The all new Famae flat top.
- Thread starter Colin L
- Start date
Got my 540 yesterday. Yup, handguard is short and doesn’t fit under the handguard cap at the front. It seems secure but wobbles around. Seems like a common problem, perhaps by design?
The packing problem wasn’t fixed either. I was lucky that just my charging handle came through the box, it was still bubble wrapped tho, so no damage.
Are all the handguards like this?
I checked my rail screws and one was tight and the other was loose - cleaned the loose one with alcohol and used red loctite.
This is an ESSENTIAL pre-firing check for new FAMAE owners!!! Failure to tighten and Red Loctite these screws WILL result in wasted ammo and poor accuracy!
I think if I was after a railed version welded would be my preference
Got back from the Range with my new 540
Only thing I did before going was snake the barrel, disassemble for inspection, and loctite my rail screws.
I only brought PMC Bronze with me. I’m running a low profile dot similar to an Aimpoint T1.
First magazine on gas setting 1 went boom every round but failed to lock back.
Second magazine did the same thing. Turned the gas up to setting 2 and it started to lock back. Must be the lower power .223, silly me as I didn’t bring any 5.56 even tho I’ve got stacks of it.
Brass doesn’t hit the side of my receiver and I only had one malfunction; my bolt locked back and it wouldn’t go forward. Tried everything but nothing was working. I was sure I broke it. I separated the two half’s and the bolt went forward. VERY STRANGE. I then proceeded to dump another 40 rounds without a hiccup.
I got home, broke it down, everything seems fine. Maybe I got some brass or something jammed up in behind something? I dunno. Anyone have any ideas?
Accuracy was acceptable. I did notice some vertical stringing when applying weight to the front end - being more conscious of keeping the weight off when shooting from my BOG Pod solved the problem.
The rattle in the hand-guards was less annoying while shooting.
The trigger is strange and I seem to get a different trigger pull each time. It’s certainly a military trigger.
The rifle gave me nice groups at close range rapid fire - it doesn’t bounce around wildly like my Tavor 7
120 rounds down the pipe.
Only thing I did before going was snake the barrel, disassemble for inspection, and loctite my rail screws.
I only brought PMC Bronze with me. I’m running a low profile dot similar to an Aimpoint T1.
First magazine on gas setting 1 went boom every round but failed to lock back.
Second magazine did the same thing. Turned the gas up to setting 2 and it started to lock back. Must be the lower power .223, silly me as I didn’t bring any 5.56 even tho I’ve got stacks of it.
Brass doesn’t hit the side of my receiver and I only had one malfunction; my bolt locked back and it wouldn’t go forward. Tried everything but nothing was working. I was sure I broke it. I separated the two half’s and the bolt went forward. VERY STRANGE. I then proceeded to dump another 40 rounds without a hiccup.
I got home, broke it down, everything seems fine. Maybe I got some brass or something jammed up in behind something? I dunno. Anyone have any ideas?
Accuracy was acceptable. I did notice some vertical stringing when applying weight to the front end - being more conscious of keeping the weight off when shooting from my BOG Pod solved the problem.
The rattle in the hand-guards was less annoying while shooting.
The trigger is strange and I seem to get a different trigger pull each time. It’s certainly a military trigger.
The rifle gave me nice groups at close range rapid fire - it doesn’t bounce around wildly like my Tavor 7
120 rounds down the pipe.
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Did you tune the Trigger?
The point at which the Trigger engages the Trigger Plunger (the Flat Plate behind the Trigger) can be adjusted by turning the Nut that is threaded onto the Trigger Plunger beneath the Pistol Grip. Remove the Trigger Return Spring inside the Lower Receiver to access the Pistol Grip Screw. Undo the Screw to remove the Pistol Grip, revealing the Trigger Plunger and the adjustment Nut. By turning the Nut backwards you can move the Trigger Plunger forwards and vice-versa. What you want to do is turn the Nut to move the Flat Plate of the Trigger Plunger to the position where it barely touches the Trigger just as the Trigger breaks (eg. the Hammer snaps forwards). By Tuning the Trigger such that it just contacts the Plate of the Trigger Plunger as the Trigger Breaks, you will avoid the Trigger press changing as you pull before the Trigger Breaks. Without tuning, you get the initial Trigger pressure, then the added pressure of the Spring-loaded Trigger Plunger (when the Trigger touches the Plate), and then the Trigger actually breaks. By tuning the Trigger Break to occur just as the rear of the Trigger touches the Trigger Plunger's Plate, you get a consistent Trigger pull prior to the break. It is pretty simple once you understand the concept...
Definitely!
hannibal.black98
CGN frequent flyer
Not to make excuses, but:
- Poor QC? The final Pre-shipping QC Inspection could definitely use improvement if loose Rail Screws are getting through. Even if tight, those screws WILL loosen with use. For that reason the screws ought to be Red LocTited (if the Rail cannot be welded).
- Poor Accuracy? Not really, it depends entirely upon your expectations. We have been spoiled by AR-10s with MOA accuracy. The SG 542 is a 1970s Battle Rifle, dating back to an era when "Minute of Man" at 3-4 MOA was considered to be entirely satisfactory. Efforts to improve the accuracy of the SG 542 (aside from load development) will likely produce disappointing results. Adjust expectations downwards, and you will be satisfied!
- Premium Price? Compared to what? Remaining options for semi-automatic rifles chambered in .308 are slim at best. The only ones close to the cost of the SG-542 are the IWI Tavor 7 and the Crusader Arms Crux, both priced normally at $3500-$3700. Accuracy results from the Tavor 7 rival those of the SG 542. The B+T APC 308 will set you back a cool $6K. The Lockhart Raven (when it launches) will set you back a little less at approximately $4.5K for a "Platinum" version with reasonable options. So define a "Premium" price, when $3300 is actually at the LOW end of the scale....
- Terrible Shipping? Yup. No disputing that one, which was entirely on Tactical Imports.
Federal Premium Match ammo in both 168gr and 175gr Sierra Match King bullet weights produced only marginally better groupings, reduced by approximately .5 MOA. This is why I proposed trying a lighter bullet weight for improved accuracy.
We have been advised this was an issue with the handguard supplier, they told us they will be sending out replacement handguards. No ETA yet, but will be sent for free when we have more details
FidelCastro
Member
- Location
- Ottawa, ON
Where can we buy aftermarket accessories for the 542 ?
Once my loose handguards are sorted out, I’ll be happy.
The 540 is premium priced but I quite like it. It’s a bargan compared to some of my HK’s.
I enjoy buying and shooting military style rifles, and thanks to my wife’s success, my budget can be substantial for buying guns and ammo. My collection is pretty nuts, especially on a cops salary.
If I had to be more pragmatic with my purchases I likely wouldn’t buy the Famae, but I’m glad I did. It’s unique and ###y.
