France's Final Battle Rifle Iteration: The MAS 49-56 

Ians master plan is almost complete. Step 1: Buy a bunch of cheap smelly French guns most people haven't heard of. Step 2: Start a RU-vid channel and become an internet celebrity. Step 3: Gain over a million followers and become Gun Jesus. Step 4: Write and publish the book on French military rifles. Step 5: Sit back and watch price of rifles skyrocket. Step 6: Sell cache of rifles for huge profit.

Damn, now all French rifles will get more expensive and difficult to find, even in France...

You know so much about this!! It’s almost as if you made a book...

French firearms get a bad rep, for some damn reason. I bought a MAS-36 about 15 years ago, for $125, from a military antiques & used gun store. There were a number of SMLEs, and, Mausers in his rack, all with outrageous price tags. Then, down at the end, I spotted this rifle I didn't recognize, that looked almost brand new. When I asked the guy about it, he said it was, "Some damn French thing".

WERE cheap. I suspect by next week they'll average higher than the 44 or 49.

Prices of MAS rifles goes up 20%. Thank you Gun Jesus

The french invented smokeless powder, and the clipazine!

Everyone: It's a magazine! Not a Clip! The French: "Hold my wine!" *puts a Clip on a Magazine*

You should use this in desert brutality.

In 1981 I was still using the MAS49. At that point not all units had the FAMAS

Its become a far more aesthetically appealing rifle in this configuration. If only it had a larger box magazine.

Had my 49/56 for about 20 years. Love it. Very accurate. Load my own ammo using the CCI hard Milspec primers and never had a slam fire issue. Just a good honest shoot all day long rifle.

I had this rifle for the Bastille day military parade in Paris in 1992.

What always hurt these rifles in comparison to the FAL and G3 was the 7.5 French caliber. Getting 7.5 wasn’t that easy for us back in the 1990’s. When we found it, it was surplus Syrian. Good video. Regards, Marky

Dunno why everyone is so excited about this, but I guess this is the best channel to find out why. Going to watch all the MAS series videos right now. Thanks to Ian for his skill in bringing military history to life.

One sturdy looking rifle. I remember seeing these on a trip to France( school trip) in 1978. That and the MAT 49 i think.

This is an amazing review Sir! Thank you for going so in depth!!! I actually have a MAS 49/56 that was converted to 7.62x51 (.308) with original French parts, which is rare. Its easy to tell as the gas tube is smaller and not just cut down after the barrel was reamed AND I do not get some of the headaches associated with the company that imported and modified many others. It had a very good modification. I absolutely LOVE this rife. It is a TANK! Really easy to target with the large battle sight and I also have the see through mount scope. That big bolt re ally averts jams and you cab always flip it to single fire at the grenade launcher for even more accuracy. The impingement gas system works WELL and keeps the receiver very clean even after several hundred rounds. I also have never had a slam fire probably due to the titanium firing pin it had installed.This will stay in our small family collection for sure. I shoot it as often as I can and it is a go to rifle for all around AND firing it with the night sight attachment is amazingly fun as are the grenades!!!! I also got it for $300 several years ago!!! They have gotten pricey but worth it.

Hi Ian, I'd like to correct a little mistake --> On M.A.S. 49-56, you have the possibilty to adjust aim elevation. You do this by rotate the "guidon" (the little pin near barrel muzzle), click by click: counter clockwise to lower, clockwise to upper aim. Cheers

I own one. Fine weapon and shoots well. I wish I had that scope.

I can tell how excited you are. This has been a long time coming!

These French guns are really misunderstood. Most people think it’s bad because it’s French but some of them are very good rifles.

Thanks Ian for your book which is an exhaustive review of French rifles, this video in combination with your book has convinced me to buy one which I love ! Now I want to add more of the MAS series of rifles to my growing collection of French rifles. BTW I changed out the firing pin for a titanium one like you recommended since I shoot it at the range quite often.

**sliding on and off buttpad** "This is for grenade, this is for gun, One is for fighting, the other for Hun!"

I used this rifle for a long time before FAMAS arrived. It is a very safe weapon. I have fond memories of it.

the grenade launcher is the same as the FAMAS

@Forgotten Weapons Ian, are you going to mention that we still have MAS 36 in service ?? For those not knowledgable in french weapons, we are still servicing FR-F2 sniper rifles, wich are an evolution of the FR-F1, wich are both using a evolved MAS 36 reciever coupled to detachable magazin like the ones on MAS 49.

Ian how many of these rifles are from your own collection? I know I've seen a video where you mention you have an intrest in collecting french firearms. Keep up the good work in telling the history of modern firearms.

