Famae sg 542 ??? Got question for you folks

redjack

redjack

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I was looking for a Famae sg542, but the price and the very few review other than the one made by those who sell it make me hesitate.

Is there a lot of you that bought one and how do you like it ???

Thx
 
I like mine. To be honest, less than I thought I would. Once you've owned a Swiss Arms, this one is a lot more rudimentary. Still, it's a battle rifle and accuracy is what you'd expect.

Mine had a wonky mag that would always jam, but CSC replaced it no hassles. It's been 100% reliable since then with Norinco 7.62x51. Safety lever is small and stiff to operate. Trigger is good - about the same as a Swiss Arms. Charging handle on the SG542 is brutal compared to the Swiss line. Rear sights are much better on the Swiss. These irons are somewhat inelegant. Front sight on the Swiss is better by miles. You can really tell the Swiss Arms are a refinement of the SG540 series. :)

In all honesty - if I had to buy it again, I wouldn't. I like my guns a little more refined. But as long as you accept it for what it is (a very expensive M305 :)), it's a decent rifle.

Factory bipod is a joke - don't bother - and the folding stock looks as comfy as a chunk of re-bar. Mags are ridiculously priced, but no cheaper alternatives at this point. Perhaps when the TI shipment lands (???) and more people start shooting them, there would be a demand for aftermarket mags, but don't count on it.
 
canucklehead said:
I like mine. To be honest, less than I thought I would. Once you've owned a Swiss Arms, this one is a lot more rudimentary. Still, it's a battle rifle and accuracy is what you'd expect.

Mine had a wonky mag that would always jam, but CSC replaced it no hassles. It's been 100% reliable since then with Norinco 7.62x51. Safety lever is small and stiff to operate. Trigger is good - about the same as a Swiss Arms. Charging handle on the SG542 is brutal compared to the Swiss line. Rear sights are much better on the Swiss. These irons are somewhat inelegant. Front sight on the Swiss is better by miles. You can really tell the Swiss Arms are a refinement of the SG540 series. :)

In all honesty - if I had to buy it again, I wouldn't. I like my guns a little more refined. But as long as you accept it for what it is (a very expensive M305 :)), it's a decent rifle.

Factory bipod is a joke - don't bother - and the folding stock looks as comfy as a chunk of re-bar. Mags are ridiculously priced, but no cheaper alternatives at this point. Perhaps when the TI shipment lands (???) and more people start shooting them, there would be a demand for aftermarket mags, but don't count on it.
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A good honest review....sounds like the SG542 is a little rough around the edges with a hefty price tag.....
 
You could get 8 used M305's for the price of a 542.
The cool factor is high, but does it outperform an M305 by a mile? Not according to owners.
 
So in other word, unlike norinco who did an accurate copie of the m14 at 1/3 of the price.
Famae made a not so good replica at pretty much the same price...
 
I have handled one but not shot it because it is the prize in the current MHRRC rifle raffle.
ht tp://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1127085-Rifle-Raffle-Medicine-Hat-Rifle-and-Revolver-Club-%28MHRRC%29

Rifle is of good quality not as refined as the Swiss Arms but it shouldn't be it is a previous generation. It is what it is. a battle rifle.

As to comparing it to a norinco copy. Stop. It is not. These rifles are fully licenced by SAN to built by Famae. Just like the FN C-1 was licenced By Fabrique National to be built in Canada by Canadian Aresenals.

Lots of pictures in the raffle thread posted above. Ten dollars per ticket and odds are good as ticket sales are kinda slow.
 
I have a Famae 540 and a 542 as well as Swiss Arms. While the Famae are not as good as the Swiss Arms they are still an excellent choice. Accuracy is not quite as good but still up there. The comparison of a Norinco to a real M-14 doesn't cut it with me as I have a real TRW m-14 that is well machined and doesn't rattle like the Norinco does. Yes I have one of them also. For anyone wanting an excellent Black rifle with what is now available to Canadians the Famae is a great choice. My 2 cents
 
I really wanted one of these and had a preorder with TI. I cancelled it and was going to buy one from CSC instead. I handled one and was pretty underwhelmed. Loose handguards, too much slop between the upper and lower, gritty action and rudimentary sights. Not even in the same ballpark as a Swiss arms.

If they were around 1500$ I'd buy one.
 
evolture said:
Ah yes, the Jay Leno chin weld. I see an aimpoint micro in your future!
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Haha yeah the optic is a TOUCH high. Tried a Comp M4S (no riser) and a low mount Micro - but with a full size .308, I thought it deserved a little more distance oriented optic. Granted only a 3x, but with a cheek rest it's not that bad.

Micro ALMOST co-witnesses. :)
 
redjack said:
Famae made a not so good replica at pretty much the same price...
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When it comes to comparing price the 542 is about half the price of the equivalent modern rifle, the Swiss Arms SG 751 SAPR. If you could find a SAN 542 (French made IIRC), and if it's legal for non prohibited Canadian ownership (not sure if purpose built semi SAN 542 exist to tell the truth), they sell for incredible amounts as collectors items last I checked.

The 540 is still a decent price, and although not nearly as much of a difference as the 542 vs 751 SAPR the current difference in the Swiss Franc vs Canadian dollar would put a Classic Green / Black Special current value at $4082.16 CAD vs the $2800 price of the 540. That is of course if an import were to ever be allowed on the Swiss Classic series again.
 
Throttle_monkey1 said:
gritty action
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In my experience that actually goes away after about 300 - 400 rounds of break in ;). Gotta say I wasn't impressed by it either, but I did wait to see if it would improve and it did.

As for the pics request ;).

IMG_0674-1.jpg


gryphon-slider-small.jpg


542 mags on sale till Nov 3rd $129.99

Gryphon Energetics Binary rifle targets now are offered with $11.50 flat rate shipping.
 
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canucklehead said:
How's the face with that stock? On the 540 I'm sure it's not that bad, but the 542 must really push that steel into your face hard.
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The testing of the rifle had me put 400 rounds through over two days. Didn't notice any cheek slap or facial issues with the folding bar stock what so ever, although I'll admit my shoulder was getting a little fatigued ;). I'm overall a fan of the stock, locks up tight and wasn't the bar of steel to the cheek I thought it would be.

In cold weather shooting I'd consider wrapping it in cloth or Kydex. Honestly I was considering making a Kydex or Leather cheek riser for it to open the scope mounting solution to a bit higher of a mount.
 
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