L85A1/A2/A3 - SA80 Assault Rifle

Contains threads on Joint Service equipment of the past, present and future.
Tinman
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Re: rifle 5.56mm L85/A1/A2/ (The Rifle/ Sa80)

Post by Tinman »

arfah wrote:Well, I won't be getting trained on its replacement, that's for sure.

Don't be to sure on that, I will be 51 and as a now reservist will certainly be trained on it.

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Re: rifle 5.56mm L85/A1/A2/ (The Rifle/ Sa80)

Post by arfah »

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Re: rifle 5.56mm L85/A1/A2/ (The Rifle/ Sa80)

Post by marktigger »

wonder will they be rebarrelled for what ever the next generation Small arms round is?

Little J
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Re: rifle 5.56mm L85/A1/A2/ (The Rifle/ Sa80)

Post by Little J »

If based on a 556 case (or like the 6.5 and 6.8 designed to similar overall length) that would be a possibility.

I'm wondering if the L22 would be getting updated too, as I suspect that it could really use a muzzle shroud (or ability to mount a silencer) and I don't believe to you can fit one as is (anyone used one confirm, please).

BTW, TheFirearmsBlog has picked up on the A3 and some of the comments are quite funny.
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016 ... ed-public/

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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: rifle 5.56mm L85/A1/A2/ (The Rifle/ Sa80)

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

Little J wrote:If based on a 556 case (or like the 6.5 and 6.8 designed to similar overall length) that would be a possibility.
I think that was tried with the Grendel, and in tests you seldom got through the whole mag without one jamming as the feed angle is (ever so slightly) different. Now, that would have been with the AR range, may be HK can do it better?
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Re: rifle 5.56mm L85/A1/A2/ (The Rifle/ Sa80)

Post by arfah »

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Re: rifle 5.56mm L85/A1/A2/ (The Rifle/ Sa80)

Post by marktigger »

how much weight has been added with the rail system? has it made the weapon any better balanced!

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Ianmb17
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Re: rifle 5.56mm L85/A1/A2/ (The Rifle/ Sa80)

Post by Ianmb17 »

Are 42 commando not using sa80 anymore pictures link below

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-la ... tal-jackal

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Re: rifle 5.56mm L85/A1/A2/ (The Rifle/ Sa80)

Post by Dahedd »

Most of the guys in the pics there seem to be Bahraini troops with M16/M4s its unclear what the RMs are carrying.

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Re: rifle 5.56mm L85/A1/A2/ (The Rifle/ Sa80)

Post by arfah »

Ianmb17 wrote:Are 42 commando not using sa80 anymore pictures link below

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-la ... tal-jackal
They're using L85's. Refer to differences in the BFA between the Bahraini's M16 and the two RM's
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Little J
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Re: rifle 5.56mm L85/A1/A2/ (The Rifle/ Sa80)

Post by Little J »



To those interested in the development of this "unique" rifle, Ian from Forgotten Weapons has done a series of 9 videos (playlist below) chronicling its history.



** At the time of posting he still has video number 4 set to private. Believe this should be about double O and XL64 series, hopefully he will make it public soon. **

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cockneyjock1974
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Re: rifle 5.56mm L85/A1/A2/ (The Rifle/ Sa80)

Post by cockneyjock1974 »

I've only had experience on the A1 and the single shot cadet rifle both of which were a bucket of shit. I pulled the cocking handle right off the frame on the single shot and broke the dust cover on the A1. I loved the SUSAT though.

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Re: rifle 5.56mm L85/A1/A2/ (The Rifle/ Sa80)

Post by Little J »

It was interesting to see the Stoner 63 hatchet job and HK's A3 Body Assembly, I wonder if they also have a TMH in the works too, maybe in a polymer?

Hope the forth vid is the double 0 and XL64 (and gets made public soon) how they went downhill from those to the L85 A1's..... :shock:

Tinman
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Re: rifle 5.56mm L85/A1/A2/ (The Rifle/ Sa80)

Post by Tinman »

cockneyjock1974 wrote:I've only had experience on the A1 and the single shot cadet rifle both of which were a bucket of shit. I pulled the cocking handle right off the frame on the single shot and broke the dust cover on the A1. I loved the SUSAT though.
I've experience of the L85a2 on operations and it was flawless, no stoppages.

