I just got hold of a MAS-36. Appears new and unfired. Chambered for 7.5 French. I've been looking for one for a long while, so I was very happy to find it. I wonder, though, does it have any collector value, and if it is indeed unfired, would I ruin any value by running some good, non-corrosive rounds through it?
Mas 36
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Acera
Member
Yes, if it is truly new and unfired. Like a new car, as soon as you drive it off the lot, it's a used car.
On some guns yes the value will drop significantly, but the collector market for the MAS 36 is very small. Maybe im badly mistaken, but I just don't see the market for a MAS 36 unfired being less than a MAS 36 in Mint condition. Just don't bang it up and it should be fine.
Maybe there are some diehard MAS collectors, but I have never heard of one that would want an unfired vs a mint condition one.
Maybe there are some diehard MAS collectors, but I have never heard of one that would want an unfired vs a mint condition one.
Murphy4570
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Combat rifles are always used. Even French ones, though those usually just have scratches and dings from being dropped!
451 Detonics
Member
Shoot it, won't hurt the value...of course paying for the ammo will be a little painful, definitely one to reload
Almost all the MAS-36s in this country were refurbed before import. It's not new and unfired, it's unfired since refurb. Most of 'em even have what appear to be dark bores on otherwise pristine rifles- because they reparked without plugging the barrel.
WALKERs210
Member
The cost of ammo is the biggest issue. I have one that has set in the closet for around 18 yrs now. I will say that when I first got the MAS I didn't expect any thing resembling accuracy but at 50 to 75 yrds it was darn good.
Thanks, everyone, for the replies. This has made me very happy as I am now going to proceed to shoot the heck out of it, and just take good care of it. I know it's nothing too special, but it is my favorite bolt action, ever. Being a lefty, have a bit of trouble with some bolt handles on normal rifles, but I find the angle of this one very comfortable to operate.
With that, I do think that reloading will definitely be happening - $18 for 20 rounds is a bit steep for a poorer college student. Thank goodness Prvi Partizan makes brass! The guy I bought it from told me I could load from 6.5mm swedish, but I don't think that is a safe practice anymore, if it ever was.
I do have one more question, though: I've noticed that the bolt has three positions. It locks down when ready to fire, it of course has the position where it is fully unlocked and ready to cycle another round, and then there is a position where the handle is halfway in between the previous two. From this position I noticed that pulling the trigger will cause the bolt to rotate to the fully locked position (and presumably fire). What exactly is the purpose of this bolt position?
P.S. - 451 Detonics: That knife is hilarious! If it were real, I would have one in a lit display case. I love the French, for all their good, and for their bad as well. They are a ridiculous people. I'm glad they made one good rifle I can appreciate (in addition to their wonderful pocket knives - Opinel, I mean).
With that, I do think that reloading will definitely be happening - $18 for 20 rounds is a bit steep for a poorer college student. Thank goodness Prvi Partizan makes brass! The guy I bought it from told me I could load from 6.5mm swedish, but I don't think that is a safe practice anymore, if it ever was.
I do have one more question, though: I've noticed that the bolt has three positions. It locks down when ready to fire, it of course has the position where it is fully unlocked and ready to cycle another round, and then there is a position where the handle is halfway in between the previous two. From this position I noticed that pulling the trigger will cause the bolt to rotate to the fully locked position (and presumably fire). What exactly is the purpose of this bolt position?
P.S. - 451 Detonics: That knife is hilarious! If it were real, I would have one in a lit display case. I love the French, for all their good, and for their bad as well. They are a ridiculous people. I'm glad they made one good rifle I can appreciate (in addition to their wonderful pocket knives - Opinel, I mean).
WALKERs210
Member
Your question about the bolt positions made me wondering about it. Went to look at the rifle and its gone... but then found out my son has it and according to him I gave it to him about 8-9 yrs ago. Oh well between him and my grandson they will wind up with all I have in the long run. Definitely going to go look at it again.
yustinus1973
Member
I had a MAS-36 some time back, it was a Santa Fe cut down sporter, so not much value. I agree with the others on here if it is a French surplus MAS-36 it is most likely not brand new even if it looks like it. I had a MAS-49/56 that looked like it was brand new and unfired, but i new better of that, just factory refurbed was all. I shot it as i shoot all my guns and did not think twice of it in droping in value, guns are tools ment to be used, but thats just my opinion. You can shot yours or not its up to you, its your rifle after all.
While I'm not sure why, French guns don't have much collector following. I too own one of those MAS rifles. Mine is like new too, and the bore shines like a mirror. Has an interesting bayonet. It never leaves the gun. Does yours still have it?
The round is an excellent one, about like a .308. You can buy the ammo and reload it. I think it is a .308 bullet. Not sure.
I also own an 8mm Lebel and a Mannlicher Berthier also in 8mm Lebel. Hard to find ammo for that one too.
No safety! I read that the GI's were taught to close the bolt over the loaded magazine with the chamber empty. Could be.
Have you figured out how to work that rear sight yet? You push the eye piece down which unlocks it and then it'll slide forward and raise the rear sight. Great sight picture.
Since the rifle is rather short and the round excellent, I think it'd be a fine hunting rifle. Mind shoots pretty straight. I like it. Few others do however. It is French after all.
