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Meatball's Featured Reviews |
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Airsoft Core |
By Voodoo_Sprout
Published: December 6, 2003
Updated: October 10, 2008
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The Giat FAMAS (Fusile automatique Manufacture d'armes St. Entienne) was introduced into the French military in 1980, as the world’s first "bullpup" rifle to enter service. Bullpup simply means the working parts are set behind the trigger. With the special 5.56 X 45mm type France ammunition, it is quite accurate due partly to the longer barrel which bullpup configurations allow. While newer models can use 30 round M16 magazines, the standard straight magazine (as supplied with the AEG) is 25 rounds.
First Impressions
As the gun is made mostly from plastic, it isn't very heavy compared to other AEG's. Many people think it looks ugly, but that is completely down to opinion, so if you like it, don't let other people put you off by saying it looks like a deranged pig. The gun shoulders quite well, and the studded, rubber butt plate helps you keep the rifle steady while aiming. I don't like the sights on this gun very much, as the extended carrying handle means there isn't much peripheral vision. The grenade launcher sights aren't useful, but do fill up your vision so aiming can be quite difficult at first when compared to the open, unobstructed sights of other rifles. With the large battery installed in the fore grip, it's well balanced, while it is compact enough to be easily swung around in confined spaces. One useful feature of this gun is that it is fully ambidextrous. This means it can be quickly modified to suit both right and left-handed user, by moving the cheek piece (above the magazine) to the other side. The cocking handle, fire selector and magazine release are either on the top or bottom, as against on the side as with M16 rifles etc. In addition, the front and rear sling hoops on both sides of the gun (the FAMAS F1 only has rear sling hoops, the front ones being replaced with a bipod) for easy carrying. The inner and outer barrel is metal, giving it good rigidity to maximize accuracy, as is the moving cocking handle although it doesn't serve any purpose as such. The gun does squeak a bit in places, but this can be sorted out easily enough. One other nice feature is the spring release at the rear of the gun, on the underside (just behind the fire selector). Pressing this allows the spring to move forward, releasing any tension after firing. This means you don't have to worry about storing the gun with the spring compressed, and reducing its power.
Function
In a skirmish environment, this rifle can easily hold it's own. As an assault rifle, the relatively compact size allows you to quickly move through closed areas or dense undergrowth without many problems of bushes getting caught in the gun. It is quite easy to move around to bring to bear on new targets, but for all this is still accurate enough to saturate enemy positions from a good distance. It is no able to fire as accurately as some other guns, largely due to the sights. As mentioned before, these are not to my liking, on bringing the rifle in to the aim you may have to move around to find the sights (they are adjustable for wind, simply push the front blade left or right. The large hand guard found on the SV version is a useful addition, as well as keeping away annoying grass and brush from your firing hand, it can provide a makeshift vertical hand grip, which can give a more comfortable firing position. Another minor glitch (no fault of Marui) is the fire selector being behind the magazine well. If you want to flick from aimed semi auto to full auto, perhaps to suppress a sneaky enemy whose appeared next to you, you have to move your hand back to reach the switch, and if your in a hurry this can be too long, you might be better popping off a few single shots and running like a madman to cover. But if you need to keep the enemies heads down, the FAMAS provides a fearsome rate of fire, excellent for covering or engaging fast moving targets. Despite having only an EG560 motor, the older gearbox transfers the power into high rate of fire, whereas later models fired slower, but could power a stronger spring. This goes well with the large battery stored in the fore grip, which can easily give out juice all day. To access the battery, switch the safety catch in front of the trigger 90 degrees to the left (as you would to fire) and push it further still. Yu will hear a click, and holding the weapon upside down so the battery doesn't fall out, push the fore grip forwards and away. To put it back, switch the safety to safe (so it points to the trigger) place the grip down over the battery just forward of the normal position, and click it down so it's flat against the bottom of the receiver. Now just push it back until it clicks again, and the battery is secure. As such, If you've got a lot of ammo, this serves as a very cheap, effective support weapon. It has adjustable hop up to allow for longer range shooting, it is accessible by lifting the top of the cheek piece (above the magazine) up, and back of the gun. Underneath is a little clock style dial, with and cross piece with an arrow, move this clockwise to increase hop up. However, as you increase hop up, with lighter ammo (.2g etc) the trajectory will become more of a hill, with the bb climbing up at the start, and dropping down further away. This makes accurate fire more difficult, so you have to decide between pinpoint accuracy and long-range suppression. As the gun is mainly made of plastic, it is quite light. This makes it easy to swing around, poke around corners, or fire one handed if need be, going hand in hand with the bull pup design (which in airsoft also makes the gun harder to snap than longer rifles). There are both front and rear sling hoops on both sides, another feature useful for left handed people. Reloading can be accomplished very swiftly with practice, As only a small amount of the magazine is inside the gun, you can get a firm grasp. To release the magazine, pull the black lever in front of the magazine (easily done in the motion of gripping the magazine) and the magazine drops out, although it's best to keep holding it so you don't drop it. To put the new magazine in, point it slightly forward, and put the top rear into the magazine well and rotate into place until it clicks. Each standard magazine holds 65 rounds, and the hi-capacity clockwork magazine holds about 300 giving easily enough, at least until you can get to cover to reload (though you may want a couple of hi-caps if your using it as a support weapon).
Upgrades and Maintenance
One shortfall of the FAMAS is that it uses and old EG560 motor. This means that it wont be able to power a spring any stronger than an M120. The gearbox-motor layout also means it is impossible to install a better motor. The gearbox is also an older version, and while they are available, upgraded gearboxes are very hard to find. This is only really a problem however, if you regularly play against upgraded AEG's. A tighter barrel is a useful addition, improving accuracy and adding some more range. Scope rails are available, allowing you to mount optical devices such as red dot scopes on the gun. Again, many people think this looks rubbish but that is down to opinion. There isn't much else you can do without going to some trouble. Some people have fitted FAMAS's with a RIS (rail interface system) allowing things like lasers and flashlights to be mounted, although again these are not common at all. If you want, it is possible to convert it to use M16 magazines, including the 1000+ drum magazines. In terms of maintenance, the more complex practices such as cleaning the gearbox etc is best left to qualified professionals, some of who will for a small charge give you gun a complete service. You can, however, lubricate the magazine well, the ammo feed, all the working parts (cocking handle, trigger etc), to keep them happy. Also lube the hop up parts, to keep them functioning properly. Use the tool provided to clean out the barrel, but always clear away any muck before applying new lube. If you like this gun as much as I do, you will also probably want to remove every minute speck of dust on it. <
Conclusion
The FAMAS is a highly capable basic skirmish weapon, with a handy size, excellent rate of fire and large battery, in addition it is often cheaper than other AEG's. While it may not be upgradeable to the extent some experienced players like, it is still gives heavy firepower at good ranges as it is. Some may find it difficult to be accurate with, so it is not best suited to sniping, but for the newer player this is a great starter gun with a good reputation for reliability, if not for good looks. One hint though, is be sure to check the fire selector is where you want it, with the switch hidden away under the gun, I have been caught out a few times without realizing the switch was on safe.
- Voodoo Sprout
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