Tell me about the MAS1949

[happydude]

I'm starting to think I might fancy something a little different in a semi-auto milsurp. I'd prefer good brass life, which eliminates the SVT and Ljungman designs. I have no desire to reload 7.62x39, G43s are out of my price range, and Norinco M14's are not my cup of tea, and not milsurp in my opinion. It's going to be an FN49 or Garand, but that MAS1949 that P&S has is quite intriquing.

So what's the deal with these rifles, and what about 7.5x54ammo?

Information

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[Skippy]

7.5 French ammo is commercially non-existant. But if you like to reload your own, it's basically a step up from the 7.62NATO round.
You can use all of the cponents for 7.62NATO to reload for 7.5 French, even the load data.

[Claven2]

Hornady publishes specific 7.5 French data. Brass can be made from 6.5x55 but just resizing it, or you can buy Frontier brass on the bay.

[Badger]

I don't know if you'll find this helpful or not, since it's not about the 1949 sem-auto, but I recently sold a French 1936 MAS. If you find a 1949 and enjoy it, then perhaps you might want to add a bolt action sister rifle to your collection to go with it.

The photo montage is still on display .....

1936 MAS French Service Rifle (Manufacture d'Armes de St-Etienne)
Caliber = 7.5x54 French

"French military bolt-action rifle model of 1936 made by Manufacture d'Armes de St-Etienne (MAS) in caliber 7.5x54 French. "MAS Mle 1936" marked on the left side of the receiver, has a two piece stock, and detachable spike bayonet concealed in the forearm. Serial numbers are matching on metal and wood. Condition is excellent, un-issued and unfired."


(Click PICS to Enlarge)


1936 MAS Service Rifle (lots more detailed pics ... click here)

Regards,
Badger

[happydude]

So ammo can be made, good good. What about the rifles themselves, junkers or something worth shooting?

[sdh1911]

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-SDH

PS Those French guns don't show much promise with the complete lack of ammo and the converts to .308 were complete failures

[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

[Claven2]

I disagree. Here in Canada, 7.62 isn't cheap and plantiful, so 6 to one, half a dozen the other.

7.5 French brass is readily available from hornady and you can also make it by simply running 6.5 Swede brass through a 7.5 sizing die - no trimming required.

Just use 7.62 Data of the purpose-made data from Hornady.

i don;t have the MAS49, but I do shoot a MAS36 from time to time and they are a nifty rifle with a very capable round that in many ways has a slight edge over the 7.62 NATO (which the Americans basically copied from the 7.5, changing it just enough so it wouldn't be the same... lol. Same bullet, same load, slightly smaller base and slightly different shoulder angle - that's it!).

[Lee Enfield]

snip....

over the 7.62 NATO (which the Americans basically copied from the 7.5, changing it just enough so it wouldn't be the same... lol. Same bullet, same load, slightly smaller base and slightly different shoulder angle - that's it!).

Actually the 7.62 NATO cartridge's ancestry is a long necked .300 Savage, which predates 7.5 by @ 15 years.

[jdmcomp]

Ammo is easily available and no more expensive than any other ammo of similar type. I own both the 36 and the 49 (from the looks both refurbushed and stored by the French before being surplused) and I ordered ammo from Graf and Sons. Availability is on again off again like all ammo right not.

The rifles are extremely accurate and very functional but lack a bit in looks. Dies for reloading are available from several sources such as Lee and bullets are standard 308. It is a simple reload. As stated stay away from any converted rifle. I understand that there were some French made rifles in 7.62 NATO but I would never buy one without being absolutely sure that it was original.

It would be a great rifle for your purpose.