Sign in or 
Share this
FAMAS
Model: FAMASThe "Clarion" ("Bugle") of France is a rifle with a long, complicated history. Testing on bullpup rifles in France began almost immediately after the end of World War II in a variety of calibers (including, ironically, the 7.92x33mm Kurz round developed by the Germans who had just invaded and occupied them). The First Indochina War, which resulted in the French being kicked out of Vietnam, forced them to put development of new weapons on the back burner for a time. Development restarted dynamically in 1967 and the first prototype was built in 1971. The French military accepted it in 1978 to replace their aging stock of MAS 49 semi-automatic rifles and MAT-49 submachine guns.
The FAMAS is a very recognizable bullpup weapon that has gone through several design changes. The original F1 was terribly unreliable and easily broke, as well as being unable to accept NATO STANAG magazines. The G1 update only remained conceptualized and was never produced, but the G2 incorporated many features of the G1; the new rifles had a fiberglass handguard, a massive trigger guard, and could accept STANAG magazines. Despite the improvements, the French Marines are the only soldiers to fully move on from the F1. Perhaps as a response to this, the FAMAS Infanterie was introduced as an upgrade to the F1 with an accessory rail along the top of the handguard.
The MAS .223 was the attempt at marketing a civilian version. Sales were poor, however, and very few rifles were imported by Century Arms.
| Specifications: | |
| Weight: | 3.61kg (7.96lb) (FAMAS F1) 3.8kg (8.38lb) (FAMAS G2) |
| Length: | 757mm (29.8 in) |
| Barrel Length: | F1, G2: 488mm (19.2 in) G2 Commando:405mm (15.9 in) G2 SMG:320mm (12.6 in) G2 Sniper 620mm (24.4 in) |
| Cartridge: | 5.56x45mm NATO .223 Remington (MAS .223) |
| Action: | Lever-delayed blowback |
| Muzzle Velocity: | 960m/s (3,100 ft/s) (F1) 925m/s (3,030 ft/s) (G2) |
| Effective Range: | 300 m (330 yd) (F1) 450 m (500 yd) (G2) |
| Feed System: | Detachable box magazine. F1: 25 G2: STANAG (30 standard) |
| Sights: | Front post, rear aperture with tritium inserts |
Where to find
Due to the extremely small importation of MAS .223 rifles into the united states and the high cost of $8000 for a single model, scavenging military and police arms will be likely the only source of these weapons. The F1 is the more common weapon.
Complexity
The first F1 rifles had a reputation for poor reliability, including plastic parts breaking and jamming. Early weapons used disposable plastic magazines that often caused jamming problems, but the French could not afford to continue this method of loading and switched over to metal mags. The G2 is a somewhat better weapon, but still uncommon. One thing to note is that the F1 and MAS .223 take a proprietary 25 round magazine that looks very similar to STANAG magazines, but STANAGs will not fit in the gun.
Controls
- Safety/Fire selector: Located within the trigger guard. Middle for SAFE, right for SEMI, left for AUTO.
- Burst selector: Located behind the magazine well. Can set the rifle to 3-round burst when the fire selector is in AUTO.
- Magazine catch: Located in front of the magazine well.
- Charging handle: Located within the carrying handle on top of the receiver.
Loading
Condition One, or "Locked and Cocked." Chamber loaded, magazine full, hammer cocked and safety applied.
- Point the weapon in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
- Push the safety to the center position to activate it.
- Take a loaded magazine and hook the rear of the magazine into the magazine well, then rock it forward until it clicks. Tug on it slightly to ensure that it is seated.
- Pull the charging handle all the way back and release it.
- Cannot be done.
Condition Three. Chamber empty, magazine full, hammer down, safety off.
- Point the weapon in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
- Take a loaded magazine and hook the rear of the magazine into the magazine well, then rock it forward until it clicks. Tug on it slightly to ensure that it is seated.
Unloading
How to unload the firearm and make safe. Presented in a numbered list.
- Point the weapon in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
- Push the safety to the center position to activate it.
- Push the magazine catch back and tilt the magazine back, then pull it out of the magazine well.
- Pull the charging handle back and examine the chamber for any ammunition. Release the charging handle.
- Deactivate the safety.
- Pull the trigger.
Field Stripping
How to disassemble the firearm for cleaning. Presented in a numbered list.
- Point the weapon in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
- Unload the weapon as described above.
- Remove the stock assembly stud in the stock and pull the stock backwards off the receiver.
- Remove the carrying handle stud and push the carrying handle forward, then pull it up off the gun.
- Using a cartridge or one of the assembly studs, push the mechanism unit assembly stud and pull the mechanism unit out the rear until it is lined up with the receiver safety catch. Rotate it around the rear support of the receiver and remove it.
- Pull back the charging handle until it is lined up with the rear of the charging handle stop and push the assembly stud. Pull the bolt assembly backwards out of the receiver.
chitoryu12 |
Latest page update: made by chitoryu12
, Mar 3 2011, 12:43 AM EST
(about this update
About This Update
Edited by chitoryu12
798 words added 224 words deleted 1 image added view changes - complete history) |
|
More Info: links to this page
|
There are no threads for this page.
Be the first to start a new thread.
