A real inch pattern geek question..

[Lee Enfield]

Cheers Kev, that makes sense, as you say, differences in all three. the mag well lightning cut on the CAL rifle, is similar to the Fal, where the UK and Lithgow opted for a simpler narrow scallop.

It does makes you wonder why they would change things like the gas block assembly, where even the angle of the gas bleed channel was altered...

Most of the C1/L1 improvements are real improvements over the Ex1/X8E1/T48 series of rifles.

90* gas port hole erodes less over time (reference Ak47 vs AKM).

The inch pattern gas block is arguably a dramatic improvement over the Belgian design - gas adjustment knob and front sight system.

The Belgian Ex1/X8 2 piece gas nut/carry handle sleeve is stupid - having to unbreech the barrel or remove the gas block to remove the gas tube or carry handle is stupid.

The butt stock "wings" on the Ex1/X8 belgian butt stock cracked and broke out.

I'm not sure that the 2 angle bolt locking surface matters (the Indians used the single angle bolt to the end with their IA1 rifles) - but the 2 piece extractor is a major improvement over the long tail flat wire spring BAR pattern of the Ex1/X8.

I used to prefer the Ex1/X8 pattern pistol grip, but have come to prefer the inch pattern angle and shape.

Having said that, the US pattern (T48) flash hider adopted with the C1/L1 is ungainly long.