French MAS 1949 semi Auto rifle

[Roy mcleod]

My son and I, went to the Range, this last week end. My first time in years. As I, exp, I Do not shoot any more.
I, am just an adviser. Any way, my son picked the following rifles to shoot Mas 1949/Garand/4 mark 1/M1903
and the Thompson semi auto.
Using, the French mas 1949, he stated much to heavy for a rifle, not reliable.and not accurate at 200 yards
I, was quick to point out, how could he be so critical, He, was using five cartridges, from a box of very old
French Military ammo. I, have hand loaded, for the 7.5 and had very good results on the Range.
I, was unable to exp, to him, why some Mas 1949 rifles, had nylon charging knobs and that my
rifle may have an area, for a scope mount. I, am sure the rifle 1949 was the last model made.

[kelt]

[Your rifle is the export model of the MAS 49, about 6000 pieces built in 1953 for export to Syria/Lebanon, they have a spike bayonet identical to the Mas 36 bolt rifles while the French model has no bayonet fixture.

The Mas 49 has a vertical male dovetail on the left side of the receiver for the scope mount.

The early Mas 49 and its forerunner the Mas 44 had a black bakelite knob, it was found too fragile and replaced by a white nylon knob during refurbishment.

The Mas 49 was followed by the MAS 49-56.

Picture of scoped MASs 49 and MAS 49 -56 MSE.

attachment=0]49-56 swarovski ZFM - 49 APX L 806.jpg[/attachment]

[capt14k]

Glad to see Kelt is here and a Mod. He knows more than I about French Rifles so nothing to really add otherwise than I hope Surplus Rifle Forum continues to grow.

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[Roy mcleod]

Kelt:
Thanks, for all the very valuable info!!
I, love the Mas 49. MY opinion, is the Mas 49, will give the Garand, a run,
for the money any day!! I, have to say the Mas 36 , is just ugly.
Great photos. love the Carbine.
Thanks again
Roy

[kelt]

The MAS 49 was a specialist rifle, 74.000 pieces built for the French Army between 1949 and 1956, (2 to 4 rifles per platoon) to enhance the long range firing capacity of infantry units when the main battle rifle was still the bolt action Mas 36.

The MAS 49-56 was an improved version with 280.000 pieces built for the French Army as its main battle rifle (20 rifles per platoon) in use until the late 80s.

from the top :
- MAS 49-56 MSE with Swarovski scope 6x40 on APX mount.
- MAS 49-56 with APX L 806 scope.
- MAS 49 with APX L 806 scope.

[capt14k]

Beautiful Rifles. Love the MAS 49/56 MSE. I hope to own one one day myself.

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[kelt]

Beautiful Rifles. Love the MAS 49/56 MSE. I hope to own one one day myself.

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It's not too hard to find parts to upgrade a Mas 49-56 to MSE status but original MSE rifles are nearly impossible to find, very few of these rifles were sold outside of the Army while still in good condition.

When a MSE rifle lost its accuracy, it was retrofitted to regular battle rifle standard with its original stock and a standard replacement trigger block, the MSE trigger block was destroyed and the MSE furniture returned to MAS.

Picture attached, a batch of MSE rifles fro the Air force on their way out in the early 2000.

[butcharoot]

I really enjoy shooting the MAS 49-56 and MAS 36 at the range as they are accurate and different. Now to find a Berthier. Butch

[Roy mcleod]

Additional photos, showing rifles grenade launcher and spiked bayonet.

[AGB-1]

Nice rifle.

[FamilyFirearms]

Love my MAS!

I have several accessory packs for them if you rifle is missing it. They come with about $80 worth of stuff for $35.

[Jonas_Salk]

Great rifles all around! I used to have a MAS 49/56, but unfortunately sold it while I was in college. I still regret doing that.

[ammolab]

I sold my French issue M49 on Gunbroker a while back. Winner was a French collector. He said they were not common there. Simpson’s LTD exported it to him.