The worst military rifle

Joe Boleo · #1 09-26-2009, 06:53 AM

If you had to pick one military rifle of the last century that seemed to you to be the worst, what would it be? My vote would be the Canadian Ross model rifles. I bought one and could not believe it ever went to war. It was withdrawn from front line service in WWI and I can see why. Take care...
Joe

Adam Helmer · #2 09-26-2009, 07:21 AM

Joe,

Good question! I would say any of the French Bolt rifles from the M1873 Gras up to the MAS 1936. The reasons: NO safety, two piece bolt head held together with a machine screw and for the early 8mm Lebels, limited 3-round magazine capacity.

Adam

Jack · #3 09-26-2009, 10:30 AM

I believe I'd vote for the Lebel. That thing is just plain dreadful. The MAS 36 isn't a lot better.

Adam Helmer · #4 09-27-2009, 02:23 PM

Jack,

I gotta agree with you about the Lebel. I never understood the French Military thinking about NO safety on their issue rifles when every other nation incorporated a safety. I have asked before, hopefully from a French GI, to explain to me how they carried their rifles: Chamber empty or chamber loaded and muzzles up? If chamber empty, cranking the bolt would alert the invading Huns to draw down on the French soldier.

Adam

Mr. 16 gauge · #5 09-27-2009, 05:51 PM

Quote:

I have asked before, hopefully from a French GI, to explain to me how they carried their rifles: Chamber empty or chamber loaded and muzzles up? If chamber empty, cranking the bolt would alert the invading Huns to draw down on the French soldier.

I think that the correct answer is "none of the above"....from what I understand, they carried their rifles empty and then just dropped them on the ground and threw their hands in the air at the first sign of any oppositional forces.

Not really a 'rifle', but I've heard that the Chauchat was pretty wretched....exposed magazines and the gun itself looks like it was made out of refuse from a junkyard!

dovehunter · #6 09-28-2009, 02:33 PM

Why don't we just simplify things a bit and say all French military rifles up through WW2. Why do you think they were so good at surrendering and/or running away? We may want to add the Italian Carcano to the list too.

Gil Martin · #7 10-01-2009, 04:35 PM

The Canadian Ross would not be my first choice for a must have rifle. All the best...
Gil

Dutchman01 · #8 10-01-2009, 09:27 PM

the italian carcano would be one I wouldn't want to be stuck with.

gumpokc · #9 10-04-2009, 11:59 PM

I agree with dutchman, the carcano was pretty worthless.

The Lebel was not a good weapon either, not sure what it's designer was thinking, but thats just me

Jack · #10 10-05-2009, 12:58 AM

I can't argue with the Carcano, either- that thing is a pretty feeble design.

Rapier · #11 10-07-2009, 04:42 PM

The Carcano in its varoious versions. Not only was the gun crap but the ammo was awful, loaded with different powders and powder charges and hangfires out the wazoo. Then to beat all, the ammo came in clips and had several different ammo loads on one clip. Poor spegetti snappers got a piece of garbage and garbage to put in it as an enhancement.
Best,
Ed

But, The French have to win most favored nation status for producing the most consistant trash for the longest period of time.

Dan Morris · #12 10-07-2009, 09:31 PM

Carcano....I thought the Warren Comm said it was excellent????????????????
Dan

Seawolf1090 · #13 02-04-2010, 07:34 AM

The Carcano turned out to be a very strong action - but then, so is a rock. The sights were primitive and dreadful. Late war carbines had a fixed block of steel with a crude notch......
Never shot one - only ammo I could find locally was that Norma stuff that you had to mortgage your house to buy a box of.
A buddy has the french MAS 36 and MAS49/56 rifles - they are actually very good shooters! I always did wonder about the lack of safety though. There were a few MAS36 rifles modified for hunting with safeties added (similar to the SKS safety) but they are scarce here.