Cybershooters

cybershooters · Site Admin Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 4587

Article.

I don't care how many times they upgrade it, it's always going to be heavy and poorly balanced. And given that the French are apparently just about to ditch the FA MAS (which is a better rifle), perhaps the time has finally come for the UK forces to do the same thing?
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Steve.

Only three things are certain: death, taxes and stupid gun laws.

Sixshot6 · Joined: 17 Jul 2014 Posts: 399

Seems that the bullpup era is ending (Israel being the one bucking the trend). How difficult would it be to get Colt Canada to gear up for UK production and get some C7's and C8's into service?

cybershooters · Site Admin Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 4587

I'm sure they'd be happy to, but given the MoD didn't go down that path last time I doubt it will happen this time.

Honestly, when I shoot my L98A1 it reminds me of the Austin Maxi. And I do mean the Maxi, not the Princess, because the Princess at least contained some innovative features. Laughing

It's so heavy and badly balanced and the trigger pull is appalling. And awkward to reload as well.
_________________
Steve.

Only three things are certain: death, taxes and stupid gun laws.

Sixshot6 · Joined: 17 Jul 2014 Posts: 399

How could they end up with a rifle that was so unbalanced. I have the last enfield book hanging around but all the stuff that I skimmed made my mind go "booom", with how much of a screw up it was. No wonder the next rifle will have to come off the shelf.

cybershooters · Site Admin Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 4587

MoD to procure L85A3 in quantity (That's not a picture of an A3 with the article btw).

So they've bought 5,000 and they want more, basically it's the A2 with a new upper receiver that has really straight rails for the bolt carrier (I know everyone looks down their noses at the quality of manufacture but really has that ever been considered a really big problem?) And they've given it a new forend, which requires cutting down the gas block, put a long 1913 rail on top and painted it brown.

Wow.

Bear in mind there were 380,000 of the original guns manufactured and I think 200,000 were converted to A2 and I doubt a huge number will go to A3, so as far as I can see this is a PR exercise to make it look as though they have got cutting edge equipment - they haven't.

And the Para Minimi is being ditched because apparently soldiers miss with it too much and the Army is buying more L129A1 DMRs. I understand the science but I can't help thinking this is because they're cheaper and use less ammunition.

I suspect when 2025 rolls around the Army will finally ditch the SA80 and replace it with some lightly used ex-Bundeswehr G36s. Laughing

Or if that's too expensive, I hear the French have got a big pile of FA MAS rifles they'd be willing to part with. Unfortunately Italy has given their AR 70/90s to Albania so that's not an option.
_________________
Steve.

Only three things are certain: death, taxes and stupid gun laws.

Sixshot6 · Joined: 17 Jul 2014 Posts: 399

They really haven't thought this through have they? Its painful to watch.

cybershooters · Site Admin Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 4587

A very bad MoD press release.

cybershooters · Site Admin Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 4587

44,000 L85A3s to be procured.

£1,700 each! Clearly a bargain. Shocked

Bearing in mind that is significantly more than the price of a brand new Diemaco C8 SFW.

It's like a vampire, keeps coming back to life.
_________________
Steve.

Only three things are certain: death, taxes and stupid gun laws.

Sixshot6 · Joined: 17 Jul 2014 Posts: 399

The firearms blog stated current cost per unit of an M4 is 400 pounds so the C8 which is the same gun near enough is that? What a shambles.