FAMAE Mini: First Impressions

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TV-PressPass

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Please keep in mind that this my feedback from only a single range session of 200 rounds. I haven't put the gun through all its paces, and I'm certainly not well acquainted with it yet.

But I like it a lot! I've been looking at various Sig platform guns over the past few months (and even more closely given all the different new developments) and I think I'm glad I got the mini and not the mid-size.

5GSaiP9.jpg


Some initial thoughts . . .

The folding stock requires a firm grip to close, but its solid as all get out.

The bolt release tricks first time users: they want to push down, not up. But once you know it, its fast and makes sense.

I really like that I can hit the magazine release with my index finger, and that the mags will drop free. But I could see it being a reach for someone with smaller paws that me. To anyone out there who owns one: do you use the index finger of your shooting hand or the thumb of your reaction hand?

I haven't tried it with the coupled mags yet. Its neat that they can do that out of the box!

Does anyone shoot it with the stock closed? Is there an "effective" way to do this? I see that you can get "MP5K" rear plates that are just a sling mount . . . I'm not sure that I'm bad-ass enough for that though.

I always really like the cmore sight, so it's what I've got on here for now. It seems like a lot of people are using the Hensoldt red-dots, and TI sells both so that makes sense. Has anyone spent any time with the factory irons? How do they feel? The optics rail kind of blocks them right now.

I was shooting way tighter groups with this at the 10 and 15 yard line than I ever do with any of my pistols. But that makes sense right? Shoulder stock and all that. For someone who's experienced with a platform like this: How far can you comfortably shoot with 9mm?

That's it for now. Here's some quick footage from that first range session.

I'm hoping to have a full review in the future! Anyone want to see an over the beach test with this? :D Just kidding. I'm not as ballsy as Steve-janes.

 
TV-PressPass said:
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Does anyone shoot it with the stock closed? Is there an "effective" way to do this? I see that you can get "MP5K" rear plates that are just a sling mount . . . I'm not sure that I'm bad-ass enough for that though.

...
Click to expand...

With a single point sling attached to the rear, you can push out on the gun to tension it against the sling and that affords a small bit of stability. That method pretty much requires a red dot sight to aim the thing though.
 
I have the regular sized SAF.
Not fussy about either ammo types or even wimpy reloads either.
Rotary sights work fantastic.
I like having the longer, regular length that is. More foregrip to hold and grab.
Easy to clean too.
 
9mm in a shoulder fire style should be good out to 50+ yards depending on barrel/optics...I've used an MP5 to great effect on man sized targets at 100 yards. I LOVE .45Auto but find 9mm is better for "long range".
 
I've only held the FAST stock once, and I didn't shoot it.

I'm much more familiar with the Vz58 folder.

The way the FAMAE folder works is:

You grip tightly on the indented part of the bars, compressing the two of them together slightly. This allows you to fold the entire thing sideways.

It locks in the folded position, but there's no button or squeeze to unfold. You just pull on it and it will release.

Getting it open is fast and easy. Getting it closed: make sure you've got a firm grip!

I've never had a problem with it opening unexpectedly. It seems held pretty tight there.
 
TV-PressPass said:
The way the FAMAE folder works is:

You grip tightly on the indented part of the bars, compressing the two of them together slightly. This allows you to fold the entire thing sideways.

It locks in the folded position, but there's no button or squeeze to unfold. You just pull on it and it will release.

Getting it open is fast and easy. Getting it closed: make sure you've got a firm grip!

I've never had a problem with it opening unexpectedly. It seems held pretty tight there.
Click to expand...

Interesting, sounds like a type of mechanical lock. At least it doesn't rely solely on a spring and seems to rely on the strength of the bars.
 
TV-PressPass said:
I've only held the FAST stock once, and I didn't shoot it.

I'm much more familiar with the Vz58 folder.

The way the FAMAE folder works is:

You grip tightly on the indented part of the bars, compressing the two of them together slightly. This allows you to fold the entire thing sideways.

It locks in the folded position, but there's no button or squeeze to unfold. You just pull on it and it will release.

Getting it open is fast and easy. Getting it closed: make sure you've got a firm grip!

I've never had a problem with it opening unexpectedly. It seems held pretty tight there.
Click to expand...

This was the whole reason I sold mine. Although it is rock solid when extended. The ergonomics aren't for everyone. I found the LOP too short too. But that could just be me being built like a primate. It uses the tension of the bars to move an angled plate on the upper bar into a notch on the receiver. Simple and solid at the cost of ease of use.
 
See that's interesting. I felt quite happy with the length of pull!

I'm noticing that I'm the only person who does a "thumb up" on the fore-grip though. I'm not sure why I do that, because I'm not wrapping over to stabilize or anything dynamic-like.

Just feels more natural?

Also worth noting: the stick magazines fit nicely into soft cloth pistol mag pouches. I'm using tasmanian tiger, but I bet most other pistol pouches would do the job. I'd be curious about finding some kydex for the 5/30 rounders though!
 
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