FAMAE 540 FAQ: Why its cool, and you should own one

I am pretty satisfied with my SG 543-1 carbine. It's 11 3/4" barrel isn't going to set any velocity or accuracy records, but it whacks the steel reliably out to 200m no problem and is a blast (literally!) at CQB distances.


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Battleworn said:
Nice write up! Thanks for posting! I wonder if there’s any reports from those conflicts on how the 540’s performed.
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Apparently they were liked by the French in Lebanon, but that's no saying much when they were drawing a comparison to the MAS49. And that was when they were new. I have pics of a Ivory Coast platoon on some parade with 540s and 543s and the plastic furniture on almost every one is cracked and broken.....and these were the "parade" guns, typically the best looking ones....

lawn gnome said:
Some swiss built did make it out.
Epps had a prohib 542 for sale that was stamped SIG rather than Manurhin.
Manurhin produced versions for civilian sale in european non-military calibers such as .222Rem and .243Win.
Portugal has also produced limited numbers of the 543 and 540 by INDEP of Portugal.

Tactical imports brought in some 542s. These are not marked "Elite".
Manurhin built a quick detachable scope mount designed especially for the 1970's era STANAG scope mounts such as the Swiss 4x24 or the ZF 4x24 Fero as used by the Bundeswehr built by Hensoldt, Karl Kapps and Schmidt and Bender. The Swiss 4x24, optics were made by Kern or Wohler and are incredibly rare.

The Manurhin quick detachable mount for the SG540 can even be used on the PE90 if a spacer is added to each mount tower. Additionally, Manurhin made a quick detach mount specifically for the SG542. The 542 mount is different and bigger than the 540 mount.
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If you know of anyone with a SIG or Manurhin 540, please let me know. I'm trying to compare the barrel profile with the FAMAE.

Northern Shooter said:
I wonder when these will be back in stock at the Calgary Shooting Centre?
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Supposedly summer 2021.

Bartok5 said:
I am pretty satisfied with my SG 543-1 carbine. It's 11 3/4" barrel isn't going to set any velocity or accuracy records, but it whacks the steel reliably out to 200m no problem and is a blast (literally!) at CQB distances.
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Awesome. Would be interesting to compare a 543, G36k, and a MK18.
 
firebat said:
542 is a nice one, especially if the original fixed stock is replaced with an ACR folder - the latter has a cheek riser and gives a lot better cheek weld
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That's how I had my 542 set up - ACR stock was awesome for optics use. If I ever buy another I'll probably do the same. Too bad the ACR stock didn't work on the 540 or I would have had one on that rifle as well.
 
CobraGT said:
That's how I had my 542 set up - ACR stock was awesome for optics use. If I ever buy another I'll probably do the same. Too bad the ACR stock didn't work on the 540 or I would have had one on that rifle as well.
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What was the problem with 540? Does it have a different stock interface?
 
when i was younger the manurhin in 222 and 243 was easy to find. you can still get them on the second hand market. the 222 was great to shoot, never shot a 243.
my unit marsouin 4th company scorpions ... 21st rima got some at the same time of rpima (red beret) when they were stationned in ndjamena. later they were still on display in the armory but never used for training anymore we had the 49/56 and famas plus frf1 and frf2 ...
 
Ebola said:
So how reliable are the conversion kits to allow AR15 mags in the 540? Do the mags need to be modified?
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Wanting to know that myself. I've never seen one in person.

medvedqc said:
when i was younger the manurhin in 222 and 243 was easy to find. you can still get them on the second hand market. the 222 was great to shoot, never shot a 243.
my unit marsouin 4th company scorpions ... 21st rima got some at the same time of rpima (red beret) when they were stationned in ndjamena. later they were still on display in the armory but never used for training anymore we had the 49/56 and famas plus frf1 and frf2 ...
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Very interesting. With a lot of them floating around Africa, I just assumed the French left them behind instead of bringing them back.
 
Got to shoot one once at my local range .
A beautiful weapon , quite simply one of the nicest rifles I’ve ever shouldered , balanced and smooth as silk .
If I could afford it I’d buy one immediately .
 
firebat said:
What was the problem with 540? Does it have a different stock interface?
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The distance from the rear of the receiver to the back of the pistol grip on the 540 was shorter than the 452. I originally bought the ACR stock and adapter for the 540, but when I mounted it, the adapter dug into the back of my hand between my thumb and trigger finger. So, onto the 542 it went. It's too bad, because it would have been frigging perfect on the 540.
 
Leg said:
Nice write up but a too late unfortunately. The 542 hasn’t been imported in years and the ones that make it on the EE are asking stupid money for them.
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+1.

They have not bee available in quite some time from dealers.

I would love to play around with this platform when (if) it comes back.
 
gutinater said:
Bartok - Does Elwood still have the prohib 540?
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No, Armand bought it on his business license, thus avoiding the otherwise obligatory Lab inspection that could have taken years. What an utter ####e-show that was, dealing with Epps on what could have (and should have) been a "clean" transfer. Instead, they chose to advertise knowing that this particular 12)(3) Converted-Auto rifle would require an inspection, instead of sending it in then listing it for sale. Talk about putting profit ahead of customer service... literally.
 
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