FR F1

FR F1

Type| Sniper rifle
Place of origin| France
Service history
Used by| See Users
Wars| Shaba II
Opération Tacaud[1]
Lebanese Civil War[2]
Gulf war[3]
Production history
Manufacturer| MAS GIAT Industries
Produced| 1966–1980
Specifications
Mass| 5.2 kg[4]
Length| 1138 mm[4]
Barrel length| 552 mm[4]

* * *

Cartridge| 7.5×54mm French
7.62×51mm NATO
Action| Bolt-action
Muzzle velocity| 852 m/s[4]
Effective firing range| 800 m[4]
Feed system| 10-round detachable box magazine[4]
Sights| Telescopic sight

The FR F1 is a precision rifle used by French sharpshooters. It was manufactured by MAS (an abbreviation of Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne - one of several government-owned arms factories in France). It has been upgraded to FR F2 standard, which is still in service with all branches of French armed forces.

## Contents

* 1 Design
* 2 Users
* 3 Gallery
* 4 References

## Design

The FR F1 was designed around the 7.5×54mm MAS cartridge but versions in 7.62×51mm NATO also exist. It was equipped with a telescopic sight, French army standard issue being an Model 53 bis. Its practical range is 800 meters.[4] It is a very accurate sniper rifle, due to its quality, rear locking helical lugs that cam the bolt forward during closure to obtain optimal cartridge seating, free-floating barrel and efficient combined muzzle brake/stabilizer that dampens the barrel vibrations.

The FR F1 utilizes the same basic bolt design as the older MAS-36 infantry rifle.[4] The MAS-36 bolt action was however extensively modified and strengthened to reduce accuracy-inhibiting flex.[citation needed] The FR-F1 was fitted with a bipod with fully adjustable legs, mid-way along the length of the rifle.[4]

Three variants have been produced: the sniper rifle model A , the Tir sportif (target rifle) model B and the Grande chasse, for Big-game hunting, with APX 804 sight.[4]

## Users

* France: Used by the French army, but now replaced by the FR F2 sniper rifle.[5] Snipers of the 2nd Parachute Regiment (Regiment Etranger Parachutiste; 2 REP) of the French Foreign Legion used FR F1 rifles when deployed to the Shaba province in southern Zaire in May 1978.[5] The FR F1 rifle was also used by the GIGN counter-terrorist group in the rescue of 30 school children during a 1976 bus hijacking in Djibouti.[6]
* Mauritania[7]
* Morocco: Used by Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie.[8]

## Gallery

* FR F1.

FR F1.

* FR F1.

FR F1.

## References

1. ↑ Cadiou, Yves (January 2008) (in fr). Opération Tacaud, première Opex. 5 Sens Editions. ISBN 978-2-9531265-0-1. https://operationtacaud.wordpress.com/.
2. ↑ Katz, Sam; Russell, Lee E. (25 Jul 1985). Armies in Lebanon 1982–84. Men-at-Arms 165. Osprey Publishing. p. 43. ISBN 9780850456028.
3. ↑ Windrow, Martin (15 Nov 1996). French Foreign Legion: Infantry and Cavalry since 1945. Men-at-Arms 300. Osprey Publishing. p. 50. ISBN 9781855326217.
4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 "FR-F1 sniper rifle". Jane's Infantry Weapons 1996-1997. 24 April 1996.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Marchington, James (2004). The Encyclopedia of Handheld Weapons. Lewis International, Inc. ISBN 1-930983-14-X.
6. ↑ Meyr, Eitan (January 6, 1999). "Special Weapons for Counter-terrorist Units". Jane's — Law Enforcement. http://www.janes.com/security/law_enforcement/news/ipi/ipi0312.shtml. Retrieved 2009-09-26.
7. ↑ Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
8. ↑ "Gendarmerie royale marocaine". https://www.force-publique.net/sources/Annuaire/Maroc-fr.html.

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