MAS 49/56 charging handle nylon knob

[metalcruncher]

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About 3/4 inch in diameter, 7/8 inch tall on a 3/8in shaft.

Saw these on Etsy

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[Rogerbutthead]

Did you ask Buddy about it? https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/member.php?u=19808

Think he is the go to person for French Rifle parts - failing that - the guy who wrote the book on French rifles posts on Gunboards - forgottenweapons - https://forums.gunboards.com/member....rgottenWeapons

I don't know if either answers pms - but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

[M1A Rifleman]

Have a copy made from Tap Plastics or other?

[SkyHawk]

Tons of nylon, delrin, plastic etc bar stock on ebay.

Also Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Nylon-Opaque-Off-White-Diameter-Length/dp/B00EVD2HQC/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&qid=1598151727&refinements=p_n_feature_seven_browse-bin%3A5485578011&s=industrial&sr=1-8

https://www.amazon.com/Polyethylene-Off-White-Standard-Tolerance-Diameter/dp/B0013HO2XK/ref=pd_di_sccai_1/138-5777872-3987044?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0013HO2XK&pd_rd_r=b04994a0-b2f4-48bf-b9bd-ebaa460fe453&pd_rd_w=pUp57&pd_rd_wg=9dEz5&pf_rd_p=5415687b-2c9d-46da-88a4-bbcfe8e07f3c&pf_rd_r=EQY6G6FAM79HN396PE24&psc=1&refRID=EQY6G6FAM79HN396PE24

and black nylon

https://www.amazon.com/Polymersan-Nylon-Plastic-Diameter-Length/dp/B077ZPJ3GJ/ref=sr_1_30?dchild=1&qid=1598151727&refinements=p_n_feature_seven_browse-bin%3A5485578011&s=industrial&sr=1-30

https://www.amazon.com/Rods-Nylon-Plastics/s?rh=n%3A11260349011%2Cp_n_feature_seven_browse-bin%3A5485578011

[TheSpaceNeedle]

3d print one? https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3606393

[Bainter1212]

Weird. Mine busted off right after I bought the rifle a few years back and there were a bunch of them on ebay, Springfield Sporters etc, brand new with rivet and all. I bought a new one and replaced it.

Odd that they would disappear so soon.

[Grendl]

Do let us know what you figure out :-)

[metalcruncher]

Well, I've put a message out to Buddy.
Searched high and low on the internet with no luck.
Don't have a 3D printer...yet
Been to a bunch of hardware stores and looked at odds and ends.

I have two MAS 49/56s. One in .308 and a beater from Classic Firearms in 7.5 french. The nylon handle on the .308 is intact but "well used" and I've been looking to replace it for years. The new 7.5 French is the one in my photo. It needs a replacement.

Lots of other forums have threads with this exact problem. Bainter1212 got lucky when he was looking because I haven't seen one in a long time.

Thinking seriously about buying the delrin or nylon stock and trying to make one myself. Getting the knurling will be the issue.

I was hoping some of the pros here would have a lead. Its a back burner issue for me now. I'll let you know what I end up doing.

[SkyHawk]

Let us know what happens! Knurling is not so bad if you have a sharp needle file or even an exacto razor saw (or even a hacksaw with a thin blade) to get the lines started then you can 'V' them out with the needle file and make them nice.

If you cut a small length of 3/4" PVC in half and can do it straight, you might have yourself a nice guide to make or at least lay out the lines. Just roll the PVC around the nylon knob, stopping every couple of MM to scribe or file another line. And even if the PVC was not cut straight, a slant pattern is OK too! (unless you are trying to reproduce the original closely).

You can also lay the bar against the edge of a raised straight surface and use it as a guide (small piece of wood or whatever).

If you are not going for a repro look, you could even stipple it, might be easier to do. Or you could dimple it like a golf ball, with very shallow plunges of a drill.

Then just bevel the edges of the knob and you have yourself a charging handle.

I would totally go for it. Not the worst way to spend a Saturday For the price of a 12" nylon bar, what do you have to lose? You can make twelve and pick the best two

[Rogerbutthead]

How hard would it be to make something like the M1 Garand Op Rod handle shape?

[Bainter1212]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/French-MAS-49-56-Semi-Auto-Handle-Black-/184415286535

https://www.ebay.com/itm/French-MAS-49-56-Semi-Auto-Handle-/184415277084

Not cheap or NOS like I got but I am sure if you are patient more will pop up.

[metalcruncher]

[SkyHawk]

Ok well at least now I can see a closeup of these knobs. The horizontal grooves would be fairly straightforward but that diamond knurl would be very difficult.

Also the one in the first ebay link looks like it already has a crack.

[BryMan92]

When that nob breaks, you have to basically sell the whole rifle. I will me happy to take it off your hands. :P

[Bainter1212]

Just check ebay every day. I'm sure a good one will pop up eventually.

I use to check ebay several times a day when I was hunting for various rare mags and hard to find parts. Eventually, something always pops up.