The FR8 ended up with the Civil Guards for most of its history. They would patrol the Spanish countryside in pairs, lugging an FR8 as their main firearms, and those patrols were known as the "gemelos" (twins).
I bought one because these are the coolest looking military bolt action ever made (if you didn't know any better, having the cleaning container in the front makes it look like a gas tube). I almost made a video on it a couple months ago, but need more work with the sights to be accurate. Very informative video.
They are neat rifles, but it's easy to rip the meat off your hand when running the bolt because of the tall rear sight... ask me how I know. I was bleeding like a stuck pig the day we filmed. 😂
@Military Arms Channel I never got to the point of running it... I was trying to figure out the sights from a rest and finally got that down before running out of .308 ammo that day. I will make sure to wear gloves if I attempt to run it :)
Finally the FR8 in this channel! As a spanish milsurp rifle collector i have been waiting this video for a long time! Thanks Tim and greetings from Italy! :-)
Hello, I have a spanish mauser with facist Spain markings. It's shorter than the regular Mauser's &The serial # starts with Z. Do you have an idea what it is ?
Awesome video. I bought my FR8 in the mid 90’s for under a $100 still packed in its original crate. It was originally a 1918 weapon. Glad I hung on to this one.
Powder Monkey Its a sweet rifle. I bought mine last summer, but.. bubba got to it... He tried to make a 2nd open v notch with the single peep all the way to the left. He Ended up cutting through the detent ball track, and I received the rifle with no ball or spring which then made the sight unusable....
BRant D That may be his choice, but that’s not going to stop me from calling him out for being a dumbass. Idiots who permanently chop up, and “Tacticool” their historic and antique rifles, then turn around 3 years later sell it to get something “better” are complete MORONS!
Love my FR-8. Got it at a flea market for a buck fifty over 20 years ago! It's a great deer rifle for the New England brush. Accurate as can be too. Even better cause one of my favorite "caught a couple jackasses trying to rob me" stories, goes with that gun.
As many wooden furniture bolt-action rifles saw dirt, mud and all that Earth has to offer there is something classy, sporty and elegant about them. Wish I could own one. Great video Tim, wish you guys and the other viewers a happy day!
I pined after an FR8 for MANY years, and finally bought one about a year ago after actively watching auctions for them for a while. I love it! It looks great, shoots bog-standard 7.62 NATO surplus or modern .308, and feels wonderful in the hands. But it kicks HARD. I mean it is a beast. I know exactly why - because it's so light and short - but it still hurts to shoot for prolonged periods of time. This year I plan to replace the flash hider with a suppressor mount to fire it with my .30 cal suppressor which should dampen the kick a bit and tame the noise too.
Great video thanks for posting - a historical note is that the Territorial Police of Spanish Sahara used the FR8 until the withdrawal of Spain from that territory in mid-seventies.
Aaaahhh...the nostalgia. As a former member of the Spanish Foreign Legion's Special Ops group, I learned to shoot with one of these and especially the CETME C in 88. They were still around in 1990 in our unit. We considered it accurate and rugged, but uncomfortable to shoot, with the metal butt plate. The CETME C was our workhorse. Reliable and much nicer to shoot. The newer CETME L we didn't like, and tried to stay away from. Thanks for showing a bit of Spanish military history! I really enjoyed it, and was surprised at your knowledge about our firearms.
As a US Marine, we are taught to get a very strong cheek weld when shooting. Big mistake with the FR-8. Busted out a filling on my tooth! Along with the No. 5 Enfield, not a very pleasurable rifle to shoot.
I picked one up three or four years ago, unissued, unfired, not even a mark on the the finish of the bolt from cycling it. Don't remember what I paid for it but guessing four or five hundred dollars. Just about everyone I've showed it to has tried to buy it from me. I then started looking for one as a shooter and never found one at a reasonable price. Beaters are going for more than I paid for my rifle.
Tim; The FR8 is one of my favorite milsurps to shoot, then are nice and compact and are affordable to feed. I have four in my collection and everytime I come across one for sale I just end up buying it. I also have a Ruger gunsite scout which to me is just a modern version of the FR8. thanks for the video.
Awesome bolt-action rifle Tim. I didn't know anything about the FR8 308 Spanish rifle until this video. Thanks for the knowledge an history of this awesome rifle Sir.
I’m sorry if someone already pointed this out, but the FR8 has the exact same barrel as the CETME and the exact same front sight block assembly. The reason for the cleaning kit tube was so that this same sight could be used, as it had the loops for the barrel and the cocking tube. Barrels were regular CETME barrels that were threaded to go into the Mauser receivers. Great guns, but like most 8mm conversions to 7.62, they’re finicky with the latter.
@Yuttmonster : Son las tuyas puntualizaciones muy interesantes acerca del CETMETÓN : CETme + mosqueTÓN. Excepto el error de concepto : El Mosquetón Maúser ESPAÑOL no recamaraba el 8x57, si nó el 7x57 ó 7 mm ESPAÑOL, de triste recuerdo en USA por la Toma de Las Cabezas de San Juan en La Guerra de Cuba, lo que, vista la superioridad de nuestro 7 mm ESPAÑOL, desembocó en el nacimiento del 30.03/30.06 Sprinfield. Saludos desde LA MADRE PATRIA, hermanos todos ! 💪🇪🇦
I remember walking around a gun show, 1990 or so and seeing one of these on a table. I thought it looked like a bolt action M1 .30 carbine and being a big fan of the .30, I bought one. I think I paid $110 for it, a bayonet, sling and a complete cleaning kit. I still have it but don't shoot it much, kicks like a mule.
Thats a Compton and Webb manufactured 94 pattern jacket. They were issued 12 months before the 95. The horendous matching trousers ripped at the knee the first time you went live firing in them so the ripstop 95s were introduced a year later.
