There is a gun show coming up on Saturday around where I am and I have shown interest in the MAS 49/56 and I want all of your opinions on it specifically if it is a good rifle. I have seen them online go for between $350-$500 and ones with scopes can go to over $1,000 but I am not interested in a scoped one, just the rifle itself. Also the one I want is in 7.62 x 51 NATO mainly because ammo will be much easier to get than the French 7.5 x 54. I also like the fact that it is a detachable magazine rifle and finding them are not that hard. I have seen them go for $20 a piece. Any opinions or facts??
MAS 49/56 in 7.62x51 mm., Is It Good??
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Acheron
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I have heard that the MAS-49's were surprisingly reliable, especially for a direct impingement rifle. I have also heard that some of the MAS-49/56's were improperly converted to 7.62 NATO and could potentially be dangerous. I would be cautious if I were you.
Janos Dracwlya
Member
I read an article in a major gun magazine (I don't remember which one, sorry) last year (I think) that discussed the converted rifles. My memory isn't the greatest, but I think that the article stated that the largest bunch of these rifles were imported by Century and they converted several thousand of them. The problem was that their drunken monkeys didn't keep an eye on the chamber reamers, so some of them got their chambers re-cut by reamers that were worn out; consequently, the chambers are rough - some very rough - and the guns with this condition don't work properly. Check the chamber of any MAS 49/56 in which you might be interested; a rough chamber is an indication of a rifle on which you may want to pass. I'm not anything like a gunsmith, but some may be fixable with polishing or re-cutting, and that might be a negotiation point for you.
I'm sure someone with more precise information will chime in here before long.
I'd like to get one of these as well.
I'm sure someone with more precise information will chime in here before long.
I'd like to get one of these as well.
A buddy of mine has a Century converted MAS 49/56 in .308. He's had many problems with it, due to the poor quality of the workmanship on the conversion.
Personally, I'd skip it in favor of either an original 7.5 French rifle (for the novelty value) or a different .308 rifle.
Personally, I'd skip it in favor of either an original 7.5 French rifle (for the novelty value) or a different .308 rifle.
R.W.Dale
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LOL I've never seen a thread where CENTURY gets mentioned where the phrase "Drunken monkeys" or my favorite 'hamfisted morons" doesn't get used.
Rule of thumb. If was French made and was converted to 308 at some time between then and now RUN. If the rifle in question were still chambered for 7.5x54 I would tell you to be all over it. But as it is the thing more than likely has Century Arms International's unwholesome taint all over it.
I have had a MAS 49/56 converted to 308, for a number of years, and if I hadn't read about the problems with the rifle, I wouldn't have known about it, as mine is extremely reliable, far more than some other rifles in the same caliber. I guess I got lucky, or perhaps the bad news is a little over blown. You should be careful, and know the risk that a potential 308 MAS may not work. From what I have also read, the rifle is more likely to quit working or lock up, not blow up. There are also places that will fix your unreliable MAS, but that is likely to make the rifle uneconomical. So be aware of the risk.
22/22mag
Member
I have 2 Mas 49/56 one from Centry and one a Gunsmith converted to take Fal mags + Mas mags.Both converted to .308 and are good shooters. I have no need for a grenade launcher so I might have have them cut to 16" . A Sagia .308 also a good shooter but I like wood furniture on rifles.
Mojo-jo-jo
Member
If it's a Century re-work job, STAY AWAY! Shoddy work and NO quality control. I had to send my Yugo AK back to them TWICE, and each time the replaced it with a "new" one! "Drunken monkeys" is an understatement! Worst workmanship ever. I can understand an ugly job, but can't understand non-functional product!
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