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France's Final Battle Rifle Iteration: The MAS 49-56
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- Опубліковано 23 тра 2019
- Preorders now open for my book, "Chassepot to FAMAS: French Military Rifles 1866-2016"! Get your copy here:
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While the development of the MAS 49 had given France a very utilitarian rifle that could serve as both for both marksmen and grenadiers, it could still be made better. In large part, the change to the 49-56 pattern was motivated by the move to adopt NATO-compatible 22mm rifle grenades. With the new muzzle hardware, several other changes were made. A gas cutoff was added, to prevent wear and tear on the action from grenade use (something that was found to be a real problem on the MAS 49). The gas port was also moved farther down the barrel, and the handguard and barrel were both shortened to make the rifle a bit lighter and handier.
Production began in 1957, and about 175,000 of the rifles were made, seeing as France's standard front-line infantry rifle until the adoption of the FAMAS in 1979.
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You know so much about this!! It’s almost as if you made a book...
Preston Samson yeah I would suggest him to write a book . I prefer he should do one on French guns
I'm saving up for the audiobook version narrated by the ghosts of Charlton Heston and Charles Degale!
He literally THE book on the subject.
PRAISE ALLAH you can’t read apparently
Better this than the Bergmanns...
Damn, now all French rifles will get more expensive and difficult to find, even in France...
>Immediately goes on gunbroker and bids on one.
Step 1: build up stockpile of obscure French rifles.
Step 2: spend years painstakingly research obscure French rifles
Step 3: get 1.2m subscribers, 360m views
Step 4: hype up obscure French rifles on your massively popular channel
Step 5: profit???
@@manchurianatlarge Step 6 write a book about french rifles
@@manchurianatlarge Step 7 stan FAMAS rifle and repeat the ritual
@@HaqqAttak >meme arrows on youtube
Ians master plan is almost complete.
Step 1: Buy a bunch of cheap smelly French guns most people haven't heard of.
Step 2: Start a UA-cam channel and become an internet celebrity.
Step 3: Gain over a million followers and become Gun Jesus.
Step 4: Write and publish the book on French military rifles.
Step 5: Sit back and watch price of rifles skyrocket.
Step 6: Sell cache of rifles for huge profit.
The trouble is that he fell in love with the guns and can't sell them.
I also fell in love with these French rifles and bought one of each back when they were relatively inexpensive. No, none are for sale and am smiling as they appreciate.
Step 7: stan FAMAS rifle because He's talented (Omg he's more like loona) then repeat
@@twinkleegpieplayer5002 WTF?
@@ron827 haha I just joking oof
In 1981 I was still using the MAS49. At that point not all units had the FAMAS
J'ai eu le 49/56 en 1987, pendant la FETA et le PEG, et à ma grande frustration, on a du tirer une poignée de cartouches à blanc, rien de plus. Les tirs à balles se faisaient uniquement au FAMAS.
Prices of MAS rifles goes up 20%. Thank you Gun Jesus
French firearms get a bad rep, for some damn reason. I bought a MAS-36 about 15 years ago, for $125, from a military antiques & used gun store. There were a number of SMLEs, and, Mausers in his rack, all with outrageous price tags. Then, down at the end, I spotted this rifle I didn't recognize, that looked almost brand new. When I asked the guy about it, he said it was, "Some damn French thing".
@@tyrssen1 It really is. Before WW1, and, then in the inter war period, they led the world in small arms innovations. Their swift defeat in 1940 wasn't due to any deficiency in arms, technology, or, fighting spirit, but, in an improper, foolish doctrine, and, stubborn, inflexible leadership, who refused to adapt.
Last war france fought well in? 1. Napoleon campaign?
French rifles! Get your French rifles here! Never been fired and only dropped once!
Maybe because they were dropped too often.
They are responsible for a lot of large caliber guns and AA guns too
Had my 49/56 for about 20 years. Love it. Very accurate. Load my own ammo using the CCI hard Milspec primers and never had a slam fire issue. Just a good honest shoot all day long rifle.