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With my FR-8 you have to run the action like you're MAD at it. It works perfectly then. NEVER baby it. You can't break it. GET MEAN and it will work. I paid $150 for mine in 1992. The last I saw years ago was $550 wholesale.
03/25/2021 found a FR-8 on the shelf at my local gun store, I watched this video last year and now I own a FR-8. It is now one of my favorite bolt action rifles.
I had a Century clone that was very accurate and never failed to function with all kinds of ammo including the Junky Indian surplus M80 ball. I’d heard all kinds of bad things about them but mine ran flawless.
the barrel is actually the same they designed for the Cetme C , they flipped upside down the barrel and in the place of the charging handle the put the cleaning kit, actually a clever move
Of the many Mauser rifles I own, I have a lot of fun and have won a few action matches with my FR8. One thing to remember when you remove the bolt from any Mauser rifle is to put the safety in the up or load/un load position. This makes sure that the firing pin/striker cannot get un cocked and you can disassemble the bolt for cleaning. If the firing pin gets un cocked it's a real bitch to pull it back and twist to re cock to get the bolt back into the rifle.
In the 80s, every gun store in Canada had these....fairly cheap. My friends and I all bought them as a nice light, cool-looking hack around .308. Mine got stolen in a break in about 20 yrs ago. Miss it. I only just sold the bayonet this year....
FR8 Looks like it may boot a fella around almost as bad as an Enfield no.5 jungle carbine, another great video Tim..... thanks for braving the arctic vortex for us!
Thanks for video. I Have them both CETMEs in excellent shape. My Clone by CAI is perfect from 2001 made from a new parts kit.. My 1956 FR 8 in 2004 which is in excellent with a beautiful tiger striped stock and matching color wood hand guard. Has a very clear crest and metal not rough like yours. 300. from dealer.
I've had mine at least 20 yrs, mine hangs up some but nothing like yours, it's serial # is about 3000 lower and the date is 1953. Mine also has a new stock that matches the hand guard, so it was done during the conversion or later. Great rifle I'd never get rid of.
Your video is actually one of the best on FR8s or Spanish Mausers in general just because you never mentioned 7.62 CETME in any way. There is so much misinformation about that cartridge and Spanish Mausers. These rifles were always designed to shoot 7.62NATO from the start and 7.62CETME is in fact not a lower pressure cartridge as some people assumed either. People need to actually look at the manuals for once: imgur.com/a/j3lS2
It is VERY IMPORTANT to be sure you have an FR-8, and *NOT* an *FR-7.* The *FR-7* is also a Mauser, but it is built on the Spanish, M-1916, an M-1893 Mauser variant. The M-1916/FR-7 has only one locking lug, and is built from much softer metal, that will not withstand .308 pressures very well. Even with the lower pressure of the CETME round, a gas relief port was milled into the chamber area of the receiver, in the event of a blowout. This port *may* have been adequate for the CETME, but is not effective for the .308. The single locking lug, along with the softer metal, causes excessive head space wear, and can lead to catastrophic failure of the FR-7. As I understand it, ammunition for an FR-7 can be safely loaded with specifications for the .300 Savage, but even at that, I would still watch the head space.
The FR7 has two locking lugs and if it's in good shape it's safe with 308 civilian ammo, but you must check both headspace and locking lug engagement and inspect the bolt lugs for cracks. And you shouldn't use military ammo as some of it is loaded to higher pressures. There's a long story behind the FR7, but the short of it is that it was never really intended to use the standard NATO round; Spain made a special low-pressure aluminum-bulleted cartridge for it. They were made simply to allow Spain meet the minimum requirement for numbers of infantry guns chambered for the NATO round. Knowing this, little care was used in the conversions so some of these guns are indeed unsafe to fire with any full-power ammo, but the good examples are OK for limited service. When they were cheap they made for a good 'knock-around' gun you could toss into a truck and not worry about. I paid $79+ shipping for mine and after maybe 300 rounds it's still as tight as when I got it. Kicks like a mule but good enough for woodlands deer hunting.
I bought bought my1956, FR8, on sale, at Big5, in 2001 for $159.00 stock is excellent as well as the rest of the condition. bought the bayonet too. unmatched bolt though. it was marked down from $189.00. it originally came from Century according to the BOS. they were listed as the "manufacturer"
I remember firing one of these about a year ago and never heard of it. I was told it’s history and I was interested so I looked them up thinking they would be about a $400-$500 rifle but close to $1K is too much. I know it’s because of the quantities. Really unfortunate but I settled on a good M1916 Ubertti Mauser chambered in 7.62x51 not .308 so that’s a cool find
also one thing to notice. my father who is still in the military told me that if you can find a hole on de front sight post for better ilumination, that means that rifle has been through a second armorer (inside the military) who has tweaked the rifle, that is pretty cool since all parts might have been blued and headspaced after production so you should have a pretty accurate Cetme if it hasnt been beaten a lot by its past owner
A thought just occured to me when I watch as you tried to work the bolt on the FR8 from your shoulder, ( see from the 18:38 mark...) I have the exact same problem when trying to shoot with my Zastava M85. Now I know these two rifles are not in any way 'related' but, the bolt on the Zastava is not a pleasant bolt to work. I went to me case and took out the Zastava, and tried cycling the bolt from the hip,..and whaddya know,...the darned thing is considerably smoother. Whoda thunkit! Now to get this ting to the range and try this in practice. So I learned something else from watching these videos, Thanks.
I used Cetme C when l was in my military service, then l was able to see this FR8 weapon begining to Engineers in the Army in the decade if secenties. l am Spaniard.
Had two fixer uppers that needed stock. Sold one, fixed the other with a new stock, then traded it years later. I regret not keeping one. Harder to find now a days and higher priced.
