MAS-49
Encyclopedia
The MAS-49 is a French semi-automatic
military rifle
that replaced the diverse collection of aging bolt-action
rifles (MAS-36
, Lee Enfield No4, U.S. M1917
and K98k
) that were in French service after the end of World War II
. It was designed and manufactured by MAS (an abbreviation of Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne - one of several government-owned arms factories in France at the time). The French Army formal designation of the MAS-49 is "Fusil Semi-automatique de 7,5mm Modele 1949". The MAS-49 semi-automatic rifle was produced in limited quantities ( 20,600 units) , whereas its shorter and lighter version , the MAS-49/56 , was mass manufactured (275,240 units) and issued to all branches of the French military. Both rifle models were designed to be used with a removable telescopic sight.
MAS-49 rifle, in 7.5x54 French caliber, evolved from the prototype MAS-38/39 and the MAS-40 (which entered limited service in March 1940), followed by the MAS-44, 44A and 44B used in small numbers by the French Navy after WW2. Then the MAS-49 was formally adopted by the French Army in July 1949. It saw significant service with French troops in the latter stages of the First Indochina War
, as well as during the Algerian War and during the Suez Crisis
.
The direct impingement
gas system was first applied in 1901 to a 6mm semi-automatic experimental rifle ( the ENT B-5 ) designed for the French military by Rossignol ( Huon,1995) . However the precursor to the MAS 7.5mm semi-automatic rifle series is the MAS-38/39 prototype which was first tested in 1938. Four years later in 1942, the Swedish armed forces adopted a direct impingement semi-automatic rifle : the AG-42 Ljungman. Furthermore the M16 rifle
, placed into service with the U.S. Army in 1963, was also based on a direct impingement
gas system designed by Eugene Stoner
. All the French MAS 7.5mm semi-automatic rifles mentioned herein feature a rear locking tilting bolt, as on the Browning Automatic Rifle
(1918), the MAS-1928 experimental semi-auto rifle and the Russian Simonov SKS
( 1944 ). The same 10-round detachable magazine does function on all the MAS-44, MAS-49 and MAS-49/56 rifles. The earlier MAS-40 (1940) rifle had a 5 round magazine within the receiver, as on the bolt action MAS-36
rifle. Lastly, the MAS-44, MAS-49 and MAS-49/56 are all equipped with a rail on the left side of the receiver. It allows for the immediate installation of a "Modele 1953" APX L806(SOM) telescopic sight by sliding it into place and then locking it in with a small pressure lever. The MAS-49 and MAS49/56 are capable of consistently hitting individual man-size targets up to 400 meters with the adjustable peep sight and up to 800 meters with the APX 806L telescopic sight.
The MAS direct impingement design reduced the number of bolt moving parts to only six: the bolt carrier, then the bolt proper which carries the extractor, the ejector and the firing pin, and lastly the recoil spring. It takes only a few seconds to disassemble the entire bolt mechanism for cleaning. The MAS-49 had a reputation for reliability in conditions of poor maintenance, sometimes being cleaned with nothing more than rags and motor oil. The rifle could also endure harsh service environments (MAS rifles saw service in Algeria, Djibouti
, Indochina
, and French Guiana
).
was added. The MAS 49 built-in grenade launcher was replaced by a combination rifle grenade
launcher/compensator for NATO-standard 22 mm rifle grenades
. Attempts were made to replace the MAS-49, in the form of the MAS-54 and the FA-MAS Type 62, both 7.62x51mm NATO battle rifles but neither were successful. The MAS-49/56 ended production in 1978 and was replaced with the 5.56x45mm NATO caliber FAMAS
bullpup
assault rifle
. The MAS 49/56 was withdrawn from service in 1990. Whereas only 20,600 MAS 49 were manufactured, the MAS 49/56 was mass produced, attaining a total of 275,240 rifles issued between 1957 and 1978.
Many MAS-49/56 rifles imported as surplus into the USA were rechambered locally by Century Arms International to fire the 7.62x51mm NATO round. However several user reports have noted that these particular conversions were often unsatisfactory (resulting in numerous action stoppages and misfires) due to imperfect workmanship. Furthermore, the shortening of the barrel to allow rechambering brings the gas vent closer to the chamber hence creating a higher stress on the bolt carrier. In addition to these Century Arms conversions , approximately 250 MAS-49/56 rifles were converted in France to 7.62 NATO for use by the Sûreté Nationale (National Police). These rifles are not known to have the reliability issues that plague the later Century Arms conversions.
