FA-MAS

The FA-MAS (nicknamed 'le clairon' or 'the Bugle' because of its shape) was designed and accepted to replace the MAS Modele 49 rifle. The FA-MAS system implements a plethora of modern engineering practices that have gone on to make it a well-respected military assault rifle.

The FA-MAS features a built-in hand grip extending for most of the length of the weapon, a built-in bi-pod for sustained firing, and a bullpup configuration resulting in a shorter overall length. The cocking handle is ambidextrously placed on top of the weapon, just underneath the carrying handle, so the user does not need to remove his firing hand from the trigger handle when cocking the weapon. The system as a whole is small enough to be useful to airborne elements such as paratroopers. A bayonet can be fitted above the barrel for close-quarters self-defense combat.

The FA-MAS utilizes a French brand of the 5.56mm NATO round but can still fire M16-type round/magazine without modification. The base system fires from a curved 25-round detachable box cartridge. The overall system is substantially (10 inches) shorter than the American M16 rifle.

The latest version designated as the G2 has been adopted by the French Navy and features a more refined exterior look and a full covering trigger guard. The G2 model also sports a 30-round capable ammunition cartridge as opposed to the base 25-round in the G1 model. The G2 also fires at a higher cyclic rate of 1,100 rds/min at a lower muzzle velocity of 3,035 ft/sec (925 m/sec).

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