"FUSTAN" - The Competition Rimfire MAS-36 for North Africa

Published on November 24, 2021
Duration: 11:38

The FUSTAN was a rare .22 LR competition variant of the French MAS-36 rifle, developed in the early 1940s and revived for North African shooting societies in 1947. Unlike military trainers, it was a dedicated single-shot rimfire rifle with precision features like an adjustable aperture sight, a specialized two-prong firing pin, and a heavy barrel with adjustable balance. Production was limited to around 200 units, yet these rifles achieved significant success in junior championships.

Quick Summary

The FUSTAN MAS-36 is a rare .22 LR competition variant of the French MAS-36 rifle, developed for North African shooting societies. It features a single-shot action, adjustable aperture sights, a specialized two-prong firing pin, and a heavy barrel with adjustable balance, with only about 200 produced.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the FUSTAN MAS-36
  2. 00:21FUSTAN vs. Military Trainers
  3. 01:34Development History & Revival
  4. 02:20The FUSTAN Organization Explained
  5. 03:34Receiver Markings: Precision Cal. 5,5
  6. 04:10Sights and Single-Shot Action
  7. 05:59Bolt Mechanics: Rimfire Firing Pin
  8. 06:52Competition Trigger and Features
  9. 08:56Barrel Profile and Balance System
  10. 10:21Production Numbers and Championship Wins

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FUSTAN MAS-36?

The FUSTAN MAS-36 is a rare, dedicated .22 LR rimfire competition variant of the French MAS-36 bolt-action rifle. Developed in the early 1940s and revived in 1947 for North African shooting societies, it featured precision components for target shooting.

How does the FUSTAN differ from standard MAS-36 military trainers?

Unlike military 'Tir Réduit' trainers that used adapters to simulate full-sized rounds, the FUSTAN was a purpose-built single-shot .22 LR rifle. It incorporated specialized competition features for enhanced accuracy and handling.

What are the key competition features of the MAS-36 FUSTAN?

The FUSTAN boasts a high-quality adjustable rear aperture sight, a crisp two-stage competition trigger, a serrated buttplate and trigger guard for grip, and a heavy barrel with a unique muzzle weight tube for balance adjustment.

How many MAS-36 FUSTAN rifles were produced?

Production of the MAS-36 FUSTAN was very limited, with only approximately 200 units manufactured in 1947. Despite its rarity, these rifles achieved notable success in competitive shooting.

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