MAS 36 - the last of its kind

Any opinions about the french MAS 36?
Often criticized for the missing safety and the unusual bolt handle, but was it really a bad design? Anyone seen or even shot a real one?

 

Not a bad rifle actually and fitted with a Mauser magazin. The pre 1940 ones are sought after and easy recognizable (wall nut wood made) and better quality metal parts. Only 63.000 were made in 1939 and up to 430.000 in June 1940. The bayos are attached under the gun and are quite thin and light . Those who criticize the gun may actually have seen a post 1945 made one (cheaper post war quality)

 

Are they expensive?
Unusual for french interwar weapons, it is very conventional and simple and often regarded as a stop gap for a short time until automatic weapons will be necessary.
France had lost population in WW1 and tried to compensate quantity with quality. Their tanks or ATGs were complicated and difficult to produce or operate.