I've wanted an CETME for about 30 years. It seemed to me that the CETME was very quiet, for a 7.62 N. I could actually hear the action cycling. Makes me want one even more!
When I was in the Navy, there was an FR8 at the gun shop in Port Orchard, Washington. I sooo wanted it. Still do, I'd like to make an "updated" version, probably from a Ruger American, with an AR style low magnification scope, although I do like the peep sights on the FR8.
The FR8 is one rifle I have in a bug out kit. Got it set up like a Scout Rifle and feel it fills that role rather well. Not the most accurate gun I own, I think I can only get about 2 MOA out of at best but may be my particular example. Love the gun, they are getting harder to find though. But when you can find them, I've seen a lot of people think it's made for 7.62 CETME so they sell them cheap(how I got mine).
I sporterized one about 25 yrs ago.....never did shoot worth a damn but I would like to have another one (unmolested). I wouldnt feel bad having it bounce around in the back of my suv. Good enough to take game in a pinch or discourage two legged vermin.
@@shootermcmillan I'm not a fan of sporterized rifles like that for one, but two... the FR8 in stock configuration was already set up nicely and didnt need anything done to it in my opinion. As far as shooting goes, I've shot about 3 of them in my time and seen a few more examples. Generally speaking accuracy seems to be military standard for the time which is about 4 MOA. With good ammo and such you can bring it down to about 2 MOA. Havent seen them go below 2 MOA, with the worst example I ever saw being an 8 MOA rifle as it was shot out pretty bad. I'd definitely feel bad about one being bang around these days unless of course it was a situation where it's life of death. But they arent cheap these days. I got mine for about $400, I've seen them lately going for about $600+. But you can still get old Spanish Mauser rifles for about $100 to $200. Just got to be careful with some of those older guns.
@@Predalien195 Yeah I regret doing it. A. Because it was never going to do what I was trying to get it to do B. It is a really cool looking rifle and would love to have one for plinking with now. It cost me maybe $100-150 at the time
@@shootermcmillan I am a bit of a collector to an extent of certain types of weapons. But I also like to shoot them instead of them collecting dust. Most sporterized guns to me ruin the aesthetics of the rifle to me but also some value as a collector. However, I do have a few I own because I do shoot them so much and that too can ruin value over time. I've undertaken a few projects to restore rifles to original military condition or as close as possible. Often it becomes more expensive than just buying one already in that condition so it's something I dont do much anymore. .308 isnt exactly my idea of a plinker to say the least, but I do enjoy that FR8 quite a bit.
@@Predalien195 I tend to agree with you these days,. I leave em alone. When I say plinker I guess I could qualify that. I have built a number of precision rifles in my lifetime, those don't get shot much. Usually I pull out the 10/22 beater in preference to the 10/22 custom tack driver.......an FR8 would get similar preference on range day over my Savage 10FP in a bell & Carlson stock because its simply more fun to plink with .
I purchased an FR8 about a year ago...... It has perfect rifling, great stock, and is dated 1949.... not 1950+. I've only found 3 that are pre 1950. Love the rifle! Would love to hear from everyone else that has a pre 1950.
Spanish FR7's and FR8's are chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO, NOT .308 Winchester. These two cartridges are different despite what you will read on the internet, they are not interchangeable. Only fire 7.62x51mm NATO cartridges in FR7 rifles. Armscor 7.62x51mm NATO cartridges are loaded to a slightly lower chamber pressure than most 7.62 NATO cartridges and are a better choice for FR7 and FR8 rifles. NOT .308 Winchester.
PRP i am ordering a FR-7 from Hunters Lodge to day.. thanks for the Ammo info. Also what is the difference between the FR-7 and the FR-8 ? Probably not a lot i would guess. THANKS
Alternatively, for people that want a rifle based on the mauser action, the FN SPR (not related to the Mk.12) is foundationally a Controlled Round Feed Winchester Model 70. The price tag for that might be a bit high for some, but there are guaranteed to be Pre-'64 Model 70s, Post-'64 Push Feed Model 70s, Post-'64 Controlled Round Push Feed Model 70s, and Post-'64 Controlled Round Feed Model 70s. The Pre-'64 Model 70s could even be configured as extremely early M40 rifles which were used in Vietnam by Marine and Army snipers, if you're into getting something a little niche in collecting.
I gotta defend the much maligned Century CETME. I had one and it was accurate and reliable and shot every round of crap Indian surplus and anything else I could find to feed it. It would launch the empties into the next county and it never malfunctioned. It outshot my Springfield M1A.
Had one in a local gun shop recently. Inquired about it and offered $450. Had $495 on it. It was consigned and the owner would not budge on $. Was gone in a few weeks. I love milsurp but man paying $500 for an old rifle like this is nuts! Especially since some new rifles are less money. Guess my milsurp days are winding down! Sad.
Keep looking and don't give up. I scored me a kar98k for a little less than two bills last year. It was in a pawn shop, had its waffenamts horribly pinged, had a Czech VZ24 stock that had been modded to resemble a kar98k stock and was missing the bolt. The manager ended up finding the bolt and honored the deal he gave me so I took it home soon after. I've since restored it to its former glory as best as I could, it now has an old kar98k stock with the upper handguard and the appropriate and reproduction hardware as well.
A few years back somebody was making a tennis ball launcher for these made out of an aluminum tube with a rubber pipe coupler of some kind. It is just a ton of fun. I got a bunch of 7.62 Nato blanks and shoot tennis ball out of it. They fire about 100 yards or so. If you do pick one up and can find one of these it is definitely worth the purchase. My kids love it
Your kids love it. Lucky man. It doesn't matter how much I loved my Dad I don't think I'd have had the nerve to stand on the other side of the net with my tennis racquet waiting to return balls fired from the business end of a rifle. Now gun dog training that's another idea altogether!
