The Russian Mosin Nagant Forum

Took a group shot of my French semi auto collection. Top to bottom: MAS-44 one of 6200 made for French Naval infantry, Syrian contract MAS-49 one of 6,000, MAS-49/56 still in 7.5. Need a French issue MAS-49 to complete the set maybe an RSC-1917 too.

Nice collection, French military weapons are well made, but in their own style. I see French issue Mas49's come up on GB now and then, you should be able to complete the collection, note I did not say that I see French Mas49's come up on GB selling cheap.

The Mas49/56 is my favorite battle rifle. Incredibly accurate with the surplus ammo I have and built like a tank.

Nice

Junk Yard Dog wrote:Nice collection, French military weapons are well made, but in their own style. I see French issue Mas49's come up on GB now and then, you should be able to complete the collection, note I did not say that I see French Mas49's come up on GB selling cheap.

Thats true. At some point Ill have to bite the bullet and pick one up. But anyhow the French gave us Direct Impingement and were the first military to use a semi rifle in any number. For all their quirks the French were very innovative.

Don't forget the first smokeless powder rifle and smokeless powder itself.

Yes and the Minie ball and most of the US muskets had French influence too. I realize the Chauchat wasnt the most reliable weapon but the fire and manuever tactics and the concept paved the way for better weapons like the BAR.

Also found a pic of this one my first French rifle a post war MAS-36.

Cj556 wrote:Yes and the Minie ball and most of the US muskets had French influence too. I realize the Chauchat wasnt the most reliable weapon but the fire and manuever tactics and the concept paved the way for better weapons like the BAR.

Actually, the reliability issue regarding the Chauchat depends on which version is being discussed. The unmodified Chauchat (chambered in 8mm by 50R Lebel) was very reliable by all reports. The modified Chauchats that chambered the 30-06 cartridge had major issues but they were only issued to American troops.

awalker1829 wrote:

Cj556 wrote:Yes and the Minie ball and most of the US muskets had French influence too. I realize the Chauchat wasnt the most reliable weapon but the fire and manuever tactics and the concept paved the way for better weapons like the BAR.

Actually, the reliability issue regarding the Chauchat depends on which version is being discussed. The unmodified Chauchat (chambered in 8mm by 50R Lebel) was very reliable by all reports. The modified Chauchats that chambered the 30-06 cartridge had major issues but they were only issued to American troops.

True and the Belgians came out with a 7.65mm version after the war that worked. The 30-06 CSRG-1918 had a one in two rejection rate iirc, and the problems were chamber dimensions.

Very nice Rifles OP. Looks like we are in the same boat. The last French MAS-49 I just missed the listing on a forum where the seller was asking $900. It didn't sell and he moved it to gunbroker, where it sold for I believe $1,350. It was a nice example, but more than I was willing to pay. Don't forget about the MAS 49-56 MSE. That one is even more expensive, but I would like to own one one day.


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awalker1829 wrote:

Cj556 wrote:Yes and the Minie ball and most of the US muskets had French influence too. I realize the Chauchat wasnt the most reliable weapon but the fire and manuever tactics and the concept paved the way for better weapons like the BAR.

Actually, the reliability issue regarding the Chauchat depends on which version is being discussed. The unmodified Chauchat (chambered in 8mm by 50R Lebel) was very reliable by all reports. The modified Chauchats that chambered the 30-06 cartridge had major issues but they were only issued to American troops.

Yes, one WW1 Vet referred to it by his own pet name for it Chaushit.

Nice rifles, cj556. How did they do at the range?

I might argue about who gave us the DI semi-auto rifle. I've got a couple of Swedish Ljungmans from 1943 that are DI. ;)

Ive only fired the Syrian thus far. It functions well cant speak for its accuracy. I plan to shoot the 49/56 at some point. The French Rossingnol was the first DI gun and it was pre-WW1. Also the MAS 38/39 and MAS40 pre dated the Ljungman to my knowledge but were not put into production due to the German invasion. I would like an AG42B myself though.

I sold my AG42B and quickly missed it, but luckily I found a better example for less than what I sold mine for from Dennis Kroh. I had a surprise from my MAS-44 last time at the range. It suddenly decided to release a few at a time.

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Slam fires?

Cj556 wrote:Slam fires?

No only happened when I pulled the trigger.

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Be careful. I experienced an out of battery fire while shooting a friends Argentine FN49. It wasn't a pleasant experience.

My friend wrote a post on another forum regarding the experience.

http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewto ... 3&t=106950

Have a MAS49-56 in .308.

It is a good gun except that it will not extract certain kinds of brass. Any idea how to solve this? Thanks.

Gunsmith to look it over. This is what happens when rifles are altered, and this one did not start off .7.62x51mm, it was 7.5 French. Sounds like sloppy work someplace in the conversion, have it looked over to be sure anything was done correctly.