MAS 36 Rifle: Overlooked Greatness

The MAS 36 is often derided for its crude physical appearance and a few quirks that most shooters aren't used to, but the gun truly is an under appreciated great. But what about this gun makes it stand out among other distinguished military bolt action rifles? Well, let's have a look.
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[@d-rob9265]

I actually think this gun looks amazingly badass. I don't understand why people think it's hideous.

[@thepowerhousepotato9631]

+D - Rob right? I love the stubby thing,

[@punkhyena600]

I myself am also a fan of crude utilitarian looking guns.

[@ExUSSailor]

Looks were why I first bought mine. I have to admit, rather embarrassingly, I had no idea what it was at the time. Little did I know, it would turn out to be my favorite bolt action rifle.

[@kkloikok]

D - Rob it's not ugly it's just French.

[@thedoctorwillseeunow2233]

I actually love the aesthetics of a Mosin, as well as a Mauser (especially a K98K), and hate the way the MAS 36 looks. However, I can accept that it’s still a great rifle, by functionality.

[@professorpewpuew]

The only reason the MAS 36 gets no respect is because France was overran in six weeks. The truth is there weren't enough Mas 36s around and politicians were neglectful of the military post WW1. The stain of defeat was so bad that it tarnished other French guns, even of victorious conflicts like WW1. I loved reviewing my Lebel and I got a Berthier on the way right now. Unfortunately a lot of these older guns were still in common use by WW2, when there were obviously better choices. Its all about political neglect.

[@canicheenrage]

+mark3smle Looking at how you put your post, i'm sure you have the noblest of intentions. Still, pray, develop your arguments and your sources for "politicians were neglectful of the military post ww1". One thing that "tarnished" the 1940 campain was german propaganda bragging about an easy victory, britain's propaganda putting all the blame on the french, and vichy propaganda doing the same on the IIIrd republic. Noone really having any interest in being objective about it. Reality was quite different. And if you're surprised that in the age of mechanised movement warfare, with all the technological progress that was made since, a country that size that suffers a military coup d'état during the battle can fall this quick, you may not see the end of your own amazement.

[@professorpewpuew]

If you simply looked at France politically after 1919 as well as just looking at the small arms involved in the 1940 invasion, it would be obvious there is neglect. At the very least, preparing to fight.. the last war.

[@canicheenrage]

***** I think you're the one who'd have fought the last war. :) Small firearms were delayed. For you, the focus on other parts of the equipment like fortifications, tanks, antitank guns and planes was "neglect". You do know that's precisely on those other elements that war was changed from the last war ? Btw, the french army wasn't supposed to have the mas 36 as main rifle; It was originally intended for rear echelon troops. This was ( and rightly so ) not considered the priority in armament production. Once again, what allows you to talk about "neglect" ? The six fold increase in planes production, from mass of craftsmen to industry, while doubling the speed of the aircrafts ? The high quality tank production, that in the end was before Germany, even with their overtaking of Czech factories ? The 5.500 planes ordered to the US, payed cash, plus factories building cost, plus workers salaries, 80% of which were never delivered, and the ones that were had to be assembled here because they were only sent as spare parts without any armament ? The Maginot Line, which gave a bleeding nose to the german Army Group South even after 500.000 men were removed from it ? All countries had issues, and for its army, germany having waged 2 earlier campains, they were able to fix most of them before the Battle of France. But if you look for "neglect" or worse, there might be other countries that may catch your eye worse than France. Like, i don't know, Belgium and the Netherlands, who went neutral and refused any cooperation with the french army until the invasion happened. Belgium, who also built half the intended fortifications as intended, and half further, so that more of their country was covered, in effect being useless. Britain, the allies leader in diplomacy, with their appeasement; That, when the battle started, only managed to send ( to the despair of Churchill ) 2 divisions, a fraction of their air force, and even later only accounted to maximum 11% of the allies forces, despite being more populated than France. Troops so valiant they had to bring in Coldstream guards to fight alongside the french in Dunkirk. The US, which during the Versailles negociations, swore to enter the war if France was invaded ( the other option was that France would have a better territorial integrity - as german territory was "on the wrong side of the rhine" ) then backed on their promise, so did Britain, so in the end France had neither reliable allies, nor reliable frontiers. Or even Russia, which for money, offered facilities and their expertise to allow germany to develop an armored and an air force in secret. Or Poland, that invaded Russia in the twenties, and Czechoslovakia alongside the german troops ? ( they had offered assistance, but when it was refused, they invaded. ). I'm genuinely curious. Because i can be wrong, but it seems that view is from people who know f*ck all about those events. After the Battle of France, German propaganda bragged about an easy victory for their invincible army; British propaganda put all the blame on the french, to "reduce the schock" felt by their people for the fights to come; and Vichy propaganda put all the blame on the third republic, so their coup d'état during the battle, imprisoning the ministers and representatives that still wanted to fight, and create a totalitarian state, which had failed in the '30s, but worked thanks to the german invasion, was a good idea. But please, do go on.

