MAS 36 restoration, undoing sporterization butchery

[RooftopKorean]

I got a sporterized MAS 36 from Kev74 for a great price and now it's time to return the gal back to her former glory.

I've always been opposed to sporterization of classic rifles.

This is the before:


This is the current:


Keep in mind I still haven't received the mid band swivel mount/screw and front end cap.

Once I receive these items and I'm able to do a final fit test I will be sanding down the forend (specifically around the mid band to where the chipping is) and handguard. Then I'll be resealing with boiled linseed oil.

I will also be taking a steel wool brush to the new-old metal items like the handguard and mid bands.

The final thing I will be doing is getting threading kit/annular cutting bit from CNC Warrior. The goal is to attach a muzzle device to gain some length back from what was chopped off the barrel during sporterization. From the looks of it, they took off approximately 2-3 inches.

I'd be looking into a muzzle brake similar to below image or a M1A style flash hider; something that has roughly the same length to what was chopped off.

 

[Jsmegs77]

Nice to see an old gun getting some love. Had my eye on that one for awhile but life got in the way.

 

[kev74]

undoing sporterization butchery

I'm glad I'm not the one who sporterized it!

 

[GOYABEAN]

Nice to see an old gun getting some love. Had my eye on that one for awhile but life got in the way.

#Me2 only problem was distance

 

[RooftopKorean]

I'm glad I'm not the one who sporterized it!

Yup, you were very vocal about that

 

[kev74]

Yup, you were very vocal about that

I did jewel the bolt though.

 

[RooftopKorean]

I did jewel the bolt though.

I was wondering how it got like that. I thought Century Arms sure did go to a lot of trouble.

That must have been time consuming.

 

[CaseHardened]

Actually the BEFORE was not really hideous.

The AFTER certainly is an improvement, tho.

 

[Jsmegs77]

I really like the stubby look of full forend and short barrel. Looks like something you'd see slung across a French resistance fighter's back...

 

[BDinPutnam]

Well, better butchery than botchery.

 

[RooftopKorean]

Ordered up a spike bayonet from the Netherlands because the one on eBay which started at $50 is now at $167; no doubt someone bidding on their own shit. Got one from Edged Weapons for 95 € including shipping.

Also ordered a surplus strap and waiting on Apex tactical and Sarco to mail out some metal hardware.

Just have to get CNC Warrior to answer his email or phone to see if he has an annular cutter that will work on a MAS-36 barrel diameter.

 

[GOYABEAN]

I've been eyeballing this one a forum member has F/S but it's far away and he's not interested in shipping

 

[RooftopKorean]

Ordered my barrel threading tools from Carolina Shooters today. Got the annular cutter, pilot and threading kit for .308 in M14 x 1 LH and a Tabuk flash hider.

Since I am putting the muzzle device on to gain back some barrel length I wanted to find something that was going to be no bigger than .800 diameter not to interfere with the bayonet tube and front end cap but still have functionality.

Lets hope I don't fuck up the barrel since it will be my first time threading.

Got my stripper clips in today as well. Just some bullshit dummy rounds I made.

 

[GOYABEAN]

Ordered my barrel threading tools from Carolina Shooters today. Got the annular cutter, pilot and threading kit for .308 in M14 x 1 LH and a Tabuk flash hider.

Since I am putting the muzzle device on to gain back some barrel length I wanted to find something that was going to be no bigger than .800 diameter not to interfere with the bayonet tube and front end cap but still have functionality.

Lets hope I don't fuck up the barrel since it will be my first time threading.

Got my stripper clips in today as well. Just some bullshit dummy rounds I made.

View attachment 72881

If you do Fuck up just send $200 for SBR stamp

 

[kev74]

If you do Fuck up just send $200 for SBR stamp

...and move out of New York.

 

[RooftopKorean]

So I'm still waiting for Carolina Shooters to send out my threading and annular cutter tools.

I did get my Front end cap and mid band screw from Sarco and sling loop from Apex Tactical.

Both items that came from Sarco were in shit condition. The front end cap had the old bolt broken off on the screw end so I had to drill it out and tap the hole again and the mid band screw was completely rusted out and broken not having enough length to secure the mid band.

