FAMAE SAF

Chile, in South America has emerged as a significant arms producer, over the last few decades. The FAMEA or Fábricas y Maestranzas del Ejército - is behind these high quality firearms. This organization works under the Military Industry and Engineering Command, and has been operating for around one hundred and eighty years. Working in FAMEA are about 3000 people, who not only design and manufacture new weapons, but also maintain the countries military equipment.

Ever since the 1960s, FAMEAE has assembled the Belgian FN FAL rifle and its support versions. It is also acquired the license to manufacture the Swiss SG542 assault rifle. Some of noteworthy activities have been the production of the .32-caliber revolver and a 9mm submachine gun, mortars of 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm, which are been based on Brandt prototypes. FAMEA ha developed the Rayo 160mm multiple-rocket launcher system, which was successful project.

FAMAE SAF guns can be said to be the shortened version of the SIG 540 rifle, these are also similar to the HK MP5 sub machine guns. However the rotating bolt has been substituted with a much simpler blowback bolt. The receiver, stock, fore-end, trigger/hammer assembly, and floating firing pin design are similar. It is recoil-operated select fire gun, which fires from a closed bolt.

All the guns in the FAMAE series are equipped with a last shot, hold-open device. Its fire selector switch has the four settings of safe, single shot, 3 round burst, and full automatic. These guns are modular in construction, which means that most parts are interchangeable between guns. It is easy for both right and left-handed people to use. The guns are manufactured using stamped steel sheets, but the lower receiver, pistol grip, and trigger guard is made from polymer.

The sights on the FAMAE SAF's are like the HK type sights as both have a rotary drum type rear, with a hooded post at the front. The rear sight, which are adjustable for windage have 50, 100 and 150 meter notches. The front sight is open on the top, and the upper receiver is designed to accept the optional equipment of a quick detach type of scope mount. There are four versions of the FAMAE SAF; the standards models are with a fixed polymer buttstock. There is a standard version available with a left-side-folding tubular metal buttstock.

Also available is a model with an integral silencer, it has a version with a folding buttstock. The Standard SAF gun is of 9mm x 19mm or 40 S&W caliber. It has a mass of approximately 3 kilograms when loaded. The barrel length is 198mm or 7.87and the rate of fire is 1200 rounds per minute. The magazine capacity is 20 or 30 rounds. The effective range is 100 to 150 meters and the magazine is straight styled.

The Mini SAF has a 115mm barrel, and is a 9mm caliber. It also has no shoulder stock, and a forward handgrip. Though it can use the standard 30-round magazine, it has version that is 12 inches long, and can use a special 20-round magazine.

The FAMAE SAF can be maintained easily, without the need for special tools. They are accurate so they are also useful as sniper fire. It is one of the best guns in its range available and users will always comment on the robustness of these guns and the manufacturing quality.