[@simonferrer]

+canicheenrage Anyone who is an actual student of military history does not doubt French courage. Perhaps a more accurate argument would be that the severe casualties that the French suffered in WWI, particularly through elan-driven offensives that didn't turn out well (Verdun comes to mind) made the French government and military establishment casualty shy. This affected their thinking strategically and put them in a defensive, fixed position mindset that over-relied on technology and fortifications as a deterrent to war and less on effective training, maneuverability and aggressive mindset for the army in preparation for an actual war. Several other factors compounded this issue: overestimation of the barrier the Ardennes forest would present to German armor (which led to the French posting the wrong forces to hold that terrain), the French high command's inability to quickly adapt and deal with the new German innovations in combined-arms strategy, and a national service draft that largely consisted of taking men, giving them a uniform and a rifle, and putting them right on trains for the front. That and perhaps an overestimation of how truly willing their allies (who had also suffered heavy casualties in WWI) would be to override strong domestic antiwar political feelings among their constituencies at home and honor their treaty obligations in a significant way.

[@horatiohuffnagel7978]

They issued one box of ammo to each squad. Good luck with that.

[@bojanmilankovic]

Like most things French, this is a great rifle that doesn't get half the recognition it deserves. I love the MAS.

[@jameshay7247]

What part of getting overrun in six weeks were you impressed by?

[@flamby357]

when you know that russia had 14 millions death soldiers during ww2 you think that it's a shame that france surrended when germany go full power on France ?

[@antoninodelavega]

Arzh arnthor shame on you. Look at the population in Russia and France they are 10× more than Us

[@druisteen]

the german take Paris in 4 week

[@sErgEantaEgis12]

Russia also had much more territory they could sacrifice to the Germans and the Russian winter and spring greatly complicated things for the Germans.

[@cwilliamsphoto]

I used a MAS 36 in an impromptu competition hitting a steel target at 100 yards against about a dozen or so other people. When you missed, you were out. It came down to me and two people using M1 Garand's. Until we shot off-hand, no one was missing the target and we were just eating up ammo. It's nice to see that the MAS could hold its own against an absolute legend like the M1. I also own and M1 and the MAS is still one of my favorite guns to shoot.

[@hugoquelquechosecommeca3560]

in the manufacture d'armes de saint etienne they block the rifle into a vice and shot at 100meters, the dispertion need to be in a 1x1cm square and a guy adjust the sight to have this groupement in the center, it's why he hes really accurate for his time (sorry for my bad english, my grandfather have worked on them an i need to test them one say, he made some 22lr "hirondelle if you have test too)

[@horatiohuffnagel7978]

I like it. I love old military weapons. They have so much character. Unlike todays stuff which all looks the same.

[@Zipotricks]

For me many Bolt Action rifles just look the same. Modern firearms stand out more than the old ones. Unless you compare civillian SIG Sauer guns to AR15s and such, cuz soo many companies copy the AR15 1:1.

[@ExUSSailor]

So many companies copy the AR, because it's the best, most battle proven, versatile platform there is.

[@thegreatrobin2329]

The AR platform and its consequences on modern firearms

[@painedman2314]

​@@thegreatrobin2329Same way the mauser was? With Sweden, Turkey, America, Portugal, Germany, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Belgium, China, Yugoslavia, Czechoslavkia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Persia, Japan, and probably a few I'm missing all using mauser rifles?

