Author Topic: French MAS 49/56 308 (Read 2338 times)

1911crazy · « **on:** October 26, 2003, 03:40:38 AM »

I just picked up a new toy a French MAS 49/56 in 308. I won an auction and got it for $275 and took it to the range and it went off flawlessly thru one box of ammo. I took a chance because some of these worked and some didn't they say that century arms built these my dealer told me some were imported this way too. . Most of them are priced around $350 to $500. I guess the auction sites offer the best buys right now. I kind of like it if the price gets too high I just stop bidding. Funny I was the only bidder on the 49/56 I guess nobody wants these great shooters. I like the 49/56 in 7.5 too but the 308 is more affordable to plink with. Plus its a nice little camp gun same size as a sks but in 308 caliber just a tad more power. BigBill

His lordship. · « **Reply #1 on:** October 26, 2003, 09:14:08 AM »

I have been tempted myself with the French guns as the MAS 36 has really nice sites on it, but the stock is way too short. I don't know if you need a stock extension or not due to each person's different physique. I had read that the French Marines used those semi-automatic rifles until fairly recently. How is the accuracy?

Kirkned · « **Reply #2 on:** October 26, 2003, 11:27:51 AM »

:-D Being French you can bet that it never saw a days use in combat, unless it was captured.

Kirkned

1911crazy · « **Reply #3 on:** October 28, 2003, 01:42:38 AM »

Both my 49/56's in 7.5 and 308 are pretty accurate at 100yds. my 7.5 shot high but its sighted in for 200 yds. like most of these military guns are. These little frenchies are some great little shooters. A year and a half ago SOG had 49/56's in orginal 7.5 french caliber for $199 rearsenaled with all the accessories and the last time i saw them before they ran out of them they were $230 and you may find one of these for sale used for $300 to $350 most aren't shot too much because of the ammo. But SOG has new 7.5 portugese ammo for $8.95 a box. The .308 version is more affordable to shoot but the average price is $350 to $475 for one. But if you wait and maybe one will come along cheap like I did. I think these are overlooked by many shooters its just another great gun to have and shoot when we get tired of the sks its something bigger/different. As far as the length of the gun it feels like an sks to me but it does have the 1" rubber butt pad on it (french issue of course)but when i switch to longer barreled guns it feels like I'm using a cannon?
BigBill

And yes some of these are said to be dropped in the sand only once.(kidding) But i have to say the rearsenaled 49/56 had to be the best buy to come along in many years since the chinese norinco sks. Its a well built gun. The first batch of portugese ammo was under loaded and some 7.5's didn't function but I heard that was fixed in the second batch of ammo they put more powder in it. You can also find a French MAS 49 in 7.5 too its a similair gun to the 49/56.

Jack Crevalle · « **Reply #4 on:** October 28, 2003, 05:47:05 AM »

Have to agree Bill, these are great rifles. I just leave the butt pad off of mine. Mine is in the original 7.5 x 54 caliber. From all I've read, the conversion is kind of a crap shoot unless it was done ( or fixed ) by one or two individual gunsmiths. Ammo is not hard to find at all.

1911crazy · « **Reply #5 on:** October 28, 2003, 06:35:10 AM »

My dealer was telling me that some of these came into the country already in 308. And that some of these places(century) they farm stuff out to other shops to be made. So its a crap shoot for sure who built it and is it any good? I heard of some of these needing a gas adjusting valve and someone was doing it then the bad ones were ok. I notice my recoil spring was cut shorter but she shoots great and flings them out as fast I pull the trigger and locks open on the last shot. I was holding off on getting one but when i seen $275 I bid on it. All the other 308's are out there(FAL & M14) too much for me right now. The 308 is affordable at $19 for 140rds. if we buy 7. Either gun is awesome where its 308 or 7.5F caliber. BigBill

Jack Crevalle · « **Reply #6 on:** October 28, 2003, 08:45:28 AM »

Forgot to mention that field stripping it is a breeze. Very clever design.

1911crazy · « **Reply #7 on:** October 29, 2003, 06:22:15 AM »

Quote from: Jack Crevalle

Forgot to mention that field stripping it is a breeze. Very clever design.

The french were the first to design a semi auto rifle back in the twenties. The 49, 49/56 design is very similair to the FN49's too. All these designs are similair too the sks's, tokarev's, hakims, fn49's and the 49/56 they all use the hinged free floating bolt design. But your right some are easier than others. BigBill

NRAJOE · « **Reply #8 on:** November 04, 2003, 08:26:18 AM »

Nice rifle...never fired, and only dropped once!

Have fun..... :-)

1911crazy · « **Reply #9 on:** November 04, 2003, 08:42:41 AM »

Quote from: NRAJOE

Nice rifle...never fired, and only dropped once!

Have fun..... :-)

Its only dropped once in the sand!!!!!!! They found a warehouse full of rearsenaled 49/56's in 7.5 thats how I got my first ones and they are like arsenal new condition. I guess everyone in the world will have new surplus guns for sale soon right?? Ours will be the only used ones!!!!
BigBill

Too bad we didn't stand back in the WW2 and let the rest of the world eat Knockworst and kraut too!!!!!! I'm sure things will change in the future how quick we jump in to help other nations out!!! Close our borders and let the rest of the world eat cake!!!! Protect our own!!!

Jack Crevalle · « **Reply #10 on:** November 04, 2003, 10:16:00 AM »

Quote from: NRAJOE

Nice rifle...never fired, and only dropped once! :)

Have fun..... :-)

... as opposed to the poodle shooter which if dropped in anything other than a surgically clean environment never fires again and which, having emptied an entire magazine into your enemy, requires you to approach him and ask: "Did that hurt?"