MAS 36 rifle (receiver), price check

Onty

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What would be the price of MAS 36 French rifle like this one; http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/lodge/616/mas36.html , http://world.guns.ru/rifle/rfl13-e.htm . Actually, I am after the receiver (complete, with bolt and trigger) for a “project” so outside finish is irrelevant as long as action is mechanically sound. Yes, I am aware about other actions out there but I need a strong one with rear locking lugs. Seems to me that, considering price and strength, MAS 36 could be better choice than some commercial ones like Remington 788 and others. Any advice would be welcome. Thanks, Onty.
 
So am I to understand that your receiver of choice is the MAS36 and you wish to explore what it would cost to buy one, strip the receiver and build up a rifle?

To answer your question on cost - maybe $150 for an already buggered up MAS36 with a sound receiver, $300-400 for an original.

The MAS36 is an ultra crappy choice to build a rifle on. There is no aftermarket for barrels, stocks, triggers, etc. and you will spend mucho $ to end up wth something marginal. Far better to buy a used hunting rifle, a new Savage for $400, a Mauser action, etc.
 
So it has to be rear locking lugs and has to be strong huh?

Well, the Enfield won't do then as it's not the strongest choice. Actually, the MAS36 is a good, tough, reliable action. Would work great for 7.5 French, 6.5 Swede, .308 Winchester, 8mm Mauser and many other intermediate length rounds.

Aftermarket barrels aren't a concern as in all liklihood you'll start with a blank and have your smith thread the shank anyhow. Figure $300+ for the rebarrel job if you start with something like a take-off barrel and have it machined. $500+ if you buy a new, custom blank and get it fitted. Biggest cost is gunsmith labor.

Wood isn't such a huge concern. The MAS wood inletting is pretty simple as wood goes, and for tha matter the military stock already looks alot like a hunting stock with a semi-pistol grip, etc. so there's material there to work with.

I wouldn't touch the sights. The rear aperature already on the MAS is superb. Scope mounting might be an issue though, unless you go with a side-mount. Actually, one of the K98k low side mount repros from e-bay could probably be adapted to work and look good on that rifle.

Unlike Andy, I think this could actually turn out to be a nice and interesting project.

A couple of points though:

1) The MAS36 has no safety other than trigger finger control. Maybe not hte best idea on a hunting rifle.
2) Like any custom rifle, you'll never get all what you put into it out of the rifle if you ever sell it.
 
Andy said:
...To answer your question on cost - maybe $150 for an already buggered up MAS36 with a sound receiver, $300-400 for an original...

Thanks. Your comments are welcome but I need rear locking receiver :runaway: . I was thinking of making pressure gun for revolver cartridges... bit longer tale and I didn’t want to bother others here with rest of story that has nothing to do with this forum.
 
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Onty said:
Thanks. Your comments are welcome but I need rear locking receiver :runaway: . I was thinking of making pressure gun for revolver cartridges... bit longer tale and I didn’t want to bother others here with rest of story that has nothing to do with this forum.

Interesting project - we need to hear more. Once in a while a sporterized MAS36 shows up (I recall one here about 6 months ago).

Now if it was a hunting rifle you wanted to make, I confess I've made up guns because I just had to have it a certain way even when it made no economic sense, but using a MAS36 would fall firmly into the category of "Interesting things to do with other people's money".
 
WARNING: The following post includes description of the project that was not tested nor verified officially. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, CanadianGunNutz, nor the staff of CanadianGunNutz assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

I really didn’t want to bother others, but since you asked... Anyhow, idea was to use MAS 36, modify it so it could be used as a pressure gun for revolver cartridges. Receiver front face should modified to be almost flush with bolt face, thread deepen and eventually enlarged, and short (8-10”) custom barrels with thinner walls (1/8” max) to be made. Since pistol cartridges are short, all this mumbo-jumbo is to get full case length out of receiver so strain gages could be applied over case area. At the first moment, I was thinking using my T/C Contender, but revolver barrels are limited on 357 and 44, and custom ones are $400 or more and have to be imported from US. However, considering what has to be done, and that this kind of project wouldn’t come cheap, I will think twice before starting it. Of course, will contact first CFC to see what has to be done on legal side.
 
Onty said:
WARNING: The following post includes description of the project that was not tested nor verified officially. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, CanadianGunNutz, nor the staff of CanadianGunNutz assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

I really didn’t want to bother others, but since you asked... Anyhow, idea was to use MAS 36, modify it so it could be used as a pressure gun for revolver cartridges. Receiver front face should modified to be almost flush with bolt face, thread deepen and eventually enlarged, and short (8-10”) custom barrels with thinner walls (1/8” max) to be made. Since pistol cartridges are short, all this mumbo-jumbo is to get full case length out of receiver so strain gages could be applied over case area. At the first moment, I was thinking using my T/C Contender, but revolver barrels are limited on 357 and 44, and custom ones are $400 or more and have to be imported from US. However, considering what has to be done, and that this kind of project wouldn’t come cheap, I will think twice before starting it. Of course, will contact first CFC to see what has to be done on legal side.


Shortening the barrel to that extent would possibly render it a prohibited weapon...acually I'm pretty sure it would be. Unless you're a manufacturer or something like that...

Someone was looking for you, I think they had a receiver for sale...
 
I've got a tentative sale on an original complete with bayonet, new original sling, loading dies, and 3 boxes of shells for $200. I've seen them show up regularly at gun shows at similar prices.
 
cantom said:
Shortening the barrel to that extent would possibly render it a prohibited weapon...acually I'm pretty sure it would be. Unless you're a manufacturer or something like that...

Someone was looking for you, I think they had a receiver for sale...

Thanks, we are in contact. As I mentioned, before anything is done I will contact CFC FIRST to make sure that everything is according to the letter of the law. As for barrel length, I am thinking of 8”. I have restricted PAL and hope that this should fit into that category.
 
cantom said:
Shortening the barrel to that extent would possibly render it a prohibited weapon...acually I'm pretty sure it would be. Unless you're a manufacturer or something like that...

Someone was looking for you, I think they had a receiver for sale...

Thanks, we are in contact. As I mentioned, before anything is done I will contact CFC FIRST to make sure that everything is according to the letter of the law. As for barrel length, I am thinking of 8”. I have restricted PAL and hope that this should fit into that category.
 
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