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Review (Completed, with pics!)- Tokyo Marui FA-MAS F1
Marui FA-MAS F1
Real-Steel info- http://world.guns.ru/assault/as21-e.htm IMPRESSIONS I got this gun in the mail today (Courtesy of Peter of AIM, great service! Thanks.), and promptly rushed home to open and try it. The first thing I noticed was the fact that it was quite small. The gun was a bit larger then your average sub-machinegun, yet somehow managed to have a giant inner-barrel that beat almost all other weaponry. The gun in the case looked fairly plasticy, yet upon picking it up and inspecting it more, there were a few metal parts on the gun (Outer barrel, cocking handle, trigger guard, and a few other things). What I noticed, however, were the fact that there were 6 SIGHTS in total, used in different combinations for different scenarios. The 6 different sights were 2 grenade sights (Front and back, then an unrelated one in front of the cocking handle), the front iron sight, and then a rear sight with 3 different settings (Daytime, dusk, and night). This, once one figured it out, was not very confusing (The grenade sights would do fairly well with a rifle grenade set, soon to be purchased). The magazine was fully-metal, and felt quite well-built. This, I loaded fairly easily (only 25 rounds) with the loading tool it came with. The gun was rather hefty, yet not so much so (I haven't weighed it, but I could hazard guess around 6 pounds), and can be dual-wielded if someone decides to (Or, just one-handed firing for room-cleaning. It can be fired one-handed from the hip, or if you're built like Arnold Schwartzennegar you can hold it like a pistol. I can only do so for a short period of time). The magazine could hold 60 rounds, and wasn't too shabby. However, the mag-release catch was like that of the AK, MP5 and STEYR, which (for some reason) I don't like not being able to drop the mag. However, it DOES save money if you lose things easily, or it's nighttime... The (in my opinion) ugly handle was quite a drawback, yet I noticed it wasn't as high as I thought it would be. However, it is molded onto the top part, so it has to be sawed off... The bipod was a nice touch, and I am going to guess it was solid-metal construction (looked and feeled that way). The lack of a front sling-mount doesn't bother me too much, as it isn't that heavy... Also with the FA-MAS F1, there is a (also in my opinion) fairly nice trigger-guard, meant for single-finger instead of mittens. This takes away from the 'laser-gun' feel which I detest so much, so in my opinion, it is a plus. The gun didn't come with any rails at all, so there was no-where to mount a sight, laser or anything like that. However, there is a rail made by Marui, that fits on the handle. The mechbox is located behind the rubber buttplate, and is a nice touch. It gives the FA-MAS an insanely large barrel size, which is an advantage over the other guns. Another advantage is, when I (stupidly) dry-fired it, a Rate of Fire from Hell! This gun sends 17 rounds a second (1000 rounds a minute) hurling down at a target, making it a great all-round LMG (Bipod included!). USING THE GUN First step is putting in the battery. I took the LARGE 8.4V battery it came with, and attached it to the wall-charger. 90 minutes later, nothing... After inspecting the charger again, it turned out that it was at the wrong setting. My bad. After charging it properly, I set it again and fired a burst. What surprised me was how loud this gun was, a loud and fast BRAKBRAKBRAKBRAKBRAK filled the room. My next thought was "Wicked"... To put in the battery, take the safety catch in front of the trigger, put it off safe, yet keep pressing it towards the top of the gun. After that, the battery cover just slides off. Putting it back in is a bit of a pain in the ass, yet once you get the hang of it, it is fairly simple. The Hop-Up dial is located under the cheek-plate (Ambidextrious, can be taken off and switched-sides for left-handed users). It is quite easy to use, a retarded monkey could probably figure it out in 10 seconds or so (Meaning one of us average Airsofters could do it in about 30... ;) ) One of the unique things is that next to the fire selector (Located right below the butt, on the bottom behind the mag) there is a button to push to decompress the spring, to save shelf life. It's a nice feature, too. There are 2 safeties on the gun, one at the trigger (Blocks your finger, and also jams the trigger so it can't be pulled from below), and one in the back at the fire-selector. FIRING THE GUN After about a day, I finally decided to get off my ass and try it. In a hallway, I set up a thick plastic hamper, attached a fleece sweater to the back of it and set it up in a way that ricochets would be next-to-impossible. Upon