[@MrLolx2u]

The MAS 36 was in fact a great rifle. It's rounds don't thump back as much as a 7.92mm Mauser and it's a tad shorter than the SMLE thus making it easier to wield around in trenches and buildings which in WW2 was extremely vital. With the ruggedness of the rifle, the French proved that even despite losing their country, they still had a chance to fight back with a great weapon. Battle of Bir Hakim is a great example. The French Foreign Legion that's tasked to hold the Germans at Bir Hakim were mostly armed with MAS 38 with some back line troops armed with Lebels and they managed to halt the Germans dead in their tracks despite having to brace a sandstorm just before the war and while the Germans were having a hard time picking targets, like what Alex said, the Free French forces managed to volley fire after volley fire like the "Mad Minute" moment and scare the Germans. Even the action was so reliable that the Mosin action, known to be one of the strongest in the world has be relegated to only special Hunting Rifles or surplus, cut stock rifles (Out of the blue I forgot the term lol) while the MAS action, like the Mauser action, kept on trucking to be made into modern military sniper and in the MAS's case, FR-F1 and FR-F2 which is still serving the French Armee and the Legionaires.

[@forban1]

+Speed Reaper Hello, precision about the Battle of Bir Hakeim, gunners and other infantry battalions belonged to the Marine troops, without forgetting the sailors who serve on the 40 mm Bofors. Men from France, From the Pacific, Africa. And small detail, the Foreign Legion is part of the French army, it is not at hand, just that this body may recruited foreign citizens.

[@MrLolx2u]

forban1 Wait what? The Marine never fought at Bir Hakim. Be it if the Legionaires are made up of Foreigners, their still controlled by French superiors and everyone in there was given French nationalities and that makes them French.

[@canicheenrage]

+Speed Reaper A lot of english-speaking people are wrong about Bir Hakeim. They read the FFL were fighting. FFL in english ? French Foreign Legion, of course ! And there were legionaries at Bir Hakeim, to add to the confusion. But FFL in french means Forces Françaises Libres, Free French Forces. On one side, there were italian armored units, who broke, and wiped the british lines around the fort, which was then surrounded, and then the exemplary, "pure aryan" Afrika Korps. 37.000 men in total to crush the outpost for Fascist Italy and the third Reich. Tanks. Planes. Soon led by Marshal Rommel. On the other, the 1st Free French Brigade, volunteers from all around the empire. No tanks. Way less air cover. At Bir Hakeim, a part of the troops were legionaries, true ( especially antitank units, if i remember correctly ), from everywhere, but among whom were quite a number of veterans spanish republicans in exile, and some anti nazi germans; Alongside them, metropolitan France volunteers, soldiers from the African colonial bataillions including blacks, volunteers from the Pacific [islands] battallions, fusillers d'indochine, from madagascar, Lebanon, or even the ex french colony in India, and YES fusiller marins ( marine riflemen, part of the navy, here the 1er RFM ). Moroccans, algerians. Around 3700 men. Led by General Koenig. All fighting for the betrayed republic. That makes it as beautiful to me as the fact that it prevented the encirclement and destruction of the retreating british expeditionnary corps. (which seems to be a habit of anything called the 1st [anything] in the french army) Anyway, check your facts, mate. As for the use of the sniper rifle: Not just the army. The GIGN and other intervention units' sharpshooters use FR-F2 as well.

[@forban1]

+canicheenrage merci pour ce message , j'ai complété avec des liens qui vont bien ( je suppose que tu est français vu ton nom ). thank you for this message, I completed with links that go.(I suppose you saw your name is French) Je le met en anglais aussi pour éviter des ambiguïtés avec les personnes anglophone . I put it in English also to avoid ambiguities with the English people. Cordialement forban 1 .

[@canicheenrage]

+forban1 Quelle perspicacité. Ouais. Normand. Breton d'adoption, mais je digresse. :) A mon tour de faire le malin: vu le vocabulaire "qui va bien", et l'intérêt pour certaines troupes, je dirais... Actuellement dans, ou ancien de la royale ? Je viens de voir le pseudo. "Forban". Ok. On est plus dans l'intuition, là je parierais du fric dessus. XD

[@axelyoung1551]

i don't know why but seeing a Empty Shell/cartridge fly out a old Bolt action( at relatively high speeds) is the most satisfying thing in the world.