What should be addressed here is the design flaw in all the MA'S series of rifles, as well as SMLE's, Winchester lever guns and others. And that would be the two piece stocks. If not fitted, bedded and firmly attached they have a long history of being an accuracy culprit. The French chambering is quite adequate, on par with our .308 win/ 7.62 NATO round. New ammo can be acquired from some lesser known providers as the major manufacturers like Remington, Winchester, Federal and the like don t load for it. However, one can easily reload for it as dies, components and the like can be had by searching places like Old Western Scrounger, Graff, Privi Partisan, Huntington/RCBS, Shotgun News, and many others. It's out there , I've seen it. You just have to do the leg work and research. Your not going to find it at Dicks, Wal Mart, Cabellas, Midway or any big box stores.

I picked mine up 4 years ago for $300 bucks, the shop I bought it from thought it was chambered in 7.5 swiss and thus sporterized. Also, I recommend murrays guns for firing pin replacements for the MAS and the SKS.

In2020, this rifle is only being sold by one dealer at a price of $1000. There is no ammo available. Only one ammo supply house carried 7.5MM French and they are currently out of stock. Needless to say, the ammo is expensive.

I have always liked these. I think, with the grenade launcher sight removed, it is probably still kegal here in Kalifornia, assuming the muzzle device is credibly called a brake rather than a dlash suppressor. Great video as always. Thank you

I came across your video today and it’s really a coincidence that I will receive my Mas 49/56 tomorrow. The video was very helpful and I took ur advice and purchased a firing pin with spring. Thanks for the heads up. I also subscribe to your channel. Really enjoy it and very informative. Thanks Ian

I have two 49/56's in 7.5 French: G series with no arsenal refurbished stamp. H series refurbished in 1982. Both acquired in the 1990's for about 150 bucks each. Reload .308 bullets in reformed 6.5 x55 Swedish cases, Spring loaded firing pins over the titanium due to cost. I adjust the load for the non-adjustable 49/56 gas system, which give even better handling to this vintage battle rifle. As Mae says, it sings to my soul. Waited decades for the definitive Book to come along. I am so happy for you, Ian, to see your Book project do so well.

these magazines must be a pain in the butt to get in and out of pouches

Gun jesus does it again

I can't wait to get my copy of Ian's book. Now I want a book like this for American, British, Italian, Russian, Japanese..... oh heck all of them. Ian is spoiling us.

Most military surplus rifles tend to end up in United States, which is a bit of a self-replicating cycle, as military surplus is sold to United States, as they can be sold over there, which leads to surplus guns being pretty rare in Europe, which then contributes (among many other things) to there not really developing a gun culture based around these things in europe, which in turn allows politicans to ban these things from civilian ownership to appease the public after something bad happens, since number of people affected by ban is pretty minimal, which then leads to even more surplus guns being sold to United States... all meanwhile americans get to complain about rifles designed in late 19th century being cheap 'garbage rods'.

As we touched on at another ved you made (another excellent one!), I have this rifle and love it. It was very easy to be a sniper/DMR rifle as they were very accurate right off the line and built like a tank. They do have some blast to them but that is part of the fun. Also, using the cut off for a single shot also makes it even more accurate for longer ranges. As you said, the sights are very good for that period and I like them for close in as that bid front sight is hard to miss! There was a rumor that the charging handle plastic knob glowed in the dark, but I can find no reference to that as gospel anywhere, can you confirm or dispute on that little tidbit? IF it did glow, mine is long since dead and I do not think anything glowing being able to be seen easily would be on a battle rife this good. I know people think the clip on the side of the mag is strange but you rarely have a bad mag, the 7.7 and .308 work fine in each and they lock in TIGHT with a little training there is no problem seating them. Anyway, thank you for covering one of my fav C&R rifles. I love the history involved in all these C&R firearms and love your dedication to bringing them to us here. THANK YOU SIR!!! AND I gotta get this book!!!

You're the reason why I bought this rifle! After changing the firing pin as recommended by you. It is a great, easy to use and maintain rifle! I love it

RIP the French milsurp market

I had a 49/56 that had been converted to 308 by century arms. I owned it for a couple of years but sold it due to it's propensity to slam fire. Years later, I wish I had hung on to it.