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cockneyjock1974
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Re: rifle 5.56mm L85/A1/A2/ (The Rifle/ Sa80)

Post by cockneyjock1974 »

Tinman wrote: I've experience of the L85a2 on operations and it was flawless, no stoppages.
That's good to hear mate.

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Re: rifle 5.56mm L85/A1/A2/ (The Rifle/ Sa80)

Post by marktigger »

Tinman wrote: I've experience of the L85a2 on operations and it was flawless, no stoppages.
I've seen an A2 on range have 15 stoppages in 30 rounds in the hands of an instructor. I've had no problems with it or the A1 but they are still a pile of poorly designed , poorly made junk. Suspect they will make it to 2025 by which time the Americans hopefully will have decided what round they are going for. Be a bit ironic if it was something like .280 enfield.

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Jdam
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Re: rifle 5.56mm L85/A1/A2/ (The Rifle/ Sa80)

Post by Jdam »

marktigger wrote:
Tinman wrote: Suspect they will make it to 2025 by which time the Americans hopefully will have decided what round they are going for. Be a bit ironic if it was something like .280 enfield.
Is there a real need to replace the 5.56mm?

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Re: rifle 5.56mm L85/A1/A2/ (The Rifle/ Sa80)

Post by Little J »

Just to let everyone know, the fourth video (XL60 4.85mm) is now up - all nine available.


Edit:- now number nine is in private !?!

Tinman
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Re: rifle 5.56mm L85/A1/A2/ (The Rifle/ Sa80)

Post by Tinman »

marktigger wrote:
Tinman wrote: I've experience of the L85a2 on operations and it was flawless, no stoppages.
I've seen an A2 on range have 15 stoppages in 30 rounds in the hands of an instructor. I've had no problems with it or the A1 but they are still a pile of poorly designed , poorly made junk. Suspect they will make it to 2025 by which time the Americans hopefully will have decided what round they are going for. Be a bit ironic if it was something like .280 enfield.
Disagree, 15 stoppages in 30 rounds? magazine or ammunition issue. I take it you've not used it on operations?

downsizer
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Re: rifle 5.56mm L85/A1/A2/ (The Rifle/ Sa80)

Post by downsizer »

Never had a problem with the A2 personally.

marktigger
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Re: rifle 5.56mm L85/A1/A2/ (The Rifle/ Sa80)

Post by marktigger »

Tinman wrote:
marktigger wrote:
Tinman wrote: I've experience of the L85a2 on operations and it was flawless, no stoppages.
I've seen an A2 on range have 15 stoppages in 30 rounds in the hands of an instructor. I've had no problems with it or the A1 but they are still a pile of poorly designed , poorly made junk. Suspect they will make it to 2025 by which time the Americans hopefully will have decided what round they are going for. Be a bit ironic if it was something like .280 enfield.
Disagree, 15 stoppages in 30 rounds? magazine or ammunition issue. I take it you've not used it on operations?
Yeap had one on tellic 1-2

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Re: rifle 5.56mm L85/A1/A2/ (The Rifle/ Sa80)

Post by marktigger »

downsizer wrote:Never had a problem with the A2 personally.
never had a problem with the A1 or the A2 but compared to SLR know which I'd rather have

andrew98
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Re: rifle 5.56mm L85/A1/A2/ (The Rifle/ Sa80)

Post by andrew98 »

A HK G3? :p

Tinman
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Re: rifle 5.56mm L85/A1/A2/ (The Rifle/ Sa80)

Post by Tinman »

marktigger wrote:
downsizer wrote:Never had a problem with the A2 personally.
never had a problem with the A1 or the A2 but compared to SLR know which I'd rather have
L85a2 would be my choice, I wouldn't like to have cleared compounds with an SLR.

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