S.A.F
Summary
| Country | 🇨🇱 Chile |
| Category | Submachine gun |
| Manufacturer | FAMAE |
Technical specifications
| S.A.F | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | 1120 - 1280 rounds/min. |
| Caliber | 9 x 19 mm Parabellum |
| Magazine | 20 - 30 rounds |
| Length | 640 mm (25.2 in) |
| Weight | 2.7 kg (6.0 lb) |
| Range | 150 m (492 ft) |
Description
The FAMAE SAF is a submachine gun first produced in 1993 by Fábricas y Maestranzas del Ejército (FAMAE). Since 1999, Taurus has manufactured the SAF under license in .40 S&W for Brazilian law enforcement. Semi-automatic-only variants made by FAMAE are primarily marketed for sale in Canada.
This firearm operates on a blowback system, firing from a closed bolt. It is a select-fire design based on the licensed production of the Swiss SIG SG 540 assault rifle in Chile during the 1980s. The SAF is a shortened version of the SIG 540, replacing the rifle's rotating bolt with a simpler blowback bolt. It features a bolt hold-open catch that engages after the final round is fired. Elements derived from the SIG 540 include the receiver, stock, fore-end, trigger/hammer assembly, floating firing pin design, and a folding trigger guard for use with winter gloves. The receiver and trigger guard are constructed from steel, while the pistol grip and handguards are made of polymer. Later versions feature an ambidextrous safety/fire selector switch and handguards interchangeable with SIG 552/553 models; older versions used proprietary handguards. The 9mm magazines are made from transparent polymer, allowing for visual determination of remaining rounds, and incorporate lugs and slots to clip multiple magazines together. The .40 S&W magazines are steel and have a 30-round capacity. The standard selector offers safe, single shot, 3-round burst, and fully automatic settings, although some models are manufactured in a semi-auto only configuration for law enforcement and civilian markets.
The SAF is produced in several variants:
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Standard version with a fixed polymer stock
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Standard version equipped with a left-side-folding tubular metal stock
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SAF SD with an integral suppressor and folding stock
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Mini-SAF
The suppressed SAF SD features a slightly longer barrel of 220 mm (8.7 in), a lowered fire rate of 980 rpm, and a muzzle velocity of 300 m/s. The Mini-SAF is a more compact version, measuring 300 mm (12 inches) overall, with a short 110 mm (4.5-inch) barrel and no standard shoulder stock, though the standard SAF's folding stock can be attached. It includes a vertical foregrip and comes with 20-round magazines for a smaller profile but can accept standard 30-round magazines. All versions feature post-front sights with adjustable elevation and aperture-rear sights adjustable for windage. The SAF-200 is a modernised variant currently undergoing testing by FAMAE and the Chilean Army. This version incorporates a new retractable and foldable stock, a new handguard, and Picatinny rails for optics and accessories, which are optional on other SAF variants but standard on the SAF-200.
Users include the Airport Security Police and Mendoza Provincial Police in Argentina, the Federal Highway Police and Military Police of São Paulo State in Brazil, the Chilean Armed Forces and police forces, and the National Civilian Police of El Salvador. It was formerly used by the National Republican Guard of Portugal.