MAS wrote:Trigger boxes that constantly work loose. Firing pins that break prematurely. Magazines that jam. Dismounting levers that never stay put. Sears that develop much creep in short time, caused by inferior steel alloys/hardening. Triggerboxes that are impossible to open for serviceing. Barrel made of too soft steel, resulting in peening of the chamber/breech face by bolt, which causes shallowing of chamber and subsequent jams. Bolts that breaks, C-slips of triggers springs that tears off, slide retainers that "fall off" the frame. Etc., etc.
And you are in love with a gun like that, David?
My gun has according to my log done only 25000 rounds, medium powerered target ammo. No high speed ammo. (But many, many dryfirings (with red plastics insert)).
I also own a FAS 603 in .32 caliber, also dating back to the early 80s. It has only done about 4000 rounds. I use it regularly now, and I enjoy it. I have traded away my old Walther GSP in .32, and my Morini CM 32 is in for repairs (since may 2004!) So the ol´603 is all I have got now.
The trigger of the FAS 603 was ok only for the first 1000 rounds, or less. It now has considerable creep, which is impossible to improve by adjusting.
The extractor went into orbit at 1000 rounds or so. But the gun ejects ok without, most of the time.
"Trigger boxes that constantly work loose" - Replace the dome headed screw with a normal cap headed one (after filing it down by about 10 thou to clear the underside of the slide). That allows you to use the larger hex key to give it a bit more bite (without rounding the key).
"Firing pins that break prematurely" - Only had to replace the firing pin on a few occassions.
"Magazines that jam" - The early/mid 80s magazines, the folded steel ones, benefited greatly from slightly filing the underside of the top "rollover" at the back to let the cartridge rim move easily.
"Dismounting levers that never stay put" - Just make it part of the routine when putting the gun into the hand to press the lever upwards.
"Sears that develop much creep in short time, caused by inferior steel alloys/hardening" - never saw that problem.
"Triggerboxes that are impossible to open for serviceing" - Says who?
"Barrel made of too soft steel, resulting in peening of the chamber/breech face by bolt, which causes shallowing of chamber and subsequent jams" - Not a problem, my first barrel needed the edges of the chamber relieving once.
"Bolts that breaks" - Never had it, and cannot remember ever seeing one.
"C-slips of triggers springs that tears off" - I do not understand, but will admit that I was never happy with the design of the trigger spring.
"slide retainers that "fall off" the frame" - Have only ever seen this happen when, after removal for cleaning, the spring has not been replaced correctly.
"My gun has according to my log done only 25000 rounds, medium powerered target ammo." When I replaced my barrel in 1992 (I think) it had shot approximately 250000 rounds (in 7 years) of Eley Pistol Match (my favourite) and RWS Pistol Match. Until we were forced to hand in our cartridge pistols in the UK in 1997 it then did about another 100000-150000. I shot it in 2 World Championships, 2 European Championships, numerous other International and National events and it NEVER let me down.
I also had a 603 which I shot in the same matches. It did not fire anywhere near as many rounds as the 602 as the vast majority of my training was in .22 (20 second strings actually). The only time that gun let me down was when the rear sight broke off. I just fitted a new one and re-started. As an aside, if this ever happens to you make sure that you make the repair last 15 minutes (it is only a 5 minute job) to ensure that you get another sighting series without arguements. The only time when I have been unable to remove the creep on a 603 trigger was when the owner insisted on trying to get a rollover trigger. The gun was never designed for it.
I have always admitted that FAS pistols needed a bit more care and attention than some others, but boy was it worth it.