FAMAS Commando Prototypes
Forgotten Weapons
•
7m 12s
Unlike most countries that adopted bullpup rifles, the French military never had a short-barreled version of their standard FAMAS. However, GIAT created several prototypes as part of their (ultimately unsuccessful) effort to market the FAMAS internationally. Today, we have two to look at, both with approximately 11.25 inch barrels. They are both based on the G2 pattern rifle, using AR-type magazines (specifically, FN FNC magazines, as GIAT and FN were under the same ownership at the time). The bolt carriers have been lightened to account for the reduced barrel length, and one has a vertical front grip while the other has a horizontal hand stop type grip. They also each have different types of sights, as this was clearly an area of experimentation...
Many thanks to the French Ministry of the Interior for providing access to film these prototypes!
Up Next in Forgotten Weapons
-
The Fakiest Fake Berthier I Have Seen...
I found this online and it was unusual enough I figured it would be a fun video to put together for you.
-
Ethiopian M90/95 Hybrid Mannlicher Ca...
Today we are looking at a uniquely Ethiopian carbine, a hybrid M90/95 Mannlicher. It began life as an Austrian-issue M90 carbine proofed in 1892. It served through World War One, and was probably given to Italy as war reparations in the early 1920s. Italy then sent it to East Africa, where is ser...
-
Uniquely Ethiopian Shortened Lebel Ri...
Today we are looking at an interesting sub-type of Ethiopian Lebel short rifle. When InterOrdnance brought in the surviving Lebels from Ethiopian storage, eleven of one hundred were in this configuration, with barrels shortened to about 25 inches. Each rifle is a bit different - especially in fro...
