We have understandably received a lot of questions about our upcoming release of various FAMAS-type parts and services, we have replied to messages and talked a bit at shows, but a public, condensed post seems to be in order. So here are some answers to FAQs we get on the upcoming FAMAS related products!
Q: When is the release date for receivers?
Soon! Yes, it sucks not having a defined date, but nobody likes to get excited for something to get delayed, and we want to get these right. We are working hard to get these out soon though! Watch our social media for more updates.
Q: Barrels?
We have a run of barrels in the works, but that will release a bit later than the receivers. They will be the same profile as the ones used by the FELIN kits. They all have a 1:7 twist rate for modern ammunition loads unlike the original F1 FAMAS guns using 1:12 twist. We will keep you updated.
If a volume of F1 kits start coming in, we will likely offer barrels with updated twist rates for those as well.
Q: Its not gas operated? / Fluted chamber..?
Yes. It operates via a lever delay principle using mechanical disadvantage and calculated mass to delay the cycling of the bolt. As with other guns that start moving earlier in the cycle of operation, like roller delayed guns, it requires special flutes cut into the inside of the chamber to help "float" the cartridge movement while some pressure remains.
Q: Is this going to be offered in semiauto? / Is this going to be offered for SOTs?
Our entire focus for this project has been for semiauto builds. The semiauto only changes are taken from the original sporters and so will interchange parts, but we still retain original the original barrel profile, full sights, etc unlike the sporter rifles.
One of the services we plan to offer is semiauto FCG conversion services that will use original and new parts.
SOTs will have an option to request a receiver with an unfinished FCG cutout, for their own manufacturing purposes.
Q: Will you sell rifles / Will you build my rifle?
Yes and Yes! We plan to sell built rifles and offer builds, but those will be when the new production barrels are done. If you have a kit with an original intact barrel, we can build those when receivers release; These guns are not only an exotic operating system, they are French, so they have some oddities and unnoticeable but important quirks that needs to be carefully set/checked.
Q: What services / parts will you offer?
The plan is to release receivers, barrels, rifles, semi auto FCG conversions, and build services as well as some other accompanying bits such as 922r magazine parts, etc.
Q: Magazines?
The FAMAS type rifles use a 25 round magazine of proprietary design. It is a bit smaller than an AR magazine and AR mags will not fit in the magwell. It is ambidextrous by nature, using a centerline latch like AK's or Stoner's later designs. Personally we find this design very slick to use, though harder to source of course.
We have looked into adapting the design, but it will require more time and probably some modifications to original parts. So we are focused on the original mags/kits available at the moment. Once the spice receivers are flowing we will look into this. (more on this in the answer regarding the G2 below)
Q: Where are the kits?
We don't have information on kit availability. Some have come and gone, more may come, but that's not something we are privy to. From what we heard France only released a small amount of FELIN guns for sale, which went to various bidders. Some were then imported to the US, but the total amount released was not large by any means.
Q: I want an F1! / I want a Valorisé! / What is this? (Gestures at FÉLIN)
To answer these, we need to go through the main of the versions of the FAMAS, and what their availability is like.
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| Image Source: IMFDB |
Very few incomplete "kits" have shown themselves, seemingly cobbled together from spare bits, usually missing impossible to find parts, but no volume of actual, complete F1 kits have shown up at this time. We hope, and we will support those if they do.
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| Image Source: IMFDB |
G2 - A model redesigned for AR mags, produced in limited quantities for the French navy. These had a number of changes to the receiver, furniture and bolt to accommodate the AR magazine's dimensions and side latch hole. There are no kits available for these at this time. If they do become available in volume, we plan on supporting them.
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| Image Source: IMFDB |
FÉLIN - There are two versions that came from the FÉLIN modernization program, and both were made by taking original F1 guns, putting on new production barrels, and changing the whole front end and upper handguard. To modernize it, they dropped the Bugle shape to add an optics rail, moving the charging handle to the side to allow it to sit lower (it no longer reciprocates but also requires basic armorer work to change sides). The bipod mount was changed to a pivoting design, the bipod legs were extended, the iron sights were simplified, and the grenade launcher ring is now fixed and includes an M16 type bayonet lug - they are still compatible with originals, however.
The focus of the program was on the future soldier aspect, similar to the US Army's land warrior, but much further developed, actually being deployed to an extent. A special multifunction optic with day and night vision or thermals, as well as picture taking and streaming capability to the soldier's helmet display or others in the unit was mounted. Thus you or your buddy could literally shoot over a wall or see around a corner, among other functions. There is also a smaller, lower sitting rail ahead of the front iron sight. This was used for a small laser, below the LOS of the primary optics. Development for these went for quite a long time so there is various prototype or slight variation photos of both the gun and optic out there, but the ones available mostly match the picture above.
The impact of this on the program is that you have two configurations. Both have new barrels and the updated front end, bipod etc. The main one uses a special handguard with a vertical front grip with a number of buttons for controlling the sight. The sight plugs into a cord attached within the grip, and a connector built into the bottom of the pistol grip would be plugged into a cord from equipment on your chest rig. All of the current FÉLIN kits are this version. The rifles we offer will be this version as such.
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| Image Source: IMFDB |
The second version of FÉLIN program rifles, more commonly known for its use in various battlefields, black ops, and certain "finals", uses a modified version of the original F1 lower handguard instead of the smart optic one, and is known to as the "Valorisé". It was used with an EOTECH 512 in service. Though the optics rail is standard picatinny, so you can mount whatever you feel like. We are excited to see what ends up on there..
(The rifle in our shooting footage and picture up top is a FÉLIN kit like the rest, which the owner managed to source a Valorisé handguard for and swap out)
That's all for now. We will go into further details on offerings in the near future, or possibly more FAQs depending on your responses!
Thank you for your interest, and if you have any further questions, as always feel free to email us!
sales@childersguns.com
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