FAMAE SAF: Durability

Boomer686

Boomer686

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I have the potential to get one. So... now that they have been in CGN circulation for a while how have they held up? Any short comings etc since they were origianlly (but no longer offered) for sale by one of our board sponsors (who offers great service BTW :D). Any regrets?

Regards,
 
From what I remember from reading about them here. They are a bugger to get parts or mags if something breaks. Virtually impossible.

That being said, I was escorting one on the EESA open house during the last weekend. Pick it up and escort the visitor to the firing line. When they were done and I was returning it to the "Master of Arms", I wouldn't even get a chance to give it back. The next person in line was waiting for it. It got a really good work out and it seemed to work fine. (One kid about 10ish bought and put down 48 rounds, faster then I could load the mag). This was not the FAMAE's first open house and if it has seen this kind of business, it is holding up really well.
 
B&T bought them from Chile- word is that they are not supposed to be sold to civies in the first place. The rest is history.
 
They are pretty well made, and most of the parts on them that could break seem to be ones that could be easily repaired. Mainly: The front hand guards are prone to cracking at the takedown tabs and should be reinforced - do it before they actually break. The bolt hold-open spring is pretty mickey mouse and I would be concerned about it coming off. But aside from that they are a pretty solid piece. Typically they don't get shot much because of their relative scarcity, but I have yet to see one that is "broken down". They sure are attention grabbers at the range.

And yes, as GT says, the long and the short of the story is that the manufacturer didn't intend them for public consumption, and we were lucky to get them.
 
Ahhhhh, S.D. - my hero!

They are pretty tough - just as tough IMO as any other Swiss Arms product - just be careful with the plastic mags and keep the firing pin and inside of bolt carrier clean or it will slam-fire.
 
Boomer686 said:
So is there a source where we can get more and / or better mags?


I was under the impression that Wolverine sold 50 or more of these yet I only get 2 or 3 reviews. There has to be more than this in the possesion of CGN'ers ??!!

Regards,
Click to expand...

I played with one long time ago. I found it too heavy for a SMG and the magazines were tight in the mag well. Shooting-wise, it goes bang. It is a nice collection piece - but if a part breaks you will run into problems and magazines always seem to be in short supply. If it is a shooting piece, I will pick the TP9 instead.
 
I looked into buying one a few years ago, talked to several who had them, looked at a couple for sale. Option was fixed or folding stock. Decided against it due to the fact that parts just wernt available and price seemed abit high for a the novelty factor.
 
The sights seem kind of crude compared to the original Swiss guns and the mag is in REAL tight. Pretty mean looking though.
 
I did a search but can't find any info on mag suppliers or if the uzi mags can be made to fit.

A dealer is asking ~$2100 (with cracked mags) plus tax / shipping. Seems steep considering the new ones were $2200.

Regards,
 
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I'm pretty sure about the Uzi thing, having read it once. Bits and Pieces deals with South African K-Mag, who might be able to source out SA Lyttleton Uzi mags. That being said, the Colt mags from Questar "should" work.
 
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