Price Check: Spanish FR8

[Janos Dracwlya]

So, I was at a local store yesterday and they had a Spanish FR8 for sale, $249.00 plus tax. The finish was in pretty good shape, though with some wear, the barrel was clean and unpitted and the serial numbers on the receiver, bolt and bolt shroud matched (I couldn't find any other serial numbers). The crest on the receiver is a little faint, but I think it reads La Coruna 1947, etc. The problem - the stock has a couple of places with some gouges, not deep, but not pretty. There's also no sling or bayonet included, though, obviously, a bayonet will be easy to get.

What do folks think on that price? I see one for $250 in www.gunbroker.com right now, and that's pretty close to the cheapest I can remember seeing. It does come with a sling and bayonet, but the seller doesn't bother mentioning the serial numbers.

Thanks for your information.

 

[Gator]

That's a very good price! I'd of grabbed it.

 

[jagdpanzer347]

Buy it. I picked one up in February of '06 for that same price. From your description, it sounds like it's well worth it. Very neat little rifles.

-jagd

 

[iamkris]

Good price. Slightly better conditions ones are going for $350.

 

[Ian Sean]

Jump on it....I would. I missed the boat in the 90's when they came in and were going for $100-$200. A beater FR-8 around here, when I see them is $250 on up, with nicer ones going $350 on up.

I fired 2 over the years, the Mauser action handles the .308 load nicely, and the ergonomics and over-all look and feel of the FR-8 is just great (for me anyway).

I wouldn't hesitate myself and get it.

 

[Janos Dracwlya]

Not a moment too soon...

First off, thanks to all for their input.

I didn't have a chance to get back to Gander Mountain until this evening. I got to the gun section and the FR8 was still there, but no staff anywhere to be seen. So I wander around for a few, finally spot someone and ask and he gets the gun department clerk to come over. We walked over the the rack where the gun was and someone was looking at it. The clerk asked me, "OK, which one?" and I pretty much whispered back, "Just a minute, they're looking at it." After a minute the guy who was looking put it down, but, before I could move in, picked it up again. So the clerk and I waited another minute. Next time the guy put it down, I picked it up and said "this one." to the clerk. That was close.

I put it on lay-away since I am a little short on cash at the moment.

 

[vzenmn]

^
Don't you just hate it when that happens. Your heart beating a mile a minute, tunnel vision sets in, and your saying desperate prayers in your head for the guy to just put it down and not say the three words "I'll take it". Got my heart racing just reading your story.

The FR8 is a good rifle. My dad has one but he butchered the hell out of it so I bet it wouldn't be worth 50 bucks now.

 

[def4pos8]

You'll like it.

I purchased eight of 'em for $87 each back in '93. Of course, I had to scrub a bunch of cosmoline of of 'em and refinish the stocks -- still have three! They're good shooters but be ready for recoil -- those steel butt plates don't flex!

I used Brownell's Steel Bed on a couple of 'em, replacing wood in the forend and bedding the tang. The added weight up front made 'em feel better.

If you reload, be sure to have cartridge overall length at 2.800 inches. This is important for reliable feed.

--got my best whitetail buck with one!