Missing FN Op. Handle Bushings
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 10:05 pm
Hey Guys,
For those of you that have an FN and are missing the bushing off of the bolt charge handle, or might need a new bolt charge handle, I may be able to help you get a replacement. I have several of the FN's and four of them are missing the bushing and one needs a new handle. I have talked with 81police and Rem8&81 about this issue. Both have told me that this was a very common problem with the FN's. If the cap came off then the spring and pin would fall out and would have to be replaced with some sort of modification.
The four that are missing have four different "fixes" to the problem. Some are tastefully done and some are not. Corey shared with me that a lot of the FN owners may have never had more than one of these rifles and unless the handle was really a "bubba" job, they would not know the bushing was missing. Some of the fixes included using the bolt charge handle form an 8 or 81. With a little filing, one could be altered enough to fit the missing piece. Two of mine had metal screws made to go into the threaded hole and milled or filed to allow the screw to engage the bolt.
I took one of the complete charge handles to a machinist today and asked about getting some of the pieces duplicated. He assured me could make the pieces and I have placed an order to have several sets made. The price isn't cheap but what are you going to do when you can't find original parts. I am also having a complete bolt charge handle milled and turned to be like the original. One of my FN's had a "bubba" fix for a bolt handle and now it will have an exact replica. Again, not cheap but the rifle will be complete. I should have the components within the month. The missing spring that is inside the handle can be replaced by using the spring out of a ball point pen and cutting it to the proper length. I will provide the spring with the set.
I am going to ask 81police to post some pictures of what I am talking about. Perhaps he can edit the pictures and point out on them what I have been describing. Thanks in advance, Cam.
If any of you would be interested in these parts, please send me a PM and I will try and get you a set.
Regards,
jack1653
For those of you that have an FN and are missing the bushing off of the bolt charge handle, or might need a new bolt charge handle, I may be able to help you get a replacement. I have several of the FN's and four of them are missing the bushing and one needs a new handle. I have talked with 81police and Rem8&81 about this issue. Both have told me that this was a very common problem with the FN's. If the cap came off then the spring and pin would fall out and would have to be replaced with some sort of modification.
The four that are missing have four different "fixes" to the problem. Some are tastefully done and some are not. Corey shared with me that a lot of the FN owners may have never had more than one of these rifles and unless the handle was really a "bubba" job, they would not know the bushing was missing. Some of the fixes included using the bolt charge handle form an 8 or 81. With a little filing, one could be altered enough to fit the missing piece. Two of mine had metal screws made to go into the threaded hole and milled or filed to allow the screw to engage the bolt.
I took one of the complete charge handles to a machinist today and asked about getting some of the pieces duplicated. He assured me could make the pieces and I have placed an order to have several sets made. The price isn't cheap but what are you going to do when you can't find original parts. I am also having a complete bolt charge handle milled and turned to be like the original. One of my FN's had a "bubba" fix for a bolt handle and now it will have an exact replica. Again, not cheap but the rifle will be complete. I should have the components within the month. The missing spring that is inside the handle can be replaced by using the spring out of a ball point pen and cutting it to the proper length. I will provide the spring with the set.
I am going to ask 81police to post some pictures of what I am talking about. Perhaps he can edit the pictures and point out on them what I have been describing. Thanks in advance, Cam.
If any of you would be interested in these parts, please send me a PM and I will try and get you a set.
Regards,
jack1653