View source for FAMAE SAF

{{Short description|Chilean submachine gun}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name = FAMAE SAF
| image = File:Famae-saf.jpg
| caption = A left-side view of the FAMAE SAF
| origin = [[Chile]]
| type = [[Submachine gun]]
<!-- Type selection -->| is_ranged = yes
<!-- Service history -->| service = 
| used_by = See ''[[FAMAE SAF#Users|Users]]''
| wars = <!-- Production history -->
| designer = [[FAMAE]]
| design_date = 1993
| manufacturer = FAMAE
| unit_cost = 
| production_date = 1993–present
| number = 
| variants = Mini-SAF
<!-- General specifications -->| spec_label = 
| weight = {{convert|2.7|kg|lb|2|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|640|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} stock extended / {{convert|410|mm|abbr=on|1}} stock folded
| part_length = {{convert|198|mm|abbr=on|1}}
| width = 
| height = <!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
| cartridge = [[9×19mm Parabellum]]<br/> [[.40 S&W]]
| action = [[Blowback (arms)|Blowback]], [[closed bolt]]
| rate = 1,120–1,280 rounds/min
| velocity = 
| range = 150 m
| max_range = 
| feed = 20- or 30-round detachable [[box magazine]]
| sights = [[Iron sight]]s
}}

The '''FAMAE SAF''' is a [[submachine gun]] produced and manufactured by [[FAMAE]] (''Fábricas y Maestranzas del Ejército'') since 1993.<ref name="MT">{{Cite web|title=FAMAE SAF - Submachine gun|url=http://www.military-today.com/firearms/famae_saf.htm|access-date=2021-04-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117130902if_/http://www.military-today.com/firearms/famae_saf.htm|archive-date=2023-01-17|url-status=usurped}}</ref> 

Since 1999, Taurus have produced the SAF under license in .40 S&W for Brazilian law enforcement.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-11-22|title=Taurus SMGs and carbines: the FAMAE heritage|url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/11/22/taurus-smgs-carbines-famae-heritage/|access-date=2021-04-29|website=The Firearm Blog|language=en-US}}</ref>

Semi-automatic-only variants manufactured by FAMAE are mostly marketed for sale in Canada.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-10-09|title=FAMAE Firearms: From SAF Mini to SG 542|url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2013/10/09/famae-family-firearms-saf-mini-sg-542/|access-date=2021-04-29|website=The Firearm Blog|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Design==
The SAF is a blowback-operated [[select-fire]] submachine gun, firing from a [[closed bolt]]. It is based on the Swiss [[SIG SG 540]] [[assault rifle]] which was produced under license in Chile in the 1980s.<ref name="MF">{{Cite web|date=2010-10-27|title=FAMAE S.A.F.|url=https://modernfirearms.net/en/submachine-guns/chile-submachine-guns/famae-s-a-f-eng/|access-date=2021-04-29|website=Modern Firearms|language=en}}</ref><ref name="MT"/> The design is a shortened version of the SIG 540 rifle, but the rifle's [[rotating bolt]] has been replaced with a simple [[Blowback (arms)|blowback]] bolt. The SAF also has a bolt hold-open catch that engages after the final shot. Otherwise, the receiver, stock, fore-end, trigger/hammer assembly and floating firing pin design are from the SIG 540. (It also retains the folding trigger guard for winter glove use.)

The upper and lower receiver as well as the trigger guard are steel, and the pistol-grip and handguards are all made from polymer. The ambidextrous safety/fire selector switch, as well as the interchangeability with SIG 552/553 handguards are a feature found on the latest versions. Older versions used their own handguards.

The 9mm magazines use a transparent plastic made from polymer,<ref name="MF"/> allowing the number of available rounds to be determined visually. The magazine is fitted with protruding lugs on one side and corresponding slots on the other, allowing two or three magazines to be clipped together for a quicker magazine change.<ref name="MF"/> The .40 S&W magazines are made of steel and hold 30 rounds.

