1st MAS 36 rifle

[Anzac15]

Bought my first MAS 36 today, really like it. FG prefix, I believe that puts it around '51-'53? Dont really want to take it apart to see the date on the barrel, as I understand it compromises the accuracy. The sling also seems a bit unusual, cant find a one that looks like it. Marked 'Limoges'. Posted some pics, would like o hear some pros and cons on these unusual rifles!

---------- Post added 07-22-2012 at 12:01 AM ---------- Previous post was 07-21-2012 at 11:55 PM ----------

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[Patrick Chadwick]

The sling also seems a bit unusual, cant find a one that looks like it.

The sling itself seems to be correct enough. It is the rectangular wire loop with an eye joining it to the barrel band that is not correct. For the MAS36 this should be a circular ring with a lug attached to the barrel band. I think you have the version for the MAT49 submachine gun.

[Aragorn243]

That sling looks nicer than the ones that are typically on the MAS36. They usually have the ugliest color sling I've ever seen.

Cons:

No safety, hard to make a hunting rifle out of it.
Accuracy issues, not the most accurate rifle in the world
Ammo, getting difficult to find

Pros:

I've heard they are pleasant to shoot with light recoil for a small rifle, probably because they are rather heavy for a small rifle
Eye catching, either considiered ugly, or unique, the bolt alone with get you plenty of questions at the firing range
Condition is usually very good, most on the market were not used much and/or have been reconditioned
Interest is rising suggesting their value will increase at a more rapid pace, although this can be said for most milsurps.

I can't tell if your rifle has it's bayonet or not. Most do.

I've only owned mine for two weeks today and all I've done with it was apply a couple coats of linseed oil to it. My stock seemed very dry near the butt plate for some reason. I like the sights a lot better than some rifles.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Nice looking rifle. Passed on one at our last gun show in favor of a couple of K98s. Hope the fellow is at our show next weekend as I will join the MAS club.

[Aragorn243]

Here's mine with the "correct" and very ugly sling:



---------- Post added at 09:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:57 PM ----------

Nice looking rifle. Passed on one at our last gun show in favor of a couple of K98s. Hope the fellow is at our show next weekend as I will join the MAS club.

Pick up some ammo at the same time if you can. Seems to be getting hard to get. I got a few hundred rounds along with the rifle when I bought it. All appears to be French manufacture but all is also corrosive.

[Anzac15]

Yep, the rifle came with three boxes of FNM 7.5 French. Plus one box of crappy Syrian stuff. Going to take it to the range tomorrow, looking forward to seeing how it does.
I was tempted to pick up a correct sling for it today, but I kind of like this one. Cannot find a single sling online that even remotely resembles it. The swivel hook and the French stamps on it are the only indication that it's, well, French. Does appear to be some Arabic script on it as well. An Algerian connection, possibly?

[Aragorn243]

I've heard the Syrian stuff isn't worth trying, bad primers or something. I was told all mine is French, should check it I guess. I believe it was repackaged in 20 round boxes.

[Aragorn243]

Did some checking on my ammo and learned a few things.

What I have is two types. The first is 1970's French ammo for the MAS 36 in small blue grey boxes of 15. These are on stripper clips of 5 each. The second type is in white boxes of 20 held in place by white foam. This is also French from 1959 but was originally on belts for their machine guns. The importer stripped it off the belts and repackaged it. Both types are corrosive but also good quality.

The Syrian is salvageable if you remove the bullets and powder and re-use them in other cases or de-cap the primers and seat new ones, not that easy with Berdan primers. The powder is supposed to be good as are the bullets and brass.

[Anzac15]

Is the machine gun ammo supposedly safe for these rifles? I've seen some of that at the gun shows, but have always been a bit hesitant to fire it as most MG ammo is a bit hotter than standard rounds.

[Patrick Chadwick]

... Cannot find a single sling online that even remotely resembles it...

Well try looking in FRENCH !!!

The french word for a rifle sling is "bretelle".

So search for "MAS49 bretelle". And you will find it.

BTW, the MAS49 was used in Algeria. Hence the Arabic writing???