setting up the gun from the target (The target was about 15 cm wide, with a 4 cm center target, what I was aiming for) approximately 10 meters away, I loaded 7 rounds into the clip and lined up a shot (Using day-time pinhole sights). I put shot after shot at the target, until it was empty, then got up and looked at it. Each shot was approximately 2 inches down where from I was aiming, with no right-or-left deviations. They were bunched together fairly well, too, and seemed quite accurate. Upon closer inspection, the reason that the shots were quite a bit lower was the fact that the FA-MAS handle (with the sights on top) was about 2-3 inches higher then the barrel, which shows that this gun could pull off accurate shots (at least, from that far. Eventually, I'll try from much, MUCH longer ranges). Afterwards, I decided to try it on fully-automatic. Surprisingly, the BBs all were quite accurate, making a precise hole exactly where I aimed it, with slight upwards deviation when I moved the gun. I'm quite impressed, it turned out quite well... Soon after that, I invited my marksman friend over to try it. After correcting him from using the flip-up grenade sight instead of the normal, he ended up emptying 20 rounds at the target. The 10 he put on Semi-Automatic didn't end up too close together, but the 10 in fully-auto ended up about an inch closer then my grouping did. Pictures of the target are soon to come. PLANNED MODS That god-damn ugly handle has to go, so it's going to be replaced with a nice one from a G36, supplied by Pokey :) Also, a nice rail added to the bottom'd be good, perhaps a laser or flashlight could be attached. M16 Magazines should be able to fit, as well. Pictures! Thanks to Jordan, Archis and Hannah for helping with these. Myself with the FA-MAS: http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...stmas07147.jpg The carry handle: http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...stmas07145.jpg Ejection port: http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...stmas07143.jpg Cheek plate/Hop-Up cover: http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...stmas07142.jpg Foregrip: http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...stmas07140.jpg Under the Foregrip: http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...stmas07139.jpg Battery: http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...stmas07138.jpg Top, with Flip-Up Grenade sight http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...stmas07137.jpg Hop-Up adjustor http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...stmas07136.jpg Rubber Buttplate http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...stmas07133.jpg Mag Well http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...stmas07132.jpg Fire Selector (Note: Button between Semi and Auto is a spring-decompression button) http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...stmas07131.jpg Ejection Port, opposite side of Cheek-Plate (Note: Trademarks are underneath, rather blurry. They state 'FA-MAS F1, 5.56 cal NATO', or something to that effect). http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...stmas07130.jpg The dog, looking very uninterested: http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...stmas07124.jpg Trigger, trigger-guard and pistol grip: http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...stmas07122.jpg Top-diagonal view: http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...stmas07121.jpg Front view: http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...stmas07120.jpg Night-sights: http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...o/f5c49db7.jpg Grenade-sights, in First-Person view http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...o/9094502a.jpg Top view http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...o/093c5ece.jpg Flash-hider: http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...o/ffdb6692.jpg Magazine: http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...o/8ccc397c.jpg The magazine, in the gun: http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...o/a95a34d0.jpg Jordan, with the FA-MAS: http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...o/30782dad.jpg |
You know, now I'm fighting which of the guns I want to get.
I was almost sure I wanted the AK, but now I think I want an F1. Thanks for the review, its got me thinking. I heard alot of bad things about the gun, but I dont trust everything I hear. Thanks. |
Thanks :)
Anyways, I've never really heard bad things (Only on INSANELY used guns, or biased opinions from 12-year-olds who hate it because it's either French or just plain ugly). However, I find this is an awesome AEG. Actually, I've already named it... I christened it 'Bob'... |
Bah i hate the little 12 year-olds.
