The FR-7 and FR- 8 carbines were modified from earlier models of Spanish Mausers. It is said that they were created as training rifles for the select fire Cetme rifle.
The FR-7 was made from the 1916 model, a small ring mauser action, while the FR-8 was converted from the Model 43 large ring version.
I have only seen one FR-7 at gun shows, etc., while the FR-8 is more common. Since the FR-7 is a small ring action, I would be cautious firing .308 Winchester ammo in it, or even some 7.62x51 NATO, due to gas relief in event of a rupture.
From this article that Indy posted, it looks like they tested the Model 1916's in .308 Winchester (because of concerns with the higher pressure rounds) with no issues reported until they got way above SAAMI pressure specs for that round, which of course is higher pressure than standard 7.62 NATO round.
http://milsurpafterhours.com/bb/down...1abf&mode=view
I have an FR8. Really cool little gun. Would make a hell of a deer gun. Short, light, and has different sights then the old guns.
Reminds you of one of those Ruger gun sight rifles
Jim, I was referring to case ruptures, not about blowing up the gun. With the small ring mauser bolt shroud, you would get a face full of burning powder if a case fails.
Ah, okay. My misunderstanding! Should've known better than to question The Master.
If it's numbers matching with a good bore I'd say you did well. When I sold mine the completed auctions on GB had been getting close to $500 plus shipping.I got mine less then a year ago for 350 with bayonet.
Dave's guns and tubs. What a concept. Now, that takes me back. You certainly do get around.I don't know about the had for pennies. I sold a nice one last year for $450. They have went up along with every other milsurp riffle you can find. The first one I had I bought at daves guns and tubs in whiteland for $89 circus 1995. Being a dumb kid I bastardized it with a scope and butt pad. In turn helping to drive the cost of unmolested FR8s up.
Dave always had a hot tub standing in a corner somewhere. I can't believe you didn't call me out on my Donnie Baker comment. '' circus 1995 ''Dave's guns and tubs. What a concept. Now, that takes me back. You certainly do get around.
Excellent information! One question though....some of the articles talk about CETME ammo. Different from 7.62 NATO? Different from the 7.62x51mm L2A2 Ball Surplus Ammo from Malaysia currently floating around?