The issue with it being cycled from the shoulder is that it was designed to be 80s hip fired. They were very forward thinking in their 1950s production and design
Over twenty years ago I bought and had it rebarrelled. But i was told that it looked as it did was at a distances it looked like the m-14 simi auto to fool enemies
This is why they are so expensive now. There is a lot of info about this guns now a days. I got one as my first hunting rifle years ago for maybe $300. Redid the front sight as it sucked and it was bent by the previous owner. Now I can hit things at 300 yards pretty easily.
By firing from the shoulder, you're pulling down when you move the bolt back. That's why it jams. It probably happens due to the wooble and the flat charging handle.
I have ALWAYS wanted an FR8. Even if just for a light and powerful hunter. I've "missed" getting one twice. Once when I was in tha Navy, only because I didn't want to put my rifle in a Navy armory while I was deployed. Then while I was waiting for some money they had one at a local pawn shop, I went to get it and it was gone.
My FR8 is one of my favorite rifles, so cool. However, I find the recoil to be on the heavy side and because the action was intended for 8x57 , stoppages when feeding occur when running the bolt quickly.
I must be one of the rare handfuls of guys who got a solid Century CETME. I bought mine - not one of the newer Century CETMEs marketed as the "Century C308", but an old school, very early 2000s "Century CETME Sporter". I've run a bazillion rounds through it - Winchester white box 7.62x51, Russian steel cased Golden Tiger, Silver Bear, all that non-sense, Austrian Hirtenberger - you name it - and it digests it all and I can hit what I'm shooting at with iron sights. I know Century is known for lousy craftsmanship and I don't deny that - I reckon I just got lemon.
Tim, Finally the FR8. You did not touch on the funky front sight adjustment on either the CETME or FR8 but that's ok... I got mine a few years ago here in the People's Socialist Republik of Kalifornia and had to pay a premium price of $600.00 but mine looked brand new and if it was ever fired, very few rounds were used. I resolved the action issue from the shoulder and I was able to source a K98 bent bolt, head spaced it and it rocks! I think it's the angle of the bolt handle, straight verse bent. I also have a CAI C308 but I replaced all the furniture and trigger group so now it's as close to a CETME that I can get here behind enemy lines. FR8 one of the original albeit not designed for but still a great "scout" rifle.
Please my bro.....buy a plate/gong that you shoot at in ALL of these videos...... Give it a name....like "the Dutchman"....and shoot at it with every gun review. It will be a hit with everyone and as you beat it up you can show us! Thanks bro!
I like cetme's an always wanted the FR-8 or FR-7, the only one I found the guy wanted 700 for it, way out of my price range, when they were first imported yo could get them for 89.00 , but not anymore I guess.
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I had never heard of the FR8 until today, but now I know I want one.
I like it for the A E S T H E T I C
Edit: also it looks like an m1 and a Mauser had a love child
Great little carbines. Mine is very accurate with surplus ammo.
Love to get rid of mine.
hahahahaah same
Same here.
The FR8 ended up with the Civil Guards for most of its history. They would patrol the Spanish countryside in pairs, lugging an FR8 as their main firearms, and those patrols were known as the "gemelos" (twins).
I bought one because these are the coolest looking military bolt action ever made (if you didn't know any better, having the cleaning container in the front makes it look like a gas tube). I almost made a video on it a couple months ago, but need more work with the sights to be accurate. Very informative video.
They are neat rifles, but it's easy to rip the meat off your hand when running the bolt because of the tall rear sight... ask me how I know. I was bleeding like a stuck pig the day we filmed. 😂
@@Militaryarmschannel
Glock 46 review coming soon?
the tip of the front site is offset from the center of the thread so turning it will move it left and right also if you didnt know
I absolutely love mine and am always on the lookout to buy more if I find them.
@Military Arms Channel I never got to the point of running it... I was trying to figure out the sights from a rest and finally got that down before running out of .308 ammo that day. I will make sure to wear gloves if I attempt to run it :)
Finally the FR8 in this channel! As a spanish milsurp rifle collector i have been waiting this video for a long time! Thanks Tim and greetings from Italy! :-)
Hello, I have a spanish mauser with facist Spain markings. It's shorter than the regular Mauser's &The serial # starts with Z. Do you have an idea what it is ?
@@socc6991 is it an M1916 model? It was issued to the Spanish Guardia Civili.
Awesome video. I bought my FR8 in the mid 90’s for under a $100 still packed in its original crate. It was originally a 1918 weapon. Glad I hung on to this one.
CETME C was my first rifle... then I found am FR-8 and LOVE it.
My Spanish friends were always jealous.
308 hits like a FR8 train.
Clever !
Dammit. That just came to me and then it's the first comment I see. Well played.
Good stuff! Witty.
Cheeky fecker ye are.
Ive got one and shes got a little kick.
Love the FR8, Cetme, and Federal ammo! What a great vid!......GOA for life!
Could be the ultimate scout rifle, so compact!
Ghastly Gibbus Putting a dumb ass scope mount and sporterizing the stock, don’t butcher an amazing rifle! Just get Ruger gunsight scout!
@@GuitaristOnDaRoof Ughhhh so many FR8s and FR7s have been butchered by bubba.
Powder Monkey Its a sweet rifle. I bought mine last summer, but.. bubba got to it... He tried to make a 2nd open v notch with the single peep all the way to the left. He Ended up cutting through the detent ball track, and I received the rifle with no ball or spring which then made the sight unusable....
Make a great brush rifle as is, don't butcher a classic.
BRant D That may be his choice, but that’s not going to stop me from calling him out for being a dumbass. Idiots who permanently chop up, and “Tacticool” their historic and antique rifles, then turn around 3 years later sell it to get something “better” are complete MORONS!
The FR 8 is just a great rifle for the price, never regreted geting one for a single minute.
How's the accuracy of your rifle?