[@calebhu6383]

Same.

[@thelegalmexicanca9171]

glad I'm not the only one to feel that way

[@MHChang2014]

TheUnknownBrony Mc it's one of many reasons why bolt action guns are my favorite :)

[@duartesimoes508]

I'd say the second. From a semi-auto rifle it looks even cooler

[@troy9477]

The French tend to do things their way and it sometimes looks a little funny to us, but darn if the stuff doesn't work. The bolt handle is well placed, good sights, smooth action. The cartridge is a great design, modern rimless, a sensible midsize case with good ballistics. I suspect that it influenced the 308, as did the 300 Savage. Heck, the Savage may have influenced this, since it came out 11 yrs sooner. The bayonet system is ingenious too- 1 less thing hanging off the web gear, and hard to lose. Great video

[@fabizio]

MAS is for "Manufacture d'Armes de Saint-Etienne" (="Weapons Factory of Saint-Etienne City", founded in the 16th century by king François the First). The town also produced the Chassepot 1866 shotgun, handguns Mas 1873, 1874 and Mle 1892 8 mm, shotguns Lebel 1886, and model 886 M93 R35, Artillery Canon 75 mm Model 1897, 4 different models of machineguns in 1907, the MAS 36 (1936), MAS 45 (1945), MAS 49 (1949), MAC 50 (1950), AAT-52 (1952), MAS 49/56, sniper shotgun FR-F1 & F2 (1966), PAMAS G1, FA-MAS (1973) with the Felin V1 model in the '90's 2000's, HK G3 under licence, Beretta M12 under licence, MP5 version MAS MP5F, LRAC F1 bazooka, the wwI Saint-Chamond Tank, the Leclerc tank components and shotguns. Now there is only factories for deluxe shotguns.

[@daktari]

The Saint-Chamond was actually built by a contractor in their Saint-Chamond plant, which is about 20km east of Saint Etienne.

[@lancerd4934]

I have a "yataghan" sword-bayonet for the chassepot rifle manufactured at st Etienne in August 1868, serial number H 20783. That place has been making weapons a long time.

[@darkvador2076]

I'm living in this town. That was a big city during the 19th century, but now the manufactory of weapons is closed

[@hypedpanther6464]

Took a domestic design out of service for a german one.

[@nightlust]

"used to produce" sadly..

[@thomasadams7795]

For those of you who criticize French firearms, remember, our first American-made general issue musket was a copy of the French Charleyville. Let that sink in

[@t.k.326]

@Reaper5.56 Xx America didn't invent belt fed mg but other than that you're right.

[@ChodaStanks]

France were the top innovators of arms from 1866-1890, led the charge from needle rifles to smokeless rifles in an very fast moving arms race

[@WE-ep9tq]

@@t.k.326 I mean sure if you want to go and use technicalities as Hiram Maxim finished work on the Maxim gun while living in England. However he was American born and raised. He also patented the gas, recoil and blowback methods of operation while still living in the U.S. Hiram set out to make money off war and what better place to go than England. Hiram even allegedly said "In 1882 I was in Vienna, where I met an American whom I had known in the States. He said: 'Hang your chemistry and electricity! If you want to make a pile of money, invent something that will enable these Europeans to cut each others' throats with greater facility.'" Nothing more American than that in my honest opinion.

[@mustard4762]

@@ChodaStanks the first needle gun was made by Germany and then, the French improved it more and continued it Pretty amazing for both sides

[@ryansavage8053]

people complain that its ugly, but if it works, then it works! I think it has a charm to it. I might had to add one to my collection one of these days.

[@DereckLunar]

Interesting thing is that the Mas 36 has been in use as an instruction rifle for quite a good time after it has been replaced and that it's still in use as the FR-F2 chambered in 7.62 Nato as a Sniper rifle. And if you like french firearms you should give a try to the ManuRhin MR73 (which is now manufactured by Chapuis). It's one of the best .357 Magnum revolvers.

[@mikemarion19]

sickest bolt action shooting scene ive ever seen. impressive and inspiring weapon/bolt manipulation sir, you put on a display.

