Tell me about the MAS1949

[Claven2]

That's what the Americans claim, yes. But ballistically it's a slightly stepped-down 7.5. Personally, I think it has much more in common with the 7.5 than the .300 Savage too.

[happydude]

6.5x55 brass is very easy to come by and I'll be reloading for whichever gun I get.

I'm surprised nobody here owns one, or shoots one?

[Light Infantry]

Owned one, shot it, sold it. Nice rifle, gentle kick, but ammo is difficult to get and I got off of my "French" kick awhile back. I enjoyed it while i owned it. Overall, it seemd to handle a touch better than an SAFN. Just seemed "handier" to me.
Still have a bit of ammo kicking around if i ever get the urge again.

LI

[SNMP]

For the MAS40 families (MAS44=> MAS 49 (or FSA 49) =>MAS 49/56 (FSA 49/56) and MAS (FSA) 49/56 MSE for Tireur d'élite (SQUAD DESIGNATED MARKSMAN) .

A the end of the WWII adopt the FSA 44 (base on MAS 40 with box mag feed), in FSA 49 modification in simpliiaction, MAS49/56 shorter version with grenade launcher pass trought and MSE is Kit for MAS49/56 (for Rifle cometition and SQUAD DESIGNATED MARKSMAN)

You could found the same gas sytem than in Tokarev and in AR10 /AR15 rifle

FSA : Fusil Semi-Automatique
MAS : Manufacture de Saint Etienne (state arsenal).
40 or 44 or 49 : year of entrance in service

The caliber MAS 7,5 mm 1929C (7,5x54 mm) is from 1929, that a shorter version of the 7,5mm (7,5x58mm) 1924,

Weapon with this caliber : FM 24-29 (squad machine gun), MAS36, MAS40, MAS44, MAS 49, MAS49/59, FRF1 (Sniper rifle and SQUAD DESIGNATED MARKSMAN) and rebarrel Lebel 07/15

for reloding (explanation in English):
- Reload 7.5 Mas Ammo French
- 7.5x54 French MAS Cartridge - Load Data
- 7.5 French MAS Case Forming


SNMP

[duncaninfrance]

I have shot both at our local club and the semi-auto is a great weapon to shoot




Here is a 36 for you to drool over

[K31]

There was a short article in HANDLOADER magazine last year, about PHIL SHARPE's notes. The US government studied the 7.5 in great detail before WW2, and basically combined the 7.5 and .300 SAVAGE to come up with 7.62 NATO. This makes sense, because the 7.5 is so close to the NATO round, one could easily confuse them. I had a MAS 1944 once, and sold it in a moment of insanity. Great rifle, but it did have quite a backblast from the direct acting gas system. It was almost like being next to a rifle being fired with a muzzle brake. Other than that, it was fine.

[arado]

I have experience with French rifles. I was never issued one but would not have minded. The Mle 44/49/49-56 are IMO excellent rifles. Very well made and designed to launch grenades as part of the French infantry system. The optics provided for the 49 and 49-56 are very good. Ammunition is easily made from 6.5 Swede. I use gallery cases..works well and cheap. Using NATO surplus powder /bullets cost me about 20 cents per round..

[slabone]

The 7.5 x 54 ammo for the Mas rifles does exist commerically. I just placed an order from Ammunitionto go.com. Use google to do a search and you will find the ammo at many locations. I just purchased a Mas 49/56 sniper rifle and but have had a chance to fire yet. Am interested in hearing from other owners of this rifle

[arado]

[QUOTE=sdh1911;6913]I'd go with the 49 hands down, I got the granddaddy, SAFN-49. This is one of the finest semi-autos I've owned, and that is many. The tilting bolt originated with the french in 1927. The gas impingement with the French in 1900. IMHO,The best of all tilting bolt rifles is the Mas 49/56. Still in service today. Next of course is the Magnificent FAL. I make my 7.5 French ammo from 6.5 Swedish gallery which cost me $80 for 1400 rds. Regards, Gary

[jmoore]

PRVI makes 7.5 French and its not terribly expensive. Now that the factory is back in production it should start showing back up in quantity. If you get a 1936 or 1949 model rifle, avoid the 7.62x51 conversions; they generally don't shoot very well.