I'm French this wapon was robust and improve serve 4 decade and thanks to our shitty politicians who banned access to these weapons and sold all stocks outside of France to people who don't know anything about these weapons, we don't even find this weapons in France anymore or with exorbitant price. It's a shame knowing that this weapons are used by all prestigious unit of French army, marin and parachutist comandos, French Foreign Legion, in all post-ww2 conflicts where France was engaged: Indochina war Malgache war Corea war Algéria war Suez crisis Cameroun war Bizerte crisis First civil war in Tchad Sahara ocidental war Legendary FFL 2 rep operation pull out europeen ostage of Kolwezi second Shaba war Tchado-Libyen war Liban war

I actually own one of these, i got mine from a gun show one time as i was browsing though and i saw this odd looking rifle with grenade launcher spigot and sights and a funky magazine i picked it up as i never seen one before and asked the seller what it is and what was the price for it, he said its a french rifle and can be yours for 450 bucks so i brought it, he did say it was converted to 7.62 Nato by the importer but he had no issues with it, and sure enough it worked flawlessly. Now i need to find a buttpad, a scope, and a bayonet for it

From the Charleville of .69 cal to the FAMAS “Bugle” the only thing the French need apologize for was the Chauchat and that three shot Berthier carbine. French small arms are awesomely innovative and functional.

Yup because the ten round rifle did well fighting against gurellias in Indochina with 30 round AK…. Yet we still waited 30 years to replace…. Oyyy france…

I wonder how many times someone accidentally fired a bullet into a launchable.

One of the few French weapons that i genuinely liked. Always with the odd ball calibers though.

LOVE THESE RIFLES, they pair well with an H&R Sahara.

Of all the French rifles this is the one i wish i owned.

Looks like a handy gun. Just needs a 20 rnd mag.

Aren't you kind of spoiling the secrets of the book with these videos? * tongue-in-cheek *

CCI #34 primers are made for guns with free floating pins. If you are a reloader and load for guns like the Garand, M1a, Mas etc. they can reduce the risk of slam fires. I love my Mas 49/56. One of my favorite rifles.

Ian, I love your work but I'm fairly certain you've just drove the price of these into low level orbit.

5:57 So... could it legitimately be called a _clippazine_ ?

I'm an old garand dude but after the maz 46 video you did I'm in

I really wanted one. Thanks Ian that won't happen.... :(

Pretty cool rifle... might use it until the Germans come

CCI makes a thicker cup large rifle primer specifically for rifles with the slam fire problem.

sounds like a rifle for a desert brutality 2020

I love my 49/56.... I have never shot it... I cant bring myself to defile it as its in Mint/perfect condition w/ all accessories... I wish I had bought a lesser one when they were cheap.. so I'd have a shooter. No idea what they are like to shoot but I always loved the way it looks. Its the ONLY gun I still have that I dont shoot... I sold off my collection of "I own this b/c feelings" and only have "I own this b/c its the best tool for the job" guns now... Other then the 49/56... That french witch casting spells and 5h!T

My 49/56 is a g35 serial number unless I’m missing something mine would be one of the first.

Looks like a blaster-rifle a bounty hunter in Star Wars would use lol

2500+ pledges for the signature edition as of now. You’ve got a lot signaturing to do. Looking forward October.

You made me buy your book and a French Rifle, Thanks Ian

Did the French ever make bigger magazines for the MAS?

The next French development will be known as the FAMAMAS!

Wouldn't moving the gas port forward DECREASE the dwell time? Reduces the length of the barrel between gas port and end of barrel, so time between gas tube pressurizing and pressure drop when bullet leaves barrel is less.

"Next time on Forgotten Weapons...the *actual*, final, ultimate model of the MAS series of rifles - the Century Arms .308-converted MAS 49/56" Don't worry, I'll see myself out.

French rifle for sale never fired only dropped once

Forgotten Weapons without French rifles would be... ¡NO MAS!

What is the “Length of Pull” ?

Any 20round mags for that thing? Seems like there should be especially after the FAL came into the picture

not an m-14, but about as good, and far more handi dandy

Ah yes the Vietcong's first French battle rifle.

Weapon performs very well in rising storm 2 Vietnam, scoped or not its a beast

Something I've always wondered, why didn't the French military ever adopt a 20 round magazine for the MAS 49/56? Every other contemporary battle rifle of that era came equipped standard issue with a 20 round mag, i.e. the M14, FAL, CETME/G3, BM59. It like seems a pretty significant oversight for a service rifle that was in service until 1979.

where can I get those after market firing pins?

Got one of these from a pawn shop for 75.00 about 10 years ago .

congratulations on the book and the on going quality videos ! thanks Ian.

At least two of my fellow gun club members have these. Their reloaded ammo is notorious for slam-fires.

The French would have been pretty outgunned by the soviets, all with AKMs. They could have added a 20 round mag, which would have mitigated that a little.

Back when I sold guns, we sold MAS. They seemed very good rifle, well worth the money. You got everything with it. That chambering was a thing though. Wish I had kept one.

Nice Clothe. Chemise F1 french army..... ;-)

I own a MAS 49-56 and was totally unaware of the slam fire issue, thanks for letting me know!

