FA-MAS Type 62
| FA-MAS Type 62 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Bullpup battle rifle |
| Place of origin |
 France |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1962 |
| Manufacturer | Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne |
| Variants |
MAS-54 MAS-55 FA56 FA59 Type-62 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 4.53 kg |
| Length | 1040 mm |
| Barrel length | 500 mm |
|
| |
| Cartridge | 7.62×51mm NATO |
| Caliber | 7.62 mm |
| Action | Gas-operated |
| Rate of fire | 600 rpm |
| Effective firing range | 400-800 m |
| Feed system | 20-round detachable box magazine |
| Sights | Iron sights |
The FA-MAS Type 62 was the result of 40 rifle prototypes designed by MAS between 1952 and 1962 for the French Army, including a bullpup variant. All variants were designed to take the 7.62×51mm NATO round. It shows a resemblance to the FN FAL as well as performance, and came close to being adopted by the French military as a replacement for the MAS-49/56, until the new 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge become popular. However, it is also to note the FA-MAS Type 62 bayonet is used on the FAMAS.
Variants
MAS-54
The MAS-54 rifles were rejected due to the 7.62×51mm NATO round being difficult to control in a bullpup rifle configuration and the round being difficult to control on full-auto in the non-bullpup rifle configurations.
MAS-55
The MAS-55 has its gas piston underneath its barrel and operated in a similar way to the FM1924/29 machine gun but resulted in a heavy rifle for its type. [1]
FA56
The FA56 was a simpler alternative to the MAS-55 and was closer to the FN FAL.
FA59
The FA59 came with an improved stock and foregrip. It also came with a folding stock, bipod and infra-red sight as the AP61.
