French Gendarmerie & Mini-14s
- Thread starter Kosh75287
- Start date
2damnold4this
New member
I'm a little surprised that they don't issue something domestic but I imagine that the French Gendarmerie could do a lot worse than issuing Mini 14s.
Corrections Cop
New member
They are the standard issue rifle for us at work. Synthetic stock, some with shorter barrels, 20 round Ruger Govt mags and peep sights.
The Mini-14 (and AC556) avoid the "assault rifle" look, while providing the same power and capacity. Further, they use the military issue ammunition, so the police (where they are not part of the army, as the Gendarmerie Nationale is) can obtain ammunition free or at low cost. An excellent choice.
Jim
Jim
I don't disagree.
I don't DISAGREE with the choice made, I am just surprised by it. The non "Ässault Rifle" appearance seems plausible, if somewhat belied by other forces in the same uniform suiting up with Beretta M12 SMGs.
I've owned and shot a Mini-14 since 1976. My favorite taunt among the "black rifle" crowd is "MY .223 will do anything YOUR .223 will do, except JAM", which of course, is not strictly true. The ARs can be made to shoot a great deal tighter.
For confrontations happening at usual "ÄK distances", I wouldn't feel under-equipped with a Mini-14, or M556.
I don't DISAGREE with the choice made, I am just surprised by it. The non "Ässault Rifle" appearance seems plausible, if somewhat belied by other forces in the same uniform suiting up with Beretta M12 SMGs.
I've owned and shot a Mini-14 since 1976. My favorite taunt among the "black rifle" crowd is "MY .223 will do anything YOUR .223 will do, except JAM", which of course, is not strictly true. The ARs can be made to shoot a great deal tighter.
For confrontations happening at usual "ÄK distances", I wouldn't feel under-equipped with a Mini-14, or M556.
Corrections Cop
New member
Ours are not the best nor the worst. Its no sniper rifle, but all we look for is center mass @ 100 yards
I don't disagree.
I don't DISAGREE with the choice made, I am just surprised by it. The non "Ässault Rifle" appearance seems plausible, if somewhat belied by other forces in the same uniform suiting up with Beretta M12 SMGs.
I've owned and shot a Mini-14 since 1976. My favorite taunt among the "black rifle" crowd is "MY .223 will do anything YOUR .223 will do, except JAM", which of course, is not strictly true. The ARs can be made to shoot a great deal tighter. I believe that the barrel harmonics associated with the first ones were "less than optimal", let's say. This can be fixed, at least in part.
I've never had the money to do it, but I've always wondered how the rifle would fare in combat with the harmonics optimized for the 6x45mm cartridge. I suspect that an 80 grain FMJBT at 2800 f/s would offer certain advantages to the rifleman who must shoot for keeps. I DO KNOW about the "never adopted by any military power", major or otherwise, so practicality would be an issue. I am nonetheless free to speculate.
For confrontations happening at usual "AK distances", I wouldn't feel under-equipped with a Mini-14, or M556. The gas-operated cam-induced rotating-bolt system in the Mini has been used in many iterations before 1976, and its reliability/durability is well established.
I just wish I could have heard the discussion among the French procurement people leading up to its adoption.
I don't DISAGREE with the choice made, I am just surprised by it. The non "Ässault Rifle" appearance seems plausible, if somewhat belied by other forces in the same uniform suiting up with Beretta M12 SMGs.
I've owned and shot a Mini-14 since 1976. My favorite taunt among the "black rifle" crowd is "MY .223 will do anything YOUR .223 will do, except JAM", which of course, is not strictly true. The ARs can be made to shoot a great deal tighter. I believe that the barrel harmonics associated with the first ones were "less than optimal", let's say. This can be fixed, at least in part.
I've never had the money to do it, but I've always wondered how the rifle would fare in combat with the harmonics optimized for the 6x45mm cartridge. I suspect that an 80 grain FMJBT at 2800 f/s would offer certain advantages to the rifleman who must shoot for keeps. I DO KNOW about the "never adopted by any military power", major or otherwise, so practicality would be an issue. I am nonetheless free to speculate.
For confrontations happening at usual "AK distances", I wouldn't feel under-equipped with a Mini-14, or M556. The gas-operated cam-induced rotating-bolt system in the Mini has been used in many iterations before 1976, and its reliability/durability is well established.
I just wish I could have heard the discussion among the French procurement people leading up to its adoption.
Last edited:
Grizz, perhaps you saw some cops (of which there are many types there, in Army and in police services) with the MAT-49 submachine gun. It was a very successful design from about 1950 and may still be used by some agencies.
MAT-49 at Wikipedia
The FAMAS bullpup is the standard issue military assault rifle in France armed forces, although France is in the early phases of replacing them. OBTW, I believe that France has no factory or armory that can make modern military rifles. H&K 416 or CZ Bren will likely make a good showing in this competition, and the Polish AK-based Beryl will be a strong contender. It would be ironic if the Russians try to enter an AK-12.
If the French want another bullpup, the Israeli Tavor may do well in the competition.
FAMAS at Wikipedia
Bart Noir
MAT-49 at Wikipedia
The FAMAS bullpup is the standard issue military assault rifle in France armed forces, although France is in the early phases of replacing them. OBTW, I believe that France has no factory or armory that can make modern military rifles. H&K 416 or CZ Bren will likely make a good showing in this competition, and the Polish AK-based Beryl will be a strong contender. It would be ironic if the Russians try to enter an AK-12.
If the French want another bullpup, the Israeli Tavor may do well in the competition.
FAMAS at Wikipedia
Bart Noir
Agree.
The only way I know of to make it go over better would be for the Israeli Tavors to be stoked with Israeli ammo. Perhaps the projectile noses could be dipped in pig fat?
New information about the French Mini-14s: It appears they WERE manufactured by Ruger.
I found the above in an article accessible at the link below:
http://www.shootingillustrated.com/index.php/35231/the-mousqueton-a-m-d-frances-mini-14/
The only way I know of to make it go over better would be for the Israeli Tavors to be stoked with Israeli ammo. Perhaps the projectile noses could be dipped in pig fat?
New information about the French Mini-14s: It appears they WERE manufactured by Ruger.
I found the above in an article accessible at the link below:
http://www.shootingillustrated.com/index.php/35231/the-mousqueton-a-m-d-frances-mini-14/
Last edited: