FR F1

FR F1
FR F1
Type	Sniper rifle
Place of origin	France
Service history
Used by	See Users
Production history
Manufacturer	MAS GIAT Industries
Produced	1966-1980
Specifications
Weight	5.3 kg
Length	1200 mm
Barrel length	650 mm
Cartridge	7.5×54mm French then 7.62×51mm NATO
Action	Bolt-action
Muzzle velocity	780 m/s
Effective firing range	800 m
Feed system	10-round detachable box magazine
Sights	Telescopic sight

The FR F1 is a precision rifle used by French sharpshooters. It was manufactured by MAS (an abbreviation of Manufacture d'Armes St. Etienne - one of several government-owned arms factories in France). It has been upgraded to FR F2 standard, and is still in service with all branches of French armed forces in this version. It was first designed around the 7.5×54mm MAS cartridge before being converted to 7.62×51mm NATO ammunition when it was upgraded to FR F2 standard. It was equipped with a scope, French army standard issue being an APX L806. Its practical range is 600 to 800 meters. It is a very accurate sniper rifle, due to its quality, free-floating barrel and efficient combined muzzle brake/stabilizer that dampens the barrel vibrations. The FR F1 utilizes the same bolt design as the older MAS-36 infantry rifle. The FR-F1 was fitted with a bipod with fully adjustable legs, mid-way along the length of the rifle.

Users

•  France: Used by the French army, but now replaced by the FR F2 sniper rifle.^[1] Snipers of the 2nd Parachute Regiment (Regiment Etranger Parachutiste; 2 REP) of the French Foreign Legion used FR F1 rifles when deployed to the Shaba province in southern Zaire in May 1978.^[1] The FR F1 rifle was also used by the GIGN counter-terrorist group in the rescue of 30 school children during a 1976 bus hijacking in Djibouti.^[2]
•  Mauritania^[3]

Gallery

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  FR F1.

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  FR F1.

References

1. Marchington, James (2004). The Encyclopedia of Handheld Weapons. Lewis International, Inc. ISBN 1-930983-14-X.
2. Meyr, Eitan (January 6, 1999). "Special Weapons for Counter-terrorist Units". Jane's — Law Enforcement. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved 2009-09-26.
3. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.