Source
r/GunnitRust•
hasbridge

3D printed a replacement knob for my new MAS 49/56

3-D printed
3D printed a replacement knob for my new MAS 49/56

Posted Aug 27, 2020, 8:35 AM UTC

717
hasbridgeOP•

I picked up this Century MAS 49/56 a couple days ago that was missing the charging handle knob. Luckily someone has already designed a replacement and posted it to thingiverse, so it was a pretty quick fix. It's printed in ABS, 20% infill, and held on by a 3/32" X 5/8" roll pin. Since the original ones were plastic, this seems like a very appropriate solution. Although, I don't know what the french were thinking with the design of it, and why they didn't simply make it one piece like an SKS, AK, etc.

7
thepioneeringlemming•

Nice repair. How are the originals attached, are they screwed in to the top of the carrier? I am pretty much resigned myself to the fact it will break one day.

The MAS 49/56 is pretty cool though, it handles really well particularly when shooting from a standing position. It also looks like it was styled after some sort of ray gun from 50's sci-fi.

There are good reasons to have the white charging handle

  • night fighting - white is easier to see in dark
  • heat - does not get as hot, this is a DI gun so the carrier does get a bit hot after prolonged firing. Plus the French at the time were patrolling around in the heat of Algeria which would make metal toasty to say the least.
  • inept conscript proof - range safety officer can easily see bolt is to the rear. I think this also explains ungodly trigger weight (you can literally lift the rifle up by its trigger).
  • malfunction proof - The plastic knob gives good purchase when cocking the rifle, if there was a metal handle there would be a risk of the hand slipping off which could lead to all sorts of malfunctions like double feeds. Grenade launching blanks were loaded individually with the gas cut off engaged, so reducing any possible chance of a slip up is a good thing.
  • military thinking - if it isn't going to break within the projected service life of the rifle then it isn't a problem.

​

I have noticed from pictures that MAS 49's seem to be made of a more yellowy brittle plastic and 56's seem to fair a bit better with a semi-translucent white plastic. Some 56's seem to use the yellow plastic, I am not sure whether they are using older 49 handles, an earlier 56 plastic, or are discoloured 56 handles. It'll be nice to find out whether every handle is a ticking timebomb, or whether only some handles are effected.

6
hasbridgeOP•

I saw a couple variations of it online, one of which appeared to be black nylon - that's the one this is patterned after I think. I'm not sure what the yellow/white ones were made from, but those seem to be broken more often.

As far as how the original attaches, mine is missing the hardware, so I don't have a great reference. Looking at pictures though, it looks like it was a pin with 2 curved washers on either end, and then the pin peened/mushroomed over on the ends to keep everything tight.

3
GunnitRustParticipant & Moderator•

Nice. Hope to see you in a few weeks.

https://www.reddit.com/r/GunnitRust/comments/fsec00/winter_rust_2020_results_and_summer_rust_2020/

Will you have anything else for us?

4
hasbridgeOP•

Hmm, I have a 3D printed G17 I could submit - it's a bit more interesting than a charging handle.

5
GunnitRustParticipant & Moderator•

Good Good Added

3
Bigbore_729Participant•

I own a 3D printer and it's still like magic to me. Technology is so fucking cool. Nice print 👍

2