L96A1 Purchase? or New Accuracy International AW

[Brian B]

A little off topic, but I would love to own an L96A1 to sit next to the No 4 Mk 1 Ts, L42A1. I know that it isn't an Enfield, but I would like to continue to collect the British Military Snipers as they progress with new rifles of choice.

My questions are: Are there any L96A1s floating around to be purchased? I haven't heard of any making there way onto the market. Any idea if they may be replaced and surplused down the road?

Secondly, if there aren't any actual L96A1s to be had on the civilian market, which AI, used or new, would be the closest to the L96A1.

Thanks for the input,

Brian B

Information

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[Brian Dick]

There were only a dozen or so L96A1 rifles imported to the USA through normal channels. There may be a few others that came in through military channels. We can't import them being military and not on the curio and relics list. The AW in 7.62 is the L118A1.

[m4carbine]

Hi,
There are a few L96A1's in the US, I have been trying to find out how many for a couple of years, the current estimates are less than 15.

I have 2 in my collection, a regular L96A1 and a very rare Folding models (only 52 made, 2 are in the US).

There is no "Close" AI, the next thing down the evolutionary pipeline is the AW and its very different, at one time I tried to put an L96A1 stock on an AW, the screws fit but that was all.
Bipod attachment, mag well and butt are different enough to make it a No Go.

The L96A1 has an external safety on the left of the receiver looks exactly like an Enfield safety, all other AI's are on the bolt (except .50).

The British L96A1's will not ever be surplused due to English law, there are a few LE versions that bump around england but can't be imported due to our "No military weapons" import B.S.

Here is a link to some good pics BRITISH L96A1 7.62 NATO Tactical/Sniper Rifles for sale, gun classifieds or gun auction from Kelly Kyle. Buy or bid on this BRITISH L96A1 7.62 NATO in the category Tactical/Sniper Rifles on GunsAmerica.


Sorry and Good luck

[bigduke6]

There is no "Close" AI, the next thing down the evolutionary pipeline is the AW and its very different, at one time I tried to put an L96A1 stock on an AW, the screws fit but that was all.
Bipod attachment, mag well and butt are different enough to make it a No Go

Always thought the AW (artic warfare) was the starting blocks for the L96A1, the other option was the AE which was a non military type designed for Law enforcement, when you mention the stock, where these the panels off the AE ? as the original AE was only made for a 5 round mag, so the panels and chassis system was a different set up also the chassis was not bonded like the AW.

(The newer version of the AE was upgrded to a 10 round mag.)

There was a L96 for sale in the UK about 3 years ago, on Guntrader (wasnt on there long).
An L96 scope was up for sale last year, was told it was sold quite quick.

Had a AE myself in 7.62mm, and I couldn,t fault it, excellent bit of kit, but wasnt getting used to it full potential and also being the price of approx ten to 12 old Milsurps I moved it on. (nothing to do with the wife walking round in rags and blue in the face due to no heating).

One thing I did do before I sold was take stock panels off and took a few pics and a lot of measurements of the chassis, and made a few blank Chassis for future projects.

[longebow]

I believe that Gunsite of Arizona (where they teach advanced marksmanship skills) imported that batch (I heard "10") of L96's. This was from an article that Garry James (of Guns & Ammo fame) may have noted in an article on L42s. He is well-known for his interest in things British. I'll try to find that magazine/article to see if I can find more details for you.

[Simon P]

Here is the AI contacts page, they have a ditributor in the US: Sniper Rifle Systems - AE, AW, AW50 AICS Sniper Rifles | Accuracy International

Sniper Rifle Systems - AE, AW, AW50 AICS Sniper Rifles | Accuracy International Follow the retail option in the second link

[Peter Laidler]

The intellectual property rights to the L96 rifle remained with the UK MoD and they wouldn't allow it to be marketed outside the UK MoD. That's the reason why you won't see them - or many of them! Any look-a-like is just that....... Some UK Police forces had genuine L96's but being real snipers, they wanted a few whistles and bells such as contra-swirl flash eliminators............... don't ask why the Army amateurs didn't need this kit but the experts did......

Fultons at Bisley usually have one or two in stock plus spare parts but the little khaki 6x 42 telescopes are like rocking horse shi.........., er, manure. The sight rail dovetail is a bit of a one off too so that makes your choice of sight rail a bit restricted.

I've got one and have to say that they're good rifles

[breakeyp]

When I finally noted the Gunsite ad in the Shotgun News, I called but they had been sold. I was told that twelve had been brought into the US. The last one was to be exported to Switzerland (mine if the deal fell through---it didn't). Apparently AIs Malcom Cooper called them and said that a Northern Ireland police group wanted to trade them in for a later model. They had never had returns before and did not want to be bothered so GunSite cut a deal for them. When received the matching green colored S&B telescopic sights had problems and were replaced with new black colored scopes. The Greens were sold off as separate items.

I was able to buy one at a later date. Mine does not have police markings. They are true L96's lacking broad arrow and a military serial number. I would have to go dig it out to find out about the serial number thing. Herb Woodend told me that the police guns had a different non-military serial number.

[bigduke6]

the little khaki 6x 42 telescopes are like rocking horse shi.........., er, manure.

Thats the one that I mentioned in the previous thread, was priced around £300 IIRC.

This is a link to one of the Agents in the USA, a few of our club members go out every year, Accuracy International Rifles

[breakeyp]

Attachment 68056Attachment 68057Attachment 68058

This is one of the 12 British/ Irish Police owned rifles imported to the US by Gunsite. They told me one was sold to a party in Switzerland.