Thoughts on This MAS49/56 From Atlantic?

[calicojack]

They state is has a "NRA Fair"rated barrel/receiver - not great. Still a neat rifle.

MAS 49/56 Premium Rifle On SALE - AtlanticFirearms.com

MAS 49/56 Rifle Premium Edition. This classic and collectible military surplus rifle is chambered in 7.5x54 and is highly rare and historic.

atlanticfirearms.com

 

[Combloc]

Don't risk it. Everything I've seen says the rifles in this import came out of Africa and are a disappointment. If you want a 49/56, pay a little more and buy an older import. Also, don't buy one converted to .308. The chamber was modified with a glued in place insert. The question is not "if" but "when" is that insert going to blow out? There are also reliability issues because the design was calibrated for the 7.5 round.

 

[303_enfield]

New stock, new parts and metal redone. Walk away, go to a good show an find an older import.

 

[LuckyShot]

I need to go check my mas 49/56 if it has an import mark. I've had it since '10...the I.O. import mark of death i avoid typically

 

[Combloc]

Older century imports are discreetly marked on the rail.

 

[LuckyShot]

mine is not even import marked...13 years i didnt even realize it. I've shot it a lot back when 7.5 was $13/b and even hunted with it.

Doesn't have a refurb stamp as well.

 

[Combloc]

Please, show us some pictures. It isn't often we get to look at a non-refurb.

 

[clandestine]

I have been told the bores, chambers, and gas system on some of the later imports are not in the best of shape. That may not be true though.

A direct impingement rifle with with a corroded chamber and gas system will usually not run well.

 

[mawkie]

Often the bores on these were not blocked off when they were arsenal re-finished and the bore got zinc parkerized. Shoot 'em enough and the parkerizing wears away to the original metal beneath. That's how my very early Century import 49/56 is. I have no experience with later batches of imports but the early ones with dark bores are OK. The French would never re-work and place into reserve a rifle with a sub-standard condition bore.
If this one was not arsenal re-finished then I'd take a pass, as others have advised. I'd only be looking at a 49 or 49/56 that was arsenal reworked. They're not so rare as to be worth the gamble and the price on this one isn't that much of a bargain. There are a couple of Century imports coming up at auction on Friday. Both look outstanding. Worth bookmarking and watching. Holiday weekends can be a good time for bargain hunting as many competitors are away with family commitments. Current bidding on both is $400 with a 15 point vig. or $460 before shipping. I'll bet they hammer in the low $800s.