Were there ever any civie legal FAMAS rifles ever made?

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Joey_the_Wolf

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I'm just somewhat curious. I know that IF they're out there, they're probably more expensive than I'd be able to afford anytime soon, but I always wondered if there were ever any civilian legal FAMAS rifles made or available. Don't ask me why (even I don't why), but I've always liked the FAMAS design. Yes, I'm aware it's French, and I'm also aware that it's downright goofy looking, but I've always had the FAMAS as one of those guns that I'd like to own someday. I have a thing for bullpups I guess. I want to get one of those new FN 2000 rifles once I have the cash, but there's something about the FAMAS rifle that just seems to appeal to me. I can't be the only one that feels that way though. Whoever makes the FAMAS rifle should think about building them in the US and selling them here as Semi-Auto versions. I'm sure alot of people would buy them, much like the FN 2000 seems to be sold out everywhere (I haven't even seen one in person yet, and yes, I've been looking). Like I said, it looks goofy, but alot of people would probably buy them just for the cool factor or the uniqueness of it.

Anyone ever see one of these sold anywhere? If not semi auto, then how about pre-86 full auto ones. I'm sure SOMEONE out there must have one of these...
 
I saw one semi auto FAMAS advertised at an auction once. The starting bid was $600, but I'm sure it went much higher then that as it was a well advertised firearms only auction and there were a lot of dealers and serious collectors talking about the auction ahead of time.

Other then that, I've never seen a single reference to a semi auto FAMAS. Never heard of anyone saying that they had one, or used to have one, or shoot a buddys, or even saw one for sale somewhere. I'm on a lot of gun boards and usually, no matter how esoteric the weapon, somebody has one or know's where one is. The FAMAS must be a pretty rare breed, indeed.
 
In the early 90's a few semi auto FAMAS rifles were imported into the US. I think that they were imported and sold by Century Arms. They weren't cheap then and they're even more expensive nowadays.
 
Yeah, I'm sure they're probably extremely expensive, and I've never even seen one or heard about anyone who has. But then again, I wonder why the people who manufacture the FAMAS rifle don't try to sell a semi version here in the states, as there is probably a pretty big market for it here. People will buy just about anything ifit A) looks "tactical" B) is military in nature C) is an "evil" assault rifle D) if it's new or unique. And the FAMAS is pretty much all of those categories. I know I'd get one if they were available, and I'm sure that alot of people I know would too. Maybe it's wishful thinking on my behalf, but who knows, maybe one day they well. I know I never expected to see the FN90 or the FN 2000 released in the states, ever, yet both were. We'll see I guess.
 
Well, the FAMAS is produced by a corporation owned by the French Government, so they are pretty well taken care of. There also is a different mindset in France than in many other countries (which is why there is no love between them and the U.S., and the U.K., and Germany and...), the culture there is much more unified. A teacher that I had made a good example. If the French Prime Minister decreed that people should only by French products the French would throw every foreign possession away. If the President of the U.S. tried the same thing there would be rioting in the streets.

Anyway, I think that keeping the FAMAS French is kind of a pride thing, much like how the French have a language purity council to insure that foreign influence doesn't "corrupt" their way of speaking.
 
much like how the French have a language purity council to insure that foreign influence doesn't "corrupt" their way of speaking.
Click to expand...

My old neighbor from France could tell you differently... I've spoken with her and she says my Francais is very old/proper french...but she is from the Basque region.

She's qualified with the FAMAS BTW... she started shooting it at 14 in one of the French colonies in Africa. Her father is ex-military..
 
I've wanted a FAMAS for a long time now, and while I know that there are some 16' semi-auto's in the country, I've never seen one or had someone offer to sell me one. The dealer I buy from saw them back in the 80's going for $700-800 and said that after a year (at most) the supply dropped off and he never saw them again.

The only way that I can judge the potential price of a FAMAS is to judge it along side of the Norinco 86S that I own (AK47 bullpup in 7.62x39). I have it NIB and I paid a little under 2k for it (and have been offered near $2500 for it now). The ones that have been used and shot sell in the $1500 range...that is, when they can be found.

The 86S came in right before Bush the First banned Chinese firearms which meant only the first tip of the shipment came through- only around 500.

I'm assuming the FAMAS is around in similar numbers, but because it is a more known design, it would probably sell for a bit more.

I'd assume that if you could buy one today, you'd have to shell out $2500 or 3000 for it.
 
I remember an old Champion Shooter Supply catalog offering a FAMAS in .22LR, which I assume was the knock-off made in Italy by Armi-Jager. Probably as close to a FAMAS as many of us can get.
 
I can't be the only one that feels that way though. Whoever makes the FAMAS rifle should think about building them in the US and selling them here as Semi-Auto versions.
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I have often wondered the same thing. Great, now I want one even more!
 
Cool looking rifle, to be sure...

And that is really all of the incentive anyone needs to own anything in my book. However, doesnt this gun have a reputation of being unreliable??? I seem to recall that being the case, and I know for damn sure that I wouldnt spend big bucks ($3-5k) for a gun that doesnt work well.

Other than that, does it take AR-15 mags? They look similar. Also, isnt there a previous design with a "hand encompassing" trigger guard. I think this is the cooler looking of the two designs, but recall the standard trigger guard being adapted because of AD's in the field.
 
I know of one person local to me that actually owns one of the civilian legal FAMAS rifles. A while ago, one was listed on gunbroker.com with an asking price of well over $8k (cannot remember the exact figure). Very few were imported and are now worth a serious amount of change.
 
Gotta show my bragging picture again. Tragically, grievously, I just got to hold it, never got to shoot it.

attachment.php
 
hate to raise a thread from the dead but didn't a company also make a .22 semi-auto version of the FAMAS?
 
Originally posted by xx7grant7x
hate to raise a thread from the dead but didn't a company also make a .22 semi-auto version of the FAMAS?
Click to expand...

Actually, all of the FAMAS rifles are .22s...

:)

And, from what I've heard, I think that Century Arms imported about 100 of the FAMAS rifles in that original batch. That makes them pretty rare...

Forrest
 
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