"THE FROGGIES MADE THAT!" The FA-MAS looks awesome so can it little ones.As for the actual airsoft gun sounds freaking wicked. Can't wait to see those target pics and maybe a video or something.Good review Lucid |
Good literature there tater. Sweet review.
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Thanks, Pokey :)
Anyways, I've managed to scrounge up some BBs, and am in the process of making a ricochetless BB trap. Soon as it's done, and I can borrow a digital cam from someone, I'll be good to make the rest. |
Edited in Semi-automatic shooting stats. I have yet to try it on full-auto, but results so far seem promising.
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Picture: The FA-MAS F1, and my dog.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...o/bf7b9380.jpg Shitty picture, I'll wait until I can borrow a proper cam 'til I do more. This, right now, is done by a 20 dollar borrowed webcam, and the quality's horrible... EDIT: Now, I have to train the dog to stop licking the flash-hider. I don't know why he does that... |
I've always hated that gun... but now I just think it's the angle the pictures were taken at, that is one sexy gun... W
Well, that or the dog adds a hell of a lot to the picture. ;) |
Thanks, I thought it looked stupid as hell 'til I got it... perhaps because it turns out the handle isn't that high?
The dog's STILL licking the flash-hider, I don't know why and I'm not going to try to stop him... odd. |
Awsome review...cool dog btw. Teach the dog to shoot
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Nah, I taught him how to shoot the Glock 18C when I had it... except I had to hold the gun and his paws, and give him suitable eye protection (he didn't like that too much). Afterwards, he proceeded to lick the Glock... I think he likes guns too much.
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Quote:
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Planned mod (Should still retain cocking handle, and will look a hell of a lot better then this. It was done in Paint, what do you expect?)
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...o/FAMASmod.jpg |
Damn!! That's sexy. How do you plan to do that? As in, do you plan to cut up the reciever and glue it on? :-D
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Actually, yes. That's it exactly.
Come to think of it, I don't trust myself with that, especially on my investment on the FA-MAS... I should get help with it, somehow. Unfortunately, after comparing designs, I realised that the cocking handle won't fit under the G36 handle, even after boosting it up a bit. Instead, I'll try to find a way if it can be put on the side (such as to the upper left, like the AUG), or have a cocking handle pull like the Armalites. |
seeing as the g36 and famas charging handle both slide in a similar fashion, could you not adapt the g36 handle to the famas? may take some trimming on the upper, but you may be able to hide some of it under the new handle.
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Ah, thanks : )
However, I don't have a G36. The only part I WILL have (Which I haven't bought, this is just a deal) is a handle. Perhaps I could, but I don't trust myself to do that kind of mod... ah, well. I have an offer from Foxtail, who wanted to help with a mod that was a hell of a lot harder... Any other ideas? Perhaps, a Hardcoil-style lever-pull would be nice, the same as the C-7s have... however, it'd be hard. Besides, McGuyver, your idea's a hell of a lot cooler. Come to think of it, if it's to be done G36 style, then I'll keep the FA-MAS cocking handle. It's full-metal, I'm not passing that up... |
Can you shave down the charging handle so that it doesn't stick up as much, then maybe you could put the G36 top/rail on easily.
Nice famas btw :) *drool* |
Thanks :)
Anyways, I don't think that's possible. Another guy did something a lot like my project, yet the results are kind of discouraging (It turned out great, but no room) http://home.eplus-online.de/bobafett/x3.jpg Those belong to Boba Fett of Arnies Airsoft... there's just no room for the cocking handle, much less your finger. |
Ah, thanks to 163154, I may be able to have some metal parts machined for the FA-MAS (Foregrip, hop-up cover, perhaps a few more. It’ll get rid of that damn plasticky feel… at least, I’ll be happy once I’m not able to hold the FA-MAS like a pistol). Hopefully enough, combined with the G36 rail it’ll be the most kickass gun ever to come out of France :D
Afterwards, perhaps even a metal G36 rail from WGC Shop… I’m cautiously optimistic. Pictures’ll come tomorrow, I’ve got a friend with a decent digital camera coming over. There’ll be pictures of every function, carefully labelled for all you potential FA-MAS buyers out there… |
Edited in Full-Auto shooting stuff... not too much, but oh, well.
