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FAMAS

The FAMAS is a French bullpup assault rifle developed and manufactured by MAS in Saint-Étienne.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The FAMAS is a French bullpup assault rifle developed and manufactured by MAS in Saint-Étienne. Adopted by the French military in 1978, it became one of the best-known service rifles produced in France. The rifle was nicknamed "le clairon" by some French soldiers because of its shape.

Design

The FAMAS is a bullpup rifle, meaning the action and magazine are placed behind the trigger group to reduce overall length. This layout made it compact while retaining rifle-length performance.

Service history

The rifle was adopted by the French armed forces in 1978 and became a standard French service weapon. It served across multiple branches of the military and was later superseded in French service by newer rifles.

Variants and use

The best-known version is the FAMAS F1, officially described by the French Ministry of the Armed Forces as a close-combat individual weapon. Other references note later variants and export or civilian-adapted versions.

Nickname and cultural recognition

French troops reportedly nicknamed the rifle "le clairon" because of its distinctive silhouette. The FAMAS became one of the most recognizable French military small arms.

Key facts

  • FAMAS is a French assault rifle with a bullpup configuration.
  • The name is an acronym for the Saint-Étienne arms factory.
  • It was designed and manufactured in France by MAS, with introduction in 1978.
  • The French Ministry of the Armed Forces describes the FAMAS F1 as a versatile close-combat individual weapon.
  • The rifle was nicknamed "le clairon" by some French soldiers because of its shape.

Frequently asked questions

What does FAMAS stand for?
It stands for "Fusil d'Assaut de la Manufacture d'Armes de Saint-Étienne."
What kind of weapon is the FAMAS?
It is a bullpup assault rifle.
When was the FAMAS introduced?
It was introduced in 1978.
Which country used the FAMAS?
It was used by the French armed forces as a standard service rifle.
What calibre does the FAMAS use?
Common references identify it as a 5.56×45mm NATO rifle.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FAMAS
    Supports: English-language overview: full name, bullpup assault rifle, French design, introduction in 1978.
  2. Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/FAMAS
    Supports: French-language overview: full name, 5.56×45mm NATO calibre, bullpup configuration, origin and manufacture.
  3. Ministère des Armées et des Anciens combattants — https://www.defense.gouv.fr/terre/nos-materiels/nos-equipements-terre/nos-armes/famas
    Supports: Official description of the FAMAS F1, its role as a close-combat individual weapon, and the nickname 'le clairon'.
  4. GlobalMilitary.net — https://www.globalmilitary.net/firearms/famas/
    Supports: General identification as a French bullpup assault rifle designed and manufactured by MAS in 1978.
  5. Forgotten Weapons — https://www.forgottenweapons.com/rifles/famas-f1/
    Supports: Development history and adoption date; contextual notes on its role as an early mass-produced bullpup rifle.
  6. Fandom — https://guns.fandom.com/wiki/FAMAS
    Supports: Reference to later replacement by the HK416 in French service.