FAMAS F1
FAMAS G2
Overview
FAMAS F1
A FAMAS F1 assault rifle with bipod removed.
Source: www.forum.nationstates.com -
© copyright lies with original owner
1995 (G2)
1994 - 2000 (G2)
€ 3.000 equivalent in 1990's for G2
Over 30.000 G2
French for "bugle"
Description
Introduction
The FAMAS is a late Cold War era assault rifle of French origin. It was developed by MAS in the late 1960's but not adopted by the French forces until 1978. The name FAMAS stands for "Fusil d'Assaut de la Manufacture d'Armes de Saint-Étienne", which is French for "assault rifle of the Saint-Étienne weapons factory".
Design
The FAMAS has a bullpup design and can be easily identified by its oversized carrying handle. The FAMAS uses the uncommon lever delayed blowback action also found on the AAT-52 machine gun. A metal receiver is used which is mostly covered by a plastic frame. It can be used by both right and left handed persons since the ejection mechanism can be reversed. The sights are mounted on the carrying handle. A bipod is fitted as standard and straddles along the forearm when not in use.
Firepower
The FAMAS fires a proprietary version of the 5.56x45mm M193 round from 25 round magazines. The later G2 models are able to fire both the proprietary M193 and the NATO version of the 5.56mm round and use 30 round STANAG magazines. The FAMAS is a select fire weapon with options for semi-automatic, three round burst and full automatic fire. The cyclic rate of fire is about 1.000 rpm and the maximum effective range is about 400 meters. The FAMAS is capable of launching rifle grenades, a practice which is widely used in French service.
Users
The main user of the FAMAS is France, where it was adopted by all branches as a replacement for both the MAT-49 sub machine gun and the MAS 49/56 rifle. The FAMAS has been exported to several nations in limited quantities. The HK 416F has been selected to replace the FAMAS as the standard issue service rifle.
FAMAS F1
FAMAS F1
A FAMAS F1 assault rifle with Aimpoint sight, laser attachment and blank fire attachment.
Source: davric -
© public domain
FAMAS F1 variants
FAMAS G2
FAMAS G2
A FAMAS G2 assault rifle with additional forward grip and magnifying scope.
Source: world_armies @ www.flickr.com -
© copyright lies with original owner
FAMAS G2
This is an updated model of the FAMAS F1 that was developed in the 1990's to comply with NATO standards. The G2 uses a 9 inch rifling twist rate which allows it to fire both the French M193 round and the NATO round. The G2 retains the oversized trigger guard that was used on the G1 model and uses 30 round STANAG magazines.
FAMAS G2 variants
Several variants of the G2 were developed that made up an entire family of weapons. These include a sub machine gun, carbine and marksman rifle. These were actively marketed, but not placed in production.
Details
Media
FAMAS with M203
A French CPA10 operator with M203 grenade launcher mounted on the FAMAS.
Source: www.defense.gouv.fr
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
FAMAS F1
A FAMAS F1 assault rifle with bipod removed.
Source: www.forum.nationstates.com
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Related articles
5.56x45mm NATO
The FAMAS F1 was chambered in the 5.56x45mm M193 round with associated slower rifling twist rate.. The updated G2 variant introduced in 1995 uses the NATO cartridge with a 1 in 9 inch (229 mm) twist rate that allows for M193 rounds to be used when needed.
MAS 49/56
The FAMAS F1 was adopted as the replacement for the MAS 49/56 battle rifle in French service.
MAT-49
The bullpup design and intermediate cartridge used in the FAMAS F1 allowed it to replace the MAT-49 sub machine gun in French service as well.
Steyr AUG
The Austrian Steyr AUG is a contemporary bullpup assault rifle to the FAMAS and is just as iconic.