French MAS-36

[270Win]

Hey all,

Surplus question here... what's a good price on a very good condition French MAS-36? I found on one consignment near me for $170. Furniture is in excellent shape. Rear stock seems a little loose, looks like the screw down by the trigger guard isn't tight enough. Bolt and all metal looks in good shape. Bore appeared good, gun was clean.

Also, is it even possible to locate 7.5x54 ammo? Or is this strictly a load-your-own proposition? I haven't looked in my Cartridges of the World book yet to check the dimensions against 7.5 Swiss and see if I can use a common brass source for both.

Lastly, somebody turned in four almost identical K98 Mausers to the shop, for consignment. Every single one is $290, despite some varying conditions. Are there are any Mausers out there actually worth that? One appeared to have every single number or symbol hammered out the metal except for the large number "43" ...!?

 

[R.W.Dale]

$170 is about the going price for an original MAS36 in good shape these days. Surplus ammo is vurtually nonexisant but commercal loads are avalible from a couple of sources. FNM and Privi Partisan.

I've found that 7.5 mas brass is actually easier to find than the more in demand 7.5x55 swiss. The brass for the two cartriges are NOT interchangable however

http://www.grafs.com/ammo/233

I've owned surplus rifles from Swedish mausers to Finnish Moisins to K-31's and everything in between. I can state with conviction that the MAS36 rifles are the most accurate milsurp rifles you can buy.

 

[AH-1]

they have to be in great shape...never fired dropped once condition
pete

 

[R.W.Dale]

they have to be in great shape...never fired dropped once condition

WOW that's so original

Did you come up with that all by yourself?

 

[270Win]

Wow! More accurate than a K31?? I'm becoming more and more tempted.

The ammo scarcity is a definite problem, but I'm no stranger to reloading, so I may bite the bullet and pick up the Lee dies.

I did notice the excellent sights on the rifle when I tried it out at the shop. I think I'll likely counteroffer $15 or $20 lower and see what there gets me. I'm very curious now...

Are there any specific problems I should be aware of? Or things to look for? Typical wear spots?

 

[silverlance]

eh?

more accurate than a k31? I own two k31s. both are highly accurate. the scoped k31 picks off coconuts incredibly reliably at 200 yards. groups at 50 yards are about 3/4 inch.

i'm not a good shooter.

i must have one of these strange frenchie contraptions

 

[AH-1]

I would have to see the mas out shoot the K-31.that would take some shooting.

 

[R.W.Dale]

ASK and ye shall recieve, My last two trips to the range with my Franken MAS





While my K31 shot OK 1.5 to 2 moa it didn't shoot anything like this. .75 to 1.25 MOA " It just aint right for a milsurp to shoot that good"

the MAS had a cheap 3x9x32 TASCO, the K31 had a leupold 4x12x40

About the only downside to a MAS 36 is the lack of a saftey, But as 270 noted the sights are excellent.

 

[Tankcommander]

Now now they were never dropped the French Stacked arms for the Germans.

Any how I had one with the grenade launcher attached but traded it in due to the lack of available ammo. It is a nice rifle lousy caliber solid as a rock.
I got less then $100 for it 2 years ago darn:banghead: . But I put it toward my PTR-91 so I'm not too upset.

TC

 

[AH-1]

just saw that you were in the 11 acr. I was in the 2nd acr 79-81.
I have shot a mas all kidding aside but the one I shot was a cai hack to 762

K-31 issue sights data on target.it shoots tighter than my 28/30.
pete

 

[jd46561]

I love my Mas 36 , very accurate, hit the bullseye first shot out the barrel/ 100 yards. (target as proof).And Im not that good of a shooter.

 

[Niner]

$170 for a MAS?

I paid $60 for one a few years ago from Century.. Darn good appreciation in value if they are worth $170 now. I do suspect that price is pretty high, even if the usual sources are not offering them now.

Mine shoots ok. Nothing special.

 

[djpullen]

I think there have been quite a few of these that were rechambered to 308. I bought mine for somewhere between $100 and $120 around 7 years ago. I can't remember for sure. Mine is a 308. Looks like a brand new gun. I only shot it once so I don't really remember how accurate it was. One cool thing about the gun is the bayonet and how it stores. Comes with the gun and don't get shafted for another $20 + to get a bayonet for it.

 

[Tankcommander]

AH-1 I was in the 11th from 77-79 in Fulda, border duty sure was fun, I was a tanker (DUH) by your handle I'd guess aviation.

I had a 308 conversion it was a POS pieces fell of after only a few rounds. I liked the rifle though and got a better one in 7.5. The lack of ammo and the problems with what I had totally turned me off. The French surplus I had would hang fire or not fire. The new production Portuguese I got wouldn't cycle the MAS49/56 I had so I dumped the lot of them. But I'm still stuck with 115 rounds of questionable ammo.

TC

 

[270Win]

Where did you all find your ammo? Gun shows? Graf and Sons?

If I pick this up, I think I'll definitely end up reloading...

 

[AH-1]

I was in air troop 2nd acr at feucht.cobra guy/aircraft weapons mini-guns and 40mm.I would have to say the best unit I was in for the 20+.
hats off to you for your service in the 11th.most people just don't know the mission we had on the border.
pete

 

[Tankcommander]

270 I got the surplus at a local gun store which carries a lot of odd ball stuff in sealed original boxes on 5 round stripper clips. The new manufacture I got at Sarcos.

AH-1 thank you sir and my hat is off to you as well I heard the Chec border was tough duty as well. The 11th was the best unit I served with as well. I ETSed in 81 but couldn't stay away from tanks, I did 22 years in the NG. I retired when they took away the tanks. My company was always top notch but the battalions were a piece of work. We survived 3 draw downs intact just moved to new battalions.

TC

 

[AH-1]