Commercial 7.5x54mm "French" ammunition made in countries other than France for current distribution have been known to produce burst fire (2 or 3 rounds at a time) because of more sensitive primers. The original heavy steel firing pins on the MAS-49 and 49/56 can be replaced by commercial titanium firing pins which are much lighter and generally cure the problem of burst fire on these weapons. It is also possible to prevent these slamfire
s by shortening the firing pin by approximately 0.5 mm, or by modifying the bolt to accommodate a firing pin return spring. Coincidentally, the Simonov
SKS semi-auto rifle also features a freely floating firing pin which is prone to generate slamfires if not kept meticulously dry cleaned with a solvent. The firing pin channel should also be kept free of sticky grease or oily residues. In other words: the cleaner and freer the firing pin is on the Simonov, the least prone it is to produce slam fires. Experience has shown that the same precautions also help cure the same problem with the MAS-1949 and 1949-56 rifle series. Lastly, MAS-49 rifles produced for Syria
differed slightly from the French service model by having a spike bayonet identical to that of the MAS-36
bolt-action rifle.
Semi-automatic firearm
A semi-automatic, or self-loading firearm is a weapon which performs all steps necessary to prepare the weapon to fire again after firing—assuming cartridges remain in the weapon's feed device or magazine...
military rifle
Rifle
A rifle is a firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder, with a barrel that has a helical groove or pattern of grooves cut into the barrel walls. The raised areas of the rifling are called "lands," which make contact with the projectile , imparting spin around an axis corresponding to the...
that replaced the diverse collection of aging bolt-action
Bolt-action
Bolt action is a type of firearm action in which the weapon's bolt is operated manually by the opening and closing of the breech with a small handle, most commonly placed on the right-hand side of the weapon...
rifles (MAS-36
MAS-36
The MAS Modèle 36 is a bolt-action rifle. It was adopted in 1936 by France, and was intended to replace the Berthier and Lebel series of service rifles. It was manufactured by MAS The MAS Modèle 36 is a bolt-action rifle. It was adopted in 1936 by France, and was intended to replace the Berthier...
, Lee Enfield No4, U.S. M1917
M1917 Enfield rifle
The M1917 Enfield, the "American Enfield" , formally named "United States Rifle, cal .30, Model of 1917" was an American modification and production of the British .303 caliber P14 rifle developed and manufactured during the period 1917-1918.-History:Before World War I developed, the British had as...
and K98k
Karabiner 98k
The Karabiner 98 Kurz was a bolt action rifle chambered for the 8x57mm IS/7.92×57mm IS cartridge that was adopted as the standard service rifle in 1935 by the German Wehrmacht. It was one of the final developments in the long line of Mauser military rifles...
) that were in French service after the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It was designed and manufactured by MAS (an abbreviation of Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne - one of several government-owned arms factories in France at the time). The French Army formal designation of the MAS-49 is "Fusil Semi-automatique de 7,5mm Modele 1949". The MAS-49 semi-automatic rifle was produced in limited quantities ( 20,600 units) , whereas its shorter and lighter version , the MAS-49/56 , was mass manufactured (275,240 units) and issued to all branches of the French military. Both rifle models were designed to be used with a removable telescopic sight.
Background
The direct impingement semi-automaticSemi-automatic rifle
A semi-automatic rifle is a type of rifle that fires a single bullet each time the trigger is pulled, automatically ejects the spent cartridge, chambers a fresh cartridge from its magazine, and is immediately ready to fire another shot...
MAS-49 rifle, in 7.5x54 French caliber, evolved from the prototype MAS-38/39 and the MAS-40 (which entered limited service in March 1940), followed by the MAS-44, 44A and 44B used in small numbers by the French Navy after WW2. Then the MAS-49 was formally adopted by the French Army in July 1949. It saw significant service with French troops in the latter stages of the First Indochina War
First Indochina War
The First Indochina War was fought in French Indochina from December 19, 1946, until August 1, 1954, between the French Union's French Far East...
, as well as during the Algerian War and during the Suez Crisis
Suez Crisis
The Suez Crisis, also referred to as the Tripartite Aggression, Suez War was an offensive war fought by France, the United Kingdom, and Israel against Egypt beginning on 29 October 1956. Less than a day after Israel invaded Egypt, Britain and France issued a joint ultimatum to Egypt and Israel,...
.
