FAMAS

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The first French bullpup rifles were developed between 1946 and 1950 by AME and MAS; however, due to budget constraints and priority given to modernizing existing weapons, no designs were adopted. In the 1960s, MAS began manufacturing Heckler & Koch G3 battle rifles and HK33 assault rifles under license. The FAMAS project commenced in 1967, with a prototype completed in 1971 and military evaluation starting in 1972. Delays in full production led the French Army to seek a temporary rifle, ultimately choosing the SIG SG 540 until sufficient FAMAS rifles were available. In 1978, the FAMAS was accepted as the standard French combat weapon, replacing the MAS 49/56 and MAT-49. Despite its adoption, the FAMAS F1 had issues with reliability due to easily broken plastic parts and jamming caused by disposable magazine design. The G1 model featured minor improvements but remained conceptual and unproduced.