French MAS36 rifle
Armed Canadian describes the bolt action French MAS36 rifle as classic “weapon of war”. It features no safety what-so-ever (including no mosin-nagant type “safeties”) and an integral bayonet that is stored under the barrel.
Despite its classic and attractive stock, the MAS36 is a weapon meant to shed blood and it shows in its design. One non-visible aspect of this is the fact the MAS36 has no safety whatsoever. Childproof this rifle is not. The moment you chamber a round, the rifle is ready to shoot. MAS36s were often carried on patrol with no round in the chamber and the soldier cycling the bolt to load a round the moment combat occurred.
Read the very interesting homage to the “weapon of war” here
Regardless of what anyone may think of the French, they did produce some fine weapons. That, in particular, is one I put nearly on par with an Enfield. In MY hands, on MY shoulder. Never had much of a chance to shoot one, but having handled them I find them quite comfortable. Ammo is a little hard to come by, or I’d get one.
I am a collector of French weapons, particularly the Mas36 and 49/56. They are wonderful weapons. My deer rifle is a Mas36 in the 7.5 French. I took a buck and a doe with mine this season. There is nothing better than homemade biscuits with deer sausage. There are tricks one can learn in order to avoid discharge.
The Armed Canadian blog was wonderful.
Hmm, I had one back in college. I thought was interestingly made and mine was in excellent condition. I hated the short stock and awkward balance (for me), the forward belt bolt, and the ridiculously thick front sight post. It was low on my list of preferred mil surplus rifles, well behind my beloved Springfields, Enfields, Mausers and even the Nagants.