FAMAS G2
Nexter Systems (formerly GIAT Industries / MAS) · Assault Rifle · Out Of Production · 1994
Also known as: Le Clairon, FA-MAS G2, FAMAS G2 Standard
Overview
The FAMAS G2 is the second-generation French bullpup assault rifle developed by GIAT Industries (later Nexter Systems) at the Manufacture d'Armes de Saint-Étienne, introduced in 1994 as a NATO-standardisation upgrade of the original FAMAS F1. The G2 retains the F1's distinctive lever-delayed blowback action - derived from the AAT-52 machine gun and unique among 5.56mm assault rifles - but adds three critical NATO-compliance changes: a redesigned magazine well that accepts standard STANAG (M16-pattern) 30-round magazines in place of the F1's proprietary 25-round magazine, a tighter 1-in-9-inch (228mm) rifling twist that stabilises both the older 55-grain M193 and the newer 62-grain SS109/M855 NATO standard projectiles, and an enlarged trigger guard that wraps the entire pistol grip for use with arctic gloves. The bullpup configuration delivers a full 488mm barrel within an overall length of just 757mm, and the lever-delayed action drives an unusually high cyclic rate of around 1,000 rounds per minute. The French Navy adopted the G2 in 1995 for its Fusiliers Marins and Commandos Marine, but the French Army declined to procure it, sticking with the F1 until both variants were ultimately replaced by the Heckler & Koch HK416F beginning in 2017.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3800 g (134.0 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4150 g (146.4 oz) |
| Overall Length | 757 mm (29.80") |
| Barrel Length | 488 mm (19.21") |
| Sight Radius | 330 mm (12.99") |
| Action Type | Lever Delayed Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 925 m/s (3035 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1711 J (1262 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 300 m (328 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 400 m (437 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 1000 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 228 mm (8.98") |
| Number of Grooves | 3 |
| Frame Material | Polymer |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- 5.56x45mm NATO · primary · 5.56x45mm NATO — also known as 5.56x45mm, 5.56 NATO, SS109, M855, M193
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic, Burst 3
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine, Stanag Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector, Lever Delay System, Trigger Guard Safety
- Features: Bullpup Configuration, Stanag Magazine Compatible, Chrome Lined Barrel, Chrome Lined Chamber, Ambidextrous Operation, Reversible Ejection, Select Fire, Three Round Burst, Rifle Grenade Capable, Bayonet Mount, Folding Bipod, Integrated Carrying Handle, Tritium Night Sights, Lever Delayed Blowback Action, Enlarged Trigger Guard, 1 In 9 Twist For Ss109
Variants
- FAMAS F1 — Predecessor
- FAMAS G1 — Transitional
- FAMAS G2 Commando — Compact
- FAMAS FELIN — Modernized
Base model
Service history
Operators
- French Navy (Fusiliers Marins / Commandos Marine) · adopted 1995
- French Foreign Legion
Conflicts
- War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
- Operation Serval (Mali) (2013-2014)
- Operation Barkhane (2014-2022)
- Côte d'Ivoire civil conflict (2002-2011)
- Russo-Ukrainian War (2022-present)
Production
Estimated total produced: 12,000 · Production years: 1994-2000
Approximately 10,000-15,000 G2 rifles produced - far fewer than the ~400,000 F1s - because the French Army declined to adopt the G2, leaving the French Navy as the principal customer. Production wound down by 2000.
Origin
Country of origin: France
Designer: Paul Tellie (original FAMAS) / GIAT Industries engineering team (G2 update)
Discontinued: 2017
Notes
Total G2 production was modest - roughly 10,000 to 15,000 rifles total - because the French Army rejected the upgrade, leaving the Navy as effectively the only large-volume customer. The G2's STANAG well makes it visually distinguishable from the F1 by its larger, squarer magazine opening; F1 magazines are not interchangeable. The 1-in-9 twist replaced the F1's 1-in-12 twist, which had been optimised for the older lighter M193 round. Replacement of all FAMAS variants by the HK416F began in 2017 and is now substantially complete, ending nearly four decades of indigenous French service-rifle production. France donated approximately 1,000 surplus FAMAS rifles (mixed F1 and G2) to Ukraine following the 2022 Russian invasion.
Background
The FAMAS G2 is one of the great 'right answer, wrong customer' stories in modern small arms - GIAT did exactly what NATO had asked for (STANAG magazines, 1:9 twist for SS109), but the French Army then refused to buy any, leaving the upgrade to be adopted in earnest only by the French Navy. Two decades later the entire French establishment finally walked away from the bullpup altogether and bought the German HK416F instead.