WERE cheap. I suspect by next week they'll average higher than the 44 or 49.
Gunsbeerfreedom87 I mean, there are at least 1 million people that see his videos. And that's just subscribers, not to mention others that surf youtube
never realized how expensive these are, and how lucky I was to get to fidle around with one when I worked with a french military museum.
Everyone: It's a magazine! Not a Clip!
The French: "Hold my wine!"
*puts a Clip on a Magazine*
*in french accent*Sacre bleu what have you done antoine!?
Clipazine!
So they basically copied the Swiss.
@@zacharyrollick6169 not realy: the use from clip/magazine is because in parallel with the MAS 49-56, was the MAS 36 still in use as "reserve rifle", and the MAS 36 use 5 shot clips, so the MAS 49-56 was able to use directly MAS 36 clips or classic loaded magazines...
@@leneanderthalien The latching clip on the side the magazine. Like the Swiss Schmidt-Rubin.
The french invented smokeless powder, and the clipazine!
@@3eightiesopinion524 Switzerland and Belgium are meme countries, all Swiss and Belgian inventions are French.
@@3eightiesopinion524 Boxer, a English colonel, upgraded the Flobert's rimfire systemn in 1866 with the Boxer centerfire cartridge.
Mauser, a German, invented the stripper clip system for the 1888 commission rifle, not to be mixed with the "en bloc" clips that James Paris Lee for his Lee rifle of 1890, and Ferdinand Mannlicher for his M1885, so definitely not Russian.
Dieudonne Saive, a Belgian, invented the double stack magazine for an order for the French military, so not Germans.
Robert Wilson, an American, coined the first patent for detachable box magazine in 1864.
Mannlicher indeed was the first to coin the straightpull system, that was based on the 1874 "Gras sytem" from France, there is a reason why an heavy chunk of Gras rifle where build by Steyr and why the Steyr, from M1885 to M1895/30 bear a striking ressemblance with the old French 1874.
So before you spew some rather questionable, unfounded opinions it would be wise to educate yourself a little bit, you might impress the youtube plebs, but you're just going to make a fool of yourself if you preach that around gun nuts.
@@Warptenlololol the key thing is: different countries working against each other in a competition to kill the rest is a good system for the advancement of small arms technology. None of us can kill as fast as all of us can kill.
@@3eightiesopinion524 the brass cartridge were invented by a swiss and a french in France.
Dunno why everyone is so excited about this, but I guess this is the best channel to find out why.
Going to watch all the MAS series videos right now. Thanks to Ian for his skill in bringing military history to life.
What always hurt these rifles in comparison to the FAL and G3 was the 7.5 French caliber.
Getting 7.5 wasn’t that easy for us back in the 1990’s. When we found it, it was surplus Syrian.
Good video.
Regards,
Marky
If Syria needs money to rebuild after the war, all they have to do is find a way to export their stocks of curio and relic WW2 / post-war small arms. STG-44s, MASes, and banged-up Panzer IV's for everyone!
Well of course, during most of the life-time of this rifle France was only a NATO member by name but not by real integration. So I guess they saw no reason to follow NATO standards.
@@AshleyPomeroy Honestly if someone could stamp the recivers i have no doubt STG 44 parts kits would sell super quick
Karl Moens I bought this gun back in the 90s if it was in 308 win. How does the 7.5 French compare to 308?
Its become a far more aesthetically appealing rifle in this configuration. If only it had a larger box magazine.
There’re folks who’ve fitted the external magazine catch to things like FAL magazines with good results
Probably didn't make too much of a difference since the guys using the rifles were together all the time anyway. Somebody certainly always had his gun ready to fire in case of a close quarters engagement. Magazine size is really only a concern if you're alone.
@@mrb692 I saw a guy on UA-cam that welded two together that worked. I tried adding a clip to a fal mag and an m1a mag all bent up but neither worked well at all. Too much work for an unreliable mag, the fal got me the closest but if I try it again I'm just going to put two french mags together like the guy did. He also made his own tacticool stock. It didn't look too bad either.
