MAS-36 & MAS-49 French Military Rifles

When we think of military firearms history and the leaps that the fighting rifle has made over the past few centuries, France is not necessarily the country that comes to mind. However, history tells a different story. France was often on the cutting edge for developments in small arms, such as the bolt-action rifle, smokeless powder, brass-cased cartridges, and the mass deployment of semi-automatic rifles in WWI.
These two collector rifles - the MAS-36 and MAS-49 - showcase the direction that the French were planning on going prior to WWII. Progress was obviously impeded by the French capitulation in WWII, but these guns are still important milestones in French arms development. So, let’s take a brief look at what the French were working on with these two firearms.

[@benzielke7149]

The one I use is a 56 that was imported during the 1970's. All matching number parts. Not messed with at all. Very accurate & fun to shoot. The ones that have been brought in during the last 20 years or so have been reworked, replaced stocks, some re-chambered for .308. They suck.

[@VIRGINB0Y]

That is a 49/56. Not just a 49. There is a difference

[@bfgivmfith]

Hands down the most informative video I have found! Thank you!

[@CheapCreep]

Somewhere, Ian's French rifle senses are tingling.

[@misterthemad994]

Especially since this guy said the French were converting Mle. 1866 Chassepot rifles to 7.5mm MAS, he probably meant Berthier rifles, but it still shows, alongside the fact that he can't distinguish a MAS 49/56 from a MAS 49, that this dude is not qualified to talk about French firearm history.

[@Briselance]

​@@misterthemad994 Eh, he has to start somewhere. It's difficult to compare to Ian when it comes to French firearms.

[@CntBckt]

I saw a 49-56 at a milsurp spot for the first time without any idea what it is. It blew my mind and I've wanted one ever since.

[@paulbalogh4582]

Xcellant vid. I sure do ❤ both of mine!

[@foxtools]

GREAT video with good information.

[@19800910]

I was stationed in West Germany during the mid to end 1980s. I was sent with our recon platoon as a fire support specialist to the French comando school 4 in Colmar Frence. We had the MAS Modele 36 as a training rifle but with the bolt welded closed. For "live fire" (ha ha) we shot the MAS Modele 49-56 with plastic case and bullet on a 50 meter range. All I can remember is the buring gun powder blow backing in my face.

[@duanesarjec6887]

he Mas 36 is reliable, well balanced, precise to the point that it was not planned to equip it with shooting optics when I was in the army I did a 100 KM march with a Mas 36, it was living daily with a weapon that we do not end up shooting well a French soldier did not fire 50 cartridges in a year. the mas 49 is a little heavier a little less balanced in width but anyone could shoot in a half circle the size of a helmet at 200 m whatever the conditions or the shooting position I put my group in the equivalent of the palm of my hand and when shooting with a grenade launcher putting your grenade less than 2 m at 400 m was the norm because it is a real small mortar it is not the soldier who chooses his weapon but the opposite it is the weapon who chooses the soldier it may be less precise than the Garrand but it resists mud and sand it is much easier to clean and reload and if you are surprised by an armored vehicle of less than 16 T you can reduce it by crumb .

[@The6568]

As a french having used FSA (MAS 49/56) and Famas, I confirm : these are excellent rifles, mostly the Famas.

[@algernonsidney3982]

I didn't care for the FAMAS during my time in the military.

[@cheesenoodles8316]

You can go pretty deep collecting French arms.

[@harveysimms9387]

I have seen a MAS 1936 .308 caliber. I can't find any information on it?

[@christophereger1053]

In before the "never fired, dropped once" comment...

[@Ltkylez]

What a gorgeous man. Wow.

[@GolfRemoEchoGolf2]

I own a 36 unfortunately it was sporterized

[@Briselance]

07:00 Using valuable aluminium for... stripper clips, instead of aviation parts, gear and engines for planes and other vehicles??? That sounds like a really bad move here.

[@pablowentscobar]

Where's Ian??

[@jefferynunn2278]

I have the same new rifle,with all accessories. Never been fired. Time to sell,,I can't keep a rifle and not fire it...

[@NeilMacEwen-u7i]

Oh my God I can't take it, the French absolutely did not even have let alone mass issue semi auto rifles in ww1, and not ww2 either since they were under german occupation america, and poland were the only 2 countries to enter ww2 with a standard issue semi auto rifle, the soviets were next with the svt

[@Balrog2005]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusil_Automatique_Mod%C3%A8le_1917

[@donsal.t.1765]

Music sounds Italian hehehe

[@philliplatham4256]

👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸☕️☕️🛎💯🔫

[@brokenwrench404]

There were great deals on French wwII rifles in the 70’s and 80’s. Great condition, never fired, dropped once

[@m.hughmungus121]

Fun fact: French arms aren't made to fire more than 3/4 mags of rounds The engineers know the army will surrender by then , so the extra workmanship is unnecessary

[@ludovic7439]

😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨

[@MrSebfrench76]

This is extremely funny. The stand-up scene is waiting for you.