FR8 - Any takers?

[WiFAL]

Since discovering the FAL I've taken a new interest in the 308/7.62x51 NATO cartridge. I've read the posts at Milsurpshoooter and Gunboards re: weak Spanish steel and 308 CETME vs. 308 NATO, so I know about that.

Anybody here shoot a FR8? I'm this close to buying one.

[TapperMan]

I picked up one of the Century cracked stock FR8s last fall. Pinned the crack with threaded brass rod and acraglass, and it looks as good as new. I've only had a chance to shoot it once, but it took the surplus Port just fine. I was told by the two hunters sighting in at the range that it was a little loud, but I like it.

[WiFAL]

Thanks for your post TapperMan. I have just got to have one of these things so the more positive reinforcement I can get, the better.

By the way. Did I see a post by you a while back that acknowledged you're in the Milwaukee metro area? Have you ever been to the Racine Gun Club? I heard they have a 600 yard range and you can shoot milsurp ammo there.

[Tony.]

Here is more discussion on the "weak" steel.

FR-8 Steel Discussion (http://pub42.ezboard.com/fparallaxscurioandrelicfirearmsforumsfrm10.showMes sage?topicID=713.topic)

I have two FR-8's which I bought from Century as UFIXEM's. The only thing that needed to be fixed was a chunk out of the butstock on one. I believe that they were parade rifles. The other one had nothing to fix. Each rifle was detail stripped, cleaned and reoiled.

Now the problem, each of them has very little indication of firing, little wear on the bolt, bolt face, and handle. The bore is in VG to Exc. condition, but neither of them will pass the no-go headspace gage test. :(

I am going to get a field gage (yes I know about the masking tape trick, but $15 is cheap insurance for keeping my face as is) and see if they pass the field gage. If not they will be retired as non-shooters.

[ProGun1]

Well, if anyone has a UFIXEM for sale with matching numbers, let me know. Thanks. ga_shooter@yahoo.com

[TapperMan]

WiFAL, I'm in Madison, but usually only get to shoot up north at the county range near Eagle River (my family has a summer place up there), or my in-laws acreage out in Iowa county, but I'm trying not to abuse that privilege. I've got to find something a little closer.

[CaptainCandy]

WiFal, I'm a member of Daniel Boone Conservation League in Hubertus,WI. They have good ranges and are friendly to everything but tracers, indiscriminate rapid fire and full auto. DBCL (http://www.dbcl.org/)

Chris

[WiFAL]

Captain Candy - I've seen the Daniel Boone people at the last couple of gun shows in Milwaukee. No doubt they have a nice range. My secretary's dad has been a member forever. When I lived in Menomonee Falls it was reasonably close and my neighbors were members. Now I live one mile north of the Racine County line. I still go to the Menomonee Falls Gun Club for their annual deer season clinics but I need to find a place to shoot on my end of town.

DontTouchMyGuns - I tried the tape test today on an FR8. The headspace seemed right and the saleperson told me that CIA guarantees that each rifle is headspaced and safe to shoot. I passed on this one but I still want an FR8.

[dirtshooter]

I have an FR8 I got at a gun show. I shot a stump with it with factory Remington ammo. Shoots and extract without any problems.

Have you seen this page?: http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Geyser/6125/Images/FR-8/fr-8.htm

I only have 1. 1 is fun but they don't seem to have the bug like FALs.

Chuck

[Ken Carter]

I have a FR8 that I have had for about
7 or 8 years. Great shooter but kicks like
a mule. Great Bush rifle.

[Crazy Ivan]

I was wondering when Kyrie would show up again :rolleyes: . He has been roundly discredited in the past over this issue and undoubtably will again. People have been pressing him for ANY evidence of his assertions for years and he has come up with nothing.

Don't worry about shooting your FR-8, it will hold up as well as any other Mauser 98 in equal condition. I have been shooting NATO ammo in mine for almost 10 years with no problems whatsoever.

[Rule .308]

I own two of them, one I have had for years and one recent Big 5 acquisition. The older of the two I have shot a fair amount using mostly Radway and Hirt. They work just fine but as previously posted, they kick like the proverbial mule for sure. :D

[shortround]

I think the "weakness" fear comes from the FR8's predecessor the FR7 which looks almost identical but is built on the 1916 small ring action. I have an FR7 also, and have shot more milsurp rounds through it than I want to think about (before knowing better). The FR8 is built on the large ring action, and I doubt it's any less strong than other 98's.

[Tony.]

The thing that bothers me about both of my FR-8's is that they won't pass a NOGO headspace test. I have a FIELD gage on the way from Brownells.

Both of mine have matching bolts/receivers and little indication of firing. :confused:

BTW: I am selling a semi-finished stock and handguard set in MARKETPLACE.

[WiFAL]

I had the opportunity to check out a few more FR8s in town. They showed more exterior metal pitting and stock defects that the one I was considering.

The FR8 I'm thinking about buying has perfect wood, not a nick or scratch. The metal finish is all there except for the outside edges of the flash hider. All the the finish remains on the bolt and the feed plate of the mag well.

The bolt turns in much more firmly and the safety snaps harder than the other FR8s I've handled. The serial numbers of the bolt and rifle match. Year on the rifle is 1956, which is pretty late. Given the firm mechanics of the bolt/safety and the good wood, I'm thinking this rifle was carried or used little.

How firmly should the bolt on a little used Mauser turn? Should it be as easy as a sporting rifle, say Remington 700 or should it take a firm push to turn the bolt down?

[ February 25, 2002: Message edited by: WiFAL ]

[CaptainCandy]

WiFal, where locally besides Dunhams have you found good deals on C&R firearms?
Chris

[bookertbab]

Originally posted by DontTouchMyGuns:
<STRONG>The thing that bothers me about both of my FR-8's is that they won't pass a NOGO headspace test. I have a FIELD gage on the way from Brownells.

</STRONG>

I have 2 ufixems here and they both pass the field guage test. If yours fail you might try swapping bolts untill you find one that will pass the HS check. Century has bolt bodies for $7, or 5 for $30 I think. Buy 5 and start swapping. But first try the swapping the 2 FR-8 bolts you have now, so what if the numbers don't match, these are shooters.

[WiFAL]

Captian Candy - Dunhams is it for C&R aside from local gun shows. We're fortunate to have a few Dunhams in the metro area so you can sometimes find items at one that are not at others or in greater supply at one store.