Spanish FR8 Rifle
Anybody have input/info on these carbines (quality, accuracy, etc.)? Thanks!
0
-
Be sure you have the FR-8 not the FR-7. The 8 was a arsenal rework of the M-43 (standard 98 action) 8mm Mauser caliber rifle. It was converted to 7.62 x 51 in the 50's.
Supposedly it's stronger then the FR-7, which was converted from the 7mm rifles that dated from the 1890's.0 -
DWS,
I think that the FR-8 is a very interesting carbine. As rufe-snow says, it is based on the M-43 which is an M98 Mauser receiver and has the 3 lug design. I like the adjustable rear aperture sight, just spin the dial and pick the size or shape that you prefer for seeing the front sight. I am not a great open sight shooter but even I was able to shoot 2-1/2" to 3", five shot groups at 100 yards with Winchester white box 7.62x51 ammunition. Not great but certainly good enough for the infantry of the time. See below for the differences between the FR-7 and FR-8.
______________________________________________________________________
For many years, the model 1916 (based on the german Mauser mod. 1893) and, afterwards, model 1943 rifles (based on the german Mauser mod. 1898) were the official issue for the spanish Armies. However, after WW II, it was evident that the future trend was an individual weapon, capable of firing in both semi-auto or full-auto mode: The german Sturmgew?hr became, so, the spanish CETME Assault Rifle.
And, as the Army never throws away anything, someone proposed to create an hybrid rifle, making good use of the Mauser stock and locks to mount a CETME barrel. The Reformed Rifles 7 and 8 (or Fusil Reformado 7 and 8) had been born.
The FR-7 was based on the 1916 rifle (recognisable by its curved lever and its two-lugs locking), and the FR-8 on the 1943 model (with a three-lug locking and a straight lever).
Is it safe to shoot a 7'62x51 NATO cartridge in a FR-8?
All the sources we've asked said the same: Of course. The FR-8 has a CETME "C" barrel, designed to withstand the presures of the 7'62x51 NATO cartridge (although it's true that the CETME "A" was designed to fire the 7'62x51 CETME, with lesser power), and the locking system of the 1943 rifle (Mauser 1898) designed to withstand the lesser pressures of the 7'92 cartridge, but still a tough piece of hardware.
Good, and what about the FR-7?
In this case, the answer is a bit uncertain, as, even using the same barrel, the bolt was designed to withstand the pressures originated by the 7mm cartridge fired by the 1916 rifle (Mauser 1893), with lesser performances. However, we've never heard of an accident involving a FR-7 or FR-8.
Those answers cover 7'62x51 NATO cartridges. Keep in mind that commercial .308 ammo has different behavior.
In any case, you should remember that every gun is a case in itself, and has to be carefully inspected and studied before firing.
http://web.jet.es/rafa/e_spsteel_cetmeton.html0 -
I've always thought this rifle was interesting, and am currently bidding on one on another auction site. Thanks much for your helpful replies. 0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
3 comments