MAS 36 Thumb

[rescuerandy2]

Good Afternoon All,

Just got a Vietnam bring back MAS36. While cleaning out the mud from the Mekong Delta, I grab the unique bolt handle with an awkward grip. When I pulled the bolt back, my thumb got munched by the peep sight and it took a bit of me with it.

As a Mauser, Enfield, Springfield, Steyr shooter, I just did not pay attention to the unique setup on the MAS. Tomorrow to the range and the stories it is going to tell.

Randy

[Aragorn243]

Ouch. Still not sure how you did that but I feel your pain.

[browningautorifle]

Yes, hurts. I watched a friend using a clip in a Mosin Nagant M1891 and he sheared the very end of his thumb skin off back over his thumb nail. Don't know how...

Then there was a gun number that had his ring finger nail slammed between the extractor and cover of the .50 cal MG...

[Bob Womack]

Ow! Unfortunate geometry and ergonomics.

Bob

[Low & Slow]

Oooh, yah. Get hold of the bolt handle a bit too close to the root, and when it snaps... At least you most likely got off a bit easier than at least two of it's previous owners.

[ssgross]

once you heal - you'll have a great time with your MAS. I find my MAS36 to be about the handiest bolt action rifle. The cons list are...getting the right rear sight for your zero (mine came with the center drilled peep, and shoots to center. Lucky), and the giant obelisk front sight is great for minute-of-man consistency, but target shooting requires patience. If you do your part, and handload, it's quite accurate. Lastly, the stock is usually loose from years of shrinkage. Accuracy will benefit with some careful shimming of the system.
FYI - you can make 7.5 French brass out of 30-06. If you don't have the manual of cartridge conversions, you can easily run well lubed 30-06 into your 7.5 die with the decaper removed, then simply trim the excess and anneal. Shoots just as good as what I've loaded in new 7.5 brass.