The MAS 36 is a bolt action rifle of French origin. The MAS 36 was designed in the early 1930's to replace the older Lebel and Berthier rifles and carbines in French service. The MAS 36 is regarded as one of the best bolt action rifles as its design features many best practices of other rifles. The design of the MAS 36 lives on in the post World War 2 FR-F1 sniper rifle that uses the same bolt design.

The MAS 36 is a bolt action rifle with a conventional layout. It is a relatively compact rifle with a length between that of a full size rifle and a carbine. Many features of older designs have been incorporated. The bolt locking is similar to that of the Lee Enfield, the bolt design and sights are patterned after the M1917 and the 5 round clip fed internal magazine is also used on Mauser rifles. The MAS 36 has no safety. A spike bayonet is carried under the barrel and

The MAS 36 fires the French 7.5x54mm round from a 5 round internal box magazine. Clips are used to reload the magazine. As a bolt action rifle the MAS 36 has a limited rate of fire, but is capable of good accuracy. The maximum effective range is about 350 meters, mostly due to the limitations of using iron sights beyond that range. Some MAS 36 were fitted with optical sights to serve as sniper rifles before the FR-F1 was introduced. Later versions of the MAS 36 are able to launch rifle grenades.

The MAS 36 was the standard issue rifle for French forces during World War 2, although due to budget constaints older weapons remained in use. After the war the MAS 36 was supplemented by the self-loading MAS 49 and the MAS 36 became a second line weapon. The MAS 36 was also widely exported to ex-French colonies. Nowadays the MAS 36 is obsolete but often remains in use as a ceremonial weapon.