Comments for So, what'd I do with the money I got as a gift for my birthday?

So, what'd I do with the money I got as a gift for my birthday?

Sat, 09 Aug 2008 10:16:16 -0600

Bought a rifle, of course. A spanish rifle, the FR8. The FR8, and it's close cousin, the FR7, are bolt action rifles in 7.62 Nato caliber that between them *also* offer a mini-history of Paul Mauser's inspired rifle design. The FR7 is a two lug, curved handle bolt action based on the Spanish Mauser Modelo 1916 (itself based on the german Mauser Model 1893) and the FR8 is a three lug, straight bolt handled rifle based on the Modelo 1943, which is based on the german Mauser Model 1898 rifle. The M1916 and M1943 were the basic arm of the Spanish armed forces through WWII. Noting the lessons of WWII, and having made themselves a haven for now-expatriate german firearms designers, the Spanish government decided to develop an assault rifle of their own, the CETME... which is based on the German Heckler and Koch G-series assault rifles.

Comment from deMontjoie on 2008-08-10

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 10:52:02 -0600

Ah yes -- back when Rose's still sold guns. The Lex Park Rose's is still there, but has nuthin' inside that anyone would want to buy. The Dollar Store has higher quality stuff and better service.

Where DID you get the FR-8? I've been thinking about getting one for a while, but just haven't seen any available (either retail or wholesale). I really like the idea of commonality of caliber -- I've got a CETME, a Mauser-98 (converted by the Israelis), and an Ishapore Enfield -- all in .308.

Comment from MR T's Haircut on 2008-08-10

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 09:14:23 -0600

This rifle led to my purchase of my first SKS.

I purchased a FR-8 from Roses in Lexington Park MD in 1994. Used in box but man did it feel good in my hands... well I got it home, cleaned it and noticed the action was terribly loose. Took it the gunsmith who recommend AGAINST firing it and said it would be more than the gun would cost to repair. SO... I took it back and swapped it out for a NORINCO SKS new in box, pre-ban...

Roses... what a great deal!

Wish I kept the rifle...

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2008-08-09

Sat, 09 Aug 2008 16:05:28 -0600

Oh, that's not a minor error, Heartless, in the era of Google.

I blame the gout.

Comment from Cannoneer No. 4 on 2008-08-09

Sat, 09 Aug 2008 13:23:21 -0600

Views of an FR-8 Mauser

the FR-7 was developed using the 1916 Mauser actions. This action has two instead of three lugs on the bolt.

The FR-8 I had was 95%, La Coruna 1954. $100.00 at Rose's in 1995.

Comment from Heartless Libertarian on 2008-08-09

Sat, 09 Aug 2008 11:46:41 -0600

I've been wanting one of those for a long while...can never seem to find one when I have $$.

One minor error...the H&K (marketing slogan: Because you suck! And we hate you!) G3 and it's progeny are based on the CETME, not the other way around.