Mas 49/56?
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The mags that came with the rifle don't have any markings on the bottom and are very heavy well built items. Just for the sake of trying they seem to take 308 rounds but they don't seem to fit quite right, the 7.5 rounds seem to work better. Found another local gunshop that just happened to have half a dozen more mags and a what appears to be some kind of part that somehow attaches on to the grenade launcher attachment points. Don't plan on shooting the rifle much beyond occasional trips to the range so all the mags are really unnecessary but figure it's better to go ahead and get them when I can for a reasonable price.
Went back to buy the magazines and they were marked 308 on the bottom which won't do much good since my rifle seems to be unmolested in the original 7.5 French. I'm gonna bring one of my mags by to see how they compare dimensionally and see if they might be usable but will probably pass on buying them. If there is anybody who is looking for them I would be happy to pass the shop's info along.
I am sure they are reliable rifles. I saw an Afar warrior carrying one in Ethiopia a couple of years back.
The French are far from pacifists. They are pretty much like Americans - they like to do things their own way, and they don't mind nuking an atoll to prove the point. They also are known to make good weapons (aside form the ChautChaut). I would love a FAMAS. I also appreciate the fact that they always have good home-made weapons (FAMAS, Mirage, Leclerc) instead of buying NATO/European/Russian stuff.
The French are far from pacifists. They are pretty much like Americans - they like to do things their own way, and they don't mind nuking an atoll to prove the point. They also are known to make good weapons (aside form the ChautChaut). I would love a FAMAS. I also appreciate the fact that they always have good home-made weapons (FAMAS, Mirage, Leclerc) instead of buying NATO/European/Russian stuff.
Found a local place that has the "night sighting device" that some of the 49/56s came with. It took some searching just to figure out what the heck it was as it's a rather random looking metal tube that I would have guessed was a grenade launcher part. Dunno what they want for it, what it's worth, or if it's even useful. Anybody have experience?
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Dave/hoff
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I have a 49/56 that I like just fine (.308 conversion).
When I first got it (about 1998), it would just rip the shell cases apart; AND it would ONLY feed Hornady Match Grade ammo! Took it to a gunsmith who polished the chamber a bit and now I can shoot whatever I want.
Before I knew any better, I took off the grenade launcher sights and the steel butt plate. Then, I installed a rubber stock extender for a Ruger 10/22 (a little woodwork was required there), and that helped INCREDIBLY with the recoil issue.
It's a shooter, and darned accurate too. I can easily shoot a 9-inch paper plate at 200 yards with Remington Core-Lokt ammo.
When I first got it (about 1998), it would just rip the shell cases apart; AND it would ONLY feed Hornady Match Grade ammo! Took it to a gunsmith who polished the chamber a bit and now I can shoot whatever I want.
Before I knew any better, I took off the grenade launcher sights and the steel butt plate. Then, I installed a rubber stock extender for a Ruger 10/22 (a little woodwork was required there), and that helped INCREDIBLY with the recoil issue.
It's a shooter, and darned accurate too. I can easily shoot a 9-inch paper plate at 200 yards with Remington Core-Lokt ammo.
George Bruce
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I continued my experiment with reduced power loads for the .308 conversions. I loaded 40 rounds w/ 39.4 grain of 4895 surplus powder. Again, I used a 147 mil spec. FMJBT and WW large rifle primers. I fired all 40 rounds fairly quickly. Function was flawless. I have not polished the chamber, altered the gas system or done anything else. With regular .308 rounds, I got a failure to extract after about 15 rounds. If this thing won't mess up after 40 rounds, I have no complaint. I think this is the solution to poor reliability in .308 conversions.
On top of everything else, I feel better shooting 40K psi ammo in a 40K psi rifle.
Now I am going to put a scope on this thing, and lengthen the stock somehow.
On top of everything else, I feel better shooting 40K psi ammo in a 40K psi rifle.
Now I am going to put a scope on this thing, and lengthen the stock somehow.
George Bruce
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- Jul 15, 2008
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- 6
Thanks for the link. I am thinking more in terms of a larger size recoil pad. The recoil is actually pretty mild, but the length of pull is just too short for me. I'd like to put at least a couple on inches on the thing.
I did get a McCain scope mount in the mail today. It looks good and has the scope right over the centerline of the rifle. I don't know if brass will hit the front of the scope. I might put a short, low magnification fixed power scope on it. I think Burris makes a 4x or 2.75x scope that is about nine inches long.