Used it when I was under the flag in 1979-80. Need to say first that I was by this time a 10m compressed air + 50m .22LR competitor (both national level). So when I first use this I was sure it will spread bullets everywhere. Nope! First I used "ballplast" an orange plastic ammo with a brass ring at it's tail. This was for basical training at 50 meters, prone position. I was able to achieve a 14mm H+L at this distance with 5 shots (H for Height and L for Lateral dispersion). It was damn accurate, could have easily competed with top match .22LR rifles. Later, standard "war" ammo at 200 meters, 5 shots, prone position. My H+L was 41mm... As both H+L were beating my unit record, I was granted 2 more days permission. Gun was quite heavy, but relatively compact. Sturdy and reliable: never had a misfire incident. Field stripping was easy. And accuracy was "match grade" even with recruit guns that had shot thousands of ammos. When I was to test the FAMAS I cried! Never liked bullpup configs, but accuracy was poor and over 200 meters and especially when coming to 400 meters, bullets were spreading everywhere, impossible to use! Not to mention that the 7.5 compared to .223 when hitting the target was serious game vs. toy. Most probably one of the reasons for actual US tests to define the new combat rifle are circling around an 8mm caliber...

I wonder why the French did not have the rifle in 7.62 NATO. Almost fitting to the likes of the FAL,M14,G3,AR10 ect

The 49/56 became available as surplus in my neck of the woods in maybe the early 90s. Old Western Scrounger was the only dealer who had the ammo and it wasn't cheap. I passed on several good opportunities to buy 1. Really regret the myopia.

i don't think you have ever done a 2GACM with a mas 49-56 ... ? would be fun ....

I had one in the '90's that had been rechambered in 7.62 mm Nato that was a bit ammo sensitive!!! Fun little gun, but was traded along quite some time ago! That would explain those little "SUPRISES"!!!

Sounds like the best possible configuration for a battle rifle in the 1950s. Scope mount, integral grenade sight with gas cutoff, 10-round magazine, flashhider, recoil pad for the butt, flourescent night sight (not shown in this video), bayonet. What more do you want?

FYI ,ALL of the basic american artillery during WW2 were origionally French designs ,not British or German or Italian. The 75mm, 90 mm, 105 mm, and 155mm all had their origion in France .

something to know: there is a variant, called the "mas 49/56 gendarmerie". it was naturally chambered not in 7.5 french, but in 7.62 nato. i shot one. best friggin' feeling ever. the buttpad dampens the recoil significantly, it's accurate, it's comfortable, it's a fantastic rifle. there's also i think springfield armory that made a conversion kit, but beware: those mods are rife with malfunctions due to an inadequate gas modification. so if you plan on rechambering your 49/56, get a gunsmith to tune your gun.

Fell in love with this thing as soon as a saw it. Have wanted one ever since

Hi Ian I've been watching your channel for the last 6 year's and really like the Mas 49 56 and would like your opinion. Should i get one in 7.5 french or 7.62 nato? I really like the way they look and I also love older firearms so it hit both on my list of firearms. Thanks in advance.

One of my greatest regrets is that I let my buddy talk me into trading my MAS 49/56 for a PA-15. Granted, mine was rebored to 7.62 and dollar for dollar it was probably in my favor. But since I was fortunate to have gotten one that cycled/ functioned very well, the rebore was a welcomed mod. It actually worked better than the PA-15 (which I also got rid of).

Must be great to live in a country that allows you to responsibly own firearms. Another great video.

I have one of these. There is no French ammo that I could find and I had to get Pris. It’s slam fires on this ammo I think because the primers are much softer than the French ammo. Mag would rattle off as automatic. Tried a titanium fire pin as it’s such a bad problem for many. Several additional OEM firing pins of steel. Finally filed down the tip of one of the steel ones to increase the surface area and shortened. This mostly worked It is a safe, queen. Anybody else have problems with this POS

...are you aware of the training set/kit issued for these rifles??? I bought one from the now defunct SOG shortly after I bought one of these rifle and a scope NIB from them in the mid/late 90s...lost everything post my 2002 stroke...

I used MAS 56 during my National Service. I found it sturdy, very easy to shoot as it was quite stable and easier to clean. It is only downsize was it was heavy, a bit tiresome during long marches. As the whole, it is a good infantery rifle, I guess not expensive to produce.

I have a "thing" for rifle grenades, and love the way the French continued to push the concept quite a while after WW2 ended. The tube launch grenades favored today have their advantages, but can't launch a warhead big enough to be a serious anti-tank weapon. If I had my say we (the USA) would be issuing muzzle launched AT grenades at the rate of at least one launcher and two grenades per fire team in any kind of urban or close terrain.