Not just another debate thread - can you answer a question?

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I'm getting the exact feedback I was hoping for - I think I'll get one should the opportunity present itself. Here's the one I'm thinking about - great bore, one magazine and a strap with a box of ammo for about $345:

MAS49-56in75French.jpg


Is this any more finicky than the SKS, Hakim, or AK/variant?

From what I've read it's not really all that different than the AR, and for why the world chose it over the MAS...we're kind of hard to argue with when you owe us money...I don't think either system has ever been proven to be inferior...

If I can get this for around the $300 price-range, should I, or should I stick with an SKS or AK/ADM/VZ?
 
Great show piece. The mas was noted on jams just like the FAMAS. leave it to the french. If your choice is sks or this, go with the sks . Lighter and more reliable to shoot, as well as the sks has modern parts available for it. Me personally I have an m1a that goes through mud, sand ,dirt,rain everywhere I go it does and does its job. I'm a huge supporter of the 7.62 and 30 cal family.
 
If I can get this for around the $300 price-range, should I, or should I stick with an SKS or AK/ADM/VZ?
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In that price range, I'd go with the SKS, my Yugo was a hundred less than that and all matching serial numbers, after redoing the stock and polishing it up, it is a great rifle, semi-accurate (2 moa at 100 yrds) fun to shoot and pleanty of ammo to be found (cheap ammo Wolf or Silver Bear).

Just a (IMHO) better deal.
Jim

To me that picture looks like a $100.00 rifle, that pawn shop is just ripping you off.
 
I agree that it is a showpiece, not a shooter.

I also collect old military rifles. I'd like to have that one, but I would never take it to the range.

As a shooter, your exuberance will likely quickly turn to despair.


See? Criticism can be stated politely. All of the last few posts have done so.

TFL is I believe a band of like-minded individuals who for the most part share common interests and values. There is no need for slam posts and they add nothing of value to the TFL experience.

This OP was straightforward and sincere in his question, asking for validation or constructive criticism. He did not ask or deserve to be slammed.
 
What war or conflict was won with the 98 Mauser? What the heck does usage in a war have to do with the quality of a rifle. Generally, the farther into a war the rifle was used, the poorer the production standards. I have a MAS 36 and the machining on it is excellent. The design is weird but it was made well.
 
This OP was straightforward and sincere in his question, asking for validation or constructive criticism. He did not ask or deserve to be slammed.
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No one slammed him. I personally just slammed his choice of gun.

WildsomefolkstreataslamontheirbelovedgunasaslamonthemAlaska ™©2002-2011
 
Okay, I'll be completely honest...

Everything Wild-Alaska said is the first thing that ran through my head. This is an old French rifle in a rare-ish caliber that might be really fun to have if you really really like them. But as far as getting a rifle that you can take to the range, buy inexpensive ammo for, practice with, maintain broken parts with, buy aftermarket parts for, and generally use as a shooter over the next 20 years, it's a poor choice. You'd be much better off buying an AK/AR variant or an SKS.

Yes it's fun to have something "different", but you also have to realize something; "Popular Calibers and Rifles" aren't favored among serious shooters because they're "Super Cool". They're popular because they work, they work well, they aren't over-complicated, they're versatile, easily maintained, have readily available ammunition, and are proven designs. The AK-47, AR-15, M-14 and their variations are some of the top competitors among these, and they are for a reason.

~LT

PS...

1. It is laughably ridiculous to draw a parallel between the MAS 49/56 and the FAMAS. They are completely different. And nearly equally obsolete in practical military use (video gamers notwithstanding).

2. An Ed Brown Kobra Karry .45ACP 1911 and a Pyramid Air Blowback 1911 Airsoft Pistol both use very similar technology and operate on the exact same principle... yet one is marginally better than the other, and for a few reasons.

3. Buying dated, out of production, surplus French military rifles in obsolete calibers is generally a bad idea among the shooting community. Unless you're a collector. You can take this as a general rule. If you want to shoot it, get something that is "shooter friendly".

