Firearms / Sniper rifles / MAS FR-F1

MAS FR-F1

General Facts

  • TYPE
    Sniper rifle

  • ORIGIN
    France

  • NICKNAMES
    -

  • DESIGNED
    Early 1960's

  • DESIGNER
    Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne (MAS)

  • PRODUCTION
    1965 - 1975 (FR-F1)
    1984 - ? (FR-F2)

  • PRODUCERS
    France - MAS

  • QUANTITY
    Unknown

  • UNIT COST
    Unknown

  • CHARACTERISTICS
    Good accuracy
    Limited rate of fire
    Long and heavy

Introduction

The FR-F1 is a bolt-action sniper rifle of French origin. It was adopted to replace the scoped MAS 36 and MAS 49/56 rifled and provides superior accuracy.

Design

The FR-F1 is a bolt-action sniper rifle which utilizes the proven bolt system of the MAS 36 rifle. With the French switch from the 7.5x54mm to the 7.62x51mm NATO standard round most FR-F1 were converted. During the conversion of caliber most were fitted with a long polymer barrel shroud and designated FR-F2. Later conversions retained the wooden furniture and are designated FR-G1 and FR-G2. Most rifles are fitted with the APX L806 scope, but the SCROME J8, Nightforce NXS or Schmidt & Bender 6x42 mil-dot scope are also used.

Firepower

The FR-F1 fires the 7.5x54mm or 7.62x51mm round from a 10 round detachable magazine. Being a bolt-action rifle the rate of fire is limited but the accuracy is rather good. The effective range is claimed to be 800 meters. It is not possible to mount a silencer.

Users

The FR-F1 is the standard issue sniper rifle of the French forces and gendarmerie. It remains in use today, although special units have replaced in with more modern designs. It has been exported in modest quantities to several nations in Africa and the Middle East with close ties to France.

Variants

FR-F1

The FR-F1 is the original model and fires the French 7.5x54mm round. It is fitted with the APX L806 scope. Witht the French switch to the 7.62x51mm round the FR-F1 was converted. Some FR-F1 models remain in use abroad.

TypeSniper rifle
Caliber7.5x54mm French
Magazine10 round box
OperationBolt-action
Fire selector0-1
Rate of fireBolt-action
Barrel length552 mm
Rifling4 grooves
Muzzle velocity780 m/s
StockFixed adjustable stock
Length1.138 mm
Width?
Height?
Weight5.2 kg
SightsScope, backup iron sights
RemarksFixed foldable bipod

FR-F2

The FR-F2 is a FR-F1 converted to fire the 7.62x51mm round. Additionally it features a polymer barrel shroud and adjustable bipod. Most FR-F1 were converted to the FR-F2 standard. Later on some FR-F1 were converted to the FR-G1 and FR-G2 standard. Both models retain the wooden furniture, with the G1 having a non-adjustable bipod and the G2 the same adjustable bipod as the F2. Most FR-F2 are fitted with the APX L806 scope, although the French army has replaced many with the SCROME J8, the air force uses the NSX and the navy a Schmidt & Bender scope.

TypeSniper rifle
Caliber7.62x51mm NATO
Magazine10 round box
OperationBolt-action
Fire selector0-1
Rate of fireBolt-action
Barrel length650 mm
Rifling4 grooves, 305 mm twist
Muzzle velocity820 m/s
StockFixed adjustable stock
Length1.200 mm
Width?
Height?
Weight4.8 kg
SightsScope, backup iron sights
RemarksFixed adjustable bipod
TypeSniper rifle
Caliber7.62x51mm NATO
Magazine10 round box
OperationBolt-action
Fire selector0-1
Rate of fireBolt-action
Barrel length650 mm
Rifling4 grooves, 305 mm twist
Muzzle velocity820 m/s
StockFixed adjustable stock
Length1.200 mm
Width?
Height?
Weight4.49 kg
SightsScope, backup iron sights
RemarksFixed foldable bipod
TypeSniper rifle
Caliber7.62x51mm NATO
Magazine10 round box
OperationBolt-action
Fire selector0-1
Rate of fireBolt-action
Barrel length650 mm
Rifling4 grooves, 305 mm twist
Muzzle velocity820 m/s
StockFixed adjustable stock
Length1.200 mm
Width?
Height?
Weight4.58 kg
SightsScope, backup iron sights
RemarksFixed adjustable bipod

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