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MAS-38
Photo: Springfield Armoury · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
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MAS-38

Machine Pistols · France · 1939
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MAS-38

MAS-38
MAS-38 Photo: Springfield Armoury · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Firepower
40
Full-Auto Control
30
Magazine Capacity
50
Concealability
70
Accuracy
55
Reliability
60
Ergonomics
50
Rate of Fire
45
Versatility
55
Cost-Effectiveness
75
Origin France
CategoryMachine Pistols
EraWorld War II
In service1939–1949
Operators8 countries
Quantity1,958
Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
50
Machine Pistols MASS Rating
14/36
World War II
134/217
All-Time
Machine Pistols · 10 axes scored
Firepower
40
Full-Auto Control
30
Magazine Capacity
50
Concealability
70
Accuracy
55
Reliability
60
Ergonomics
50
Rate of Fire
45
Versatility
55
Cost-Effectiveness
75
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the machine pistols category.
01 / Overview
MAS-38
Country
Production
1939–1949
Quantity
1,958
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
MACHINE PISTOLS · WORLD WAR II
14
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
32
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
50
machine pistols category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the machine pistols category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
  • First Production Year1938
  • Service Entry Year1938
  • DesignerManufacture d'Armes de Saint-Étienne
  • Weight (Empty)2.87 kg
  • Currently In ServiceYes
  • Notable UsersFrench armed forces, French Resistance, Free French Forces, Vichy France, Nazi Germany, Polish forces, Central African Republic Police, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Vietnam, Laos, North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Viet Minh, Pathet Lao, Lao Issara
◈Cartridge & Calibre5MOD.5
▣Operation7MOD.7
◇Ballistics3MOD.3
  • Muzzle Velocity350 m/s
  • Effective Range (point)100 m
  • Maximum Range200 m
◆Barrel & Sights5MOD.5
▤Construction5MOD.5
▲Production & Cost4MOD.4
  • Total Production1,958
  • Production Start1938
  • Production End1949
  • Variants1
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1939Production started
  2. 1949Production ended
87
years in service
10
years in production
1,958
units produced
8
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
04 / Conflicts
MAS-38 · CONFLICTS SERVED IN25% win·25% loss
Total Conflicts
4
Victories
1
Ongoing
0
Losses
1
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
Operator Inventory1country · 30units
30active
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE4terms
A type of firearm action where the breech is not locked and the cartridge case expands to seal the breech, using case expansion and pressure to retain gases.
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a separate container (magazine) that can be removed and replaced, enabling rapid reloading.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
Select fire is a fire selector mechanism on a firearm that lets the shooter choose the firing mode, such as semi‑automatic, burst, or fully automatic.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Machine Pistols entry →