A Brief History

The FAMAS Rifle: A French Icon

A Brief History

The FAMAS (Fusil d'Assaut de la Manufacture d'Armes de Saint-Étienne) is a French assault rifle that was first introduced in 1979. It was developed by the French arms manufacturer GIAT Industries (now Nexter) to replace the aging MAS-49 rifle. The FAMAS is a bullpup design, which means that the magazine and operating mechanism are located behind the trigger group. This allows for a much more compact rifle than traditional designs.

Export History

About 20 years ago, France exported 100 FAMAS rifles to the United States. A small number of rifles were also exported to other countries, such as Senegal, Djibouti, and Lebanon.

Features and Design

The FAMAS is a gas-operated, selective-fire rifle. It fires the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge and has a magazine capacity of 25 rounds. The FAMAS is known for its unique bullpup design, which allows for a much more compact rifle than traditional designs. This makes it ideal for close-quarters combat and urban warfare.

The FAMAS also has a number of other features that make it a popular choice for military and law enforcement personnel. These features include:

• A built-in grenade launcher
• A carrying handle with integrated optics
• A folding stock

Legacy

The FAMAS has been a popular choice for military and law enforcement personnel around the world for over 40 years. It is known for its reliability, accuracy, and compact design. The FAMAS is a testament to the French engineering prowess and remains one of the most iconic assault rifles in the world.