MAS 49/56 Ugly??

[bmwguy]

I might get flamed for this one, but its okay, I have my flame suit on.

How many people would agree that the MAS 49/56 is not the most graceful rifle/carbine out there. Be honest! When you look at the beauty and curves of a fal,CETME, FN-49, SVT-40, Lungjman, M1s AKs, SKSs then you look at the MAS 49/56. Somthing isn't right on the auto-loader in terms of looks. IMO, this is probably the ugliest auto-loader out there compared to the rifles mentioned above. I'll have to keep the subgun category(sten, Uzi, MK760 etc) out of this argument as they are in a different category.

I'm pretty sure I'll be purchasing a MAS 49/56 in the next few weeks from SOG. But since I've never seen a 49/56 in person, plus I only live 15 minutes from the NRA Nat'l Firearms Museum, I thought I stop by and see if they have one on display and I can take a look at this beast.

Well, I didn't see a MAS 49/56 in display, they had the 36 which was okay and many other French rifles and pistols. They had the MAS 49 and I thought the rifle looked fugly! I realize the 49/56 and 49 is a little different and the 49/56 is a little prettier. I know, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I also know that I'll still get one.

BTW, they also have sooo many cool military rifles including Mosin's, M44, 53, M39, FALs, CETME, G3, BAR, lots of 03s and M1s and 1 K-31 w/ Beech wood. Lots of .45s, broomhandles, P-35, and interesting to note a North Korean SKS. I've only scratched the surface here, if you're ever in the DC area, you must stop by the NRA Firearms museum and also, not too far from here(2 hour drive) is the Nat'l Ordanance museum in Aberdeen Proving Ground North of Baltimore MD, IMO is even better than the Natl Firearm museum.
Interesting to note that I usually breeze through the bolt action area and go directly to the Semis but since I've gotten the C&R license, I'm staring at the old military weapons sections as long as the modern stuff.

[Richard Simmons]

Unappreciated, misunderstood, unloved, ignored, a day late and a dollar short? Maybe, but UGLY? NEVER. The MAS family of firearms have IMO one of the stongest receivers ever designed. The are BEAUTIFULLY simple in concept and execution. I will concede that there may be a bit of the ugly duckling about them but like the fat girl in high school who blossoms in time so to does the MAS in the hands of a rifleman. The 49/56 is a Main Battle Rifle in it's truest form. Straight to the point, simple, hardy and simply oozing with vitality like a prized race horse at the gate. While a firearm may appear beautiful to the eye the true beauty of the MAS 49/56 lies visible only in the hands and the heart of the warrior. Oooooo, that last sentence was pretty good if I do say so myself :p Allright so they're buttugly. Be a gentleman and ask one to dance. You'll like the results. Now go say something bad about those English.:D

[BlackBore]

they do look butt-ugly to me also , but they probably make up for it in mechanical operation , as Richard Simmons points out:D

Blackbore:D

[ED4]

I agree they're ugly.

But so are Glocks, FALs, MAS 36, Enfields(not sure models but have stock to the end of the barrel), and many others.

[Liv2Shoot]

Originally posted by Richard Simmons
The are BEAUTIFULLY simple in concept and execution. I will concede that there may be a bit of the ugly duckling about them but like the fat girl in high school who blossoms in time so to does the MAS in the hands of a rifleman.

.....the true beauty of the MAS 49/56 lies visible only in the hands and the heart of the warrior.

Be a gentleman and ask one to dance. You'll like the results.

Well said. They do have the looks that only a mother could love. They're so ugly, they're beautyful. The simplicity of this rifle is remarkable! K.I.S.S. Accuracy?!? I hit a brick 3/3 shots at 100 yds in a kneeling position. I love mine to death. The only problems I have with it is the cost of ammo and mag capacity. I've heard that you can get FAL(I think) mags modified to fit, but I haven't done it. Maybe that's only with the .308 conversion. I'm not sure. I would recommend it to everyone. I like it enough to give the rest of that butt-ugly family a chance. I'm trying to find a 36 right now. Then maybe a 49. Just my opinion.

[AKWARRIOR]

I happen to like them.Its not how a weapon looks but how well it performs.Im ordering one next week from SOG.

Regards,

[Schuetzenman]

Yep, down right fuggly! Too much drop in the stocks for my taste. I've got a book on ornate French firearms from the matchlock to the flintlock. Isn't a damned one of them that's good looking. Their lines always are mutant . . . I mean they really suck! Never mind the gold, silver, and coral inlays!

:elbarfo: I can't fathom why they think those lines were good?:confused:

[neilwest]

Originally posted by Schuetzenman
Yep, down right fuggly! Too much drop in the stocks for my taste. I've got a book on ornate French firearms from the matchlock to the flintlock. Isn't a damned one of them that's good looking. Their lines always are mutant . . . I mean they really suck! Never mind the gold, silver, and coral inlays!

:elbarfo: I can't fathom why they think those lines were good?:confused:

1. Dont hold anything back now, how do you really feel?;) I expect news on our venture this weekend. I'll PM you when I hear.

[zouavexx]

For your viewing pleasure


http://www.southernohiogun.com/images/mas2.jpg

[whos2kno]

you think that looks ugly look at this one
http://www.kmike.com/KWjpg/1918a2.jpg

[AKWARRIOR]

Originally posted by whos2kno
you think that looks ugly look at this one
http://www.kmike.com/KWjpg/1918a2.jpg

Whos you are quite wrong there.Thats the U.S. BAR and my uncle carried one in Korea.He stripped his though of the Bipod and a few other things to cut down on weight.Mowed down many north korean bastards with one.Simply one of the best Automatic Rifles ever produced and its beautiful.

Regards,

[bmwguy]

The BAR is NOT a ugly gun and shouldn't be in the same league with the MAS.

I wish I had one in my collection, but the cost is prohibitive($2700?).

The BAR was designed by a genius whom designed the 1911, Hi-power and the .50 caliber(M2?, I forget the designation).

[whos2kno]

I just wanted to stir up some feathers. I love the bar,to me the MAS 46/56 kind of looks like one in the receiver when you hold one.
at first I look at one in sog and thought it was ugly as sin but when you hold one there kind of cute.
kind of like the parent that says that there baby is the prettiest baby in the world.
whos2kno

[1 Patriot-of-many]

Sorry but ugly is a hipoint carbine or a S&W 76....The Mas is interesting and sexy IMO....Don't get me wrong I hate the French...:D
oops sorry I see after rereading you said to keep subguns out of it......
My Daughter thinks AK's are ugly and repulsive.....I know she's mildy?Severely? retarded..... ;)

[whos2kno]

Originally posted by 1 Patriot-of-many
Sorry but ugly is a hipoint carbine or a S&W 76....The Mas is interesting and sexy IMO....Don't get me wrong I hate the French...:D
oops sorry I see after rereading you said to keep subguns out of it......
My Daughter thinks AK's are ugly and repulsive.....I know she's mildy?Severely? retarded..... ;)
thats bad!!!

[Yukon]

Originally posted by 1 Patriot-of-many
Sorry but ugly is a hipoint carbine or a S&W 76....The Mas is interesting and sexy IMO....Don't get me wrong I hate the French...:D
oops sorry I see after rereading you said to keep subguns out of it......
My Daughter thinks AK's are ugly and repulsive.....I know she's mildy?Severely? retarded..... ;)

Blame the poor child when it is obvious she wasn't brought up right...:D