Should have pictures in tomorrow. If not, expect it to be several weeks, I'm going away for a while. |
I havent looked through all of this until now. I dont know, the rail is nice but the way it is now it just has a nice balance to it. Unless you are putting a scope or something on that rail I think you should leave it the way it is. I have always loved that gun though (although I am more of a fan of the MGS series). Good review, hope to see more in it soon.
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Updated, pictures edited into post 1!
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Cool pics. What balaclava do you have?
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Nice angles, a little blurry tho. Cool pics.
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Thanks : )
Anyways, that balaclava's from a ski shop at Martock. No idea what brand it is, I've had it lying around for about 2 years... sorry. I have a few more pictures, but they're pretty blurry. There was a pic of the whole kit-and-caboodle, yet it seems to have been deleted somehow... I'll retake that tomorrow or the day after. |
Looking good. Out of curiosity, how do you find it shoulders with a paintball mask on? I find most iron sights are next to impossible to gaze down, but with the FA-MAS's higher carrying handle.... Lemme know.
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Just a note that standard M16 type mags won't fit in the FA-MAS without a little bit of modification as there are some slight differences IIRC.
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Ah, to answer your question, it handles pretty good. The carry handle's high enough, but the cheekplate's slippery against the mask's material. However, with some practice this is pretty much unnoticable.
For Kwokwai Wu, a piece inside the mag well has to be dremeled off. If I decide not to, then I'll chop-job the mag itself. |
Looks Awesome. I'de consider one if you didn't tell me to not get it cause you wanted to be the only one with it.
There is only one picture with your dog in it D:. Still nice job. Some pictures are out of focus too,that would be something to work on next time :P. |
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Wow… I like.
Don’t plan on doing that, though… gun-metal’s the only shade for me, despite the fact that it’s not really camo’ed. The mod I’m doing’ll be the last, until a CA AUG shows up, then a STAR L85. |
Meh.. yah, got bored one day and felt like painting something. *lol*
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Ah... well, I got to admit, AMAZING job.
I have a foil-tape method I'm working on doing to the FA-MAS, giving it that 'worn metal' effect. If it goes well, I may franchise it locally... |
Nice review
..dam blurry images. |
Im just here to back Bob on the FA-MAS F-1, I have personaly tried it myself and was there the day he got it. I used to be anti FA-MAS until I held it and it was as if I got slapped in the face. This rifle is a beauty and I would be proud to use it in a match.
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Customized it, with random parts stolen off things from my room...
Now, it has a MAHOOSIVE silencer (about 20 inches, perhaps. Doubles outer-barrel length), and a tactical flashlight jerry-made from broken pieces of random objects (such as a broken cap-gun revolver I've kept for some reason, twist ties, and other random pieces of crap). Pics should be up soon, it actually looks surprisingly good. |
Mod-job pics:
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ingdown004.jpg http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ingdown002.jpg http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ingdown005.jpg http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...maspics003.jpg Myself with the 'MAS: http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...maspics010.jpg Jordan (JTF27) with the 'MAS http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...maspics005.jpg |
Is your silencer pipe insulation?
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Nope, ripped it off a pair of broken padded nunchaku. The soft padding's supported internally by some random plastic tubing I found...
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LOL bob with Mas looks like Russian French Canadian Terrorist...
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Indeed, I have no specific kit whatever. What's more, I'm proud of it :innocent:
Thanks goes out to Jordan for helping me with these pictures, as he supplied the camera and some CADPAT for the background. |
That pose SO does the ghetto silencer it's justice of how much it rocks.
