FR F1

The FR F1 is a sniper rifle used by French sharpshooters. It was manufactured by MAS (an abbreviation of Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne - one of several government-owned arms factories in France). It has been upgraded to FR F2 standard, which is still in service with all branches of French armed forces.

FR F1
FR F1
Type	Sniper rifle
Place of origin	France
Service history
Used by	See Users
Wars	Shaba II Opération Tacaud[1] Lebanese Civil War[2] Gulf war[3]
Production history
Manufacturer	MAS GIAT Industries
Produced	1966–1980
Specifications
Mass	5.2 kg[4]
Length	1138 mm[4]
Barrel length	552 mm[4]
Cartridge	7.5×54mm French 7.62×51mm NATO
Action	Bolt-action
Muzzle velocity	852 m/s[4]
Effective firing range	800 m[4]
Feed system	10-round detachable box magazine[4]
Sights	Telescopic sight

Design

The FR F1 was designed around the 7.5×54mm MAS cartridge but versions in 7.62×51mm NATO also exist. It was equipped with a telescopic sight, French army standard issue being an Model 53 bis. Its practical range is 800 meters.[4] It is a very accurate sniper rifle, due to its quality, rear locking helical lugs that cam the bolt forward during closure to obtain optimal cartridge seating, free-floating barrel and efficient combined muzzle brake/stabilizer that dampens the barrel vibrations.

The FR F1 utilizes the same basic bolt design as the older MAS-36 infantry rifle.[4] The MAS-36 bolt action was however extensively modified and strengthened to reduce accuracy-inhibiting flex.[5] The FR-F1 was fitted with a bipod with fully adjustable legs, mid-way along the length of the rifle.[4]

Three variants have been produced: the sniper rifle model A , the Tir sportif (target rifle) model B and the Grande chasse, for Big-game hunting, with APX 804 sight.[4]

Users

•  France: Used by the French army, but now replaced by the FR F2 sniper rifle.[6] 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.[6] 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.[7]
•  Mauritania[8]
•  Morocco: Used by Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie.[9]

Gallery

• 
  FR F1.
• 
  FR F1.

References

1. Cadiou, Yves (January 2008). Opération Tacaud, première Opex (in French). 5 Sens Editions. ISBN 978-2-9531265-0-1.
2. Katz, Sam; Russell, Lee E. (25 Jul 1985). Armies in Lebanon 1982–84. Men-at-Arms 165. Osprey Publishing. p. 43. ISBN 9780850456028.
3. Windrow, Martin (15 Nov 1996). French Foreign Legion: Infantry and Cavalry since 1945. Men-at-Arms 300. Osprey Publishing. p. 50. ISBN 9781855326217.
4. "FR-F1 sniper rifle". Jane's Infantry Weapons 1996-1997. 24 April 1996.
5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qFAWsqdP14,
6. Marchington, James (2004). The Encyclopedia of Handheld Weapons. Lewis International, Inc. ISBN 1-930983-14-X.
7. Meyr, Eitan (January 6, 1999). "Special Weapons for Counter-terrorist Units". Jane's — Law Enforcement. Archived from the original on March 1, 2008. Retrieved 2009-09-26.
8. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
9. "Gendarmerie royale marocaine". force-publique.net. Retrieved 18 June 2018.