7.5 French- Rechamber to .308?

[survivor99]

Can this be done? I saw a MAS 36 bolt-action in SOG's newspaper today that is chambered for .308. Now, I figured that if you can make a MAS 36 be a .308, then why not a MAS 49/56? SOG has them in like-new condition with a bookooze of accessories for $229.

survivor99

[Jericho]

Can this be done? I saw a MAS 36 bolt-action in SOG's newspaper today that is chambered for .308. Now, I figured that if you can make a MAS 36 be a .308, then why not a MAS 49/56? SOG has them in like-new condition with a bookooze of accessories for $229.

The only thing I would worry about is the difference in pressure and what it would do to the operating system... My $0.02

[Richard Simmons]

It can and has been done. Century converted a batch or two a few years ago. Quite a few seem to have extraction/ejection problems. This seems to be the result of a poor job in reaming the chamber to .308. With a rough chamber and the higher pressures of the 7.62x51 cartridge you get poor performance. There are/were several individuals that would do the conversion which included making the gas system sdjustable like an FAL as well as modifing 20rd FAL magazines to work in the 49/56. You can still shop around and get the basic conversion and gas system done for around $200.00. Don't know of anyone currently doing anything with mags. The MAS 36 conversion seemed to go smoother since there is no gas system to deal with. Just set the barrel back a tiny bit, ream the chamber and shorten the stock and foreend an equal amount to accept the shorter barrel. HTH

[Schuetzenman]

Not much to add to Richard's post. Just to say Dittos to it is about all!;)

[canewalker]

I almost bought one of them about 4 years ago at a gunshow but the guy was wanting $300 for it and it wasn't in tip top condition like others that were being advertized for in Shotgun News back then.

It came with an extra mag and grenade launcher and sights and sling and bayonet. They were selling for about $250 for hand select in SGN's then. I noticed that the chamber seemed a bit rough towards the back end too.

Not knowing about that caliber conversion I asked some people in the club putting the gunshow on about it and they said it could be done since the bullets were basically the same size but they had heard that the very back of the chambers were too large on some of the conversions. It was almost like the people who were doing the conversions weren't setting the barrels back enough to make the chamber the proper size (diameter) leaving a slight ballon at the base of the .308 case all in order to cut corners in production and get more of them out the door! :eek:

However, I never heard of one blowing out on anyone in the time since that batch was released. It is a very tempting firearm when you see one that is in NRA Excellent condition.

[survivor99]

Well, it sounds to me like a job for a true professional gunsmith. The MAS looks great but if I had one I'd have to leave well enough alone!!! Thanks for all your input!

survivor99

[awp101]

Can an FAL bbl be used instead?

[Janosk]

Survivor,
I posted pretty much the exact same question as yours a couple of weeks back, and got quite a few excellent responses. Seems like there is a guy in PA by the name of Bill Toth who specializes in converting the 49/56's to .308. By all accounts, he is the man when it comes to converting them. I recently purchased one from SOG, and sent it off to him a few days ago. It's a great little rifle, and mine was in immaculate shape. However, the 7.5 French ammo is a bitch to get and, from what I've observed, the quality leaves alot to be desired. Off the top of my head, his conversion services cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $200. Part of me wamted to keep the rifle in original specs, but how much fun is a rifle that you can't get reliable ammo for?? Anyway, do a seacrh under my id Janosk, and you'll find the thread.
Good luck!
John

[survivor99]

Janosk,

Thanks for the info! I figured there was some enterprising yankee out there who could and WOULD do such a conversion. I personally know a top-notch gunsmith back in Louisiana who has the equipment to do it, too. Just haven't seen him in awhile. The MAS would be a great shooter as well as a looker! Well, either get the conversion or reload. Not much other choices in my book.

survivor99

[WyrTwister]

Originally posted by survivor99
Can this be done? I saw a MAS 36 bolt-action in SOG's newspaper today that is chambered for .308. Now, I figured that if you can make a MAS 36 be a .308, then why not a MAS 49/56? SOG has them in like-new condition with a bookooze of accessories for $229.

survivor99


Heard that some og the Century MAS 36 conversions blew up because the feed ramp was cut too deep , leaving too much brass unsupported .

I had a MAS 49/56 in 7.62 NATO . Functioned fine , but accuracy was terrible . Got rid of it .

My suggestion is if you want to convert something , re-barrel a Turk M98 .

Wyr
God Bless

[jimmyjoebob]

Janosk-
hey I told you about Bill in your questions post a few weeks back, let me know how it goes, I was going to send mine out but a job change/possible move has delayed all spending of cash.

Take care
James

[Janosk]

james,
will do!
regards,
john

[Richard Simmons]

of the SOG .308 conversions. I should get it tomorrow or Wednesday. I'll post my impressions as soon as it arrives.