Mas 36 .308

[grazza74]

I was thinking about getting a Mas, found one converted to the .308 cartridge. I have seen some comments elsewhere that they don't function properly after the conversion (feed and extraction issues) ...does anyone know about this? Thanks for your input.

[indy1919a4]

Wow, that sounds nice, never heard of 308 Mas 36, have seen Mas 49 converted to 308,, Those can have some
feed issues.. And some can run real well...

[72 usmc]

The Mas 36 in original French 7.5 is one sexy rifle. I believe it was an advanced design for the late 1930s and has a distinct bolt. It is a very accurate rifle. Just do not remove the wood or it throws the accuracy off. I have seen more dog Century converted 49/56 Mas autos than actual Mas 36s that have been converted to 7.62 Nato. The Century Arms conversions are cheep, inexperienced machined, shoddy conversions and the .308 49/56 can work OK, or be a nightmare. Its a luck of the draw- with most having problems. Wood fit problems with the receiver and rough machining may cause accuracy problems, ejection and feed problems as well as mangled brass. I was told and am not totally sure of this because mine are all chambered in original 7.5 French ammo, that when the monkey machinests at Century rechambered these they actually took off the wood, removed the barrel and set it back a thread or so for headspace requirements. In the actual refitting process they had to remove a small tab the connects the forearm to the receiver. Consequently, the only thing holding the wood forearm onto the barrel is a friction fit. When you shoot the 49/56 in .308 the forearm is lose and gradually works itself forward. The butt is also not a proper fit. You never want to remove the stock parts on a French Mas rifle unless you really know what you are doing. Now on a bolt action Mas 36, there are so many in original caliber, I do not know why you would want to buy a converted dog. Generally, not always... on the conversions the chamber is slightly off or rough reamed, wood fit is off, accuracy is poor, and I wonder if headspace is even near correct? That is my 2 cents.
But, I never purchased or owned a conversion by CAI. I never take my Mas 36s or Mas 49 or 49/56 out of the wood. All original French rifles in 7.5 are so sweet- fantastic rifles to shoot. So I would suggest you buy an original caliber 7.5 and have fun shooting Prvi. If you use Prvi in a Mas 49/56 you will have to modify the firing pin. I shoot only original French ammo in the 49/56 and Prvi in my Mas 36s. BUY ONE you will love it.

Do not buy a CAI .308 version. Prvi 7.5 French ammo is not that hard to find, and not more expensive.

see this write up:
http://www.smallarmsreview.com/display. ... icles=1590

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VEdzdyrAkM

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2011/0 ... 1949-1956/
from above source:

The vast majority of the problems associated with MAS 49/56 arise from bubba’ed .308 conversions. Century Arms converted a bunch of imported MAS 49/56s to .308. Win. in the 1990s and the results were pathetic. Some work, some don’t. Bottom line: stay away from CAI conversions unless you can verify that they are “shooters.”

[Calfed]

a few years back, I sold a .308 MAS 36 conversion. I was never able to determine who had done the conversion, but there was no sign of a "C.A.I." anywhere to be seen.

The barrel was new and marked .308W. It was a good shooter and fairly accurate. Had no feeding issues.

FWIW

[72 usmc]

see Mas 36 a conversion in comments in this old link
http://www.alpharubicon.com/leo/mas36winchester.html

I can not seem to find any pictures of one of these????
Ah , Found one with markings see lower photo from old 24 May 15 arms list sale. And it sold $350. Their photo is source:

One would think a simple bolt action would function Ok . It is the Mas 49/56 that has problems. Still, I would rather have an unmarked, original caliber black one or the later rebuilds. I still have a Mummy wrapped Mas 36 in the safe. Kelt & Vonmazur really know the French weapons, wait and see what they suggest or comment on. Some of the conversions work OK, most are problematic. No resale value. If you buy one, you should be able to try it for a week and see how it functions. One thing, an original 7.5 Mas 36 will work fine.

[grazza74]

I have never had my hands on one, do they cock on open like an enfield or on close like a mauser?

[72 usmc]

The Mas 36 cocks on opening and has a somewhat short bolt throw. It has a odd forward swept bolt that works pretty slick. Early production has a black paint finish and square sight protectors. Like a Model T black. The post war Mas 36 has a grey parkerised finish with a circular round sight protector.

more info see http://www.virdea.net/french/36.html

[heck]

I have both a Model 36 and a 49/56. Both are in 7.5x54. I like them both, would not buy one that was converted to .308.