Mauser FR-8

xtopgun · 04-18-2007, 12:48 AM

I bought a Spanish FR-8 a couple of years ago without a rear sight. These were converted in the 1950s into training rifles for the CETME. Along with other modifications the sights were changed to a style simular to the CETME. The rear sight is on the rear bridge and I am told it was some sort of rotating affair. Guns were imported by Century and they have no parts. I've checked the usual places to no avail. This is a great handling .308 carbine that probably deserves to be fired aimed instead of pointed! Any help is appreciated.

just_a_car · 04-18-2007, 01:16 AM

I own a CETME Sporter, myself (there's a CETME/G3 forum, by the way!), but all I can get ya is this site, as I'm not too familiar with the FR-8's: FR7/FR8

Nathan123 · 04-18-2007, 04:32 AM

I used to own a FR-8, and you are correct it does have a rotating rear sight. It has 4 positions, 3 peep,with small, medium, and large holes. The 4th being a V type open sight.

I found it to be a very handy little rifle, the only thing i didnt quite like about it was that the front sight is a spike type setup, and under low light it was almost impossible to see the top of the front sight, but under the right light conditions i found that i didnt notice the problem.

I dont know where you might find a replacement rear sight for your rifle, but i wish you luck and hope this small amount of info was helpful.
Nathan.

littlejoe872 · 04-18-2007, 08:45 AM

I think Big Dog is the resident expert on FR-7/8 and Spanish Mausers.

xtopgun · 04-19-2007, 12:09 AM

Thank you all very much. It seems the model is scarce and the rear sight must be very vulnerable because none of the "usual suspects" have one. I do like a challenge!

The Spanish Mauser site was very informative. One link stated that the FR-8 used the CETME rear sight, my guess a very early one or the reference is more to "type" than specific. I'll go check out the CETME/G-3 site for possible leads. In the meantime I will appreciate further assistance.

I would appreciate info on accuracy and quirks and hints.

Big Dog · 04-19-2007, 01:05 AM

The FR8 rear sight is quite different from the CETME sight in construction, though giving the same sight picture. Does your rifle still have the welded-on base, or has it been ground off? Some of these fine guns were 'converted' to mount scopes. In this case, having a good gunsmith D&T the receiver for a side-mounted Lyman peep sight would make it a good shooter. Lots of these centerfire Lyman peep sights on ebay. They mount to the right side, as the bolt stop prevents left-side mounting.
If the original mounting post is in place, best place to check would be the FR8/CETME forum on Tuco's Gunboards (Gunboards.com) - a fellow named Arnaiz in Spain has access to many original parts. If anybody has them, he would! Good guy to do business with too.
My FR8 shoots a good group, but it can be difficult finding the 'sweet spot' with the V-notch in the rear sight. Recoil is stouter that a longer-barreled rifle, but less than an 8mm Mauser or a Mosin Carbine. Mine works fine with commercial .308 as well as milsurp 7.62X51.

xtopgun · 04-20-2007, 12:46 AM

My rifle still has the "posts" or bases. This is the reason I am interested in replacing with original parts. I know these rifles are more oddities than being considered rare; but someday if I deface it someone is apt to say why did someone ruin this unique piece of history. Everything is with the rifle; cleaning kit, proper sling and bayonet.

I'm taking your advice and trying Gunboards. I'll keep you informed.

NRAJOE · 04-20-2007, 08:28 PM

I had one...paid $150 for it...turned around 2 months later and sold it for $375...

Big Dog · 04-21-2007, 07:43 PM

Joe, you're my hero . . . talk about some great deals . . .

NRAJOE · 04-21-2007, 08:02 PM

It was a cool little rifle but I didn't like the recoil or the odd sights.

BFRANKlin · 05-18-2007, 10:49 PM

A friend's FR-8 has the rear sight mount as part of the receiver. It would be a shame to machine that off. It's solid and accurate within reason. I don't see how an FR-8 could be used to train for a CETME. Bolt and semi-auto are 2 different acting guns. The CETME's bolt carrier is big and heavy which absorbs a lot of recoil
It's a bolt action and will kick harder by design. His M-14 kicks way harder than my CETME or Garand.

04-18-2007, 12:48 AM	#1
xtopgun Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 3	Mauser FR-8 I bought a Spanish FR-8 a couple of years ago without a rear sight. These were converted in the 1950s into training rifles for the CETME. Along with other modifications the sights were changed to a style simular to the CETME. The rear sight is on the rear bridge and I am told it was some sort of rotating affair. Guns were imported by Century and they have no parts. I've checked the usual places to no avail. This is a great handling .308 carbine that probably deserves to be fired aimed instead of pointed! Any help is appreciated.