Props to you! |
nice gun u have there. its does look as akward as u told me.
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Yes the FA-MAS appears to be a very photographic weapon. I just love how the pics turned out though, I thought I had trouble with the camera, I must say it is a freaking awesome gun.
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Finally...
As I have heard many complaints of the FA-MAS to be an annoyingly creaky weapon, I decided to take action about this. Taking my FA-MAS apart, I placed tape on some internal spots where creaking was happening (namely the foregrip). Next part was a lot harder... The pistol-grip, as many FA-MAS owners know, is actually one of the main spots of the creakiness. Following Robot2000 of Arnie's Airsoft's advice, I tried to pry open the hatch at the bottom of the pistol-grip (useful for storing small tools/ammo, by the way) with a flat-head screwdriver. However, this didn't work, I wondered why... Next thing, I tried even HARDER. While trying to pry it open, the screwdriver slipped, taking a small chunk of my finger and hitting me in the chest. After this, I decided "Screw it", and took out the hinge that kept it in the first place. Prying it open from the hinge part, it popped open (one side at a time) fairly easily... except it had GLUE in it. No-one else had glue in it, why the hell did I... After that, I unscrewed the small metal screw at the bottom. This led to me being able to take off the pistol-grip fairly easily. I applied some tape to the place it screws over, and put the grip back on (taking a while to screw it back in, there were metal threads so I could put it in tightly without damaging anything). After I was sure it was REALLY solid, I tested it. Surprisingly enough, this got rid of 75 percent of the creaks. Still creaks A BIT, but not nearly as much as it did beforehand. Later today, I'll finish with the silencer (PVC pipe being cut to fit it perfectly). |
With people complaining more and more about how the FA-MAS is a creaky gun, I decided to do a quick guide in how to get rid of 90-percent of the sound.
As I have heard many complaints of the FA-MAS to be an annoyingly creaky weapon, I decided to take action about this. This is a guide, so other FA-MAS owners and prospective buyers can know what to expect, and how to take care of it. Taking my FA-MAS apart, I placed tape on some internal spots where creaking was happening (namely the foregrip). http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...stmas07140.jpg First, remove the foregrip. At the walls of the foregrip, the part that touches the body of the gun, add a thin layer of tape. It is not noticeable from the outside of the gun, yet it makes the foregrip a bit tighter, and removes the plastic-on-plastic creaking that plagues the FA-MAS in that particular area. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...stmas07139.jpg You don't need to add any tape to the body itself, simply the part of the foregrip that touches this part. Next part was a lot harder... http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...stmas07122.jpg The pistol-grip, as many FA-MAS owners know, is actually one of the main spots of the creakiness, due to plastic-on-plastic sounds. Following Robot2000 of Arnie's Airsoft's advice, I tried to pry open the hatch at the bottom of the pistol-grip (useful for storing small tools/ammo, by the way) with a flat-head screwdriver. However, this didn't work, I wondered why, as many owners are able to do so with their fingers. I promptly tried again, and handed the gun to a friend to try as well- it wouldn't open, even with prying incessantly with the screwdriver. Next thing, I tried even HARDER. While trying to pry it open, the screwdriver slipped, taking a small chunk out of my finger and hitting me in the chest. I had to promptly run off, bandage up my finger and take a look at the bruise before returning. After this, I decided "Screw it", and took out the hinge that kept it in the first place. This was done easily- I found a tiny screwdriver, placed it in the hole, and pushed the hinge out. There were no catches or gimmicks, it slid out without any difficulty. I stuck the screwdriver in at the hinge side, and applied pressure one side at a time. Each side popped up with a loud 'Snap' sound, and opened fairly easily... except I noticed it had GLUE residue in it. No-one else had glue in it, at least on Arnie's, however perhaps mine is either a different batch or simply different in some other way. After that, I unscrewed the small metal screw at the bottom (the pistol-grip, while you cannot tell from the outside, is hollow with very thick walls. There is a screw placed at the bottom, which you can remove). This led to me being able to take off the pistol-grip fairly easily, it simply popped off. I applied some tape to the place it screws over, a small, rectangular nub sticking out of the FA-MAS body, and put the grip back on (taking a while to screw it back in, there were metal threads so I could put it in tightly without damaging anything). After I was sure it was REALLY solid, I tested it. Surprisingly enough, this got rid of 90 percent of the creaks. It feels quite solid now, the gun does not make many sounds while moving it around (if any at all), and the parts do not wobble at all. All in all, it's a decent project, which will only cost you some tape, 10 minutes (at most) and a screwdriver. Sorry about the pictures, I used pictures existing beforehand from my FA-MAS review, before I had done the modification. |
Those pictures almost make me regret buying a G36 instead of the FAMAS. But then I remember the creaking and don't worry.