The direct impingement
Direct impingement
Direct impingement is a type of gas operation for a firearm that directs gas from a fired cartridge directly to the bolt carrier or slide assembly to cycle the action.- Evaluation :...
gas system was first applied in 1901 to a 6mm semi-automatic experimental rifle ( the ENT B-5 ) designed for the French military by Rossignol ( Huon,1995) . However the precursor to the MAS 7.5mm semi-automatic rifle series is the MAS-38/39 prototype which was first tested in 1938. Four years later in 1942, the Swedish armed forces adopted a direct impingement semi-automatic rifle : the AG-42 Ljungman. Furthermore the M16 rifle
M16 rifle
The M16 is the United States military designation for the AR-15 rifle adapted for both semi-automatic and full-automatic fire. Colt purchased the rights to the AR-15 from ArmaLite, and currently uses that designation only for semi-automatic versions of the rifle. The M16 fires the 5.56×45mm NATO...
, placed into service with the U.S. Army in 1963, was also based on a direct impingement
Direct impingement
Direct impingement is a type of gas operation for a firearm that directs gas from a fired cartridge directly to the bolt carrier or slide assembly to cycle the action.- Evaluation :...
gas system designed by Eugene Stoner
Eugene Stoner
Eugene Morrison Stoner is the man most associated with the design of the AR-15, which was adopted by the US military as the M16...
. All the French MAS 7.5mm semi-automatic rifles mentioned herein feature a rear locking tilting bolt, as on the Browning Automatic Rifle
Browning Automatic Rifle
The Browning Automatic Rifle was a family of United States automatic rifles and light machine guns used by the United States and numerous other countries during the 20th century. The primary variant of the BAR series was the M1918, chambered for the .30-06 Springfield rifle cartridge and designed...
(1918), the MAS-1928 experimental semi-auto rifle and the Russian Simonov SKS
SKS
The SKS is a Soviet semi-automatic rifle chambered for the 7.62x39mm round, designed in 1943 by Sergei Gavrilovich Simonov. SKS-45 is an acronym for Samozaryadnyj Karabin sistemy Simonova, 1945 Simonov system, 1945), or SKS 45. The Sks is a scaled down version of the PTRS-41 anti-tank rifle also...
( 1944 ). The same 10-round detachable magazine does function on all the MAS-44, MAS-49 and MAS-49/56 rifles. The earlier MAS-40 (1940) rifle had a 5 round magazine within the receiver, as on the bolt action MAS-36
MAS-36
The MAS Modèle 36 is a bolt-action rifle. It was adopted in 1936 by France, and was intended to replace the Berthier and Lebel series of service rifles. It was manufactured by MAS The MAS Modèle 36 is a bolt-action rifle. It was adopted in 1936 by France, and was intended to replace the Berthier...
rifle. Lastly, the MAS-44, MAS-49 and MAS-49/56 are all equipped with a rail on the left side of the receiver. It allows for the immediate installation of a "Modele 1953" APX L806(SOM) telescopic sight by sliding it into place and then locking it in with a small pressure lever. The MAS-49 and MAS49/56 are capable of consistently hitting individual man-size targets up to 400 meters with the adjustable peep sight and up to 800 meters with the APX 806L telescopic sight.
The MAS direct impingement design reduced the number of bolt moving parts to only six: the bolt carrier, then the bolt proper which carries the extractor, the ejector and the firing pin, and lastly the recoil spring. It takes only a few seconds to disassemble the entire bolt mechanism for cleaning. The MAS-49 had a reputation for reliability in conditions of poor maintenance, sometimes being cleaned with nothing more than rags and motor oil. The rifle could also endure harsh service environments (MAS rifles saw service in Algeria, Djibouti
Djibouti
Djibouti , officially the Republic of Djibouti , is a country in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea in the north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the southeast. The remainder of the border is formed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at the east...
, Indochina
First Indochina War
The First Indochina War was fought in French Indochina from December 19, 1946, until August 1, 1954, between the French Union's French Far East...
, and French Guiana
French Guiana
French Guiana is an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department located on the northern Atlantic coast of South America. It has borders with two nations, Brazil to the east and south, and Suriname to the west...
).
Variants
An improved version called the MAS-49/56 was introduced in 1957 and incorporated lessons learned from service in Algeria, Indochina, and the Suez Crisis. The rifle was shortened and lightened to improve mobility for mechanized and airborne troops, and a knife bayonetBayonet
A bayonet is a knife, dagger, sword, or spike-shaped weapon designed to fit in, on, over or underneath the muzzle of a rifle, musket or similar weapon, effectively turning the gun into a spear...
was added. The MAS 49 built-in grenade launcher was replaced by a combination rifle grenade
Rifle grenade
A rifle grenade is a grenade that uses a rifle-based launcher to permit a longer effective range than would be possible if the grenade was thrown by hand...
launcher/compensator for NATO-standard 22 mm rifle grenades
22 mm grenade
The 22mm rifle grenade is inserted over the firing mechanism on the front of rifles that are equipped with the appropriate launcher, either in the form of an integral flash suppressor or a detachable adapter. As with most rifle grenades, it is propelled by a blank cartridge inserted into the...
