[hps1]

FR8 Spanish Mauser carbine cal 7.62 (308)
LaCoruna 1957

Assume this is a 98 action? Were they originally 7.62 nato or are they conversions? What would one be worth in excellent condition? Thanks.

Regards,
hps

[Shweboner]

All I really know is that they were what the spanish used before the CETME, and that it is a small ring mauser action. You might want to check out this site about the FR8 and CETME...


Gunboards CETME - FR8 Forum (http://www.gunboards.com/forums/UltraBoard.cgi?action=Headlines&BID=30&P=1&SID=993442&DayPrune=)

~Brian

[Marko Kloos]

I'm lazy today, so I'll just copy & paste from one of my earlier posts on TFL:


There's a lot of folklore about the FR-8 out there.

The FR-8 is built on a large-ring M1943 Mauser action mated to a CETME-C barrel, and it's fine to shoot with commercial .308 Winchester or surplus 7.62x51mm NATO ammo.

The Spanish Army converted their M1916 small-ring Mausers into FR-7s, and their M1943 large-ring Mausers into FR-8s. This conversion was done in 1965, when Spain had already moved away from the 7.62x51mm CETME round to the full-power 7.62x51mm NATO. The CETME-C was introduced in 1964, and it was designed from the ground up to shoot nothing but 7.62mm NATO. Both the FR-7 and FR-8 use CETME-C barrels. The FR-8 is built on one of the strongest bolt action systems ever made, the large-ring Mauser, and those things shot 8mm Mauser before they were turned into FR-8s.

The Spanish Army used their new CETME rifles for a decade or so with 7.62mm CETME prior to the CETME-C introduction in 1964, but this was not done because the CETME rifles could not hold up to the higher pressure of 7.62mm NATO. The 7.62mm CETME was just a way to increase controlability of the CETME in full-auto fire.

(In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Spain sold CETME barrels and other parts to Germany for use in the HK G3, and those puppies never shot anything but full-power 7.62mm NATO.)

The Spaniards abandoned the lower-powered CETME round for logistical reasons, that's all.

[Tamara]

...not only that, but they're a great way to dispose of all that dirty, icky, nasty CAVIM .308 you bought because it was such a fantastic deal. ;)

Prices for unbuggered ones (a large number seem to have wound up as "poor man's Scout rifles") have hovered in the neighborhood of two bills around here, lately.

[dude]

while out at sea last year I saw that the Spanish Navy still uses them for ship-to-ship shot line/Conrep stuff............cool!

[nextjoe]

It's worth noting too that Spanish-produced Mausers have a generally bad reputation due to poor heat treating.

Best,
Joe

[dude]

never heard of that........but it's on the internet so it must be true!

I'll stand behind Spanish steel anytime.

[telewinz]

IIRC wasn't the FR7 based on firing the less powerful cetme .308 and the FR8 made for the standard nato .308? I believe that is why most spanish rifles imported into this country are FR8's but I could be wronge.

[dude]

yes, yes and yes ('cept for all the .308 stuff)

[nextjoe]

Dude, stand behind Spanish steel all you like. Even if the gun blows (unlikely), odds are the Mauser 98 design features will keep you from being hurt.

The FACT of the inferiority of the Spanish Mausers can be confirmed by talking to any Mauser expert. Check Kuhnhausen's book, which IIRC lists Spanish actions as unsuitable for sporterization. Ask any custom gunsmith who builds on Mausers. You'll NEVER see a best-grade rifle built on a Spanish action. They're sloppy compared to other 98s and the steel and heat-treat are questionable. If you don't believe me, do a little research. I think you'll find that I'm right.

Best,
Joe

[dude]

no thanks!

[nextjoe]

suit yourself :cool: :D

[Dave Markowitz]

Here is a page devoted to the FR-8:

http://www.storm.ca/~debin666/html/the_fr-8_page.html

There's a bunch of other interesting stuff there, too, including a DIY Foul-Out clone.

I have an FR-8 in unissued condition. The sights are a little funky but it is a neat little rifle. It definitely kicks a bit with 7.62 NATO ammo, but would make a handy truck gun or deer rifle.

[hps1]

Well, it seems that there are two camps regarding the quality/safety of the FR 8. Not too surprising what with the FR7 using small ring and FR 8 on the large ring actions and then throw in the less powerful CETME load and the full power NATO ammo.

I'm 'bout as confused as the little boy what lost his chewin' gum in the chicken yard.:confused: Bet the Spaniards were confused, too.:)

Thanks for the feedback and the links, all.

Regards,
hps

[P95Carry]

Is this in fact the same as a ''1916'' Spanish Mauser. I have one ... small ring, and in .308.

I did hear quite a lot about its strength limitations ... and in fact only use mine for cast bullet loads .. maybe only about 35,000 pressure.

I was led to believe that a full .308 Win load ...... giving IIRC around 45,000 pressure .. the bolt particularly would maybe not take it indefinitely ... leading to headspacing probs over time.

Anyways ... I play safe with mine. Pure plinker! :)

[hps1]

Is this in fact the same as a ''1916'' Spanish Mauser. I have one ... small ring, and in .308.

P95: The way I understand it from all the above info and the various links folks so kindly posted, the FR7 is, indeed the small ring 1916 and apparently was intended for use w/low pressure but identical size CETME round.

From what I can see at the various links, etc., it would seem that the Spanish did not come out with the FR8 until after they discontinued the CETME round and replaced it (the CETME round) with the full pressure NATO round. It would follow, then, that the FR8 was considered to be safe for the NATO round, at least by the Spanish ??

Someone correct me if I have misinterpreted the information, I would certainly rather err on the safe side!

Regards,
hps

[P95Carry]

Thx HPS1 ...... sure you're right there.

I think anyways I'll treat this one as CETME oriented ... I have plenty of other stuff for .308. And anyways . it is interesting to get good results with cast bullets ... usually around 1900 fps or so .. and at 100 yds it makes for good enjoyment.:)

[finloq]

Sorry to bring up the dead here, but does anybody have any ideas as the the production numbers of the FR8? I have read that the FR7 was around 6000.

[nalioth]

Sorry to bring up the dead here, but does anybody have any ideas as the the production numbers of the FR8? I have read that the FR7 was around 6000.As I point out to folks, bumping a dead thread will only get it's original question answered a majority of the time.

Please start a new thread so your question gets the attention it deserves.