thought you all might be interested to know what the French troops staying at my base here are using. I find it unusual that according to most references, the French have issued the beretta 92 and sigpro pistols recently. While French police that are part of the security assistance force have sigpros, the Army troops here are still carrying the old MAc 1950 single stack 9mm. Seems there have been at least 3 newer pistols adopted since the '50. somewhat amazed to still see them in front line service

The French versions of the Beretta 92 are called the Pistolet Automatique MAS G1 which are under license from Beretta produced by Manufacture de Armes de Saint Etienne now owned by GIAT (Groupment Industrial des Amaments Terrestres).
The French version of the SigPro is called the Pistolet Automatique Sig Sauer SP2022.
The MAC 1950 is still a fine combat arm and it does not surprise me that the French Army still carries them.
Patrick

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Vive La République Française, le Lebel et le poilu
Verdun 1916: "Ils ne Passeront pas" "On les aura!"
Fusil d'Infanterie Modèle 1886 Modifié 1893 dit "Lebel"

Vive le Pinard !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axfM1sFqIK0

Maj: According to "French Service Handguns", the French Army did not like the Beretta or the Sig, and they use the PA 50 to this day. In Nam, the PA 50 was hard to find, and most of the time we would get PA 35's. Apparently they like this gun.....

Dale

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If those little Sweethearts won't face German bullets, then they'll face French ones!
George McReady in Paths of Glory 1955