Century Arms L1a1 Serial Numbers

Century Arms is more in the 'inexpensive' area of FAL's. In other words this particular FAL was not made by FN, Steyr Mannlicher, nor DSA.

I am not saying it isn't an excellent rifle. Just understand this is a cheaper one, if you decide to sell it later. If it is the only FAL you are likely to own, they are excellent rifles. I think they (Century Arms) may have been building those from demilitarized STG-58 parts kits which were common at one time.

Look for a makers emblem on the upper receiver. If it is an 'Imbel' receiver that is good. I am not familiar with off brand receivers. It is not anyone's military issue; whoever built it did not bother to refinish it, I think. Look for more advice from others on cash value, but, I would say buy at $750; sell it for $1,000. It seems to show wear and the muzzle has no flash hider or muzzle break (nor bayonet lug), possibly for legal assembly reasons. That handguard is not Austrian.

I am pretty sure it isn't Imbel either. Otherwise it looks stock. A nice, new DSA custom could cost 2-3 times as much. Edit: The L1A1 means it is an inch pattern, UK/Commonwealth production. Almost all English speaking countries made these, except US.

I would make sure it has a serial number and makers mark, that do not look like garage work. Don't go alone, and leave your destination address with a family member. Mail your life insurance premium, etc. At that price it may be stolen or you could be getting set-up.:( Another thing: definitely look for a Century Arms imprint on the receiver. [Reason: Not that CA is stellar, they are not. But presumably CA would have test fired it. If not so identified, then it is probably somebody's homemade parts gun, which has safety and legal implications.] It is, or was, possible to purchase all the parts and put one together.

You test fire, or better yet, make the seller test-fire it, to prove the headspace is set up right. Home assembly does not involve precision and specs. ++ An inch parts gun will not be upgradeable with metric parts. But inch parts are available. I have read that you might want to check for excessive wobble or play with the magazine installed in the reciever. The magazine will feel very loose fitting in the reciever if it is one of the problem recievers.

If I remember right this was only on some of the recievers being used in the builds on the century arms FALs. I'm sure youre aware of centurys spotty reputation so just be cautios. The gamble might not be worth it. It might cost you hundreds of dollars to get it working properly if there is a problem.

There was no requirement to replace the selector with a semi auto one. The lower has a serial #, the bolt & carrier have serial #'s, the barrel has a. Ban) Century Arms imported a number of as-issued L1A1's and sold them. Jul 25, 2011  The receiver just says Century Arms, R1A1 Sporter cal.308 with their Georgia, VT address and made in the USA. Serial number is CA323XX and Century R1A1 FAL Questions. Rukovodstvo po remontu asfaljtoukladchika vogel.

For $1000 you can buy a DSA Imbel FAL that is refinished and in good working order. On the other hand you might be getting a screaming deal. Just be cautios.

I owned a Century L1A1 some years ago. It cost $475 brand new (dealer) and it functioned perfectly. I later built an L1A1 with an Entreprise upper and a Century Aussie kit, and traded the origional Century L1A1 and a P95 for an M1D. The L1A1 mags are inch pattern, and differ slightly with the metric STG style mags. The proper inch pattern mags will lock up tight, and the metrics will lock up, but because of the size of the lip on the fromt, will rock a little when empty. Unless the barrel is over or under timed (that was the big issue with the rifles Century built, L1A1 or CETME, but fixable), you are probably good to go.