Fm 24/29 25 rounds were modified by military units to fit on the mas 49 rifle especialy airforce paratroopers.
This is an amazing review Sir! Thank you for going so in depth!!!
I actually have a MAS 49/56 that was converted to 7.62x51 (.308) with original French parts, which is rare. Its easy to tell as the gas tube is smaller and not just cut down after the barrel was reamed AND I do not get some of the headaches associated with the company that imported and modified many others. It had a very good modification. I absolutely LOVE this rife. It is a TANK! Really easy to target with the large battle sight and I also have the see through mount scope. That big bolt re ally averts jams and you cab always flip it to single fire at the grenade launcher for even more accuracy. The impingement gas system works WELL and keeps the receiver very clean even after several hundred rounds. I also have never had a slam fire probably due to the titanium firing pin it had installed.This will stay in our small family collection for sure. I shoot it as often as I can and it is a go to rifle for all around AND firing it with the night sight attachment is amazingly fun as are the grenades!!!! I also got it for $300 several years ago!!! They have gotten pricey but worth it.
I have two 49/56's in 7.5 French: G series with no arsenal refurbished stamp. H series refurbished in 1982. Both acquired in the 1990's for about 150 bucks each. Reload .308 bullets in reformed 6.5 x55 Swedish cases, Spring loaded firing pins over the titanium due to cost. I adjust the load for the non-adjustable 49/56 gas system, which give even better handling to this vintage battle rifle. As Mae says, it sings to my soul. Waited decades for the definitive Book to come along. I am so happy for you, Ian, to see your Book project do so well.
One sturdy looking rifle. I remember seeing these on a trip to France( school trip) in 1978. That and the MAT 49 i think.
Right, french soldiers were by pairs, one got the semi-auto MAS 49/56, the other the MAT 49 SMG.
I had this rifle for the Bastille day military parade in Paris in 1992.
I believe it is still used by the republican guard
moi je l'avais au camp de Souge au début de mon service militaire en 1969...Ahhh c'est loin...J'étais le moins mauvais (!) tireur de ma section au 49-56. Je trouvais qu'il était doux à l'épaule, mais les groupements n'étaient pas mirobolants. Je crois me souvenir qu'il était considéré "bon de guerre" si H+L < 40 cm à 100 m. Mettre une lunette sur une arme non sélectionnée relève du bizarre.
@@akaviri5 Yes, you are right, the foot 1st regiment uses the 49/56 for the demo drill called "quadrille des baïonnettes"
@@florentleider222 J'ai aussi passé des heures allongé au pas de tir de Brest puis après à nous entrainer à défiler sur l'esplanade Tourville.
On avait des FSA pour les exercices de combat pendant la PMS en 1990, avec des balles a blanc, mais des FAMAS pour le tir. J'ai quand meme eu la chance de tirer avec un 49-56 a une journee portes-ouvertes (balles plastiques !)
You should use this in desert brutality.
seems like it would be easier than the M1 he suggested. The box mag makes it easier to show clear and other administrative stuff.
I back this idea!
It was used in Tchad, Djibouti, Lebanon...
@@methodeetrigueur1164 Algéria war also (54/62)
@@fredericvolatil8910 True, with MAS 36, Garand M1 and Winchester US M1.
Hi Ian,
I'd like to correct a little mistake --> On M.A.S. 49-56, you have the possibilty to adjust aim elevation.
You do this by rotate the "guidon" (the little pin near barrel muzzle), click by click: counter clockwise to lower, clockwise to upper aim.
Cheers
I can tell how excited you are. This has been a long time coming!
You're the reason why I bought this rifle! After changing the firing pin as recommended by you. It is a great, easy to use and maintain rifle! I love it
I own one. Fine weapon and shoots well. I wish I had that scope.
I wonder how rare and costly they are? Because i was thinking I'd love to own one of those but was curious on the scope availability.
Forest campbell, I’ve owned mine for 20 years and I think I paid 125.00 for it.
They also sell reproduction scopes for those rifles.
