FAMAE SAF

Submachine Gun (SMG)

Chile | 1993

"The FAMAE SAF submachine gun owes much of its function to the Swiss SIG 450 assault rifle."

Left side view of the FAMAE SAF submachine gun

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the FAMAE SAF. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

492 ft
150.0 m | 164.0 yds
Max.Eff.Range

1,200
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire

1,280 ft/sec
390 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity

Physical
The physical qualities of the FAMAE SAF. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

640 mm
25.20 in
O/A Length

198 mm
7.80 in
Barrel Length

5.95 lb
2.70 kg
Weight

Blowback; Closed Bolt
Action

9x19mm Parabellum; .40 S&W
Caliber(s)

20- or 30-round detachable box magazine
Feed

Iron Front Post and Adjustable Aperture Rear
Sights

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the FAMAE SAF Submachine Gun (SMG) family line.

SAF(A) - Fixed solid polymer stock.

SAF(B) - Skeletal folding buttstock.

SAF(C) - Silenced Variant; silencer fitted over barrel; double-perforated forend housing; skeletal folding buttstock.

Mini-SAF - Compact Variant; forward vertical handgrip; 20-round magazine (30-round capable).

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 12/21/2020 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The SAF is an impressive-looking Chilean submachine gun designed and developed by state-owned FAbricas y MAestranzas del Ejercito (FAMAE) for the Chilean armed forces and security elements. The SAF owes it origins to the Swiss SIG 540 series assault rifle of 1977 which, incidentally, was selected for localized license production within Chile. Key alterations were made to the base SIG 540 assault rifle that included replacing the gas-operated, rotating-bolt system with a blowback, closed-bolt operation. Chilean experience in the processing of the Swiss SIG 540 series helped engineers to generate their all-new end-product that borrowed upon existing, yet proven (and readily available), components to make for an indigenous weapon design that could be delivered with a lower procurement cost. Design of the SAF began in 1993 with production following that same year, continuing even today. The weapon was installed into the inventory of the Chilean Army and subsequently found use in local police forces as well. Export orders included deliveries to the Portuguese Republican National Guard.

At its core, the FAMAE SAF is a conventional select-fire weapon that features a safety, single-shot, 3-round burst and full-automatic fire modes via an ambidextrous selector. The firing operation is blowback from a closed-bolt system and construction is of both high-impact steel and lightweight polymers. The weapon is primarily chambered for the 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge but a version chambered for the .40 Smith & Wesson has been noted. The magazines are either 20- or 30-round detachable straight boxes and have provisions for affixing multiple magazines (up to three) together in a side-by-side fashion for quick reloading. Each magazine is also slightly transparent to allow the operator to visually check the available ammunition supply - a good quality to have in the heat of battle. Sighting is via an adjustable aperture rear with front post fixture. The cocking handle is set to the right side of the body as is the cartridge ejection port.

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FAMAE developed the SAF into a family of submachine gun types to help deliver cost-effective solutions to broader market needs. As such, the SAF was ultimately introduced in four distinct production models. The standard submachine gun came in a fixed polymer buttstock and metal skeletal folding buttstock (hinged to fold over the right of the receiver) form. There was also a specialist silenced version and featured a long suppressor assembly fitted over the muzzle with a double-perforated forend housing and the inclusion of the basic skeletal folding stock.

A compact model was also developed (and known appropriately) as the "Mini-SAF". The Mini-SAF featured no buttstock (though the hinged skeletal one was still optional) and a shorter barrel to make for a more manageable operator length (approximately 12 inches long). The type also sported a forward vertical hand grip (ala the HK MP5K) for a sure two-handed hold. To ensure its portability, the Mini-SAF was also issued with a shorter 20-round magazine to replace the original's 30-count - though the latter could still be used without modification.

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Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the FAMAE SAF. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): FAMAE - Chile

[ Chile ]

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Left side view of the FAMAE SAF submachine gun

Going Further...
The FAMAE SAF Submachine Gun (SMG) appears in the following collections:

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