Has anyone here ever fired a FAMAS rifle? How is the weapon regarded by the troops that have to carry it?
Argggg:confused:
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.
and M4s
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. 
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?
The French 75 of WWI?
The Minie Ball?
Two most recent I can come up with:p
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.
The Francisca?
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.
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.
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.
Are we limited to small arms?
Any number of Mirage or Rafael fighters.
Exocet and Durandal missiles.
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.
Their subs are pretty capable too.
Just saved me a bit of typing. I can only add I still need one.
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.