I came across your video today and it’s really a coincidence that I will receive my Mas 49/56 tomorrow. The video was very helpful and I took ur advice and purchased a firing pin with spring. Thanks for the heads up. I also subscribe to your channel. Really enjoy it and very informative. Thanks Ian
Thanks Ian for your book which is an exhaustive review of French rifles, this video in combination with your book has convinced me to buy one which I love ! Now I want to add more of the MAS series of rifles to my growing collection of French rifles. BTW I changed out the firing pin for a titanium one like you recommended since I shoot it at the range quite often.
I used this rifle for a long time before FAMAS arrived. It is a very safe weapon. I have fond memories of it.
I can't wait to get my copy of Ian's book. Now I want a book like this for American, British, Italian, Russian, Japanese..... oh heck all of them. Ian is spoiling us.
You are the best! Thank you! I just ordered one and pick up bits and pieces from other UA-cam videos, you just spell it out so easily and understandably! Definately going to find a modified firing pin!
I picked mine up 4 years ago for $300 bucks, the shop I bought it from thought it was chambered in 7.5 swiss and thus sporterized. Also, I recommend murrays guns for firing pin replacements for the MAS and the SKS.
7.5 Swiss really . Check again please
Fell in love with this thing as soon as a saw it. Have wanted one ever since
You made me buy your book and a French Rifle, Thanks Ian
CCI #34 primers are made for guns with free floating pins. If you are a reloader and load for guns like the Garand, M1a, Mas etc. they can reduce the risk of slam fires.
I love my Mas 49/56. One of my favorite rifles.
I own a MAS 49-56 and was totally unaware of the slam fire issue, thanks for letting me know!
Century Arms modified some to 7.62x51 Nato.
Some say never fire .308 Winchester in the MAS 49/56
Centruy cut back the barrel and rechambered them (contracted outside shops to do this so have a variation in chambers)
So the handguard is cut to fit the shorter barrel.
Not all Century front sights are centered (sight regulation is off)
Bolt return spring has been shortened (one end wont have a factory coil end)
Many problems had come from using 7.62x51 and .308 winchester in the MAS 49/56
Torn case rims because the extractor claw is profiled for the slightly larger case head of the 7.5 french
The extractor claw can be modified to better fit the 7.62 case head.
The grenade launcher gas cut-off can be replace with a screw adjustable gas valve.
These are a great help with gas management on this modified rifle.
I have seen 20 round metric FAL magazines adapted to the MAS 49/56 (spot welded MAS mag catch to the FAL magazine)
I have always liked these. I think, with the grenade launcher sight removed, it is probably still kegal here in Kalifornia, assuming the muzzle device is credibly called a brake rather than a dlash suppressor. Great video as always. Thank you
When I was a teen, I saw a few of these for sale at gun shows. Its always been a good looking rifle to me and a great contender for SW blaster modding!
congratulations on the book and the on going quality videos ! thanks Ian.
I'm an old garand dude but after the maz 46 video you did I'm in
Ian, France loves you !
From the Charleville of .69 cal to the FAMAS “Bugle” the only thing the French need apologize for was the Chauchat and that three shot Berthier carbine. French small arms are awesomely innovative and functional.
For the Chauchat submachine gun I can specify that with the 8mm Lebel for which it was designed, it was an "average" weapon.
Developed and manufactured in a "bicycle" factory.
So hey, maybe the standards weren't at the average standard.
Let's not forget that it is the FIRST of its category, a kind of ancestor.
The biggest problems of the American Chauchat come from the conversion into US caliber by the US ordinance in 8mm Lebel the operation rendered very signal services in the war of trench.
But it was declared obsolete in France in 1918/19 I believe.
@@olivierpuyou3621 I think the Madsen would take first first prize as a light machinegun/automatic rifle, but the Chauchat was for sure the first in mass adoption
I had a 49/56 that had been converted to 308 by century arms. I owned it for a couple of years but sold it due to it's propensity to slam fire. Years later, I wish I had hung on to it.
Superb video. One of the first rifles I ever fired (as a kiddo) was a mas 49-56 that had been re-chambered for .308. I love these rifles!