04-18-2007, 01:16 AM	#2
just_a_car Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Edmonds, WA Posts: 3,739	I own a CETME Sporter, myself (there's a CETME/G3 forum, by the way!), but all I can get ya is this site, as I'm not too familiar with the FR-8's: FR7/FR8 __________________ CETME Owners Group - Founder AK-47 owners Group - Member The Mosin Men Group - Member

04-19-2007, 01:05 AM	#6
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,642	The FR8 rear sight is quite different from the CETME sight in construction, though giving the same sight picture. Does your rifle still have the welded-on base, or has it been ground off? Some of these fine guns were 'converted' to mount scopes. In this case, having a good gunsmith D&T the receiver for a side-mounted Lyman peep sight would make it a good shooter. Lots of these centerfire Lyman peep sights on ebay. They mount to the right side, as the bolt stop prevents left-side mounting. If the original mounting post is in place, best place to check would be the FR8/CETME forum on Tuco's Gunboards (Gunboards.com) - a fellow named Arnaiz in Spain has access to many original parts. If anybody has them, he would! Good guy to do business with too. My FR8 shoots a good group, but it can be difficult finding the 'sweet spot' with the V-notch in the rear sight. Recoil is stouter that a longer-barreled rifle, but less than an 8mm Mauser or a Mosin Carbine. Mine works fine with commercial .308 as well as milsurp 7.62X51. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

04-20-2007, 08:28 PM	#8
NRAJOE Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Toledo,OH Posts: 19,351 Images: 3	I had one...paid $150 for it...turned around 2 months later and sold it for $375... __________________ U.S. Army 1976-1979 237th Combat Engineers Heilbronn, Germany

04-21-2007, 07:43 PM	#9
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,642	Joe, you're my hero . . . talk about some great deals . . . __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

04-18-2007, 04:32 AM	#3
Nathan123 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Newcastle, N.S.W, Australia Posts: 359	I used to own a FR-8, and you are correct it does have a rotating rear sight. It has 4 positions, 3 peep,with small, medium, and large holes. The 4th being a V type open sight. I found it to be a very handy little rifle, the only thing i didnt quite like about it was that the front sight is a spike type setup, and under low light it was almost impossible to see the top of the front sight, but under the right light conditions i found that i didnt notice the problem. I dont know where you might find a replacement rear sight for your rifle, but i wish you luck and hope this small amount of info was helpful. Nathan.

04-18-2007, 08:45 AM	#4
littlejoe872 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Rockland County, NY Posts: 377 Images: 20	I think Big Dog is the resident expert on FR-7/8 and Spanish Mausers.

04-19-2007, 12:09 AM	#5
xtopgun Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 3	Thank you all very much. It seems the model is scarce and the rear sight must be very vulnerable because none of the "usual suspects" have one. I do like a challenge! The Spanish Mauser site was very informative. One link stated that the FR-8 used the CETME rear sight, my guess a very early one or the reference is more to "type" than specific. I'll go check out the CETME/G-3 site for possible leads. In the meantime I will appreciate further assistance. I would appreciate info on accuracy and quirks and hints.

04-20-2007, 12:46 AM	#7
xtopgun Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 3	My rifle still has the "posts" or bases. This is the reason I am interested in replacing with original parts. I know these rifles are more oddities than being considered rare; but someday if I deface it someone is apt to say why did someone ruin this unique piece of history. Everything is with the rifle; cleaning kit, proper sling and bayonet. I'm taking your advice and trying Gunboards. I'll keep you informed.

04-21-2007, 08:02 PM	#10
NRAJOE Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Toledo,OH Posts: 19,351 Images: 3	It was a cool little rifle but I didn't like the recoil or the odd sights. __________________ U.S. Army 1976-1979 237th Combat Engineers Heilbronn, Germany

05-18-2007, 10:49 PM	#11
BFRANKlin Banned Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southern Ohio Posts: 258	A friend's FR-8 has the rear sight mount as part of the receiver. It would be a shame to machine that off. It's solid and accurate within reason. I don't see how an FR-8 could be used to train for a CETME. Bolt and semi-auto are 2 different acting guns. The CETME's bolt carrier is big and heavy which absorbs a lot of recoil It's a bolt action and will kick harder by design. His M-14 kicks way harder than my CETME or Garand.