Love my FR-8. Got it at a flea market for a buck fifty over 20 years ago! It's a great deer rifle for the New England brush. Accurate as can be too. Even better cause one of my favorite "caught a couple jackasses trying to rob me" stories, goes with that gun.
I just bought an FR-8 as my first gun! Super happy with it!
I have a C308 and a FR8 and adore them both. Fantastic duo.
As many wooden furniture bolt-action rifles saw dirt, mud and all that Earth has to offer there is something classy, sporty and elegant about them. Wish I could own one. Great video Tim, wish you guys and the other viewers a happy day!
I pined after an FR8 for MANY years, and finally bought one about a year ago after actively watching auctions for them for a while. I love it! It looks great, shoots bog-standard 7.62 NATO surplus or modern .308, and feels wonderful in the hands. But it kicks HARD. I mean it is a beast. I know exactly why - because it's so light and short - but it still hurts to shoot for prolonged periods of time. This year I plan to replace the flash hider with a suppressor mount to fire it with my .30 cal suppressor which should dampen the kick a bit and tame the noise too.
Great video thanks for posting - a historical note is that the Territorial Police of Spanish Sahara used the FR8 until the withdrawal of Spain from that territory in mid-seventies.
Aaaahhh...the nostalgia. As a former member of the Spanish Foreign Legion's Special Ops group, I learned to shoot with one of these and especially the CETME C in 88. They were still around in 1990 in our unit. We considered it accurate and rugged, but uncomfortable to shoot, with the metal butt plate. The CETME C was our workhorse. Reliable and much nicer to shoot. The newer CETME L we didn't like, and tried to stay away from. Thanks for showing a bit of Spanish military history! I really enjoyed it, and was surprised at your knowledge about our firearms.
As a US Marine, we are taught to get a very strong cheek weld when shooting. Big mistake with the FR-8. Busted out a filling on my tooth! Along with the No. 5 Enfield, not a very pleasurable rifle to shoot.
MAc stop that, I was looking to buy one, now they are going to be harder to find.
I agree. Every time I start eye balling a milsurp MAC or IV8888 comes out with a video and they disappear. Love their videos though.
So true! I have been looking for one.
I've seen a fr7 at a local show but the thing looked roughhhh. Had to pass on it. Was cool to see though.
I picked one up three or four years ago, unissued, unfired, not even a mark on the the finish of the bolt from cycling it. Don't remember what I paid for it but guessing four or five hundred dollars. Just about everyone I've showed it to has tried to buy it from me. I then started looking for one as a shooter and never found one at a reasonable price. Beaters are going for more than I paid for my rifle.
Could they get more rare? lol
One reason Gernany went to a turned down bolt was it minimized resistance on the action when cycling from the Shoulder and expedited volume of fire.
Tim;
The FR8 is one of my favorite milsurps to shoot, then are nice and compact and are affordable to feed. I have four in my collection and everytime I come across one for sale I just end up buying it. I also have a Ruger gunsite scout which to me is just a modern version of the FR8. thanks for the video.
I also have a Spanish FR8 I purchased at a Kalispell, Mt gun show. ALL points right on Tim. It’s a great bolt action ‘carbine’
It is a great lightweight .308 carbine for sure. Thank you for watching.
Awesome bolt-action rifle Tim. I didn't know anything about the FR8 308 Spanish rifle until this video. Thanks for the knowledge an history of this awesome rifle Sir.
Thank you for watching!
I’m sorry if someone already pointed this out, but the FR8 has the exact same barrel as the CETME and the exact same front sight block assembly. The reason for the cleaning kit tube was so that this same sight could be used, as it had the loops for the barrel and the cocking tube. Barrels were regular CETME barrels that were threaded to go into the Mauser receivers. Great guns, but like most 8mm conversions to 7.62, they’re finicky with the latter.
@Yuttmonster : Son las tuyas puntualizaciones muy interesantes acerca del CETMETÓN : CETme + mosqueTÓN. Excepto el error de concepto : El Mosquetón Maúser ESPAÑOL no recamaraba el 8x57, si nó el 7x57 ó 7 mm ESPAÑOL, de triste recuerdo en USA por la Toma de Las Cabezas de San Juan en La Guerra de Cuba, lo que, vista la superioridad de nuestro 7 mm ESPAÑOL, desembocó en el nacimiento del 30.03/30.06 Sprinfield.
Saludos desde LA MADRE PATRIA, hermanos todos ! 💪🇪🇦
That's funny the m43 you showed in the pic was the one I bought at auction a while ago. Great rifles and as always great review.
Love both of these guns! Always enjoy your videos, thank you!!!
I remember walking around a gun show, 1990 or so and seeing one of these on a table. I thought it looked like a bolt action M1 .30 carbine and being a big fan of the .30, I bought one. I think I paid $110 for it, a bayonet, sling and a complete cleaning kit. I still have it but don't shoot it much, kicks like a mule.
Kicks like a mule😂😂😂
It's my favorite ranch gun for both two and four legged critters that pose a threat.
I've had one for over 20 years and it is in the running against a #5 Enfield as my favorite bolt action.
Happened to find one in an unlikely place, at a goat feed and seed store. .308 my favorite easy to find caliber. Highly accurate and very tactical.
Real pleasure to watch - interesting piece of small arms history and great presentation as usual.
Love the British Army jacket.
Proper old school. Not even 95 pattern kit.
I've had this jacket a LONG time. I love it.
It reminded me of Dog Soldiers, which is great if you haven't seen it!
@@andrewmiller218 I bought a PS3 in Iraq because I could only find dog soldiers on Blu-ray
Thats a Compton and Webb manufactured 94 pattern jacket. They were issued 12 months before the 95. The horendous matching trousers ripped at the knee the first time you went live firing in them so the ripstop 95s were introduced a year later.