I have one that has been rechambered in .308
2500+ pledges for the signature edition as of now. You’ve got a lot signaturing to do. Looking forward October.
One of the few French weapons that i genuinely liked. Always with the odd ball calibers though.
Thank you, the MAS 49/56 was the semi auto rifle I got during my military sevice in 1972 in the French Forces in Germany...
LOVE THESE RIFLES, they pair well with an H&R Sahara.
I’ve been waiting for this for forever I remember emailing you about it a while back!
Nice , nice gun! Y made my service in 1986 with this nice piece !
Definitely my favorite rifle in my collection
The 49/56 became available as surplus in my neck of the woods in maybe the early 90s. Old Western Scrounger was the only dealer who had the ammo and it wasn't cheap. I passed on several good opportunities to buy 1. Really regret the myopia.
I actually own one of these, i got mine from a gun show one time as i was browsing though and i saw this odd looking rifle with grenade launcher spigot and sights and a funky magazine i picked it up as i never seen one before and asked the seller what it is and what was the price for it, he said its a french rifle and can be yours for 450 bucks so i brought it, he did say it was converted to 7.62 Nato by the importer but he had no issues with it, and sure enough it worked flawlessly. Now i need to find a buttpad, a scope, and a bayonet for it
Very interesting rifle! Definitely learned something today.
What a beautiful rifle
Aren't you kind of spoiling the secrets of the book with these videos?
* tongue-in-cheek *
These are fantastic guns! I've had 2, one of them unfortunately had some damage to it, but the second was one of the most reliable and accurate guns I ever owned, so far.
Same here!!! Love mine!!!
something to know: there is a variant, called the "mas 49/56 gendarmerie". it was naturally chambered not in 7.5 french, but in 7.62 nato. i shot one. best friggin' feeling ever. the buttpad dampens the recoil significantly, it's accurate, it's comfortable, it's a fantastic rifle. there's also i think springfield armory that made a conversion kit, but beware: those mods are rife with malfunctions due to an inadequate gas modification. so if you plan on rechambering your 49/56, get a gunsmith to tune your gun.
Back when I sold guns, we sold MAS. They seemed very good rifle, well worth the money. You got everything with it. That chambering was a thing though. Wish I had kept one.
Thanks again, a very good presentation.
Best vidéos about french riffles EVER ! Why the f**** is an american chanel way better and more enthusiastic about french firearms than our home french ones ?
I had one in the '90's that had been rechambered in 7.62 mm Nato that was a bit ammo sensitive!!! Fun little gun, but was traded along quite some time ago! That would explain those little "SUPRISES"!!!
I remember tons of these on the surplus market back in 07 for around $200. I had my C&R but sadly never bought one.
**sliding on and off buttpad**
"This is for grenade, this is for gun,
One is for fighting, the other for Hun!"
I feel like these last few videos are examples from Ian's personal collection. So that's pretty cool!
The gas cutoff covering the sights is so smart!
The magazine release reminds me of those plastic clips they sell for potato chip bags. I gotta love how instead of putting the magazine release on the gun, they put the magazine release on the magazine instead. Interesting design.
These French guns are really misunderstood. Most people think it’s bad because it’s French but some of them are very good rifles.
« Most people ». You mean most American people?
The French seemed to have a habit of being very early or very late to big firearms concepts.
@@caseybennett944 I mean the thing had a 10 round mag and was issued into the 80s, thats alarming
Good thing I watched this video again. I just picked one of these up and had forgotten about the slamfire issue. Just ordered a spring loaded pin.
One of the best service rifles ever and one of the most successful.
FN FAL wants to know your location. But the mas is one of the better ones.
Must be great to live in a country that allows you to responsibly own firearms.
Another great video.
I learned that I want a MAS 49-56, what a handsome firearm. Great video!
the grenade launcher is the same as the FAMAS
Ian should be rewarded the Legion d'Honneur medal...
