The FA-MAS Type 62 is a
7.62×51mm NATO
The 7.62×51mm NATO (official NATO nomenclature 7.62 NATO) is a rimless, straight walled, bottlenecked, centerfire rifle cartridge. It is a standard for small arms among NATO countries.
First developed in the 1950s, the cartridge had first be ...
rifle developed by the
French Army
The French Army, officially known as the Land Army (, , ), is the principal Army, land warfare force of France, and the largest component of the French Armed Forces; it is responsible to the Government of France, alongside the French Navy, Fren ...
as a replacement for the
MAS-49/56. It was the last in series of 40 different prototype rifles designed between 1952 and 1962. However, the introduction of the
5.56×45mm cartridge caused the French to rethink their approach and the project was eventually cancelled. The Type 62's bayonet was later adopted for use on the
FAMAS rifle.
Predecessors
Type-55
The MAS-55 has its gas piston underneath its barrel and operated in a similar way to the
FM1924/29 light machine gun but resulted in a heavy rifle for its type.
French MAS Type 1955
/ref>
Type-56
The Type-56 was a simpler alternative to the Type-55 and was closer to the FN FAL.
Type-59
The Type-59 came with an improved stock and foregrip. It also came with a folding stock, bipod and infra-red sight as the AP61.
See also
*List of battle rifles
Battle rifles are full-length, semi-automatic or select fire rifles that are chambered for a full-power rifle cartridge, and have been adopted by a nation's military. The difference between a battle rifle and a designated marksman rifle is often ...
References
{{reflist
7.62×51mm NATO battle rifles
Rifles of France
Trial and research firearms of France