Fr-7

littlejoe872 · 12-17-2006, 03:26 PM

Just came back from the gun show, and brought home an early christmas present from the wife. I picked it up for $200.00 with the bayonet. The guy had a M-1 Carbine sling on it, so I'm going to have to pick one up on the internet. I've already seen them for about $15.00, so that'll be the next thing. The only question I have is, what ammo is best to shoot in this rifle. I've read a few articles saying that since the FR-7 is built on the Spanish 1916 7mm action, and it only has 2 locking lugs on the bolt vice 3 on the FR-8, that the action isn't as strong. Basically what I'm asking is, is it ok to shoot 7.62 Nato ammo. Also, I wasn't aware that it was a cock on closing bolt. Is that normal. I know my Yugo mauser, and springfields are cock on opening. I appreciate hearing what you guys think, as far as price, and answering my questions. Thanks.

Big Dog · 12-18-2006, 06:21 AM

You'll hear differing opinions on using 7.62X51 ammo in these rifles. I have read an account of the testing done with these rifles, and it took pressures of 95,000+ to destroy them - well in excess of typical 7.62X51 pressures.
I have been shooting milsurp ammo in my new-to-me Spanish Civil Guard M-1916 - same action as your FR7. No problems, it's a good shooter!
I would not press my luck and shoot commercial ammo though.
That was a great price! FR7's have become scarce and hard to find - I need one to add to my Spanish Mauser family.

These earlier Mausers do cock on closing - takes more effort. You'll get used to it!

littlejoe872 · 12-18-2006, 07:53 AM

Thanks, Big Dog. That gives me a little piece of mind. I have a bunch of Talon remanufactured 7.62 NATO ammo, which is basically milsurp. The cock on closing isn't really new to me, I have a M1917 which half cocks on open, half on closed, and a No. 4 Mk. I Enfield. It was just a surprise to me. Thanks again for the info. I'll post after I get it out to the range. I saw in other posts that you're former navy as am I. What rating were you, ships served, etc....

Big Dog · 12-18-2006, 07:14 PM

I was an Electronic Tech - specialized in UHF and Crypto gear. Served on the ship-board security force.
FF-1090, the USS Ainsworth - US Navy's finest Fast Frigate! She's serving in the Turkish Navy now - at least she isn't made into soda cans.

That was my second hitch - I began in the USAF for my first hitch.

littlejoe872 · 12-18-2006, 09:48 PM

Good to see a fellow squid on here. I was a Machinists Mate 2nd Class Nuke on the USS George Washington CVN-73(the aircraft carrier, not to be confused with the ballistic missile submarine from the 60's) I got out after 6 years. A friend of the family was on the USS Cappodano FFG-1093, the same class frigate you were on. It was also sold to the Turkish navy. I guess you're right, it's better than being turned into razor blades.

Big Dog · 12-19-2006, 05:47 AM

Yep, all the Knox-class frigates are out of USN service now. Too bad - good ships! We were the last to carry the 5" gun, for some serious "Naval Gunfire Support" - like sea-going 155mm arty. The follow-on frigate had a puny 76mm auto-loader gun and turbine power. Needed fewer gunner's mates to operate - part of the glitzy 'modern navy' with it's high-tech gadgetry. I'm 'old school' - steam power and Big Guns!
My Navy service rekindled my interest in guns in general, and I got back into collecting and shooting. So far, I've managed to get three of the guns I carried on security force duty (.45 Colt pistol, Ruger .357 Magnum Security Six, and Rem 870 shotgun) - only the M-14 eludes me. We never had the little 'poodle poppers' that the Marines went to.

12-18-2006, 06:21 AM	#2
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,642	You'll hear differing opinions on using 7.62X51 ammo in these rifles. I have read an account of the testing done with these rifles, and it took pressures of 95,000+ to destroy them - well in excess of typical 7.62X51 pressures. I have been shooting milsurp ammo in my new-to-me Spanish Civil Guard M-1916 - same action as your FR7. No problems, it's a good shooter! I would not press my luck and shoot commercial ammo though. That was a great price! FR7's have become scarce and hard to find - I need one to add to my Spanish Mauser family. These earlier Mausers do cock on closing - takes more effort. You'll get used to it! __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

12-18-2006, 07:14 PM	#4
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,642	I was an Electronic Tech - specialized in UHF and Crypto gear. Served on the ship-board security force. FF-1090, the USS Ainsworth - US Navy's finest Fast Frigate! She's serving in the Turkish Navy now - at least she isn't made into soda cans. That was my second hitch - I began in the USAF for my first hitch. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

12-19-2006, 05:47 AM	#6
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,642	Yep, all the Knox-class frigates are out of USN service now. Too bad - good ships! We were the last to carry the 5" gun, for some serious "Naval Gunfire Support" - like sea-going 155mm arty. The follow-on frigate had a puny 76mm auto-loader gun and turbine power. Needed fewer gunner's mates to operate - part of the glitzy 'modern navy' with it's high-tech gadgetry. I'm 'old school' - steam power and Big Guns! My Navy service rekindled my interest in guns in general, and I got back into collecting and shooting. So far, I've managed to get three of the guns I carried on security force duty (.45 Colt pistol, Ruger .357 Magnum Security Six, and Rem 870 shotgun) - only the M-14 eludes me. We never had the little 'poodle poppers' that the Marines went to. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

12-18-2006, 07:53 AM	#3
littlejoe872 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Rockland County, NY Posts: 377 Images: 20	Thanks, Big Dog. That gives me a little piece of mind. I have a bunch of Talon remanufactured 7.62 NATO ammo, which is basically milsurp. The cock on closing isn't really new to me, I have a M1917 which half cocks on open, half on closed, and a No. 4 Mk. I Enfield. It was just a surprise to me. Thanks again for the info. I'll post after I get it out to the range. I saw in other posts that you're former navy as am I. What rating were you, ships served, etc....

12-18-2006, 09:48 PM	#5
littlejoe872 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Rockland County, NY Posts: 377 Images: 20	Good to see a fellow squid on here. I was a Machinists Mate 2nd Class Nuke on the USS George Washington CVN-73(the aircraft carrier, not to be confused with the ballistic missile submarine from the 60's) I got out after 6 years. A friend of the family was on the USS Cappodano FFG-1093, the same class frigate you were on. It was also sold to the Turkish navy. I guess you're right, it's better than being turned into razor blades.