I used MAS 56 during my National Service. I found it sturdy, very easy to shoot as it was quite stable and easier to clean. It is only downsize was it was heavy, a bit tiresome during long marches. As the whole, it is a good infantery rifle, I guess not expensive to produce.
Looks badass too!
Took two years, but I finally extracted one of these back to old Europe. They are usually very expensive here and it’s not uncommon to see the grenade system removed, particularly ones coming out of Germany due to legal restrictions.
So you bought one in the US than had it exported to you?
How hard was that?
The Ride Never ends It wasn’t hard at all, just took a loooot of patience. I had the Swiss import permit after 3 weeks, which I sent to the US where my export partner handled the US export papers which took a while. This should have been it but in between time the Swiss changed their postal regulations and stopped handling any firearms from the US so we had to employ a very expensive freight handler which had to be mentioned on the export paperwork. This meant we had to resubmit the US forms which coincided with the last government shutdown which delayed yet things again.
The French army in WW1 was one of the most heroic and brave fighting forces the world has ever seen. All of Europe should hold a degree of gratitude and respect for those men and their relentless tenacity.
Weapon performs very well in rising storm 2 Vietnam, scoped or not its a beast
Used it when I was under the flag in 1979-80. Need to say first that I was by this time a 10m compressed air + 50m .22LR competitor (both national level). So when I first use this I was sure it will spread bullets everywhere. Nope! First I used "ballplast" an orange plastic ammo with a brass ring at it's tail. This was for basical training at 50 meters, prone position.
I was able to achieve a 14mm H+L at this distance with 5 shots (H for Height and L for Lateral dispersion). It was damn accurate, could have easily competed with top match .22LR rifles.
Later, standard "war" ammo at 200 meters, 5 shots, prone position. My H+L was 41mm... As both H+L were beating my unit record, I was granted 2 more days permission.
Gun was quite heavy, but relatively compact. Sturdy and reliable: never had a misfire incident. Field stripping was easy. And accuracy was "match grade" even with recruit guns that had shot thousands of ammos. When I was to test the FAMAS I cried! Never liked bullpup configs, but accuracy was poor and over 200 meters and especially when coming to 400 meters, bullets were spreading everywhere, impossible to use! Not to mention that the 7.5 compared to .223 when hitting the target was serious game vs. toy.
Most probably one of the reasons for actual US tests to define the new combat rifle are circling around an 8mm caliber...
Thank you , Ian .
CCI makes a thicker cup large rifle primer specifically for rifles with the slam fire problem.
I’ve been waiting for this vid because I’ve been wanting to buy one for months now
Thankyou Ian
How the hell do you pump out so many well done videos so quickly.
Fucking gun jesus making miracles
I have a "thing" for rifle grenades, and love the way the French continued to push the concept quite a while after WW2 ended. The tube launch grenades favored today have their advantages, but can't launch a warhead big enough to be a serious anti-tank weapon. If I had my say we (the USA) would be issuing muzzle launched AT grenades at the rate of at least one launcher and two grenades per fire team in any kind of urban or close terrain.
Can't deny the effort Ian is putting in, I just pledged the $92 for a copy of the blue version.
Thanks!
@@ForgottenWeapons And it's already worth it!
Just after your MAS 49 video, I saw a 49 for sale in France for the first time.
My friend had one! Wish he still had it.
Ian how many of these rifles are from your own collection? I know I've seen a video where you mention you have an intrest in collecting french firearms.
Keep up the good work in telling the history of modern firearms.
We had one come in to our shop as an FFL transfer. It had been changed over to 7.62x51. I could have sworn you had done a video on one of these in the past, because I was able to explain what it was to our manager, he thought the rubber boot was because someone thought the 7.62 round was too stout of a round, and to our ATF compliance manager.
@Forgotten Weapons Ian, are you going to mention that we still have MAS 36 in service ??
For those not knowledgable in french weapons, we are still servicing FR-F2 sniper rifles, wich are an evolution of the FR-F1, wich are both using a evolved MAS 36 reciever coupled to detachable magazin like the ones on MAS 49.
