MAS-49/56
Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Etienne · Battle Rifle · Out Of Production · 1957
Also known as: MAS 49/56, Fusil Mle 1949/56, MAS Modele 1949-56
Overview
The MAS-49/56 is a French gas-operated, semi-automatic battle rifle chambered in 7.5x54mm French. Introduced in 1957 by Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Etienne, it incorporated lessons learned during the First Indochina War, the Algerian War, and the Suez Crisis to refine the original 1949 design. Improvements included a shortened barrel, lighter forend, integral NATO-standard 22mm grenade launcher, and a blade-bayonet mount, while retaining the rifle's distinctive direct gas impingement system and tilting bolt action.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4100 g (144.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1020 mm (40.16") |
| Barrel Length | 525 mm (20.67") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Direct Impingement |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 10 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 823 m/s (2700 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3072 J (2266 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1200 m (1312 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 270 mm (10.63") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 7.5x54mm French · primary — also known as 7.5 French, 7.5x54mm MAS, 7.5mm French Service, Cartouche Mle 1929 C
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine, Stripper Clip
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Magazine Safety
- Features: Tilting Bolt, Direct Impingement Gas, Stripper Clip Charging, Integral Grenade Launcher, Scope Rail, Blade Bayonet Mount, Iron Sights Aperture
Variants
- MAS-49/56 MSE — Sporterized
- MAS-49/56 7.62 NATO — Rechambered
Base model
Service history
Operators
- French Armed Forces · adopted 1957 · as Fusil MAS-49/56
- Algerian People's National Army · adopted 1962
- Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam)
- Public Force of Monaco
- Syrian Armed Forces
Conflicts
- First Indochina War (1946-1954)
- Algerian War (1954-1962)
- Suez Crisis (1956)
- Vietnam War (1955-1975)
- Shaba II (1978)
Production
Estimated total produced: 275,240 · Production years: 1957-1965
Total MAS-49/56 production at MAS Saint-Etienne, distinct from the earlier MAS-49 and the wartime MAS-44.
Origin
Country of origin: France
Designer: Léon Berthier
Discontinued: 1979
Notes
The MAS-49/56 served as the standard French infantry rifle until it was replaced by the FAMAS in 1979. A scope rail on the left side of the receiver accepts the APX L Modele 1953 3.85x telescope for designated marksman use. Some surplus rifles were rechambered for 7.62x51mm NATO (often poorly) and exported to the US civilian market.
Background
The MAS-49/56 was one of only a handful of service rifles ever fielded with a true direct-impingement gas system before the AR-15 made the design famous - a French innovation that traced back to the Swedish Ag m/42 Ljungman of 1942. Despite its outdated full-power cartridge and ten-round magazine, it remained in front-line French service until the bullpup FAMAS replaced it in 1979.