Milsurp After Hours

I am currently looking at the next addition to my small but much loved arsenal. Because I live in France and want to own a military rifle I need to consider weapons that can or have already been re-chambered to hunting calibers. This takes the weapon from a Category 1 (messy paperwork) to a Category 5 (easy paperwork)! At present, price is a major factor in the calculations so what are the good/ bad points about the MAS 36?

Other options are:

SMLE #1 MkIII* at about 450€ - $590

Mosin Nagant 1944 at about 260€ - $340

Schmidt-Rubin K31 at about 490€ - $645

When I purchase a milsurp I buy it for its historical value rather than any design features.

In the case of the MAS1936, the design features I note are

1. Compact design, making it suitable for carry by both dismounted, mounted and motorized troops. Don't know if this was part of the

design process, that was part of the idea behind the adoption of the SMLE

and the M1903 Springfield.

2. Adoption of a rimless cartridge.

3. The bayonet-retaining the 19th Century style cruciform while eliminating the need for a scabbard.

I haven't fired mine with full power catridges yet, I have used an adaptor

catridge that allows the use of .32ACP cartridges on an indoor range.

C'est un français et parce que c'est français c'est le meilleur dans le monde.

I know a few people that live in France have made these into very excellent re-chamberings

Patrick

I own a mas 36 it is a excellent rifle and shoots very well I recomend you buy one.

I shoot mine with bought ammo and reloads it is a acurate rifle with a bit of character.

In fact Patrick (1886lebel) fired it when he was in the UK at one of our shoots at Battle hill range.

If I remember rightly Joe posted a picture of the event.

Id be intrested in having a look at the adaptor for .32 mentioned any chance of a picture.

dhtaxi wrote:In fact Patrick (1886lebel) fired it when he was in the UK at one of our shoots at Battle hill range.
If I remember rightly Joe posted a picture of the event.

Voila,

Joe

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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v14/j ... 205008.jpg[/pic]

Of the four you mention I've only shot the No1 MkIII and the Mas 36 (coincidentally dh's Mas, must see if I can find the picture).

While I prefer the No1 I found the Mas very nice, I liked the sights and it had nice balance. And at the risk of incurring the scorn of others I found the looks of the Mas appealing in a chunky, unco-ordinated sort of way.

I like the stange bend to the bolt handle too. I don't like the cost of the ammo though.

They are a nice rifle and shoot well. Beauty is in they eye of the beholder.

All my rifles are beautiful, but some are more beautiful than others.

Regards

Peter.

I roll my own, 48 gns IMR 4895 and its good to go. I see it as the French getting the No4 before us. Its a different round but its the end of battle rifle development in Bolt actions. There is nothing flimsy, no cut offs, no funny magazines, no volley sights. As if it was designed by an infantryman who had fought!