I will be doing an FR-F1 video when the book starts shipping. :)
@@ForgottenWeapons oh that's nice !! I was affraid either you had "forgotten" about this one or you were lacking material for a video 😉
Tinuraviel No more MAS36 in french army. And the FR-F2 will be replaced by FN SCAR-H.
As we touched on at another ved you made (another excellent one!), I have this rifle and love it. It was very easy to be a sniper/DMR rifle as they were very accurate right off the line and built like a tank. They do have some blast to them but that is part of the fun. Also, using the cut off for a single shot also makes it even more accurate for longer ranges. As you said, the sights are very good for that period and I like them for close in as that bid front sight is hard to miss! There was a rumor that the charging handle plastic knob glowed in the dark, but I can find no reference to that as gospel anywhere, can you confirm or dispute on that little tidbit? IF it did glow, mine is long since dead and I do not think anything glowing being able to be seen easily would be on a battle rife this good. I know people think the clip on the side of the mag is strange but you rarely have a bad mag, the 7.7 and .308 work fine in each and they lock in TIGHT with a little training there is no problem seating them. Anyway, thank you for covering one of my fav C&R rifles. I love the history involved in all these C&R firearms and love your dedication to bringing them to us here. THANK YOU SIR!!! AND I gotta get this book!!!
I did it is a very sweet rifle, they had two left and I was like which one is best. NOW I wish I had just bought them both!!!
Of all the French rifles this is the one i wish i owned.
Lol beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Sometimes ugly has a beauty all its own. ie the MAT 49 or even better the Hotchkiss Universal smg my god what a great survival gun !
@@robertcolbourne386 totally agree!
came here curious from RS2: Vietnam. In that game, its my Fav semi auto, but wanted more info. Wow, you did a book on French rifle evo. Thanks good work
In2020, this rifle is only being sold by one dealer at a price of $1000. There is no ammo available. Only one ammo supply house carried 7.5MM French and they are currently out of stock. Needless to say, the ammo is expensive.
What should be addressed here is the design flaw in all the MA'S series of rifles, as well as SMLE's, Winchester lever guns and others. And that would be the two piece stocks. If not fitted, bedded and firmly attached they have a long history of being an accuracy culprit. The French chambering is quite adequate, on par with our .308 win/ 7.62 NATO round. New ammo can be acquired from some lesser known providers as the major manufacturers like Remington, Winchester, Federal and the like don t load for it. However, one can easily reload for it as dies, components and the like can be had by searching places like Old Western Scrounger, Graff, Privi Partisan, Huntington/RCBS, Shotgun News, and many others. It's out there , I've seen it. You just have to do the leg work and research. Your not going to find it at Dicks, Wal Mart, Cabellas, Midway or any big box stores.
One of my greatest regrets is that I let my buddy talk me into trading my MAS 49/56 for a PA-15.
Granted, mine was rebored to 7.62 and dollar for dollar it was probably in my favor. But since I was fortunate to have gotten one that cycled/ functioned very well, the rebore was a welcomed mod. It actually worked better than the PA-15 (which I also got rid of).
Actually barrel set back and rechambered ,bore is the same .
Everything I read referred to them as "308 rebores" or "American rebores" (I guess it was slang, like calling a pistol magazine a clip). But they would refer to the process they went through as rechambering.
It's a nice looking rifle. For the era it came out of it looks pretty advanced.
Does it?
It really was, a friend of mine had one but we could never get it to cycle on every shot. Fancy single shot, so he got rid of it. Wish we could have made it work.
I have one of these sans scope, and in 7.62 NATO. Good little rifle. Trigger pull was horribly heavy. I discovered if you disabled one leg of the hammer spring, the trigger pull was acceptable. No misfires and no slam fires yet. The rear sight aperture is a bit small, but likely quite useful at long range. That could be easily fixed with a small drill bit and some cold blue. Don't like the mag attachment but it is what it is. I can live with the attachment I wish some 20 round ones could be fabricated.
Just picked one up it seems like a very well made gun
.....I love this rifle , the 1st time you pick 1 up it feels reliable .