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MAS 49/56: Opinions?

DancesWithSheepDancesWithSheep Member Posts: 12,938 ✭✭✭
edited August 2003 in General Discussion
Anybody have experience shooting this rifle? Looking for comments RE: reliability and accuracy. Thanks!
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Comments

  • jujujuju Member Posts: 6,321 ✭
    edited November -1
    DWS, I had one for a while. The only problem I had with it was the cost of ammunition. I am used to cheaper prices for surplus miliatry stuff. The rifle itself was fine. Built well, solid action and reasonably accurate. I never really printed it but would hit a 6" steel gong every time at 100yds offhand. Recoil was moderate and the gun was very easy to shoulder if a little heavy for my taste.

    Some of the older surplus ammo would not fire ,just a dented primer but when I switched to the new (blue box ammo at about $20-25 per 20rnds) I had no problems with FTF.

    The gas system is adequate for the job but stay away from aftermarket magazines, I had 4 of them and none of those would function right, jammomatic. With factory surplus mags the gun was a blast to shoot and plent of power.

    I had a good time with it and liked the gun, just a little too heavy and expensive ammo for my taste. So I sold it and bought a hakim in 8mm.

    If the price on the gun is right and you can afford the ammo, I would say get it and enjoy.

    JuJu (just my .02 - others may vary)
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  • DancesWithSheepDancesWithSheep Member Posts: 12,938 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    juju: I experienced considerable failures to extract with the blue box Portuguese ammo. The military ammo was better, but no cigar. The stuff made from 6.5x55 Swede was by far the best, but, as you said, at $1.00+/rd, that's mighty expensive plinking. I'm wondering if the gas valve for the grenade launcher attributes in some part to the rifle's finicky preference for ammo; the MAS 36 shoots any available ammo just fine. Thanks for your reply.
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  • jujujuju Member Posts: 6,321 ✭
    edited November -1
    DWS, I meant the blue/white box, thats the swede stuff right? I dont think I ever fired any of the portuguese stuff.
    As for failure to extract, I had the extractor replaced on mine as it was broken. Also, with some of the old military ammo the cases are not laguer sealed and the powder absorbs moisture which swells the case and it wont extract after fireing.
    Same problem the 5.56 had when the round was first used for the M16,
    some types of powder hold mositure worse than others.

    You might be on to something with the grenade launcher affecting the gas system. I am no gunsmith but if you know of a good one he may be able to tweak it for you.

    If you havent tried a hakim (watch out for your fingers) it reminds me of the mas but is cheaper, more dependable and a blast to shoot.

    JuJu (taking the day off from my impossible mission)
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