M14 Forum

gregaba · January 9th, 2012, 11:09 AM

Hi
Anybody know anything about these?
I have heard these were rebarreled in the 60s for 7.62 nato. If they are safe to shoot I think I would like to find one to buy.
Would probally install a longer barrel and restock one for long range shooting.
Not sure how accurate they would be with the short carbine barrel.
Thanks
Greg

brassmagnet · January 9th, 2012, 11:17 AM

Friend of mine had one 10 years back or so - all I remember is it kicked like a mule! Worked fine - short and handy, but I wouldn't have one myself.....

GardenValley · January 9th, 2012, 11:37 AM

The FR8 rifles were converted by the Spanish using their manufacture M1943 rifles which were a copy of the German M98 Mauser. These rifles were originally chambered in 8mm Mauser and are safe to fire with 7.62 NATO ammo.

The versatility of the FR8 is in it's short length making it a very handy rifle, but, agreeably, the muzzle blast and felt recoil are both somewhat enhanced. I would not advise purchasing one of these with a plan to rebarrel and restock it. The market value of FR8 rifles has steadily increased so there is little purpose in losing that value. I believe there are other more economical approaches to such a project.

USMC6094 · January 11th, 2012, 05:02 PM

I second that.........

The rear sight base is forged into the receiver bridge and itd take a LOT of work to sporterize one.

and definetly +1 on the felt recoil and kick.

Mindfield · January 11th, 2012, 05:08 PM

if you want a comp rifle buy one for competition dont destroy a piece of history, the FR8s are valuable and increasing in cost, they are good short handy rifles but kick hard(and Im an Enfield shooter)

huntinghawk · January 11th, 2012, 05:28 PM

I have a FR8 & its a great little rifle IMO. When 7.62 became the NATO standard quick fix to change calibers for the Spanish was putting CETME barrels on their bolt guns. The full length rifles were the FR7.

HH

Mavarick · January 11th, 2012, 05:38 PM

+1
Have one and lots of fun, 5 round captive mag, kick is so so for a .308 , and muzzle flash is great at night, good for the bush as well due to length,

huntinghawk · January 11th, 2012, 05:51 PM

http://zoneballistic.com/colinsballistics/fr-8.html

I've never been able to find the little cleaning kit that goes in the tube.

HH

gregaba · January 11th, 2012, 06:11 PM

Hi
Thanks for the answers. I was just looking for something to play around with. Don't really want to ruin a valuable weapon.
I never heard of the FR 7 but will start looking for one.
I wasn't going to scope it.I really like to use iron site's but if my eyesite goes I will have no other choice.
I have a 93 mauser that I am going to scope and rebarrel, again just something to play around with.
Thanks again
Greg

huntinghawk · January 11th, 2012, 06:16 PM

I would not recommend trying to shoot 308WIN in either the FR7 or FR8. Use standard military surplus 7.62NATO.

HH

gregaba · January 11th, 2012, 06:51 PM

Gottcha on that. I have noticed that everyone interchanges 7.62 and 308 in these older rifles.
Someone who didn't know the difference could get hurt.
I know that sometimes I will do that because the two calibers have been interchanged in the shooting press since the M14 came out.
Greg

huntinghawk · January 11th, 2012, 06:56 PM

Its a matter of headspace.

HH

gregaba · January 11th, 2012, 07:27 PM

I don't know the difference as I am not a gun smith. I am starting to learn a little by going to the good forum's.
With help from members like you and a lot of others I am slowly starting to pick up on what I need to know as least to make dicessions about what to do next.
I have allways been a shooter and just knew the basics about care and cleaning. I hope to learn more here.
I have ordered some books recomended from people on this site and others. Should start to get them in soon.
Thanks
Greg

ElToro · January 11th, 2012, 07:33 PM

much internet ink has been spilled on FR7 and FR8 and 7.62 and 308 and 7.62 cetme. of course they are all different things.

get the FR8 if you can. very cool little handy rifles. i have one and its very accurate for an iron sighted milsurp. has HK style globe sights and what other bolt action has that profile ?! it almost looks like like a semi auto from afar

i have never seen a FR7 or 7.62 cetme ammo offered for sale so i dont think thats even pertinent to the conversation, FWIW its built on a 93 action

i have shot hundreds of rounds of factory .308 and hundreds more 7.62 milsurp through mine, never saw any signs of fatigue or otherwise over pressure. its built on a 98 action.

if you buy it and decide you dont like it cuz your afraid to shoot .308 in it, i will buy it from you sight unseen. i got mine for $150, i see them upwards of $400 now.

Bolt2bounce · January 11th, 2012, 07:57 PM

They are closer to $500 than $400 these days I had two of them at one point.. one was modified by the previous owner removed by the rear sight and he did trigger work also .. I sold it and kept the original but I should have kept both.. as they are good shooters.. I did add a decelerator soft rubber but pad to mine as the stock steel butt plate is hard on the shoulder and the rubber pad make it a pleasure to shoot... I also put a scout scope mount and red dot sight on mine.. with out any doing any permanant mods..it a nice little scout bolt gun and I can use stripper clips and optics... I thought the FR8 was a small ring Mauser action.. but I don't know for sure.. I just get a Standard Mauser rifle if you wish to sporter-ize it... AKA butcher-ize up.. cost you less and will be far easier to fund... I have shot many 308 reloads and 762mm ball through mine with never a problem.. B2B