FAMAE SAF

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FAMAE SAF
Famae-saf.jpg
A left-side view of the FAMAE SAF
TypeSubmachine gun
Place of originChile
Service history
Used bySee Users
Production history
DesignerFAMAE
Designed1993
ManufacturerFAMAE
Produced1993–present
VariantsMini-SAF
Specifications
Mass2.7 kg (5.95 lb)
Length640 mm (25.2 in) stock extended / 410 mm (16.1 in) stock folded
Barrel length198 mm (7.8 in)
Cartridge9×19mm Parabellum
.40 S&W
ActionBlowback, closed bolt
Rate of fire1,120–1,280 rounds/min
Effective firing range150 m
Feed system20- or 30-round detachable box magazine
SightsIron sights

The FAMAE SAF is a submachine gun produced and manufactured by FAMAE (Fábricas y Maestranzas del Ejército) since 1993.[1]

Since 1999, Taurus have produced the SAF under license in .40 S&W for Brazilian law enforcement.[2]

Semi-automatic-only variants manufactured by FAMAE are mostly marketed for sale in Canada.[3]

Design[]

The SAF is a blowback-operated select-fire submachine gun, firing from a closed bolt. It is based on the Swiss SIG SG 540 assault rifle which was produced under license in Chile in the 1980s.[4][1] The design is a shortened version of the SIG 540 rifle, but the rifle's rotating bolt has been replaced with a simple blowback bolt. The SAF also has a bolt hold-open catch that engages after the final shot. Otherwise, the receiver, stock, fore-end, trigger/hammer assembly and floating firing pin design are from the SIG 540.

The upper and lower receiver as well as the trigger guard are steel, and the pistol-grip and handguards are all made from polymer. The ambidextrous safety/fire selector switch, as well as the interchangeability with SIG 552/553 handguards are a feature found on the latest versions. Older versions used their own handguards.

The 9mm magazines use a transparent plastic made from polymer,[4] allowing the number of available rounds to be determined visually. The magazine is fitted with protruding lugs on one side and corresponding slots on the other, allowing two or three magazines to be clipped together for a quicker magazine change.[4] The .40 S&W magazines are made of steel and holds 30 rounds.

The selector has four settings: safe, single shot, 3-round burst and fully automatic.[4] Some models were made in a semi-auto only configuration for law enforcement and civilian customers.[1]

Variants[]

The FAMAE SAF-200 with an unloaded magazine.

The SAF is manufactured in four different variants: standard configuration with a fixed polymer buttstock,[1] standard configuration with a left-side-folding tubular metal buttstock, SAF SD, which used an integral suppressor and folding buttstock,[1] and the Mini-SAF.[4]

The Mini-SAF is a more compact variant, at only 12 inches (300 mm) long.[5] It has a short 4.5-inch (110 mm) barrel, no shoulder stock (although the left-side-folding tubular metal buttstock of the standard SAF can be attached), and a vertical foregrip. The Mini-SAF can use the standard 30-round magazines, but comes with special 20-round magazines for a smaller profile.[1] All versions have post-front-sights with adjustable elevation, and aperture-rear-sights, adjustable for windage.

The SAF-200 is a modernised variant, which is being tested by FAMAE and the Chilean Army.[1][when?] It includes a new retractable and foldable stock, a new handguard and Picatinny rails provided for modern optics and lateral attachments. The rails are optional for the other SAF variants, but is standard on the SAF-200.[6]

Users[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g "FAMAE SAF Submachine Gun". www.military-today.com. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  2. ^ "Taurus SMGs and carbines: the FAMAE heritage". The Firearm Blog. 2017-11-22. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  3. ^ "FAMAE Firearms: From SAF Mini to SG 542". The Firearm Blog. 2013-10-09. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "FAMAE S.A.F." Modern Firearms. 2010-10-27. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  5. ^ "FAMAE SAF: A shortened version of Swiss SIG 540 assault rifle". 21 October 2019.
  6. ^ "SAF SUBAMETRALLADORAS". FAMAE (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2011-12-27. Retrieved 2013-06-18.
  7. ^ Miller, David (2001). The Illustrated Directory of 20th Century Guns. Salamander Books Ltd. ISBN 1-84065-245-4.
  8. ^ Jones, Richard (2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009-2010. Jane's Information Group. p. 893. ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
  9. ^ Montes, Julio A. (12 January 2012). "El Salvador: Standing Talls". Small Arms Defense Journal. Vol. 3 no. 4.
  10. ^ "Chilean FAMAE SAF from Hellenic Police trials". Armament Research. 7 May 2019. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
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