Generally speaking, MAS-38 was quite good weapon, reliable and rather accurate and controllable; its only problem was underpowered 7.65x20mm Long ammunition, which greatly limited is effective range. The most unusual thing about MAS-38 was that bolt rode at a slight downward angle to the axis of the bore; in theory, this was done to reduce recoil and slow down the movement of the bolt by additional friction. The bolt reciprocated inside the long tube, that run through the wooden buttstock. The charging handle was located on the right side of the gun and had a dustcover attached to it. Once the weapon was cocked, the charging handle remained in retracted position and not reciprocated when gun was fired. Additional dustcover was fitted to the front of the magazine housing, and closed magazin