4. If you want to weight the validity of oppinions on here, a good rule of thumb is to check post counts. If someone's been around a while, it's a good bet they've picked up a few useful tidbits along the way. New folks who use their exclamation key more than their scroll wheel tend to make more enemies than friends.
 
I greatly enjoy my MAS-49/56 (7.5). Mine has been very reliable and fun to shoot, plus it's an interesting design.

However... I would not suggest it as a first rifle to anyone, mostly because very few people will have valuable insight if you are confused by something or have a problem.
 
The last 3 posts are really interesting to me - no offense taken on my rifle selection.

The problem I have with the SKS is the non-detachable magazine - it would be the most economical to acquire and range-fire - but is the magazine an issue for anyone else?

...otherwise it's going to have to be an AK, or one of the other variants.
 
The problem I have with the SKS is the non-detachable magazine - it would be the most economical to acquire and range-fire - but is the magazine an issue for anyone else?
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Never seen an SKS with a detachable box magazine?

azr_sks.jpg

tapco2.gif

gs_sksd_02.jpg

2_rifles_tactical_sks_41987.jpg


~LT
 
Wouldn't modifying the SKS to accept detachable magazines make it about as expensive as an AK 47?

Do the modifications affect the accuracy/loading of the SKS?
 
Real gunnies dont put detachable magas on SKS rifles...you can load 'em faster with strippers

WildrepeatinghimselfAlaska ™©2002-2011
 
I appreciate that WildAK (...you know, some soviet steel could really help you modify that moniker...). I'm sure you guys get these questions a lot - I am new to owning one - not that I'd want to, but there isn't anyway to hide my noob status when it comes to asking these questions...if I decide to go with an SKS I don't think I'd modify with a detachable magazine.

I'm just not sure I'm not going with an SKS - maybe back to the AK 47 - that's what I started out researching anyway.
 
Oh - meant to post this reply to pvt. long - from what I've read and heard - the jams for the MAS 49 are attributed to the CAI conversion to .308. I've never heard an owner state they experienced jams when chambered in the original 7.5 x 54 French - which is a .30 caliber and an anticipated difficulty in finding this round is why I was looking to reload my own.

Due to my inexperience with rifles, I think folks (especially B Lahey, who owns one) have pretty much talked me into the SKS or the AK 47, first.

Thanks everyone - I appreciate the discussion - it was very helpful!
 
The problem I have with the SKS is the non-detachable magazine
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Not a problem for me. A 10 round stripper will load very quickly; the bolt-hold-open setup on the SKS actually makes it a quicker reload; this is good b/c you will have to reload 3x more often... :)

If the only con you have against the SKS as compared to the AK is the magazine, just buy a Norinco D or M for a hair more than your baseline AK and head for the range.

That said, I'm not trying to foist a SKS on you.
I sympathize with your yen for a not-run-of-the-mill rifle like a MAS. One of the first rifles I bought was a Hakim. It was a fun, cheap 8mm semi-auto; I learned a lot about the type very quickly. Unfortunately, the available info was rather thin at the time and sometimes the delays in getting everything working were frustrating. All that said, it was a fun adventure and if you're yearning for the MAS simply 'cuz it's a MAS, I say go for it.
 
Wouldn't modifying the SKS to accept detachable magazines make it about as expensive as an AK 47?
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my sks has all the tapco aftermarket stuff like the stock mag etc. everything together cost me under $400 bucks and i enjoyed putting it all together and making it work. it also shoots more accurately than my buddies AK (dont what brand) and he paid about $100 more than i did. thats about 400rds more i can put through my rifle for the same price he paid just for the gun
 
Good stuff cbuck - so you bought a rifle and conversion kit, or the complete SKS parts kit and assembled yourself?

If you assembled from parts kit - what experience level were you when you undertook it?
 
i got the rifle from one of my LGS and the tapco parts online seperately. this is the first real time ive done any "gunsmithing" as i got my first gun about 8 months ago. it didnt take alot of mechanical knowledge or anything, just a file, sandpaper, and some patience. you can google search and find out more on swapping the parts if this is the rode best suited to what you want
 
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