I did get a McCain scope mount in the mail today. It looks good and has the scope right over the centerline of the rifle. I don't know if brass will hit the front of the scope. I might put a short, low magnification fixed power scope on it. I think Burris makes a 4x or 2.75x scope that is about nine inches long.
Just bought another Mas 49/56 today, it doesn't look used much if at all and has the original type scope & mount that attaches to the left side of the receiver. It has the correct leather sling and came with one magazine. No markings to indicate any conversion to .308 which is a bonus as I prefer the original chambering. Paid $500 for the whole thing which is a lot more than they used to go for but I felt pretty happy to get the whole package in nearly new condition.
ftierson
Member.
Just out of curiosity, where did you pick it up?
Forrest
Forrest
Nagel's gun shop in San Antonio, TX. They have a great selection and seem to have their stuff together, it's worth stopping in if you are ever in San Antonio.
It was a very spontaneous purchase, went in with the intention of looking at a few Benchmade knives and walked out with a MAS 49/56 and four boxes of Venezuelan 7.62x51. I was looking at a few Mausers and asked the salesmen if they happened to see many MAS' and he didn't think so. Conversation drifted to Hakim rifles and he went to the back to pick one up and ran across the MAS en route. Weird how these things happen.
It was a very spontaneous purchase, went in with the intention of looking at a few Benchmade knives and walked out with a MAS 49/56 and four boxes of Venezuelan 7.62x51. I was looking at a few Mausers and asked the salesmen if they happened to see many MAS' and he didn't think so. Conversation drifted to Hakim rifles and he went to the back to pick one up and ran across the MAS en route. Weird how these things happen.
ftierson
Member.
Yes, it certainly is weird how these things happen...
I, of course, have never had that happen to me...
And thanks for the info...
If I'm ever in San Antonio, I'll make it a point to stop in...
Forrest
Dave/hoff
Member
Why didn't you just put the rubber recoil boot back on?
I didn't get any of those accessories when I bought mine (around 1996-7).
Purchased from a small volume gun dealer who was a friend of a friend and he didn't say anything about (and I ssupect he didn't have) anything about the accoutrements that get offered up these days as parts of the package.
I didn't get any of those accessories when I bought mine (around 1996-7).
Purchased from a small volume gun dealer who was a friend of a friend and he didn't say anything about (and I ssupect he didn't have) anything about the accoutrements that get offered up these days as parts of the package.
Found a MAS 44 that is going for $600.... seems a little bit expensive but would go nicely with the two 49/56s I recently bought. Anybody have one or bought one recently? It looks more or less like a 49/56 but with a longer forearm and no grenade launcher stuff or flash hider.
ftierson
Member.
Doesn't seem that bad a price for one in nice condition.
Keep in mind that the MAS Mle. 44 is considerably rarer than the MAS Mle. 49/56...
Have great fun with it...
Forrest
Keep in mind that the MAS Mle. 44 is considerably rarer than the MAS Mle. 49/56...
Have great fun with it...
Forrest
nambu1
Member
On Gunbroker, you have to register. It is free and they only charge you when you sell items through them. Unlike Ebay, they only charge you when an item sells, if it does not, you can relist it without a charge.
Sorry to dig up an old thread, but a post like KBob's here needs to be addressed:
The direct gas impingement system of the French semi auto rifles from the Mas 38/39, then on the 40, 44, 49 and 49-56 do not interfere at all with the function of the rifle, the gas ends up in a blind hole located on the front of the bolt carrier, there is no carbon buildup as in the M16.
Looks like KBob as a poor memory or is good at making up stories.
I will not comment on the remaining part of the fairy tale, this being my first post here.
kelt
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=4505310&postcount=36
The direct gas impingement system of the French semi auto rifles from the Mas 38/39, then on the 40, 44, 49 and 49-56 do not interfere at all with the function of the rifle, the gas ends up in a blind hole located on the front of the bolt carrier, there is no carbon buildup as in the M16.
Looks like KBob as a poor memory or is good at making up stories.
I will not comment on the remaining part of the fairy tale, this being my first post here.
kelt
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=4505310&postcount=36
WyrTwister
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- Dec 22, 2003
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The one I had was converted to 7.62 NATO by Century . Accuracy was terrible !
I have gotten better groups with a 12 gauge & 00 buckshot . Run from anything Century has fiddle with ! :-(
God bless
Wyr
I have gotten better groups with a 12 gauge & 00 buckshot . Run from anything Century has fiddle with ! :-(
God bless
Wyr
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