FR 8 Any new reports?

W

WiFAL

New member
I've read all the old posts here and threads at other sites that I can find regarding this rifle. Found out about Spain's reputation for using soft metal. Read about the difference between NATO 7.62 and Winchester 308.

I'm still intrigued by this rifle. I've got lots of NATO 7.62 to shoot and minty FR 8's with all matching numbers are available at a local retailer for $149.

Does anyone have any new information or personal experience to share regarding these?

Thanks in advance for your reply.
 
You may be confusing the two rifles...

There are documented instances of the Spanish FR-7 rifles coming apart using 7.62 NATO ammo, but don't forget, that particular rifle was rebuilt from earlier, 2-lug Small Ring Mausers (93?), not the FR-8, which is built on the later, 3-lug Large Ring Mauser (98) action. BIG difference there, in strength of actions. Use the search function here and look into FR-7 and FR-8 rifle. Basically, the FR-8 was built on a WWII Mauser 98 action, and is plenty strong for either the .308 Winchester or 7.62mm NATO rounds. The FR-7 was built on the earlier action, intended for the 7x57 Mauser cartridge family, and was better suited to the lower-pressure 7.62 CETME round, which unfortunately allows chambering of the 7.62 NATO, with resulting risks.:eek:
 
I really like my FR-8. I had to have one because of an article in SWAT. (That was back in the days when I thought gun magazine articles were worth the paper they're printed on...) Anyway, I paid about $150 for mine about five years ago. I've shot it a bit using surplus 308, and except for that funky rear sight thing I like it a lot. I used to think the gun had some collector value so I didn't want to do anything about the rear sight. Now that I realize it's true value, I still haven't done anything about the sight just because I only shoot targets at 200 yards or less and it the sight doesn't make any difference.
 
I bought a FR-8 from Aim Surplus about a month ago and have only shot it with British Radway 7.62 NATO ammo. I really like gun and will probalby only shoot 7.62 surplus or reload to 7.62 NATO specs to ensure that nothing bad happens. These rifles will make great brush guns.
 
Mine is a neat and handy little gun. The information I have found (including SOF) indicates FR-8's should be fine with .308.

Neat as it is, I never use my FR-8, so am trading it (shameless plug :D) in the FS forum.
 
I use a slip on recoil pad on my FR-8 and the recoil isn't that bad. I wouldn't want to shoot this thing without a pad because that metal buttplate combined with a light rifle might not feel to great and then I would probably start flinching.
 
FR-8=The most evil recoiling, loud muzzleblast things I have ever shot. Kicks more than a MN M44 or the Enfield No.5 Jungle Carbine, as loud as an Armalite .308 with "recoilchek".

That said, accurate enough (more than Enfield Carbine by long shot), looks unique as all else, and is fast handling.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top