Anvil 062: French RSC 17

Published on January 24, 2020
Duration: 28:23

This video details the extensive gunsmithing required to bring a French RSC 17 rifle back to operational status. The presenter, Mark Novak, addresses critical issues including the lack of suitable ammunition, the need to fabricate and harden a custom en bloc clip, the repair and modification of a broken firing pin, and the complex tuning of the gas system. The process involves precision machining, heat treating, and careful ammunition development to ensure reliable function.

Quick Summary

Repairing the French RSC 17 rifle involved addressing four key issues: developing functional ammunition, fabricating and hardening a custom en bloc clip, repairing the broken firing pin by brazing and machining a new tip, and extensively tuning the complex gas system by incrementally enlarging gas ports to ensure reliable bolt operation.

Chapters

  1. 00:04Introduction to RSC 17 Challenges
  2. 00:37Rifle Components Laid Out
  3. 00:47Four Basic Problems Identified
  4. 00:51Ammunition Issues
  5. 01:11En Bloc Clip Problems
  6. 01:30Firing Pin Issues
  7. 01:56Gas System as the '800-Pound Gorilla'
  8. 02:23Gas System Length Comparison
  9. 02:53Gas System Tuning Challenges
  10. 03:37En Bloc Clip Fitment Issues
  11. 03:53Original RSC 17 En Bloc Clip
  12. 04:26Modifying the En Bloc Clip
  13. 04:59En Bloc Clip Hardening Process
  14. 06:07Sound Test of Hardened vs. Unhardened Clip
  15. 06:27Firing Pin Nose Fracture
  16. 06:43Firing Pin Repair Strategy
  17. 08:16Repairing the Firing Pin: Cutting and Brazing
  18. 09:53Firing Pin Repair in Progress
  19. 13:55Firing Pin Repair Success
  20. 14:07Assembling with Repaired Firing Pin
  21. 14:37Setting Firing Pin Protrusion
  22. 15:22Moving to the Gas System
  23. 15:27Original Gas System Spud
  24. 15:39Gas System Port Design
  25. 16:02Gas Flow Path
  26. 16:38Gas Seal and Labyrinth Packing
  27. 17:00Ammunition Development for Gas System
  28. 17:35Avoiding Ammo Dependency
  29. 18:08Gas System Drag Analysis
  30. 18:26Blueprint Analysis of Gas System Parts
  31. 19:21Enlarging Gas System Orifices
  32. 19:55Tuning the Gas System
  33. 20:18Gas Piston and Spring Action
  34. 20:41Operating Rod and Tube Interaction
  35. 21:04Dual Function of Operating Rod Spring
  36. 21:51Comparison to Mr. Grant's Designs
  37. 22:15Fire Control Group Overview
  38. 22:54Eccentric Hammer Mounting
  39. 23:10Safety Mechanism Explained
  40. 23:47Spring-Loaded Disconnector
  41. 24:03Rotary Bolt Operation
  42. 24:14Disassembly Procedure
  43. 24:42Firing Pin Safety Interlock
  44. 24:48Forend from Lebel Rifle
  45. 25:08Inspired Engineering
  46. 27:12Final Thoughts and Test Firing
  47. 27:35Unique Piece of Kit

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the main problems encountered when trying to make the French RSC 17 rifle functional?

The primary issues were the lack of suitable ammunition, a non-functional en bloc clip requiring fabrication and hardening, a broken firing pin that needed repair and precise adjustment, and a complex gas system that demanded extensive tuning for reliable operation.

How was the firing pin on the RSC 17 rifle repaired?

The broken firing pin was repaired by cutting off the damaged boss, fabricating a new tip with a drilled hole, brazing it in place, and then precisely machining it on a lathe to achieve the correct protrusion of approximately 35-40 thousandths of an inch.

What modifications were made to the RSC 17's gas system?

The gas system required significant tuning, involving incrementally enlarging the gas ports downstream of the orifice by up to 300% to ensure sufficient gas impulse to cycle the bolt. This was a meticulous process of drilling and testing over several days.

How is the safety mechanism on the RSC 17 rifle designed?

The RSC 17 features an eccentric mounting for the hammer. When the safety is engaged, this eccentric moves the hammer forward, preventing the trigger from disengaging and thus rendering the firearm safe.

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