[willie47]

I just bought a gun (MAS 1936) at a local flea market, and the guy I bought it from said it was chambered for a 44 Special and that he shot it the day before.

After doing a little research, I found something on Wikipedia that states: "after the war, civilian hunting rifles were made by MAS and by the gunsmith, Jean Fournier. These half-stocked rifles were chambered for the 7X54 mm MAS-Fournier (common), 7X57mm (very rare), 8X60mm S (less common), and 10.75X68mm (rare). Hunting rifles in the two latter calibers had integral muzzle brakes." The end of the barrel is threaded 5/8"-18, which I assumed was for a brake, silencer or grenade launcher.

Well, the one I have is has a bore diameter of ~0.425" or 10.75mm. Is this a 44 Special? I'm now in doubt that it is, although 44's are 0.430+ in diameter. I haven't checked the chamber depth, although I have noticed that it isn't tapered, and the chamber diameter is a little more than 0.425" (I didn't bother to dig out my ID micrometer, and the accuracy I got with a pair of calipers is +/- several thousandths.)

Anyone have experience with MAS 1936 chambered in 44 cal.?

Thanks, Willie

[jpattersonnh]

Originally Posted by willie47

I just bought a gun (MAS 1936) at a local flea market, and the guy I bought it from said it was chambered for a 44 Special and that he shot it the day before.

After doing a little research, I found something on Wikipedia that states: "after the war, civilian hunting rifles were made by MAS and by the gunsmith, Jean Fournier. These half-stocked rifles were chambered for the 7X54 mm MAS-Fournier (common), 7X57mm (very rare), 8X60mm S (less common), and 10.75X68mm (rare). Hunting rifles in the two latter calibers had integral muzzle brakes." The end of the barrel is threaded 5/8"-18, which I assumed was for a brake, silencer or grenade launcher.

Well, the one I have is has a bore diameter of ~0.425" or 10.75mm. Is this a 44 Special? I'm now in doubt that it is, although 44's are 0.430+ in diameter. I haven't checked the chamber depth, although I have noticed that it isn't tapered, and the chamber diameter is a little more than 0.425" (I didn't bother to dig out my ID micrometer, and the accuracy I got with a pair of calipers is +/- several thousandths.)

Anyone have experience with MAS 1936 chambered in 44 cal.?

Thanks, Willie

The cut stock rifles were Santa Fe "upgrades". You would need a chamber casting to be sure of what is is. I have an original 1945 L series 7.5x54. Great little rifles.

[willie47]

Originally Posted by jpattersonnh

The cut stock rifles were Santa Fe "upgrades". You would need a chamber casting to be sure of what is is. I have an original 1945 L series 7.5x54. Great little rifles.

Good idea! I'll make a chamber casting of it and "see" what it is.

[jpattersonnh]

Post a pic!
Second from bottom in pic.

[canebrake]

How To Post Pics on FTF << Click Here

[jpattersonnh]

Originally Posted by canebrake

How To Post Pics on FTF << Click Here

So, whip it out!

[willie47]

Haven't taken a picture yet, but I will and post it soon.
Thanks! By the way, mine has been modified/sporterized/etc. It has a threaded muzzle for a muzzle brake -- I assume, since silencers are illegal. Also, I checked the chamber, and it is chambered for a 44 Special.

[LotzORemmies]

while on the topic of MAS's. I found a one of these today at my local shop: It's been reworked into a .308. The shop owner told me that the receiver is in no way shape or form, designed to take the pressure put out by a 308 shell and that it would have to be sent back east to have the receiver upgraded and sent back to be reliable. Price is 449. Worth it?

[jpattersonnh]

He is correct, it is 7.62x51 nato. .308 is to high in the pressure catagory. The 49/56 is an excellent rifle. Many of them were converted an are great shooters. What does he think anyone could do to "rework" the receiver to make it stronger?? They are very strong, reliable, and accurate rifles.

[WyrTwister]

Originally Posted by LotzORemmies

while on the topic of MAS's. I found a one of these today at my local shop: It's been reworked into a .308. The shop owner told me that the receiver is in no way shape or form, designed to take the pressure put out by a 308 shell and that it would have to be sent back east to have the receiver upgraded and sent back to be reliable. Price is 449. Worth it?

The one I had ( w/o scope ) had been converted to 7.62 NATO by Century . Accuracy was terriable ! :-( Sold it .

God bless
Wyr