View Full Version : FAMAS
Has anyone here ever fired a FAMAS rifle? How is the weapon regarded by the troops that have to carry it?
Argggg:confused:
http://world.guns.ru/assault/famas_f1.jpg
http://world.guns.ru/assault/famas_f1part.jpg
http://world.guns.ru/assault/famas_g2.jpg
http://world.guns.ru/assault/famas_g2_all.jpg
http://world.guns.ru/assault/famas_g2felin.jpg
I have not pulled the trigger on one at the range, but a buddy of mine has one of the 100 that were imported for civillian sales here in the States.
My oberservations from just handling it:
Very ergonomic.
Control set up works well, and the trigger is better than an AUG.
Overall, I like it better than the AUG. Having said that, I've shot AUG's, I haven't shot one of these.
They are supposed to have a decent rep for working in the field.
It's not top of the line. French commandos carry SIG rifles.
Novelty factor is through the roof.
French commandos carry SIG rifles.
and M4s
davemcdonald
02-16-07, 20:14
The guys that I talked to in the 6th LAD didn't speak highly of it. It is supposed to work even after it had been dropped. :D
Dave
Considering even their own SF units issue AR's that about says it all.
When was the last time the French designed a useful weapon themselves?
Nathan_Bell
02-17-07, 20:55
Considering even their own SF units issue AR's that about says it all.
When was the last time the French designed a useful weapon themselves?
The French 75 of WWI?
The Minie Ball?
Two most recent I can come up with:p
rifleman2000
09-30-09, 10:06
I fired a FAMAS once in Afghanistan. The rifles in question were old and the French troops had some complaints because the top of the weapon with the carrying handle was loose and could affect the zero. They had aimpoints, but the mounts were very cumbersome and mounted very high, and again the sight were mounted on a loose carrying handle.
One thing I noticed was the safety was very strange, it is a rotating lever in front of the trigger. The French soldier demonstrated using your non-firing index finger to activate the safety by pushing it through the trigger guard. I did not do much but fired a few rounds, but I imagine it would take getting used to.
I was/am very happy with the M4, but shooting the FA MAS was cool.
Considering even their own SF units issue AR's that about says it all.
When was the last time the French designed a useful weapon themselves?
The Francisca?:D
http://www.wulflund.com/images_items/francisca-throwing-axe_2.jpg
variablebinary
10-01-09, 03:25
I read somewhere that France hasnt built a new FAMAS in over 10 years, so the currently fielded weapons have a load of mileage
It will be interesting to see if the HK416 will replace the FAMAS as France's new frontline carbine.
Do not be so ironical!
I am not French but Belgian and do not like that rifle as we'v got much better then and now. But:
The Famas is an old design rifle when the "bullpup" system was seeing as "the ultimate solution"... Now, we all know that was wrong, and yes I am also talking about our FN 2000!
The French actually have a lot's of troubles with their service rifles, the most important one is concerning their ammunitions.
That rifle have a 1/12" rifling to be used with 55grs. as well a fluted chamber due to the locking/unlocking system and the use of steel cases when they was manufacturing their own ammunitions.
Now their using foreign 62grs. ammos. (SS109 like!) with brass cases... Can easely see where the problems are!
Also due to it's old design that rifle was not meaning with Picatinny rails or rail adaptations, and their carry handle did not help!
Hope I was clear? Sorry but my English became very bad as I don't practice enough any more.
I read somewhere that France hasnt built a new FAMAS in over 10 years, so the currently fielded weapons have a load of mileage
It will be interesting to see if the HK416 will replace the FAMAS as France's new frontline carbine.
No. the HK416 is actually only used by S.F. French troops only and I do not think it will change in the near future.
MPi-KMS-72
10-02-09, 07:34
Considering even their own SF units issue AR's that about says it all.
When was the last time the French designed a useful weapon themselves?
Ha! I was having this conversation the other day. The 1886 Lebel wasn't too bad but it should have been history by 1910 and wasn't.
Gutshot John
10-02-09, 07:40
Considering even their own SF units issue AR's that about says it all.
When was the last time the French designed a useful weapon themselves?
Are we limited to small arms?
Any number of Mirage or Rafael fighters.
Exocet and Durandal missiles.
wild_wild_wes
10-04-09, 22:02
I was an original FAMAS owner.
It was a decent rifle, but not in the same class ergonomically as the AR.
Bad points:
The barrel was not chrome lined. Mine developed a rust spot in the bore that would not go away.
Very short sight radius.
Very low-quality sights. The front blade was a spring steel strut....to adjust for windage, a small screw about 1" below the top was screwed in or out, actually bending the blade to either side. I shit you not.
Are we limited to small arms?
Any number of Mirage or Rafael fighters.
Exocet and Durandal missiles.
Their subs are pretty capable too.
I have not pulled the trigger on one at the range, but a buddy of mine has one of the 100 that were imported for civillian sales here in the States.
My oberservations from just handling it:
Very ergonomic.
Control set up works well, and the trigger is better than an AUG.
Overall, I like it better than the AUG. Having said that, I've shot AUG's, I haven't shot one of these.
