since I didn't know how much recoil movement there would be and like my eyes just the way they are without scope scars. I had about 2 inches and figured that would be enough. Following the break in directions I had the gas setting at the lowest number but bumped it up two notches just to get a head start since I only brought 20 rounds for this initial session (I wasn't sure how much I'd be able to tolerate recoil wise and didn't have a lot of time anyway - I was fitting the range session in between a number of other activities). I should mention here that my FAL has the Robar NP3 coating on the internals and I had oiled the bolt rails liberally. The first shot was a revelation. Recoil was negligible - I felt like I could shoot it all day long, unlike my 300 Weatherby - the ACOG worked perfectly on the FAL, and most surprising of all it was really fun to shoot! I didn't have quite the full field of view through the ACOG although the bright red chevron and BC were still clearly visible and the recoil was so light that I was able to snuggle up closer to the ACOG on the next shots and shot off the rest of the rounds I had brought. It turned out the wide open gas setting (1) was able to lock the bolt back reliably but I left it set two notches higher just to be sure. Apparently the NP3 and generous oil made the action cycle easily - I was expecting to wind up somewhere around a 4 or 5. I was also shooting the FAL without a rest and not really concentraing but I still wound up with a nice group in about the same position as the XCR.

To sum up the very short range trip, 1) I love my new DSA FAL, 2) The ACOG continues to impress me and I now don't think I need to worry about getting a separate TA11F for the FAL, 3) the new Pmags work flawlessly in the XCR, 4) I love my XCR and look forward to replacing the gas block with the new adjustable type (even though it only took a minute or two - most of which was fishing the wrench out of the bag - not needing a wrench like the FAL doesn't will be a real plus.