I lucky found a screw that had the same thread size as the mid band. I think I will attempt to blue the zinc screw I ended up cutting down to replace the shit one I received from Sarco.





I also did a light sanding to get rid of the chipping around the mid band. I applied one coat of boiled linseed oil to see how much of the stain was in the wood. I'll have to do a light sand tomorrow on the hand guard and forend and toss some Varathane Gunstock colored wood stain and see how it matches to the stock.

Here she is assembled without the threading or flash hider on yet.



Hopefully the sling, bayonet, flash hider and threading tools will arrive soon.

 

[Vapor]

#me too
#notonemore

In all seriousness it looks good sir.

 

[kev74]

So I'm still waiting for Carolina Shooters to send out my threading and annular cutter tools.

I did get my Front end cap and mid band screw from Sarco and sling loop from Apex Tactical.

Both items that came from Sarco were in shit condition. The front end cap had the old bolt broken off on the screw end so I had to drill it out and tap the hole again and the mid band screw was completely rusted out and broken not having enough length to secure the mid band.

I lucky found a screw that had the same thread size as the mid band. I think I will attempt to blue the zinc screw I ended up cutting down to replace the shit one I received from Sarco.

View attachment 73204

View attachment 73205

I also did a light sanding to get rid of the chipping around the mid band. I applied one coat of boiled linseed oil to see how much of the stain was in the wood. I'll have to do a light sand tomorrow on the hand guard and forend and toss some Varathane Gunstock colored wood stain and see how it matches to the stock.

Here she is assembled without the threading or flash hider on yet.

View attachment 73207

Hopefully the sling, bayonet, flash hider and threading tools will arrive soon.

Looks good!

If you cold blue that screw, you'll have to get the zinc off it first. Some peroxide will get it off pretty easily.

 

[RooftopKorean]

Looks good!

If you cold blue that screw, you'll have to get the zinc off it first. Some peroxide will get it off pretty easily.

I'm gonna tap a slightly bigger hole for the front end cap and use a bigger screw as the stock one isn't holding very well.

I'm gonna get the galvanizing off it, the mid band screw and nut. Hopefully after that I can use the rust remover and blue the metal parts.

 

[RooftopKorean]

I think I may need to sand the stock as well so I can match the color to the rest of the wood.

 

[Robin]

Gotta get rid of that philips head!
Robin

 

[RooftopKorean]

Gotta get rid of that philips head!
Robin

I'm not gonna buy another mid band screw and get screwed. The one I bought from Sarco was a disaster.

 

[togmaster]

I'm not gonna buy another mid band screw and get screwed. The one I bought from Sarco was a disaster.

What thread pitch? Should be able to get a slotted screw at a good hardware store.

 

[RooftopKorean]

What thread pitch? Should be able to get a slotted screw at a good hardware store.

Not sure what the thread pitch is. I just checked random screws I had laying around.

 

[kev74]

Not sure what the thread pitch is. I just checked random screws I had laying around.

What size did you tap the hole?

 

[RooftopKorean]

What size did you tap the hole?

I didn't tap that screw, just found one that fit. I suppose if I REALLY wanted to worry about getting a flathead that badly I could go waste time at Home Depot and sit there and find one that fits. I'd rather use that time to finish the stock.

Hopefully by tomorrow the stain will have set and I can start applying the boiled linseed oil to seal it.

I may buy a small can of darker varnish to see if I can match the stock stain and apply just one layer to darken it up some.

I guess at the same time I can sand down my Enfield wood parts and match all the stain on that as well.

 

[Robin]

Yeah, finding a flat head can be a long and tiresome ordeal. Me(?), I'm a realist with optimistic leanings, hell I spent my whole sophomore year in high school happily trying to get screwed.
Robin

 

[GOYABEAN]

McMaster-Carr

 

[RooftopKorean]

McMaster-Carr

Again, problem is I don't know the thread pitch. I just tried random screws I had in my miscellaneous box.

 

[GOYABEAN]

Again, problem is I don't know the thread pitch. I just tried random screws I had in my miscellaneous box.

Don't sweat it @ohms139 you've brought back a fallen soldier