Mas 36/51 value question
- Thread starter davemccarthy707
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maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I sold off my 36/51 despite its condition, because I could not get it to hit anywhere near point of aim. It seems the fixed front sight is adjusted by substituting various rear apertures with holes drilled progressively off-centre. Not having the needed part meant there was no hope of having a rifle of any value to me.
Holy crap....some real unusual French engineering there eh?
As I recall, these rifles don't have a safety either, do they?
I always kind of wanted one of these rifles. I had a chance to buy one like new for $200 at a gun show but still left it there.
Now, one in 7.62 Nato would be more appealing. Prefer to avoid oddball calibres.
About 20 years ago International brought in a bunch of Century marked Mas 39 rifles that had been converted to 308Win and so marked. They had new barrels installed and were made up of parts from a bin. Real mixmasters. They also had safeties installed on the left side that blocked the trigger from engaging the sear.
I still have the rifle I picked up back then because they included a case of Hirtenberger 7.62 Nato in a combination price at a special offering. The rifle is very good and surprisingly very accurate. It is short/light/handy. I wouldn't feel the least bit undergunned with one. I also have an all matching Mas36 that is minty and in the original chambering. The rifles are identical other than the latter doesn't have a safety. As far as accuracy goes. I would be hard pressed to tell the difference between the two. Both rifles have a fixed front sight and an elevation adjustable rear sight that is just a non adjustable diopter. The sight picture is very similar to a Lee Enfield other than there aren't any sight protectors to help center the front sight.
The original round is just as effective as the 308Win and recoil is about the same. If you are inclined and the rifle you find has a decent bore don't be put off by the negative post. They are not easily come by and many are in good only or worse condition. Like any two piece stock accuracy will suffer if everything isn't tight. Not nearly as fussy as the No1 or No4/5 rifles but still fussy. They don't like bullets (308) that are heavier than 150grains. Mine really likes the pulled 7.62x39 bullets from the cheap corrosive surplus ammo. The bores seem to tolerate the oversized bullets without a hiccup.
OP, a minty 36/51 should bring around $450, depending on whether or not the original sling is with it. Those slings can be very hard to find and run around $50-$75 when you do find them. Also, make sure the grenade launching sights are tight and not bent. Not sure why but I have seen more than a few with bent grenade launching sights.
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Thanks for the reply. It does not have the sling. However the rifle itself is minty fresh in every way possible. Every part is 100%. I bought it from a collector who had it for some 30+ years. I am going to reload for it and see how it does. I have never seen a rifle in this condition. It is unbelievably mint.
The last time I looked Tradex was selling Privi loaded cartridges.
I've had a "minty" M36 for about 20 yrs now. Have shot a fair amount of cast bullets through it. 120 gr RCBS RN's (designed for M1 Carbine). Really decent accuracy. Less than an inch and a half at 50 yds. I did have a windage adjustment problem but my nephew was able to get his hands on the correct rear sight aperture to get my point of impact and point of aim together. Somewhere I have a copy of a chart which shows which insert required to get your rifle zeroed. There is vertical adjustment in the rear site although the chart also shows which insert required to raise or lower impact. Unusual method to zero a rifle.
On first appearance these rifles look "ugly". Mine shoots so well that it has kind of grown on me. Brass is now available from Tradex. When I first started loading for mine I was using reformed and shortened 6.5x55 (if I remember correctly).
Got a Handloader article somewhere on reloading 7.5x 54 MAS.
Paid 50 bucks for mine. I'd pay 400 for a nice 36/51 these days. they do attract some attention on the range.
On first appearance these rifles look "ugly". Mine shoots so well that it has kind of grown on me. Brass is now available from Tradex. When I first started loading for mine I was using reformed and shortened 6.5x55 (if I remember correctly).
Got a Handloader article somewhere on reloading 7.5x 54 MAS.
Paid 50 bucks for mine. I'd pay 400 for a nice 36/51 these days. they do attract some attention on the range.
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Lets see some pics op!!
Mine is in very good condition but for such a great condition gun,with almost all serials matching except for the but stock. Its new looking as well but has a different serial stamped into it. Cant figure out why.
Of course if used heavily and smacked a few heads, I could see replacing a damaged but stock... But the rest of the rifle is in new condition..
Mine is in very good condition but for such a great condition gun,with almost all serials matching except for the but stock. Its new looking as well but has a different serial stamped into it. Cant figure out why.
Of course if used heavily and smacked a few heads, I could see replacing a damaged but stock... But the rest of the rifle is in new condition..
I had one of those clunkers, which I purchased brand-new in the wrap about 25 years ago.
If you like a very heavy rifle with a griddy action, dog leg style bolt handle and weird design overall, this is the rifle for you
It was the "last" bolt action design, but not the best by any means.
The rifle was accurate enough, and I used to take 6.5x55 Swedish brass to form and reload with 30 cal bullets.
Now, the rifle is long gone, and I never missed it.
If you like a very heavy rifle with a griddy action, dog leg style bolt handle and weird design overall, this is the rifle for you
It was the "last" bolt action design, but not the best by any means.
The rifle was accurate enough, and I used to take 6.5x55 Swedish brass to form and reload with 30 cal bullets.
Now, the rifle is long gone, and I never missed it.
Lots of people call these rifles clunky and everything, and thats probably the case.
However, I find them very fascinating. The MAS 36 is basically the sum of everything the French learned a rifle needed to be after their experience in the First World War. They're handy, have very good sights for the WW2 era, fire a light cartridge for the time, and are very reliable. I'd own one of I had the money, but that's just me.
However, I find them very fascinating. The MAS 36 is basically the sum of everything the French learned a rifle needed to be after their experience in the First World War. They're handy, have very good sights for the WW2 era, fire a light cartridge for the time, and are very reliable. I'd own one of I had the money, but that's just me.
Century International converted a bunch of MAS 36 rifles to 308Win by replacing barrels and adding a useless safety. I have one of these and it shoots very well.
The last one I saw for sale was still in grease. I don't know if it was factory new or a refurb but the fellow had $650 on it and it lasted about 20 minutes at the show. French surplus rifles are uncommon for the most part and when you do come across them they are usually well used and abused. When you find decent units they are seldom cheap. Snooze on them and you lose. It might be years before you find another.
