The Tokarev pattern rifles discussed here
http://sks-files.com/german/24/hitlers-tokarev-the-g43-k43/201/ , the same basic design of the action can be found on other types. This will show just how similar the action is. A few other popular milsurp weapons share it, namely the SKS, Egyptian Hakim and the French Mas 49 series rifles and the FN-49. Most know the SKS Carbine, but the Egyptian Hakim and Mas semi-auto rifles, many people never have had a look inside to the inner workings. These two rifles are a later stage generation of operating systems, namely the removal of the gas piston and operating piston in favor of the direct impingement gas operation.
The Egyptian Hakim, basically the Swedish developed the AG-42 Ljungman rifle in 6.5 Swede. Sometime in the early min 50's Sweden sold the machinery to manufacture the Ljungman to the Egyptian government. Egypt had extreme amounts of 8mm ammo left over from WWII and slightly redesigned the rifle to shoot 8mm Mauser. To get around the variations in ammo age and/or quality they incorporated an adjustable gas system. Very fun and a VERY LOUD, rifle to shoot, and with the gas system design and muzzle brake, recoil actually feels less than an SKS. And in noise category, this rifle easily gives the Mosin carbine a run for the money. The example here is a 4 digit serial, manufactured in '56 when production in Egypt started, they were produced throughout the mid 60's. The Egyptian Rasheed is a scaled down Hakim, in 7.62x39, with no gas adjustment and a folding bayonet. These rifles were possibly fielded in the Six-Day War between the United Arab States and Israel.
The French Mas 49/56, France started messing with the direct impingement system as early as 1938. After a successful rifle, the Mas 49 was developed and fielded, they took it to the next level in 1956, the Mas 49/56. Some stock changes and the addition of a gas shut off valve and grenade launcher was added. It's a very, simple rugged built rifle and consists of 6 moving parts. Like the SKS and Hakim, the receiver is fully machined, and like the Hakim, it fires a full size rifle round. The 7.5 French is equivalent to the 7.62 Nato round. With the addition of the French APX scope, the mount is pre-installed, these can double as a Designated Marksmen rifle, or even be utilized as a sniper weapon. Commonly found anywhere the French military was, including Vietnam, Syria, and other conflicts. It was also a popular weapon used by the French Foreign Legion.
If you can field strip an SKS, these are no problem. However the Hakim takes some precaution, like a Garand, it can and will destroy a thumb.
The rifles:
Egyptian Hakim
Early 1950 Russian SKS
French Mas 49/56
Markings on each
Few comparison photos
Hakim Gas Port adjuster, muzzle brake and adjustable front sight
A little quirk with the Hakim, the safety lever is multi purpose
This the safe position, no finger crushing, as the bolt and carrier are locked back.
This is fire/release the bolt, any funny business in this position will leave a mark. The bolt and carrier are very heavy and backed buy a stout pair of springs. All that force and mass slamming forward can impale your what ever on the gas tube, which is fairly sharp. Beware!!!
Tear down position, with the bolt, carrier and cover locked together and slid forward, the safety will lift out and allow the action to come apart.
Mas 49/56 Grenade launcher, sight and muzzle brake
The actions open, looking very similar.
Actions closed, top covers popped and pulled back, and covers and recoil springs removed.
Back side of bolts and carriers, NOTE-release button for Mas rear cover. it is very tight fitting, push the button down, slide cover forward slightly and lift.
All three with bolts and carriers pulled, close up of the Hakim and Mas receiver, NOTE, all have last shot bolt hold open. And the gas port for the Hakim and Mas is plainly visible.
Now the meat and taters. the working parts. In all photos, the Hakim is on top, SKS is center and the Mas is lower
Exploded cover with springs and bolt/carrier
Recoil springs. Hakim uses two very stout small springs, the Mas and single large heavy spring.
Rear covers, The Mas has the rear sight located there, the cover fits very tight when latched, In many years of owning and teardowns, I've never noticed a change in accuracy.
Carriers
Bolts
Bolts, the Hakim and Mas 49/56 firing pin have been pulled, the Hakim you remove an tapered pin, it's snug, but pushes out, the firing pin is 3 pieces, the firing pin, a firing pin extension and a firing pin spring. The Mas, you could swap in 2 seconds, once the bolt is free from the carrier, it falls right out. The Mas like the SKS is subject to slamfire, easily enough fixed, a small alteration and it's not a big issue.
[/img]https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/06uuko8j53s7cu9/SAM_1351_zps8fab503b.jpg?dl=0[/img]
Bolt face, extractors, bolt and carrier mated together for reassembly.
Hopefully this will help those who have never seen the inner workings of a Hakim or Mas semi-auto.
And no wise cracks about the French rifle. YOU, will pay dearly