Editing FAMAS (section)

==Design details==
===Action===

[[File:FAMAS Bolt-gr.PNG|thumb|A schematic of the lever-delayed blowback mechanism used in the FAMAS]]

The FAMAS is a [[bullpup]] assault rifle, where the ammunition feed is behind the trigger. The receiver housing is made of a special steel alloy, and the rifle furniture is made of fibreglass. The rifle uses a [[Blowback (arms)#Lever-delayed|lever-delayed blowback]] action, an action type also used in the French [[AA-52 machine gun]] derived from the prototypes built during Army Technical Department tests having taken place between the First and Second World Wars.

===Ergonomics===
[[File:FAMAS Infanterie 2REI.jpg|thumb|Soldier of the [[2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment]] using FAMAS Infanterie upgraded with an [[Aimpoint]] [[red dot sight]]]]
Fire mode is controlled by a selector within the trigger guard, with three settings:  safe (central position), single shot (to the right), and automatic fire (to the left). Automatic fire can be in three-shot bursts (''rafale'') or fully automatic; this is determined by another selector, located under the housing and behind the magazine.

The FAMAS G2 weighs {{convert|3.8|kg|lb|2|abbr=on}}. The G1 and G2 have a large, grip-length trigger guard like that of the [[Steyr AUG]] to allow easy access to the trigger when wearing gloves.

Both F1 and G2 models of the FAMAS feature a bipod attached to the upper hand-guard.

The FAMAS-G2 and some F1 sport a  "polyvalent hand-guard" which features a standard [[NATO Accessory Rail]], allowing a variety of sights to be mounted, notably red dot sights and night vision units.

===Ammunition===
[[File:FAMAS.jpg|thumb|Cutaway of the muzzle of a FAMAS F1 on display at the Weapons Department in the Museum of Art and Industry in Saint-Étienne, France]]
[[File:Fusilier marin remise des fourragère le 06 juin 2009. Recadré.jpg|thumb|A fusilier marin with his FAMAS G2]]
The FAMAS uses a delayed blowback operating system that functions best with French-specified steel-casing 5.56×45mm ammunition. Using standard brass-casing [[5.56×45mm NATO]] ammunition employed by other armies can create over-pressure and case ruptures in the FAMAS during extraction, which can lead to severe malfunctions.<ref name="secretdefense.blogs.liberation.fr">{{Cite web |url=http://secretdefense.blogs.liberation.fr/defense/2009/09/larm%C3%A9e-a-de-s%C3%A9rieuses-difficult%C3%A9s-avec-les-munitions-du-fusil-famas.html |title=L'armée rencontre de sérieuses difficultés avec les munitions du fusil Famas |access-date=3 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111004617/http://secretdefense.blogs.liberation.fr/defense/2009/09/larm%C3%A9e-a-de-s%C3%A9rieuses-difficult%C3%A9s-avec-les-munitions-du-fusil-famas.html |archive-date=11 January 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> Using incorrectly built ammunition also results in approximately two minor injuries for every million rounds fired from a FAMAS.<ref name="secretdefense.blogs.liberation.fr"/> As a result, the French military has discreetly banned the use of foreign-produced ammunition in all French-issued FAMAS.<ref name="secretdefense.blogs.liberation.fr"/> However, fluting the chamber will completely remove these malfunctions, although the brass casings will still be deformed and will not be able to be reloaded without reshaping.

The FAMAS F1 uses a proprietary 25-round magazine. It has a chrome-lined barrel with 1 turn in 12 inch (1:12 inch) rifling and functions best with the {{convert|55|gr|g|abbr=on}} (M193 type) ammunition. When using the French made 5.56&nbsp;mm {{convert|55|gr|g|abbr=on}} ammo it has a muzzle velocity of {{convert|3150|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}}.<ref name="HoggWeeks2000">{{cite book |title=Military Small Arms of the 20th Century |edition=7 |last1=Hogg |first1=Ian V. |last2=Weeks |first2=John S. |publisher=Krause Publications |year=2000 |pages=238–239 |isbn=978-0873418249}}</ref>

The FAMAS G2 uses M16-type, NATO-compatible 30-round [[STANAG magazine]]s.<ref name="HoggWeeks2000" /> It has a chrome-lined barrel with 1 turn in 9 inch (1:9 inch) rifling and functions equally well with both the older {{convert|55|gr|g|abbr=on}} (M193 type) ammo and the newer {{convert|62|gr|g|abbr=on}} (SS109 type) ammo.<ref name="HoggWeeks2000" /> When using the French made 5.56&nbsp;mm {{convert|62|gr|g|abbr=on}} ammo it has a muzzle velocity of {{convert|3035|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}}.<ref name="HoggWeeks2000" />

During training with blank ammunition, a [[Blank-firing adapter|special plug]] is added to the muzzle of the FAMAS. This plug is necessary for automatic or semi-automatic blank fire operation, and functions by blocking part of the gas used in a blank cartridge.

===Rifle grenades===
[[File:FAMAS-F1 firing APAV40.svg|thumb|Alidade for direct fire of the [[APAV 40]] grenade]]

The FAMAS can use a variety of rifle grenades up to {{convert|500|g|abbr=on}}. Notable examples include the antipersonnel [[APAV40]] and the anti-tank [[AC58]].

The FAMAS features two [[alidade]]s for aiming rifle grenades with several modes:
* direct fire at {{convert|75|to|100|m|abbr=on}}, in anti-vehicle role
* indirect fire, in anti-personnel role:
** with the FAMAS inclined by 45°, allowing fire from {{convert|120|to|340|m|abbr=on}}
** with the FAMAS inclined by 75°, allowing fire from {{convert|60|to|170|m|abbr=on}}
In indirect fire mode the grenade support (more exactly named "grenade enforcement ring" in French) is moved forwards or backwards on the barrel which has markings (12/13?). This changes the position of the grenade on the barrel and automatically the volume of the chamber in which the gas expands to push the grenade forward. Each position of the grenade support has a number which is multiplied by a certain fixed number depending on the alidade position, 45° or 75°; this will accurately indicate the firing distance of the grenade.

The FAMAS can also accommodate an external grenade launcher as an add-on module under the hand guard; the US [[M203 grenade launcher]] is sometimes used.