They are supposed to have a decent rep for working in the field.
Just saved me a bit of typing. I can only add I still need one.
wild_wild_wes
10-17-09, 02:01
I have not pulled the trigger on one at the range, but a buddy of mine has one of the 100 that were imported for civillian sales here in the States.
My oberservations from just handling it:
Very ergonomic.
Control set up works well, and the trigger is better than an AUG.
Overall, I like it better than the AUG. Having said that, I've shot AUG's, I haven't shot one of these.
They are supposed to have a decent rep for working in the field.
I have to disagree, having owned both AUG and FAMAS.
AUG is by far the best of the two. Ergos and accuracy potential being the high points of the AUG and the low point for the FAMAS.
I have to disagree, having owned both AUG and FAMAS.
AUG is by far the best of the two. Ergos and accuracy potential being the high points of the AUG and the low point for the FAMAS.
Ummm he only said the trigger was better.
wild_wild_wes
10-18-09, 00:40
Ummm he only said the trigger was better.
And so he did.
I'm just saying the AUG is a better shooter. The FAMAS is not a bad rifle though; and the collector value is through the roof (mine paid for my last year of college).
And so he did.
I'm just saying the AUG is a better shooter. The FAMAS is not a bad rifle though; and the collector value is through the roof (mine paid for my last year of college).
I'm pretty sure we all agree.
JulienBoit
10-20-09, 02:41
I've fired very occasionaly a FAMAS, and I've never liked that rifle.
Being a bullpup rifle, you can not switch shoulders unless you're wearing a face armor ! Otherwise you'll end with cases in the face !
The rifle is reversible and can be configured from right handed to left handed very easily.
But, the original ammo, made with a steel case able to handle the pressure and the system (canneled chamber) is not made anymore. There are still some stock for combat, but it's getting down surely ! The brass cases are too soft to handle the canneled chamber and there were some accidents with the latest issued ammo made in Abu Dahbi. This ammo was retired from service because of numerous case separation and incidents.
The current barrels can not stabilize SS109 ammo because the twist is made for 55 grains bullets. They tried to replace it with barrels made by Beretta but I have no idea where the process is.
Some spare parts are not manufactured anymore, you guess the rest.....
There are lots of brand new rifles in stock in some arsenals, but it seems that no one knows it and no decision was made so far to retire the old FAMAS for new ones.
There are currently trials of some rifles to replace the FAMAS, HK416, HK G36 and FN SCAR are in tests, but.............................
wild_wild_wes
10-20-09, 20:46
My FAMAS had a 1/9 barrel twist rate.
JulienBoit
10-21-09, 01:23
You must have one of the very few with the good twist !
Otherwise, the twist is 1/12.
Combat_Diver
10-23-09, 07:11
I handled a battlefield pickup one in Baghdad in 03' and wasn't too impressed. The NATO French troops still have them here in Afghanistan and most have a M1913 rail on top of the carrying handle. There is a mixture of EOTech, some other red dot and civilian scopes mount on them. Haven't talked to them to ask their option.
CD
They make for an interesting museum piece - if you can get past that butt ugly look.
goodoleboy
10-26-09, 20:55
You have to admit that when it comes to surplus military rifles, the French have the best stuff... Never fired, only dropped once.
Did I mention I am not a big fan of bullpup designs??? Except for the Israeli Tavor. That thing is bad ass.
JulienBoit
10-27-09, 02:04
You have to admit that when it comes to surplus military rifles, the French have the best stuff... Never fired, only dropped once.
You should tell it to the 10 French paratroppers who died in A-Stan last year in an Ambush.
And the Three who were KIA in september.
variablebinary
10-27-09, 02:13
You have to admit that when it comes to surplus military rifles, the French have the best stuff... Never fired, only dropped once.
Did I mention I am not a big fan of bullpup designs??? Except for the Israeli Tavor. That thing is bad ass.
Would you say that to this French Marines face?
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/039Je3Zb1lcsy/610x.jpg
Looks like dude came all the way from Tahiti to France then half way home to Central Asia.....
His ancestors ate people. :D
CleverNickname
10-27-09, 22:08
You have to admit that when it comes to surplus military rifles, the French have the best stuff... Never fired, only dropped once.
Wow did you think up that one all by yourself?
Looks like dude came all the way from Tahiti to France then half way home to Central Asia.....
New Zealand Maori--if the tattoos on his arm are any indication.
Maori's are like Samoans on steroids
The French are our friends but are so pissy sometimes, that they don't even like themselves !
wild_wild_wes
10-28-09, 22:23
You have to admit that when it comes to surplus military rifles, the French have the best stuff... Never fired, only dropped once.
Here are some pics of French troops in action today.
http://vetiairbe.free.fr/notahotlink/28102009/b.jpg
http://vetiairbe.free.fr/notahotlink/28102009/c.jpg
http://vetiairbe.free.fr/notahotlink/28102009/d.jpg
http://vetiairbe.free.fr/notahotlink/28102009/e.jpg
http://vetiairbe.free.fr/notahotlink/28102009/h.jpg
God bless these men.
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