workmanship. Furthermore, the shortening of the barrel to allow rechambering brings the gas vent closer to the chamber hence creating a higher stress on the bolt carrier. In addition to these Century Arms conversions, approximately 250 MAS-49/56 rifles were converted in France to 7.62×51mm NATO for use by the French National Police. These rifles are not known to have the reliability issues that plague the later Century Arms conversions. Some have been able to improve reliability by modifying the gas shutoff pin with a tapped set screw for gas adjustment. Commercial 7.5×54mm "French" ammunition made in countries other than France for current distribution has been known to produce burst fire (2 or 3 rounds at a time) because of more sensitive primers. The original heavy steel firing pins on the MAS-49 and 49/56 can be replaced by commercial titanium firing pins which are much lighter and generally cure the problem of burst fire on these weapons. It is also possible to prevent these slamfires by shortening the firing pin by approximately 0.5 mm, or by modifying the bolt to accommodate a firing pin return spring. Some users have been able to convert 20 round FN-FAL magazines to work in the .308 guns and 25 round FM 24/29 light machine gun or 35 round Reibel machine gun mags for the original 7.5x54 caliber. Users : MAS-49 and MAS-49/56 : MAS-49/56 : MAS-49/56 : 60 MAS-49/56 in service in 1963 with Gendarmerie : MAS-49/56 : MAS-49/56 EOKA: stolen MAS-49 were used during the Cyprus Emergency Eritrean Liberation Front: obtained some MAS-49/56 via French Djibouti : MAS-49/56 : MAS-49/56 : MAS-49 and MAS-49/56 : MAS-49/56 : MAS-49/56 Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince: MAS-49 : MAS-49/56 : MAS-49/56 : MAS-49/56 : MAS-49/56 : MAS-49/56 : MAS-49 and MAS-49/56 See also Fusil Automatique Modele 1917—Earlier French Army semiautomatic rifle FN Model 1949 References Barnes, Frank C., Cartridges of the World, DBI Books Inc. (1989). Huon, Jean; Proud Promise—French Semiautomatic Rifles: 1898–1979, Collector Grade Publications, 1995. . Smith, W.H.B.; Small Arms of the World (1967). Walter, John; Rifles of the World, 3rd Edition (2006). External links MAS-49 and MAS 49/56 (France) - Modern Firearms MAS 49: A Universal Service Rifle Buddy Hinton French MAS 44 49 49/56 Collection (pictures) MAS 44-49 Manual 1953 MAS 49 Manual 1950 MAS 49 Manual 1951 MAS 49 Manual 1953 MAS 49 Manual 1970 MAS 49/56 Manual 1974 Infantry weapons of