With my FR-8 you have to run the action like you're MAD at it. It works perfectly then. NEVER baby it. You can't break it. GET MEAN and it will work. I paid $150 for mine in 1992. The last I saw years ago was $550 wholesale.
03/25/2021 found a FR-8 on the shelf at my local gun store, I watched this video last year and now I own a FR-8. It is now one of my favorite bolt action rifles.
A little tip from an FR 8- owner: You can also load the weapon with a loading strip.
There are "grooves" on the left and right side for this purpose.
I had a Century clone that was very accurate and never failed to function with all kinds of ammo including the Junky Indian surplus M80 ball.
I’d heard all kinds of bad things about them but mine ran flawless.
the barrel is actually the same they designed for the Cetme C , they flipped upside down the barrel and in the place of the charging handle the put the cleaning kit, actually a clever move
Of the many Mauser rifles I own, I have a lot of fun and have won a few action matches with my FR8. One thing to remember when you remove the bolt from any Mauser rifle is to put the safety in the up or load/un load position. This makes sure that the firing pin/striker cannot get un cocked and you can disassemble the bolt for cleaning. If the firing pin gets un cocked it's a real bitch to pull it back and twist to re cock to get the bolt back into the rifle.
In the 80s, every gun store in Canada had these....fairly cheap. My friends and I all bought them as a nice light, cool-looking hack around .308. Mine got stolen in a break in about 20 yrs ago. Miss it. I only just sold the bayonet this year....
FR8 Looks like it may boot a fella around almost as bad as an Enfield no.5 jungle carbine, another great video Tim..... thanks for braving the arctic vortex for us!
Thanks for video. I Have them both CETMEs in excellent shape. My Clone by CAI is perfect from 2001 made from a new parts kit.. My 1956 FR 8 in 2004 which is in excellent with a beautiful tiger striped stock and matching color wood hand guard. Has a very clear crest and metal not rough like yours. 300. from dealer.
Not only did I get an advert on this, it was an advert for Bovington tank museum! Heckin noice!
I've had mine at least 20 yrs, mine hangs up some but nothing like yours, it's serial # is about 3000 lower and the date is 1953. Mine also has a new stock that matches the hand guard, so it was done during the conversion or later. Great rifle I'd never get rid of.
I have a FR7 and its a really nice firing bolt-action rifle. If you can find one, grab it up quick. Cheers T.S. US Army Retired
The side mounted rear sling mount was not added for the FR8. It's also present on the M43 and 1916 rifle stocks.
The front sight is a NOT concentric screw: you can adjust up, down , right and left
Your video is actually one of the best on FR8s or Spanish Mausers in general just because you never mentioned 7.62 CETME in any way. There is so much misinformation about that cartridge and Spanish Mausers. These rifles were always designed to shoot 7.62NATO from the start and 7.62CETME is in fact not a lower pressure cartridge as some people assumed either. People need to actually look at the manuals for once: imgur.com/a/j3lS2
It is VERY IMPORTANT to be sure you have an FR-8, and *NOT* an *FR-7.* The *FR-7* is also a Mauser, but it is built on the Spanish, M-1916, an M-1893 Mauser variant. The M-1916/FR-7 has only one locking lug, and is built from much softer metal, that will not withstand .308 pressures very well. Even with the lower pressure of the CETME round, a gas relief port was milled into the chamber area of the receiver, in the event of a blowout. This port *may* have been adequate for the CETME, but is not effective for the .308. The single locking lug, along with the softer metal, causes excessive head space wear, and can lead to catastrophic failure of the FR-7. As I understand it, ammunition for an FR-7 can be safely loaded with specifications for the .300 Savage, but even at that, I would still watch the head space.
The FR7 has two locking lugs and if it's in good shape it's safe with 308 civilian ammo, but you must check both headspace and locking lug engagement and inspect the bolt lugs for cracks. And you shouldn't use military ammo as some of it is loaded to higher pressures. There's a long story behind the FR7, but the short of it is that it was never really intended to use the standard NATO round; Spain made a special low-pressure aluminum-bulleted cartridge for it. They were made simply to allow Spain meet the minimum requirement for numbers of infantry guns chambered for the NATO round. Knowing this, little care was used in the conversions so some of these guns are indeed unsafe to fire with any full-power ammo, but the good examples are OK for limited service. When they were cheap they made for a good 'knock-around' gun you could toss into a truck and not worry about. I paid $79+ shipping for mine and after maybe 300 rounds it's still as tight as when I got it. Kicks like a mule but good enough for woodlands deer hunting.
I bought bought my1956, FR8, on sale, at Big5, in 2001 for $159.00 stock is excellent as well as the rest of the condition. bought the bayonet too. unmatched bolt though. it was marked down from $189.00. it originally came from Century according to the BOS. they were listed as the "manufacturer"
I love my fr8. It’s such a handy rifle
Got an FR7, which I love due to the '93/'96 style Mauser cock-on-push. The Spanish arsenal work is impressive.
I remember firing one of these about a year ago and never heard of it. I was told it’s history and I was interested so I looked them up thinking they would be about a $400-$500 rifle but close to $1K is too much. I know it’s because of the quantities. Really unfortunate but I settled on a good M1916 Ubertti Mauser chambered in 7.62x51 not .308 so that’s a cool find
The FR8 is on my xmas,birthday,valentine and any other holiday you want to think of list. I want.
also one thing to notice.
my father who is still in the military told me that if you can find a hole on de front sight post for better ilumination, that means that rifle has been through a second armorer (inside the military) who has tweaked the rifle, that is pretty cool since all parts might have been blued and headspaced after production so you should have a pretty accurate Cetme if it hasnt been beaten a lot by its past owner
The FR8 is a cool rifle! I bought mine from a fellow Marine a few years ago.
