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McCann Industries MAS 49/56 in the Elbonian Royal Air Service (Ad-free)
🕑 Added 2024-05-20 12:00:10 +0000 UTCElbonian Royal Air Service merch: https://www.varusteleka.com/en/product/forgotten-weapons-royal-air-service-elbonia-t-shirt-cotton/78756
In the early 2000s, the Elbonian Royal Air Service was looking for an aerial interdiction rifle - something to arm snipers in dirigibles, for shooting down light aircraft and drones. In this, they were remarkably similar to a mission performed by French Army de l'Air snipers - and the Albanians made the critical mistake of attempting to copy the French.
They purchased surplus MAS 49/56 rifles from McCann Industries in the United States. These were rifles converted to 7.62x51mm, and then fitted with McCann's modernization package. McCann manufactured a new aluminum lower that used AR grips and stocks, and fitted the barrels with quad rail assemblies.
The Real Story:
This is in fact one of the very few McCann Industries modernized MAS 49/56 rifles produced. It is also, in fact, very similar to the MAS 49/56 MSB and the modernization work done by French gunsmith Herlé Kaigre. The French Air Force snipers did apparently at least test one or two of this sort of modernized 49/56, as the semiauto action offered benefits over their bolt action FR-G rifles. Ultimately, though, they adopted the FN SCAR-H a few years ago. And yes, the aerial interdiction mission is a real thing.
Comments
Douglas Knapp
Uhhhhhhhh . . . . .. is it April 1st?
Glenn Miller
Always a pleasure to watch an update on Elbonian armament!
Michael Ford
Typo in the description -- something auto-corrected 'Elbonia' to 'Albania.'
z c
The French custom screws to prevent full takedown in the Mas-49/56 were very frustrating when having to clean all the cosmoline out. They really did not want their troops to mess with their guns.
David T Klein
The rear-receiver seems so well thought-out and professional. The work around the barrel and front-end seems so . . . . . . janky (?). If the Elbonians had used the magazine that came with it instead of a modified FAL magazine, would it have been more reliable and consistent loading and ejecting bullets? That seemed like a perturbing number of malfunctions in so few shots. Poor Elbonians. They just can't seem to win.
Guido Schriewer
WHATthebubba...?! so it has the original rear sight, which isn't bad, but no front sight? the rail and dust cover take down isn't well thought out, one could say. just a little better executed the idea isn't exactly bad, is it. would have some potential. function: true elbonian rifle.
