FR8 Revisited

Chuck3436

Chuck3436

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Who's got one? I absolutely love my La Coruna.

Light, accurate, parked and fires a common cartridge in my favorite m98 action. Contrary to internet broo-ha ive used under 180grain .308 with no problems whatsoever. The pigsticker is a pretty piece of work as well.

Only thing I wish is that it had a bent bolt. Tried using a k98 bolt in it, it worked but a few rounds were way too tight to close easily so I figured its best I didn't do that anymore. The trigger is gritty and the bolt is rough, but I attest that to teh parkerized finish which causes much more friction than typical mauser blued finishes.

Haven't seen many around lately, anyone have any interesing digits or variations they would like to show?

How about groupings? The brand new barrels are minty fresh and quite good.

And has anyone so far as tried to actually mount a scope on one?
 
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Yeesh Ive seen a few pop up on the EE and I swear there were at least a handful of owners here that had them...where are you all hiding?

Evidently they are now a rare breed.
 
It's a bolt action rifle with a gas tube?

FR8-01.jpg


There is NO WAY it's a tube magazine like the Lebel... they exploded. Is the bayonet in there?
 
Fr8

The "gas tube" is actually a container for a cleaning kit.

The one I have will swallow a no go gage, but sectioned cartridges show no evidence of stretching or potential case separations, even so I do make it a point to never save any of the brass I use in the gun.

I have also found it to be pretty accurate so I have been very happy with it.
 
The Spaniards got it right with the FR8. Large ring Mausers in .308 and the back sight near the eyeball for better alignment. The internet is full of rumours and BS. My friend Colin (also know as Snidey http://ca.geocities.com/ snidey@rogers.com/
) did some research with Spanish contacts and disproved most of the fearmongers. Worth the read.
 
The FR8 (and FR7) were rebuilt from 8x57 and 7x57 Mausers (respectively) which the Spanish had in inventory.

The purpose for the rifles was to use existing inventory (of '98 and '95 Mausers) to produce a "trainer" for the CEMTE (7.62x51 Nato) rifles which the Spaniards were introducing to their armed forces. That's why these rifles generally have "minty" bores and look in lightly used condition. It also explains the HK-(G3) type rotating rear aperature sight and some other cosmetic features of the FR7/FR8 rifles.

The key, AFAIC, is that the rifles were chambered for the 7.62 Nato round which has a lower (SAAMI) operating pressure than the .308 Winchester. Not an issue in FR8's (since they're built on the Mauser 98 action) but probably an issue if you have an FR7. (My solution is to not go past "starting" loads when I load ammo for my FR7).:)

Handy and accurate little rifles, though.
 
millwright said:
Wow I thought it was just a fancy mount for the bayonet.Learn something new on gunnutz everyday.
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The funny thing is I've looked the gun up in two reference books and none mention what the heck that "gas tube" is. It was nice that the posters gave me an answer... finally I know!
 
The FR8 Bayonet is one mean looking piece of work as well.

72l_BY143.jpg


This rifle is probably the most "modernized" bolt action rifle you can get.

Still kind of funny looking... Front end of a battle rifle, back end looks like it popped out of ww1.

If these were more readily available and had an easy scout mount option, I would say this would be one of the better platforms to make a scout rifle.
 
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skirsons said:
The funny thing is I've looked the gun up in two reference books and none mention what the heck that "gas tube" is. It was nice that the posters gave me an answer... finally I know!
Click to expand...

When I bought an FR7, I also wondered what the heck that tube was! Took a bit of screwing around with it to figure the rifle out.
It's a pretty cool rifle...I ended up selling it as I prefered to find an FR8 but never did.

It was a nice shooter, didn't kick badly at all.

BTW, at the time the bayonets were Unobtanium...nobody knew what they took. Long after I sold the rifle off, I found a brand new one and still have it. I think the Spaniards cleaned out a warehouse full of them.
 
I had one... Wish I still had it, with the cost of .303 these days!

I was young, of slight build, and found the bark of .308 out of the little carbine to be too much for comfort (I'm older, wiser, and more padded now...). That said, the FR8 would be an awesome truck gun... if not for the fact that it's a MAUSER!!! (Ewwwwwwwwww! Yucky!!!!)

I'll just rely on my No5 for now.

;)

Neal
 
nelly said:
I had one... Wish I still had it, with the cost of .303 these days!

I was young, of slight build, and found the bark of .308 out of the little carbine to be too much for comfort (I'm older, wiser, and more padded now...). That said, the FR8 would be an awesome truck gun... if not for the fact that it's a MAUSER!!! (Ewwwwwwwwww! Yucky!!!!)

I'll just rely on my No5 for now.

;)

Neal
Click to expand...

That was also a factor for me...the Mauser charm wore off, but I still love my Enfields. Plus I had that little feeling of brand X Spanish manufacture, like Llamas, Stars etc., not exactly first class quality.
 
Aahhh The Old Days ----

I seem to remember crates of them at $89.95 - think it was Le Barons and other army surplus stores -
MANY moons ago :(
 
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