Mas 36 anyone?

[hybridatsun350]

So, do any of you guys have experience with French Mas 36's? They definitely seem like an oddball rifle, but how many of you think they are something more? I personally like things that are slightly different, and in my quest for an interesting collection of mil-surp firearms I am constantly looking for new and different choices.

How do they shoot? I haven't seen many for sale, but are they a good rifle for the money? The 7.5 French cartridge seems almost impossible to find any place other than AIM, but as long as it is around that is fine. I wouldn't mind seeing some pictures of your guys' 36's if you don't mind. There isn't really much previous discussion on this rifle, and I feel that it is worth being discussed.

[Icarus]

Good question. I only remember Big 5 having them for sale at least 4 or more years ago for less than $80. I looked at one and it was in vg condition. Didn't buy one because they didn't have ammo for it. One of the importers had some that were altered to shoot some other caliber but but it didn't work out. Iam sure some one will have better info.

[Morales]

I've been looking for one myself. Most are in pretty good shape from what I hear. "Never fired and only dropped once." Typical of French weapons from that period. My neighbor has one and he loves it, its really interesting to hold and operate, and the disassembly is like no other bolt action I have handled. Really easy. They are kind of underrated I think.

[Steveo]

I have two, purchased (way) back when SOG had them for $49 each in exc. cond. I hand load for them, brass is available and they use a .308 bullet. I also use the lead flat point bullets for the 30/30 in my reloads and they work very well. Both of my MAS 36's are very accurate are are a real joy to shoot. I see them at gunshows occasionaly, priced anywhere from $125 up to $250, depending on condition. They're always a great conversation starter at the range.

[Rule .308]

You guys know why the bolt handle is swept forward like that don't you? So it won't snag on any branches while in retreat.

Seriously though, they were darn near giving these things away at one point. Something like $69.00 for arsenal refinished or new still in the mummy wrap. In fact there was a whole period of time quite a few years back where you could get most all of the MAS variants at dirt cheap prices. I picked up one or two of everything, 36, 36/51, 49, 49/56. While I have never spent a great deal of time messing with them I have hand loaded some stuff for them and they work just as they should. They are a cool addition to any C&R collection.

Mark

[hybridatsun350]

Thank you guys for the info! I guess I should consider a good option for my next C&R purchase!

[smle-man]

7.5 MAS cases can be made by necking up 6.5x55 Swede cases. I have owned two MAS 36 rifles and found both of them (they had like new bores and were arsenal reworks from the 70s) to be very accurate. The only issue that I had with the rifles is that the length of pull is pretty short. I put a slip on recoil boot on them from Northridge International (French issue) and got a good butt length and recoil reduction.

[mj1]

Fun and easy to reload for.

.284 Win. cases worked for me. Local store had a bucket of seveal K and I had twenty cases resized and still reload them today. Graff's has the 7.5 brass from time to time. I used Graff's 168g FMJBT bullets and IMR 4064 and IMR 4895 with good results.

NO POSITIVE SAFETY!!! You have been warned.

Cheers

[hybridatsun350]

Are they rare guns or is it just weird that I have never seen one in person?

[fastsvt1998]

My uncle gave me one for free. Looks brand new. Had some kind of wax paper in the bore. Nice new parkerizing. Looks just like MJ1's. Since I don't reload, it's expensive to me but still a nice piece of history to have.

[smle-man]

.284 Win. cases worked for me. Local store had a bucket of seveal K and I had twenty cases resized and still reload them today. Graff's has the 7.5 brass from time to time. I used Graff's 168g FMJBT bullets and IMR 4064 and IMR 4895 with good results.

NO POSITIVE SAFETY!!! You have been warned.

Cheers

.284 must be fairly close to 7.5 since this is a popular conversion in France to permit the use of a military arm by civilians: .284/.30 How much resizing is required to get the .284 brass to 7.5 dimensions? Any problem with the rebated rim for feeding or ejection? I use pullet M2 .30 bullets for my 7.5 loads since the profile of the bullet is about the same as the MAS bullet, just 10gr heavier weight.

[Moonclip]

I got one at Turners in a Xmas sale 4-5 years ago for $50 in the wrap. Once owned another, should have kept it. Lack of decent ammo and ammo pricing at time caused me to get rid of it. I left the othe one in the wrap and haven't shot it.

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

Bought my MAS 36 a couple months back for $130 in mint condition. Have yet to shoot it.

[hybridatsun350]

Jeez, $130! Now that's what I'm talking about! haha

[mj1]

10g more? 7.5 bullets are like 174g and M2's are 150g

Sized like any other case, just lubbed the inside of the neck a little extra. Midway had the dies on sale for $18 and graff's had the 7.5 brass at one point so I only made up 20 .284 cases. The 200 7.5 cases have just sat there for almost a year now. Wasn't original French ball was 180g?