A thought just occured to me when I watch as you tried to work the bolt on the FR8 from your shoulder, ( see from the 18:38 mark...) I have the exact same problem when trying to shoot with my Zastava M85. Now I know these two rifles are not in any way 'related' but, the bolt on the Zastava is not a pleasant bolt to work. I went to me case and took out the Zastava, and tried cycling the bolt from the hip,..and whaddya
know,...the darned thing is considerably smoother. Whoda thunkit! Now to get this ting to the range and try this in practice.
So I learned something else from watching these videos, Thanks.
I used Cetme C when l was in my military service, then l was able to see this FR8 weapon begining to Engineers in the Army in the decade if secenties. l am Spaniard.
Had two fixer uppers that needed stock. Sold one, fixed the other with a new stock, then traded it years later. I regret not keeping one. Harder to find now a days and higher priced.
I've wanted an CETME for about 30 years. It seemed to me that the CETME was very quiet, for a 7.62 N. I could actually hear the action cycling. Makes me want one even more!
When I was in the Navy, there was an FR8 at the gun shop in Port Orchard, Washington. I sooo wanted it. Still do, I'd like to make an "updated" version, probably from a Ruger American, with an AR style low magnification scope, although I do like the peep sights on the FR8.
I used to live in silverdale
The FR8 is one rifle I have in a bug out kit. Got it set up like a Scout Rifle and feel it fills that role rather well. Not the most accurate gun I own, I think I can only get about 2 MOA out of at best but may be my particular example. Love the gun, they are getting harder to find though. But when you can find them, I've seen a lot of people think it's made for 7.62 CETME so they sell them cheap(how I got mine).
I sporterized one about 25 yrs ago.....never did shoot worth a damn but I would like to have another one (unmolested). I wouldnt feel bad having it bounce around in the back of my suv. Good enough to take game in a pinch or discourage two legged vermin.
@@shootermcmillan I'm not a fan of sporterized rifles like that for one, but two... the FR8 in stock configuration was already set up nicely and didnt need anything done to it in my opinion. As far as shooting goes, I've shot about 3 of them in my time and seen a few more examples. Generally speaking accuracy seems to be military standard for the time which is about 4 MOA. With good ammo and such you can bring it down to about 2 MOA. Havent seen them go below 2 MOA, with the worst example I ever saw being an 8 MOA rifle as it was shot out pretty bad.
I'd definitely feel bad about one being bang around these days unless of course it was a situation where it's life of death. But they arent cheap these days. I got mine for about $400, I've seen them lately going for about $600+. But you can still get old Spanish Mauser rifles for about $100 to $200. Just got to be careful with some of those older guns.
@@Predalien195 Yeah I regret doing it.
A. Because it was never going to do what I was trying to get it to do
B. It is a really cool looking rifle and would love to have one for plinking with now. It cost me maybe $100-150 at the time
@@shootermcmillan I am a bit of a collector to an extent of certain types of weapons. But I also like to shoot them instead of them collecting dust. Most sporterized guns to me ruin the aesthetics of the rifle to me but also some value as a collector. However, I do have a few I own because I do shoot them so much and that too can ruin value over time.
I've undertaken a few projects to restore rifles to original military condition or as close as possible. Often it becomes more expensive than just buying one already in that condition so it's something I dont do much anymore. .308 isnt exactly my idea of a plinker to say the least, but I do enjoy that FR8 quite a bit.
@@Predalien195 I tend to agree with you these days,. I leave em alone. When I say plinker I guess I could qualify that. I have built a number of precision rifles in my lifetime, those don't get shot much. Usually I pull out the 10/22 beater in preference to the 10/22 custom tack driver.......an FR8 would get similar preference on range day over my Savage 10FP in a bell & Carlson stock because its simply more fun to plink with .
I got a fr7 and it a good old rifle shoots real nice
I purchased an FR8 about a year ago...... It has perfect rifling, great stock, and is dated 1949.... not 1950+. I've only found 3 that are pre 1950. Love the rifle! Would love to hear from everyone else that has a pre 1950.
I have one dated 1948, serial # 05xxx.
@@CaliTBear that'll be 4 now
FR-8.."F"usil "R"eformado 8.
I love the G3. Got to qualify with it when I was stationed in Germany in the mid-90's. Got a gold Shutzen Schnur. That FR8 is a nice looking rifle,
There is probably some burs or pits that hangup when the bolt is pulled at that angle from the shoulder. I have seen this on some bolt guns.
I set mine up with a silencer! Subsonic rounds ,so much fun
Got both , they rock..!
Spanish FR7's and FR8's are chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO, NOT .308 Winchester. These two cartridges are different despite what you will read on the internet, they are not interchangeable. Only fire 7.62x51mm NATO cartridges in FR7 rifles. Armscor 7.62x51mm NATO cartridges are loaded to a slightly lower chamber pressure than most 7.62 NATO cartridges and are a better choice for FR7 and FR8 rifles. NOT .308 Winchester.
PRP i am ordering a FR-7 from Hunters Lodge to day.. thanks for the Ammo info. Also what is the difference between the FR-7 and the FR-8 ? Probably not a lot i would guess. THANKS
Alternatively, for people that want a rifle based on the mauser action, the FN SPR (not related to the Mk.12) is foundationally a Controlled Round Feed Winchester Model 70. The price tag for that might be a bit high for some, but there are guaranteed to be Pre-'64 Model 70s, Post-'64 Push Feed Model 70s, Post-'64 Controlled Round Push Feed Model 70s, and Post-'64 Controlled Round Feed Model 70s.
The Pre-'64 Model 70s could even be configured as extremely early M40 rifles which were used in Vietnam by Marine and Army snipers, if you're into getting something a little niche in collecting.
I gotta defend the much maligned Century CETME. I had one and it was accurate and reliable and shot every round of crap Indian surplus and anything else I could find to feed it. It would launch the empties into the next county and it never malfunctioned. It outshot my Springfield M1A.
