Famas

[Krechnek]

.....comparing to others, what do you who have used it think about it in all. Practical? Wheaterconditions? Dirt? Better, worse etc...?

[Eagle eye]

.....comparing to others, what do you who have used it think about it in all. Practical? Wheaterconditions? Dirt? Better, worse etc...?

It's a bit of a toy gun compared to the FSA and SLR with 7,62mm cartridge, that is, a smaller recoil. The SA80 has an excellent sight as a permanent infantry fixture which the FAMAS does not have.
The main FAMAS innovation was the ability to change cartridge ejection between left and right. The plastic cover of the ejector window came off very easily so it was better to keep it in yer pocket rather than be charged for losing it. It also has a grenade launch fixture but it uses the main barrel unlike the M16 grenade launcher which is a separate fixture and can be used at the same time. I never used this fixture though I shoot with M16s a few times in Beirut courtesy of the Lebanese Army.

All in all, I'm afraid I'd prefer the M16 with sight and grenade launcher..

Another FAMAS innovation was that its canvas strap harness allowed for it to secured to your body while shooting. This innovation was adopted in other NATO rifles.

[Eagle eye]

Thanx Eagle!
You didnt think that the M16 felt a bit "plastic"?
Buy the way - your inbox is full again

In the 5 ,56mm range, it's the best in the recoil/weight ratio but it doesn't have the range/accuracy/killing power of a 7,62mm rifle like the SLR....my twin cents...

[jock]

SLR = 300m as an individual weapon, 600m as a section weapon .
Its approx 30 years ago since I was first told that on a wet windy corner of a sports field overlooking the river EXE at the commando training center Lympstone .

Now I feel old

9.9lbs with magazine
Muzzle velocity of 1840 m per sec per sec
4 different ways of opening a beer bottle ( bayonet lug, cocking handle, magazine release catch and shooting the top off )

It felt like a 'real ' weapon and being non-automatic encouraged proper fire discipline .

ahhh pass me some Linseed oil to nourish the weapons wooden furniture

[Darkwolf]

What you guys think of the steyr AUG? Irish Defence Forces issue.....never used any other myself but I loved it! Older serving guys also preferred it compared to the FN that it replaced.
RE:Jock on not using automatic-Irish forces are trained not to use automatic fire from a steyr, the Defence Forces even hold the patent on an "automatic lock-out" they designed as that weapon has no fire selector for single or auto, it is all "trigger" controlled.

[Martin Scott]

Personnally i prefered the SLR ,but give me a GPMG anyday of the week for firepower.

[BobW]

Bonjour Jock,

I believe linseed oil - and also anhydrous graphite - are now in the history books of the Atlantic Alliance militaries.

You did bring back some memories.

Saluations,
BobW

[ranger]

what do you guys think of the HK G3

[Eagle eye]

Never had a chance to fire it...
Talking M16s, when you fire its grenade launcher, do you also need a blank cartridge or is the grenade firing mechanism entirely separate from the main barrel mechanism ?

[BobW]

Bonjour Eagle Eye,

The M16 model(s) with the tube attached for firing grenades, actually launches a grenade by the grenade's own propulsion. It's really a separate unit hooked onto the M16.

It was the M14 and M1 Grand rifle (and the carbine series) that required a blank cartridge to propel the grenade.

Saluations,
BobW

[Eagle eye]

Thanks, BobW,
Additional question: how accurate is the M16s grenade aiming mechanism ? If accurate, all the more reason for a similar mechanism for the FAMAS. In castel, I had great fun with the FSA grenade aiming mechanism..just training grenades though no bang at the end just smoke...

[BobW]

Bonjour all,

It is interesting to note the military philosophy, personal philosophy and personal preference on rifles.

We can see many militaries using the 5.56mm (.223 cal) cartridge. Note that many (includes me!) prefer the larger size cartridges.

Now the breakdown;

There are line troops, special operations troops and all the rest of the categories. This can be broken down even more, eg mech (motorized) infantry distinguished from "foot" infantry; parachutist special operations units distinguished from eg recon units; and in the "other" category everything from aircraft maintaince personnel, communications personnel, etc.

Other than the military's requirement, when there is an option, one factor is weight. If in a type of unit that walks a lot, eg strolls through parks, scenic valleys, etc, and resupply is a term meaning you are already carrying it, the 5.56 wins out frequently.

For those not involved in hikes, the larger calibers are the winners.

It is the large caliber weapons that can penetrate basic military body armor. The 5.56 and even the Kalashnikov 762x39 don't work that well.

I remember learing something from an old timer regarding aircraft. The philosophy applies to rifles.

"The B-29 will get you home faster but the B-17 will get you home more often."

Just an opinion....

Saluations,
BobW

[Chris_Lee]

There are a lot of reasons to use 5.56 with the M16. One is the weight. You can carry more 5.56 than 7.62x39 in the same space. Another reason is we, being US military, would rather wound our enemy than kill him. When a man goes down usually one to two soldiers will try to help him. So you have effectively taken three troopers out of action. 5.56 is a cruel ammo. 7.62x39 will punch a hole right through you. 5.56 might do that if hit in the right place. More often soldiers wounded by 5.56 have a entry wound with a exsit wound nowhere near the entry. For example if a soldier was to get shot in the chest; the round would bounce around and come out the leg maybe or somewhere else. Both rounds are very accurate. I prefer the 7.62x39. When you fire it you feel like your actually doing somethimg. Which is one more reason the US uses 5.56. It is easier to train a pussy to fire a weapon if when the spineless little !@#$ shot's it and it doesn't feel like it's going to take his shoulder off. It's like a game or something. In the end it just doesn't matter. It's just another tool. It's up to you to make the best out of it. I don't like scopes. Truly worthless in a fast paced combat enviroment.

[Eagle eye]

Agreed plus scope allows to use it as a pair of binos: this is the case with the SA80.

Can you PM me with answer to preceding question on the accuracy of M16 grenade launcher ?

[Mick]

My Fav was the SLR......with it you don't pop a disc when you have to do bayonet training.....unlike the steyr you need to be as flexible as to a ground target trust....bloody short arses had no problems but! I had a carbine steyr....which is even shorter plus the bayonet lug was mount on a 45 degree angle which made things fun as well. The steyr is not a bad bit of kit apart from the safty......that push through system sucked.....may times you would find it set to instant after slinging it and doing an obs coarse or the like