I swear, if someone were to make a good FAMAS without any damn creaking, it would sell so well. |
That's what this guide was for :-D
Here's an exerpt from my thread on Arnie's, a patron of that board, n00btard, was nice and took some pics of his job for the thread. He followed my guide, and was nice enough to elaborate on it: Quote:
Today, I replaced the tape with something like this sort: http://www.morelectric.com/images/ft-1.jpg and it cut down creaking by another lot, as it allows for more friction. |
OK-
Yet another mod done, I'll have a guide up soon. Anyways, for those of you with a FAMAS F1 or are thinking of buying one, yet don't like the fact you can't put a sling- that's a complete load of shit. I just put a sling on my FA-MAS F1, and still have full use of the bipod. I'll have pictures up soon- no internal or external mods are necessary, and you don't have to change your sling around any. However, it doesn't use a gun sling- I used my guitar sling. The notch in the very front was perfect for the metal-bit that stuck out of the bipod. |
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...dayMay3rd4.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...dayMay3rd9.jpg http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...dayMay3rd6.jpg http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...dayMay3rd3.jpg PIRAETS LAWL. Those're only on for fun, really. They'll be peeled off come the next game, if I decide to. |
i like your stickers!! where did u get em?
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I made 'em in about 10 minutes.
M4 guy getting nutshot is courtesy of BB Bastard and the guy who made it (kudos to you), and the pirates is from a set of Photoshop brushes. |
so nice , want some 8)
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LOL nice!!!! Next time put a usebar on it J/K
Sweet gun! |
Necropost, but this'd come in handy for folks who just bought/want to buy a FAMAS.
YouTube - TM FA-MAS Intro |
just to make sure you guys know that , it's not Nate ( BTAP ) on this video.
It's some British guy that gives a very good overall view of the FA-MAS |
Thread revival, but over the winter I'm looking at a conversion and upgrade.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...conversion.jpg My conversion plan. Parts are being bought as we speak. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...atoguncopy.jpg Agent Spencer (from Arnies Airsoft, if anyone there's a member kindly drop him a +1)'s rendition of this. |
Both are definatly beautiful variants, I love both of them. Try to dual weild that and have a little fun in a CQB game ^_^.
This seriously makes me reconsider buying a FAMAS despite all I've heard about the creaking(which I also know is easily fixable). The affordability and just the overall look is orgasmic. Good luck with your upgrades, make sure you post the finished results!:D |
Indeed. As proven in my last game, dual wielding is the funnest thing a guy can do, despite how inneffective :D
Cheers, will do. This'll be done over winter, possibly after- soon as I'm done buying that HiCap and LoCap, I'll use my Reserve money towards this. The SL8 one's impossible for me to do, and very costly, however, it's possible to do if you have the money. Looks awesome too.\ Cheers- if you want the FA-MAS, good luck. It's a great gun. |
Ahh, of course, if the sport survives I'll definatly be buying two, and dual wielding against you in the future!
(Bah...3 years;)) |
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