You know you're big time when Federal sponsors your ammo. Good stuff!
I had one of these about 10 years ago and wish that I would have held on to it. Very cool gun
Had one in a local gun shop recently. Inquired about it and offered $450. Had $495 on it. It was consigned and the owner would not budge on $. Was gone in a few weeks. I love milsurp but man paying $500 for an old rifle like this is nuts! Especially since some new rifles are less money. Guess my milsurp days are winding down! Sad.
Keep looking and don't give up. I scored me a kar98k for a little less than two bills last year. It was in a pawn shop, had its waffenamts horribly pinged, had a Czech VZ24 stock that had been modded to resemble a kar98k stock and was missing the bolt. The manager ended up finding the bolt and honored the deal he gave me so I took it home soon after. I've since restored it to its former glory as best as I could, it now has an old kar98k stock with the upper handguard and the appropriate and reproduction hardware as well.
A few years back somebody was making a tennis ball launcher for these made out of an aluminum tube with a rubber pipe coupler of some kind. It is just a ton of fun. I got a bunch of 7.62 Nato blanks and shoot tennis ball out of it. They fire about 100 yards or so. If you do pick one up and can find one of these it is definitely worth the purchase. My kids love it
Your kids love it. Lucky man. It doesn't matter how much I loved my Dad I don't think I'd have had the nerve to stand on the other side of the net with my tennis racquet waiting to return balls fired from the business end of a rifle.
Now gun dog training that's another idea altogether!
@@COIcultist Ha ha. I've considered it for outfield training for my girls but haven't yet had that practice.
can twist the wire too just takes longer.
great Vid! well done and practical refurb.
Man, that C308 with wood furniture is SEXY!!!!!!!
The issue with it being cycled from the shoulder is that it was designed to be 80s hip fired. They were very forward thinking in their 1950s production and design
Over twenty years ago I bought and had it rebarrelled. But i was told that it looked as it did was at a distances it looked like the m-14 simi auto to fool enemies
This is why they are so expensive now. There is a lot of info about this guns now a days. I got one as my first hunting rifle years ago for maybe $300. Redid the front sight as it sucked and it was bent by the previous owner. Now I can hit things at 300 yards pretty easily.
By firing from the shoulder, you're pulling down when you move the bolt back. That's why it jams. It probably happens due to the wooble and the flat charging handle.
I bought a fr7 (pretty much the same as the fr8 but with a down turned bolt handle) the day i turned 18. I regret selling it.
TOM hi so the FR-7 has a down turned bolt handle ? that is the difference between the FR-7 and the FR-8 ? THANKS
My favorite thing about the FR8 is the rear diopter sight . Have you found this diopter elevation to be correct to the meters? Thank you for sharing
Never heard of the FR8 before, but that CETME looks great! I want one.
I am going to be getting an FR8 to go with my Century C308 "Cetme" that is not at all junk with the ptr barrel and recv group it is a great gun!
Coolest wire cutters ever, wonder if they will let me use it at work?
I have ALWAYS wanted an FR8. Even if just for a light and powerful hunter. I've "missed" getting one twice. Once when I was in tha Navy, only because I didn't want to put my rifle in a Navy armory while I was deployed. Then while I was waiting for some money they had one at a local pawn shop, I went to get it and it was gone.
My FR8 is one of my favorite rifles, so cool. However, I find the recoil to be on the heavy side and because the action was intended for 8x57 , stoppages when feeding occur when running the bolt quickly.
I must be one of the rare handfuls of guys who got a solid Century CETME. I bought mine - not one of the newer Century CETMEs marketed as the "Century C308", but an old school, very early 2000s "Century CETME Sporter". I've run a bazillion rounds through it - Winchester white box 7.62x51, Russian steel cased Golden Tiger, Silver Bear, all that non-sense, Austrian Hirtenberger - you name it - and it digests it all and I can hit what I'm shooting at with iron sights. I know Century is known for lousy craftsmanship and I don't deny that - I reckon I just got lemon.
Tim, Finally the FR8. You did not touch on the funky front sight adjustment on either the CETME or FR8 but that's ok... I got mine a few years ago here in the People's Socialist Republik of Kalifornia and had to pay a premium price of $600.00 but mine looked brand new and if it was ever fired, very few rounds were used. I resolved the action issue from the shoulder and I was able to source a K98 bent bolt, head spaced it and it rocks! I think it's the angle of the bolt handle, straight verse bent. I also have a CAI C308 but I replaced all the furniture and trigger group so now it's as close to a CETME that I can get here behind enemy lines. FR8 one of the original albeit not designed for but still a great "scout" rifle.
Please my bro.....buy a plate/gong that you shoot at in ALL of these videos...... Give it a name....like "the Dutchman"....and shoot at it with every gun review. It will be a hit with everyone and as you beat it up you can show us! Thanks bro!
just bought one thanks for the recomendation
And you do a good presentation of military history🌟🌟👍👍👍🌟🌟
Had a really nice FR-8. Shot it like 3 times. Sold it don't really miss it. It was neat, but I'm just not a collector.
This was called the CETMETON
I've had one, and it is one of the ones I wished I had never TRADED!!
I like cetme's an always wanted the FR-8 or FR-7, the only one I found the guy wanted 700 for it, way out of my price range, when they were first imported yo could get them for 89.00 , but not anymore I guess.
Spanish pimp rifle. Thanks Tim!
Thanks for watching!
When cycling from shoulder... raise the bolt up... Then slap the bolt backwards like you are going to knock your own hat off.
nicely balanced the muffled gunshot sounds and your voice in your recordings
Why do none of the current videos on this type of rifles define the differences between the FR7 and the FR8s?
fr7
Thanks for clearing this up in my mind.