[@bigwesandfriends2602]

Overlooked greatness Like this channel

[@MrSebfrench76]

I love it when a true professional takes the time of destroying a cliché,makes my day.

[@GjVj]

So pleased I subscribed to this channel - love seeing these historical pieces given a workout. Best wishes from England.

[@nicholasbartonlaw341]

This is one of the most beautifully narrated and executed videos on KZbin. You did this rifle justice.

[@versal339]

Great job young man. Any weapon is only as good as the man behind it.

[@tfbtv]

+Hugh Batesel Thanks Hugh. This was a fun gun to run.

[@nucleargaz1]

Impressive handling mate!

[@forban1]

thank you for this great video, great work demonstration and description of this superb French rifle. Merci beaucoup !

[@SeeTeeTee]

Yeah, work that bolt!

[@Yman83464z]

The quality, passion, knowledge and sheer BEAUTY of this video gave me, LITERALLY, Goose pimples. Good work Alex, good work. Cinematography, sound, lighting, skills [Runnin' and Shootin' BOLT action..] Great! Wow - I'm off to go show this video to a class as a GOOD video.

[@tfbtv]

+Yman83464 Wow Yman, what a great compliment! That is high praise coming from you. Hope all is well my friend.

[@chsims7032]

Awesome video. Just bought a MAS 36 the other day and I love it. More than my Kar98k or M1903

[@beefcakes27]

Good job TFB!!! Nice quick bolt working.

[@doughboy334]

no warcry during the bayonet charge?!?!

[@bersekovitch]

+doughboy334 A good old Taïaut ! (Tally-ho !) would have been in order.

[@stevep5408]

No it's oui, oui, oui all the way home

[@g0679]

doughboy334 Perhaps not enough adrenaline. Let’s try again with genuine life-or-death conditions.

[@GenScinmore]

very impressive Alex, well done.

[@Scorched-ww2nf]

Thanks for the info and the work!

[@platonicvulpine]

This looked really cool, and was fun to watch!

[@chrisblake1918]

I have 2 of these, one of the import sporterized .308 conversions, and the other a cherry original 7.5 French. Very sweet rifles both.

[@MarkAndrewEdwards]

Interesting and better than I would have thought. Thanks.

[@HDSME]

I had a brand new unfired factory papers attached. Good handling great feeling rifle! Smooth action. Nasty bullet very powerful

[@THEREALBONZO]

I'm impressed by how well it appears the action works.

[@2000B5Audiracer]

Just picked up a MAS 36 and absolutely love it. Beautiful and smoothe action. Comparable to the Enfield in smoothness.

[@chouyi007]

Man, you really run that rifle like a champ! I bet there are plenty of people who couldn't do that well with a semi-auto!

[@mrsmith5457]

Combining an ideal carbine like length, rugged construction and a decent bolt, this really was the pinnacle of bolt action military rifles.

[@SomethingNewEveryDay]

Great review thank you.

[@PassDaMethod]

Thanks for this peek into a relatively unnoticed bolt-action battle rifle. Was interesting to see it in action. I'll stick with my SMLE as well, but this was food for thought regardless.

[@veidorje1681]

the FRF2 still in use by french army snipers is derived from the MAS-36 because of the location of the bold wayback it made it very easy to reload without having to move that is the main reason why they liked it so much thanks for sharing

[@fabienvdp545]

There weren't enough MAS 36 in the French army in 1939. My great uncle trained with a MAS before the war and when he was later sent to the front, his MAS was swapped for an old WWI "syringe" rifle...

[@Schatten47]

Your scary fast with that rifle!!! That was awesome

[@niksarass]

the sound is amazing

[@MrAndrewmcgibbon]

I think the reason for the gun media ignored the MAS is the cartridge. its not a common surplus round, the gun press does stories about surplus guns usually based on economy. I've got American Rifleman issues going back to the late 1940s. and that is a pretty common format for surplus rifle stories. cheap surplus ammo is paramount to economy. while the ammo for the MAS is available, 7.92 Mauser used to be like 7.62 x39 became in the 80s & 90s.

[@Rake3577]

You love it because of that smooth action and that's the only reason you need Alex

[@genegarren833]

Looks well balanced and comes up on target very smoothly. Not a bad rifle at all. 🙂🙂👍👍 I like it .