. Attempts were made to replace the MAS-49, in the form of the MAS-54 and the FA-MAS Type 62, both 7.62x51mm NATO battle rifles but neither were successful. The MAS-49/56 ended production in 1978 and was replaced with the 5.56x45mm NATO caliber FAMAS
FAMAS
The FAMAS is a bullpup-styled assault rifle designed and manufactured in France by MAS located in Saint-Étienne, which is now a member of the French government-owned Nexter group...
bullpup
Bullpup
Bullpups are firearm configurations in which the action is located behind the trigger group and alongside the shooter's face, so there is no wasted space for the buttstock as in conventional designs. This permits a shorter firearm length for the same barrel length for improved maneuverability, and...
assault rifle
Assault rifle
An assault rifle is a selective fire rifle that uses an intermediate cartridge and a detachable magazine. Assault rifles are the standard infantry weapons in most modern armies...
. The MAS 49/56 was withdrawn from service in 1990. Whereas only 20,600 MAS 49 were manufactured, the MAS 49/56 was mass produced, attaining a total of 275,240 rifles issued between 1957 and 1978.
Many MAS-49/56 rifles imported as surplus into the USA were rechambered locally by Century Arms International to fire the 7.62x51mm NATO round. However several user reports have noted that these particular conversions were often unsatisfactory (resulting in numerous action stoppages and misfires) due to imperfect workmanship. Furthermore, the shortening of the barrel to allow rechambering brings the gas vent closer to the chamber hence creating a higher stress on the bolt carrier. In addition to these Century Arms conversions , approximately 250 MAS-49/56 rifles were converted in France to 7.62 NATO for use by the Sûreté Nationale (National Police). These rifles are not known to have the reliability issues that plague the later Century Arms conversions.
Commercial 7.5x54mm "French" ammunition made in countries other than France for current distribution have been known to produce burst fire (2 or 3 rounds at a time) because of more sensitive primers. The original heavy steel firing pins on the MAS-49 and 49/56 can be replaced by commercial titanium firing pins which are much lighter and generally cure the problem of burst fire on these weapons. It is also possible to prevent these slamfire
Slamfire
A slamfire is a premature, unintended discharge of a firearm that occurs as a round is being loaded into the chamber. Slamfires are most common in military firearms that have a free-floating firing pin, as opposed to a spring-loaded one...
s by shortening the firing pin by approximately 0.5 mm, or by modifying the bolt to accommodate a firing pin return spring. Coincidentally, the Simonov
Simonov
Simonov , or Simonova , is a Russian surname and may refer to the following:People* Ivan Simonov, a Russian astronomer* Konstantin Simonov, a Soviet poet* Kseniya Simonova, world-renowned Ukrainian artist...
SKS semi-auto rifle also features a freely floating firing pin which is prone to generate slamfires if not kept meticulously dry cleaned with a solvent. The firing pin channel should also be kept free of sticky grease or oily residues. In other words: the cleaner and freer the firing pin is on the Simonov, the least prone it is to produce slam fires. Experience has shown that the same precautions also help cure the same problem with the MAS-1949 and 1949-56 rifle series. Lastly, MAS-49 rifles produced for Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
differed slightly from the French service model by having a spike bayonet identical to that of the MAS-36
MAS-36
The MAS Modèle 36 is a bolt-action rifle. It was adopted in 1936 by France, and was intended to replace the Berthier and Lebel series of service rifles. It was manufactured by MAS The MAS Modèle 36 is a bolt-action rifle. It was adopted in 1936 by France, and was intended to replace the Berthier...
bolt-action rifle.
See also
- Fusil Automatique Modele 1917Fusil Automatique Modele 1917The Fusil Automatique Modele 1917 was a semi-automatic, gas-operated, infantry rifle that was placed in service in the French Army during the latter part of World War I. It was chambered in the then-standard 8mm Lebel rimmed cartridge used in other French Army infantry weapons of the time...
- Earlier French Army semiautomatic rifle - FA-MAS Type 62 - A design intended to replace the MAS 49 in French service
- List of battle rifles