The selector has four settings: safe, single shot, 3-round burst and [[fully automatic]].<ref name="MF"/> Some models were made in a semi-auto only configuration for law enforcement and civilian customers.<ref name="MT"/>

==Variants==
[[File:Subametralladora FAMAE SAF-200.jpg|thumb|The FAMAE SAF-200 with an unloaded magazine.|alt=]]

The SAF is manufactured in four different variants: standard configuration with a fixed polymer buttstock,<ref name="MT" /> standard configuration with a left-side-folding tubular metal buttstock, '''SAF SD''', which used an integral [[suppressor]] and folding buttstock,<ref name="MT" /> and the Mini-SAF.<ref name="MF" />

The '''SAF SD''' is a suppressed variant with a slightly longer barrel length of {{convert|220|mm|in}}. It has a lowered fire rate of 980 rpm and a muzzle velocity of 300m/s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FAMAE SAF |url=https://weaponsystems.net/system/891-FAMAE+SAF |access-date=2022-05-14 |website=Weaponsystems.net |language=en}}</ref>

The '''Mini-SAF''' is a more compact variant, at only {{convert|12|in|mm}} long.<ref name="SAF SO">{{Cite web|url=https://special-ops.org/famae-saf/|title = FAMAE SAF: A shortened version of Swiss SIG 540 assault rifle|date = 21 October 2019}}</ref> It has a short {{convert|4.5|in|mm|adj=on}} barrel, no shoulder stock (although the left-side-folding tubular metal buttstock of the standard SAF can be attached), and a vertical foregrip. The Mini-SAF can use the standard 30-round magazines, but comes with special 20-round magazines for a smaller profile.<ref name="MT" /> All versions have post-front-sights with adjustable elevation, and aperture-rear-sights, adjustable for windage.

The '''SAF-200''' is a modernised variant, which is being tested by FAMAE and the [[Chilean Army]].<ref name="MT" />{{When|date=April 2021}} It includes a new retractable and foldable stock, a new handguard and [[Picatinny rails]] provided for modern optics and lateral attachments. The rails are optional for the other SAF variants, but is standard on the SAF-200.<ref>{{cite web|title=SAF SUBAMETRALLADORAS|url=http://www.famae.cl/slimbox/ficha_saf.php|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111227181442/http://www.famae.cl/slimbox/ficha_saf.php|archive-date=2011-12-27|access-date=2013-06-18|website=FAMAE|language=es}}</ref>

==Users==
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->

* {{flag|Argentina}}: In service [[Airport Security Police (Argentina)|Airport Security Police]] and Mendoza Provincial Police.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-11-24 |title=wiw_sa_argentina - worldinventory |url=https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_sa_argentina |access-date=2023-03-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124203421/https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_sa_argentina |archive-date=2016-11-24 }}</ref>
* {{flag|Brazil}}: In service [[Federal Highway Police (Brazil)|Federal Highway Police]] and [[Military Police of São Paulo State]].{{citation needed|date=April 2013}}
* {{flag|Chile}}: In service with the [[Chilean Armed Forces]] and police.<ref name="miller2001">Miller, David (2001). ''The Illustrated Directory of 20th Century Guns''. Salamander Books Ltd. {{ISBN|1-84065-245-4}}.</ref>{{Page needed|date=April 2021}}<ref>{{cite book|last = Jones| first = Richard| title = Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009-2010 | publisher = Jane's Information Group| year = 2009| isbn =978-0-7106-2869-5  | page =893}}</ref>
* {{flag|El Salvador}}: Service in The National Civilian Police.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=El Salvador: Standing Talls|magazine=Small Arms Defense Journal |date=12 January 2012|first=Julio A. |last=Montes|url=http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=952|volume=3|issue=4}}</ref>
* {{flag|Portugal}}: Was used by the [[Portuguese National Republican Guard|National Republican Guard]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chilean FAMAE SAF from Hellenic Police trials|url=https://armamentresearch.com/chilean-famae-saf-from-hellenic-police-trials/|access-date=2021-04-29|website=[[Armament Research Services]] |date=7 May 2019|language=en-GB}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|SAF}}

{{FAMAE}}

[[Category:FAMAE]]
[[Category:9mm Parabellum submachine guns]]
[[Category:.40 S&W submachine guns]]
[[Category:Submachine guns of Chile]]