[@ApplesinDuck]

Fucking awesome camera works there. GOODJOB

[@tfbtv]

+AppelsinDuck Thanks!

[@Perryperrychicken99]

AppelsinDuck I

[@frankusdepertus5359]

Merci pour la video👍🏻

[@angiefav1847]

Great just bought one of these have not shot the thing yet can't wait, l think it could keep up to a 303 Enfield wow thank you

[@rashadnagi7531]

I love this rifle, I have wanted one for a long time.

[@jman113]

Nice video And good shooting

[@WasatchGarandMan]

I bought one on a limb a few months ago with no experience and I feel inlove. it is really a fun gun and I am glad I own one.

[@8789spartan]

I have an unissued version of this from 1946, one of my favorites from my collection.

[@kenbobca]

My son bought one for me for a BD present. I didn't know much about it till I saw your video. Thank you.

[@tfbtv]

+Ken Karnes Sounds like you raised a good boy!

[@kenbobca]

I think so. He lives and respects guns and is teaching his 2 daughters to also. Thank you for your videos.

[@slaughterhound8793]

It isn't the best bolt-action battle rifle ever, but I feel sure it is in the top ten, maybe even the top five. You showed that it can be fast, maybe not the smoothest ever, but fast for a bolt-action. And Buddy at the end showed the way it's done with a bayonet!

[@corporalpunishment1133]

Ive just found your channel and I like your reviews thanks. Nice rifle I've only seen a Mas once and fired a couple of shots. The butt was really short and the trigger was heavy the owner was shooting it very well but I couldn't. being able to shoot so many different guns well makes you a very good shooter and I'm impressed. Keep up the good work.

[@tfbtv]

+Corporal Punishment Thank you!

[@thelaughinghyenas7962]

+TFB TV , So what makes this "Overlooked Greatness?" Why was it a better rifle than a K98? It had no safety, a distinct disadvantage. That bolt is a lot slower to run and a lot LOUDER than flipping a safety. The cartridge was nothing special compared with say 7x57, 6x55 or 7.65 Belgian, all Mauser cartridges. The magazine capacity was lower than an Enfield and what beats an Enfield for rate of fire or reliability in mud? The bayonet that you were so impressed by is slower to affix than a M44. The rifle length was about identical to a M44 so that was nothing exceptional. By the time the French adopted the MAS-36, the USA had already adopted the M-1 Garand. Was it a decent bolt action rifle? Yes. But when you already had fought two wars against the Mausers and one along side the Enfield and the Carcano it is easy to sit down and mix and match the best features of each.

[@tfbtv]

The Laughing Hyenas It is overlooked because, well, people overlook it? Like most French firearms, it is seldom discussed in gun circles whereas it should get quite a lot of credit for being simple, cost effective, and well made. But the 7.5 French was a bit innovative in that it is short, allowing the action to be short and thereby allowing the used to cycle the bolt very quickly (as I did in the video). Also, the fat bolt design of the MAS 36 makes the gun less cavernous than an enfield, and less likely to allow dirt and sand in.

[@ethanperks372]

I believe the FG-42 used Mas-36 bayonets.

[@LPFDVRemiot]

Ethan Perks it did used the same model but a bit shorter

[@aslamnurfikri7640]

Fg 42's bayonet was designed after mas 36's bayonet. Even some early bayonets are modified mas 36's bayonets (forgotten weapons makes a video about it)

[@SOULFLYSI]

Countries that Have Won the Most Battles 1115 France 1105 United Kingdom 833 United States 560 Germany / Prussia /

[@Foges584584]

would love to see you do this with the SMLE! Awesome video.

[@salsalero1277]

I bought one about 25 years ago, because I really like the way it looks.

[@scandinavianshootingchanne4219]

I like how light the old French rifles are (Lebel, Berthier, Mas 36, Grass etc), but when it comes to favorite ba battle rifle, I would choose the Swedish M96-38, great caliber, simple enough, cycles fast and so on.

[@danielbartleson5746]

I thought my K31 was the best bolt action every made. Looks like I have another gun to add to my collection!

[@hatimlaamri2132]

K 31 is way better than the Mas though

[@patrickyoung4478]

fast bolt work, was not expecting that.

[@EricKPoorManPrepper]

I like the way the Bayo works on it,.. I hope someday I can get one...

[@Targetpopper]

I really enjoy my Mas36 and 49/56. With original French ammunition the guns shoot very very well.

[@needsomehike]

that bayonet charge was awesome :)

[@samuelzenoob2019]

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL GUN!!! I don't know why people call it ugly?!

[@tblbaby]

excellent operation on the runngun. You could smooth it a tad I'm sure, but very nice work.

[@ghost0441]

We have one of these and that recoil combined with that metal buttplate made for a short day of shooting. Ours is the Egyptian copy. I'm not sure if that makes any kind of difference, but both my father and I had purple shoulders for a few days. It was a tack driver but I'd almost rather be in front of it than behind it. Between us we have a mosin, k31, Enfield in .303 and .308 and some magnum hunting rounds like the .300 weatherby and 7mm mag. Of all those bolt guns only the mas 36 gets put away before we run out of ammo. I felt like Gersh Kuntzman. Great vids btw.

[@crazyminnesotan94]

My uncle brought one of these back from Vietnam. The wood was black and the metal so pitted you couldnt see rifling in the barrel.

[@FMichael1970]

Love my pristine (re-arsenal) MAS 36.

[@mylesquinn3120]

I just watched it, great video, I think it could be a great idea for a series maybe a challenge, type series where the winner of the latest video caries on to the next video, and shoots against a new challenger rifle, anyways just an idea

[@Clean97gti]

Fun fact: You can stick the short end of the stored bayonet into the bayonet hole of another MAS-36 and get the two rifles stuck together. This is a team building exercise as the French Armory Sergeant will make both of you do pushups until he can get the two rifles apart, and he will smoke at least two cigarettes during the process.

[@conangaming2156]

It’s service in World War Two should make it famous. French soldiers were very brave in WW2, and as individuals rather effect. The French were fanatical in defending their homeland. And their rearguard at the Dunkirk pocket was especially noted for their suicidal dedication to defending the retreat. Battle of Dunkirk was far deadlier than most people are aware. 18,000 French KIA. 3,500 British KIA.

[@krystofdavid1117]

maaaan you are goddamn fast for a bolt action! Perfect video :)

[@Mr_x_19922]

Amazing piece of WW2 history!

[@loyp4328]

Its action is still in use today in French Army in the famous sniper rifles FR F1 and FR F2.

[@SnipeU696]

Thank you.

[@Revenge221]

I can't find the man's name anywhere, and he appears no longer on TFB, but I must say, his smooth voice is perfect for narration.

[@MrTremewan]

Had the chance to buy a Mas 36, but decided not to when I saw how expensive the ammo was. Kind of wish I'd bought it now and reloaded for it. I remember how sturdy it was. It also seemed well-made, though with a kind of crude finish.

[@aggonymephisto6963]

What's that pouch you have on you at 3:25-3:50? That would be incredibly handy.

[@pauldogon2578]

Alex thanks for this clip, I had always wondered about this rifle and now I know. It looks like a sweet little rifle but I also would rather have a SMLE

[@tfbtv]

+Paul Dogon Thanks Paul, I am glad you enjoyed watching!

[@raythompson5087]

Nice touch with the bayonet at the end, but you forgot the bone chilling yell!!!

[@deanmckellar619]

Hagen That and the fact it actually has a Safety Catch. A small feature that is far more useful than one would think

[@alixus10]

I’ll take the K31 over all of them

[@Grupodoblecanto]

@TFB TV I have one, Where can buy 7.5x54 ammo?

[@marxman-wb2yt]

TFB TV i have found a lot of sporterized mas36 rifles, with 18inch barrel, and i was wondering if it was still a good rifle that way.