The round is an excellent one, about like a .308. You can buy the ammo and reload it. I think it is a .308 bullet. Not sure.
I also own an 8mm Lebel and a Mannlicher Berthier also in 8mm Lebel. Hard to find ammo for that one too.
No safety! I read that the GI's were taught to close the bolt over the loaded magazine with the chamber empty. Could be.
Have you figured out how to work that rear sight yet? You push the eye piece down which unlocks it and then it'll slide forward and raise the rear sight. Great sight picture.
Since the rifle is rather short and the round excellent, I think it'd be a fine hunting rifle. Mind shoots pretty straight. I like it. Few others do however. It is French after all.
A Historian
Member
I don't suppose that range report would be possible to see, sometime soon?
As stated it is highly unlikely that it's actually unissued rather than a re-arsenal. The MAS rifles definitely have some room to move up in price but unless you are a speculator rather than a shooter it doesn't make much sense not to shoot it. Surplus seems to all be corrosive and is fairly scarce and usually more expensive than new Prvi Partizan so it only makes sense to shoot non corrosive.
With just a little looking it's not too hard to find 36s in that condition for around $250 though the prices seem to be rising a bit.
The real collector items are the pre WW2 rifles and they are never in pristine condition.
With just a little looking it's not too hard to find 36s in that condition for around $250 though the prices seem to be rising a bit.
The real collector items are the pre WW2 rifles and they are never in pristine condition.
argyle1812
Member
the middle position on the bolt is the french version of a safety since the rifle doesnt have a conventional safety. btw it does use a 308 diameter bullet.
As an old infantryman, the MAS feels and carrys like a good infantry rifle. It is short, and sturdy. I humps (carries) like an 03A3. The rifle seems sturdy. I think it'd tolerate the mud, blood and beer of a battlefield. While I prefer a semi-auto for real combat, the MAS 36 is a fine weapon.
I'd feel confident carrying the weapon in combat. It feels a little like a club and if in a close range combat situation that wicked bayonet and stubby rifle would be a fine weapon.
I'd feel confident carrying the weapon in combat. It feels a little like a club and if in a close range combat situation that wicked bayonet and stubby rifle would be a fine weapon.
I suggest you don't do that with a round in the chamber.
Do you need'em a pic of the rifle? I can make one for you if you do.
A Historian
Member
I would be interested to see what accuracy someone can produce with it.
I have heard a lot of people say that the rifle, in general, is not that great in the accuracy department, but have seen only one person prove it. I hear other people say it is just as accurate as any other rifle out there.
Too much hearsay, though, and not enough empirical evidence, for my taste.
I have heard a lot of people say that the rifle, in general, is not that great in the accuracy department, but have seen only one person prove it. I hear other people say it is just as accurate as any other rifle out there.
Too much hearsay, though, and not enough empirical evidence, for my taste.
coosbaycreep
Member
I had a beat up mas 36 I sold earlier this year.
Never took it to a range or anything, but despite the horrible trigger, it shot decent. Other than an enfield, it's the quickest cycling bolt action I've shot (which isn't really saying much).
New prvi partizan brass is about .50 each from grafs, which isn't bad at all considering what new .308/.243/.30-06 brass cost anymore. Like another poster stated, it uses standard .308" bullets. It has slightly more case capacity than .308, but uses slightly less powder (probably because it's an obsolete milsurp caliber and load manuals error on the side of caution), so if you reload, it's cheaper to shoot than a .308 is. Lee has lots of data for the caliber.
If it wasn't for the fact that it's french, I think these guns would be a lot more popular, which is a shame because the french made some decent rifles. They're just ugly....and french.
Never took it to a range or anything, but despite the horrible trigger, it shot decent. Other than an enfield, it's the quickest cycling bolt action I've shot (which isn't really saying much).
New prvi partizan brass is about .50 each from grafs, which isn't bad at all considering what new .308/.243/.30-06 brass cost anymore. Like another poster stated, it uses standard .308" bullets. It has slightly more case capacity than .308, but uses slightly less powder (probably because it's an obsolete milsurp caliber and load manuals error on the side of caution), so if you reload, it's cheaper to shoot than a .308 is. Lee has lots of data for the caliber.
If it wasn't for the fact that it's french, I think these guns would be a lot more popular, which is a shame because the french made some decent rifles. They're just ugly....and french.
My Mas36
Well I've got a near new one that I shoot and hand load for and off the bench I can do an honist 2" five shoot group all day with it. The more I shoot it the better it gets.
It's a real solid litle (heavy) rifle. The only complant I had was the short pull and no safety..
I found a French rubber recoil pad that fit like a glove and added and 1" and that really improved the fit and pull.
Well I've got a near new one that I shoot and hand load for and off the bench I can do an honist 2" five shoot group all day with it. The more I shoot it the better it gets.
It's a real solid litle (heavy) rifle. The only complant I had was the short pull and no safety..
I found a French rubber recoil pad that fit like a glove and added and 1" and that really improved the fit and pull.
Trevorusn
Member
The bolt position you refer too is the half-cocked position. I believe it's quite similar to the half-cock position of the Mosin Nagant bolt, where you squeeze the trigger to close the bolt without firing off the chambered round. A safety measure, if you will.
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