French MAB Model D (gun of the day)

[johnwill]

Here's one of the bigger guns that I've ever seen that shoots the pipsqueak .32ACP cartridge.

 

[James K]

That abortion of a rear sight had to be put on to make it eligible for import under the GCA 68 rules. The normal rear sight is rather like that on the 1911.

Jim

 

[johnwill]

It's somewhat amazing that they had to change the sights to import them, it's certainly big enough to win import points!

 

[Mike Irwin]

Looks, and feels, quite like a Remington Model 51.

I've been looking for one of these as an adjunct to a 51 for some time. A lot of them came in some years ago, and now there are none to be found in Virginia.

 

[johnwill]

I'll trade you this one for your Remington M51.

 

[Mike Irwin]

Whoops, adjunct was the wrong word.

I don't have a 51, shooters are expensive, good examples are even more so.

 

[johnwill]

And here I was thinking I could get a good deal on another Remington M51.

 

[Mike Irwin]

Oh, go oil a firing pin, John.

 

[johnwill]

Which one?

 

[James K]

I agree there is a resemblance to the Remington Model 51, but I have to note that the Remington 51 is much better made, though far more complicated. The MAB is a simple, straight blowback pistol, while Mr. Pedersen's pride and joy uses a hesitation lock, a form of delayed blowback.

Note for anyone who has a Remington Model 51, be careful in disassembly and above all DO NOT try to remove the grips unless you know how (punch the grip safety pin at the bottom of the grip flush, and slide the grip down to unlock then lift up. Do the same on the other side.). Prying or trying to drive the grips off will break them.

Jim

 

[johnwill]

Jim,

It's funny that you mention the grips, I puzzled a bit over them before I figured it out. I don't force things that I am not sure of, so I just kept looking until I saw how they worked.

I also have to agree with the assessment, the Remington M51 is a sweet shooting pistol, but it does have a lot of parts for a .380!