FR-F1, FR-F2, FR-G1 and FR-G2 Sniper Rifle

FR-F1Sniper Rifle, FR-F2 Sniper Rifle, FR-G1 Sniper Rifle and FR-G2 Sniper Rifle

The FR-F1 sniper rifle was first produced in 7.5mm French Service caliber, but  in the late 1980s,  they began to convert them to 7.62mm NATO ammunition, producing the FR-F2 sniper rifle. In addition to the caliber change, there were also a number of small improvements and functional changes, such as the metal fore-end being covered with black polymer (on the FR-F1, the metal fore-end could become too hot  to grip on a hot  day or after lots of shooting),  and the bipod was moved from the FR-F1 position at the front  of the fore end to a point just ahead of the receiver (and also strengthened). The bipod was also made adjustable, and this new position makes it easier for the shooter to adjust it. 

FR-F1Sniper Rifle

FR-F2 Sniper Rifle

The new bipod is also attached to a yoke around the rear of the barrel instead of to the fore-end, which makes the FR-F2 sniper rifle more stable when firing. Visually, the biggest change is the barrel; on the FR-F2 it is inside a thick plastic thermal sleeve in order to reduce glare, protect the sighting through the scope from heat rising off the barrel, and even reduces the IR signature of the barrel somewhat.

The FR-G1 sniper rifle and FR-G2 sniper rifle are virtually identical to the FR-F2, but  they use a wooden fore-end instead of the synthetic fore-end of th FR-F2 (the stock is still synthetic), and they have no thermal shield. This reduces the weight somewhat. The FR-G2 retains the adjustable bipod of the FR-F2, but  the FR-G1’s bipod is not  adjustable (though it can still be folded).

The FR-F1 was a sniper rifle of modern design (for its time) and capable of great accuracy. When introduced in the 1960s, it was ahead of its time, with features such as an adjustable cheekpiece, a trigger that can be adjusted by a micrometer screw, a scope with an illuminated reticule, and an iron foresight that can be replaced with nearly a dozen others. It is basically a modernized and accurized MAS-36 infantry rifle, but  the construction quality and standards were so greatly improved that the FR-F1 is a totally new weapon.