French MAS 1936-51

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I've had an interest in acquiring a French MAS 1936-51 bolt for several years I don't have any interest in the semi-auto MAS 49 at least at this period of time, maybe in the future, but probably not. It would be cool to find a paratrooper folding stock MAS 1936-51 sometime as well, but don't think that I want more than one so I would prefer the standard stock.




My dad had an affinity for SMLE and I have his Jungle Carbine now, and like the history associated with WWII era guns.

I know a lot of people think the MAS’s are ugly but I love the look of them and would love to find one that’s historic and shootable.



They’re not talked about much and neither is the 7.5 French round, and so I don’t know if there is anyone on here that can give me guidance on what to look for. I've been researching ammo costs and know that the cheapest ammo is around $15.00/20 but I reload so I just need to get enough brass to keep me shooting it periodically. It will not be a heavily shot rifle of mine, mainly want it for the distinctness and history of it.

I do think that I want to find one with the grenade launcher as I feel it will be more unique and interesting to own, and I believe more collectible. I guess the SOP for the grenade launcher was to place the buttstock of the rifle in between one's elbow and side (to allow free recoil) or the buttstock on the ground (however this known to be hard on the wrist of the rifle) at a 45 degree angle pointing in the direction of the target.



Using the popped up grenade sights a soldier then moves the worm gear on the side to the correct distance to the target. The worm gear controls the amount of gas suppled to the grenade launcher from the blank cartridge for distance.



I do not want one that has been converted to 7.62x51, I want it original.

It seems the going rate on gunbroker is $500-600, which has come up quite a bit over the years, as I believe when these were being imported they were around $100 or so if I’m not mistaken. The current prices don't scare me as much as what the prices will be in 10-20 years from now on these old Milsurps, that is what scares me and makes me want to find those WWII vintage guns sooner than later. I'm not a collector of current production guns, but I do enjoy the older milsurps and would like to have a small collection from the WWI/WWII era. Below is my initial goal.

 

[Whiterook808]

I started reloading for my MAS36 before brass was available, so I used cases formed from 6.5x55 Swede. They work well enough and I still use them. .308 bullets work fine and loading data is currently available. I believe it is listed in both the Lee and the Hornady manuals. I have Lee dies, which I purchased around 2002. I think I paid $125 for my rifle back then and it was still in the arsenal wrap.

 

[<*(((><]

I started reloading for my MAS36 before brass was available, so I used cases formed from 6.5x55 Swede. They work well enough and I still use them. .308 bullets work fine and loading data is currently available. I believe it is listed in both the Lee and the Hornady manuals. I have Lee dies, which I purchased around 2002. I think I paid $125 for my rifle back then and it was still in the arsenal wrap.

Yes, I've heard of people reforming out of 6.5x55 Swede, but I haven't looked much into it as there is PPU brass readily available now. That's good to know about .308 bullets working fine, I was going to start there anyways as there is plenty of people using .308 bullets for .310-.311 bore rifles as well, and the 7.5 French only being .309 bore figured they would work perfectly. The bore diameter is what makes the 7.5 French really appealing to me for reloading as there is a plethora of .308 bullets out there of varying weights to use, as long as some data can be found.

What Lee and Hornady manuals that you have, have loads for the 7.5 French? I would appreciate it if you could list the bullet weights they have data for, that would help to have in this thread. I need to compile a list of my manuals that have data and post it here for people who might stumble on this thread for information.

 

[Whiterook808]

I have the latest version of both manuals. I am at work now, so I will have look up the bullet weights when I get home. I tend to use the 147 or 150 grain bullets, myself. In the past I have used H4350 with good results but recently I have been loading IMR4044.

 

[Whiterook808]

The Hornady 10th Edition has loads for 110, 130, 150, 165, and 168 grain bullets. My recollection was false regarding the Lee 2nd edition as there is no 7.5x54 data in that book. My Lee 1st edition is in storage and that may be what I was recalling. I also have the Lyman 50th edition and there is no data in there for this cartridge. I hope this helps. These are great rifles and I hope you find one for yourself.

 

[Whiterook808]

Yes, I've heard of people reforming out of 6.5x55 Swede, but I haven't looked much into it as there is PPU brass readily available now. That's good to know about .308 bullets working fine, I was going to start there anyways as there is plenty of people using .308 bullets for .310-.311 bore rifles as well, and the 7.5 French only being .309 bore figured they would work perfectly. The bore diameter is what makes the 7.5 French really appealing to me for reloading as there is a plethora of .308 bullets out there of varying weights to use, as long as some data can be found.

What Lee and Hornady manuals that you have, have loads for the 7.5 French? I would appreciate it if you could list the bullet weights they have data for, that would help to have in this thread. I need to compile a list of my manuals that have data and post it here for people who might stumble on this thread for information.

By they way, I have always heard that the bore on these was actually .307. In any case, .308 bullets shoot well. There is a good French firearms forum over on gunboards, you might look there for more info and certainly more expertise than I possess.

 

[<*(((><]

Thank you on both accounts, I thought I had read they were .309 bore, I’ll have to do some more research into it. Not that it matters but it will satisfy my intrigue.

I’ll check out the gunboards forum.