[@sergeantbigmac]

Honestly that was really great bolt work man! It might seem to anyone that hasnt done something like that before that the misses are bad, but they really arent. Thats a very difficult drill to do especially with a bolt action at that speed. It was always a rifle that I wanted and intend to pick up, but just havent. Ive heard by the people that own them that theyre great rifles. I think theyre under appreciated simply because theyre French, as sad as it is to say.... I dont agree with that at all but many of my fellow Americans are stupid and biased (as seen in these comments!). The other reason being the hard to find ammo. I think thats the thing thats stopped me from getting one. Im sure with all this exposure this rifle and the 49/59, they will go up in price. So by the time I get around to buying one the price will jump after being the same for years. Damn you Alex! ;)

[@darthvader4hire]

we sold a crap ton of those things in the 90's at our shop. many were unissued in the mummy wrap! the problem at the time was ammo was around $1.00 a shot and corrosive. however the "new" guns sold for just over $100.00 issued guns were about $75.00 at the time. many people bought them just to have them; Century made a few into .308 cal but we always wondered how safe they were...

[@tfbtv]

+darthvader4hire Man, don't you wish you had put away a few of the guns in mummy wrap!

[@darthvader4hire]

True that! we even got hold of some of the semi auto's we sold those for about $180.00 we also got hold of some mummy wrapped number4 mk2 enfields...surplus SKS rifles sold for $50. the good old days...lets not forget new PM44 Mosin carbines as well lots of cool stuff

[@Bigdogzq]

My only problem with this gun is ammo availability.

[@SayNoToDemocide1]

Does the receiver stretch on firing enough to cause headspacing issues? The Lee-Enfield, which also had rear locking lugs, has that problem.

[@Zitoune1954]

Beautiful rifle

[@bundlesofjoe]

damn... your bolt speed it impeccable

[@TheNevada666]

This gun looks and sounds so beautyfull

[@cherokid]

Thanks for the great review and good shooting! I have seen these rifles in my serches for military bolt actions and am guilty as well of passing them up. However I think now I will move them to the short list. What year were these produced? Does 36 stand for 1936? If so maybe they were to far ahead of their time. With the smaller cartridge it would compare with the post WWII 7.62 x 51. I am personally a 30-06 fan but can see the advantages of the shorter cartridge with close ballistics.

[@kristoffergrandjean6641]

Nice video! however, let me point something out, that it seems that you missed in the video. The MAS 36, was not intended as the service rifle for the French Military. As you point out, its designed to be parallel produced with other guns. That is because the French army, decided to modernize the whole arsenal, with a new modern round as well. The bolt action MAS 36, was the first design completed and put into production, intended to be issued to artillery units, support units, and everything away from the front line. But as 39 came, and the world realized that hell was upon Europe, France decided to mass produce the MAS 36, which was the smart choice, as the MAS 36 was already in production, and could be produced vastly faster than the prototype MAS 38/39 semi auto. This is also the reason that it doesn't have a safety, the personal that was intended to be issued this riffle, was not expected to be on high alert. So it actually makes fine sense to me, never having a round in the chamber for this purpose, the gain is a superb and simplistic riffle, that required minimum maintenance. (And you can't expect that soldiers that far away from combat, are cleaning their weapons)

[@WhenDoesTheVideoActuallyStart]

French rifles in general didn't have a distinct safety mechanism, because their doctrine was that the only real safety mechanism is an empty chamber.

[@revueltas28jr]

despite its apprearance,its a very good rifle,great video,as usual

[@od4266]

Her debut may be in WWII, but she built a reputation in Indochina. She is the MAS-36.

[@09stoneheart]

I just picked one of these up and notice that the for end rocks back and forth a little bit. I thought that the best way to remedy it would be to tighten the forward band, but I have not been able to find a tool that will allow me to tighten or remove it. Any suggestions?

[@ThePlaceCannel]

Can you cycle rounds through this as fast as a SMLE? I'm thinking of the grip you use by having your middle finger on the trigger and the index and thumb cycling the bolt.

[@Gamerlord93]

Where did you get that shell carrier on your belt?

[@RabbitusMaximus]

From the Charleville .69 cal to the FAMAS .223 and all in between, the only apology the French need to make is for the Chauchat.

[@BelialsGenuflect]

So many think it looks like shit, looks awesome to me.

[@qui-gonjinn3322]

For me, it seems kinda beautiful!

[@09stoneheart]

Quick question, I recently bought a MAS-36 and have discovered that the bolt is really stiff and difficult to close on the first round when the magazine is full. Will this subside the more I shoot, or do I need to work on the bolt?

[@colnagocowboy]

massively 36 was the first rifle I ever owned

[@revie3745]

damn you fast with the bolt action