Gentlemen!
What a 40mm grenade launcher attachment was tested with AR-15, when this rifle was chosen for procurement? Which infra-red light could be attached to the rifle with special bracket?
regards, Andrey
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Gentlemen!
What a 40mm grenade launcher attachment was tested with AR-15, when this rifle was chosen for procurement? Which infra-red light could be attached to the rifle with special bracket?
regards, Andrey
Are you actually in Taraz, Kazakhstan?
The British probably used Colt M-148 grenade launchers. Probably the US made PVS-2 "Starlight Scope" would have been used.
YesQuote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
I don't think "starlight". Starlight isn't infra-red scope. Perhaps it was US Varo AN/PAS-4, or mysterious UK infra-red weaponsight XL2E1. I would like to know exactlyQuote:
Originally Posted by imarangemaster
I thought as well, but would like to know is exactly. And why it was not adopted?Quote:
Originally Posted by imarangemaster
I was using the very first British issue Colt AR15's in Malaya with the Australian Army in 1967. Replaced (not entirely though..... the Owens and Sterling SMG's with the British and New Zealand Army). We didn't have any grenade launchers at all. None, zilch. We had the old M203's. I fired one into the sand butts of the range and the gas was permeating from the sand for ages! No Infra red night vision either. The very first ones I ever saw were a very big heavy one that was almost too big for the L1A1 rifle. A bit later a special cover was introduced to take it and later, a UK version by RPP was produced and the US version was made obsolete.
We then had a special bracket made that fitted into the UK RPP made night sight box that would fit onto our M-16 rifles. By 1969, we were getting M-16's that were replacing our old original Colt AR15's. But definately no grenade launchers or UGL's on the AR15's
Thanks for answer Peter. I know that those attachments weren't adopted by British Army, but were tested in 1964-1965. I'm interesting for details of those trials
The man doing the actual running of the trials was Warrant Officer Maurice FOGWELL of the Small Arms School at Warminster (it was at Hythe then.....) He died recent'y so the trail is lost now I'm afraid. To be honest, Malaya and that area wasn't the best place to trial grenade launching. Yoiu had enough trouble just throwing them!
Incidentally, Major Fogwells piece de resistance and swan sone was giving the final say to the adoption of the FN-MAG58 GPMG into British service. There was a little story to that too. But suffice it to say, it's still going strong and some of the earliest guns are still giving service today. Or certainly were when I retired last year!
Talking of IR scopes and GPMG, what do you think of this Peter?
Deactivated GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun) British Issued - Modern Deactivated Guns - Deactivated Guns
The gun is a 1967 FN MAG but I don't think this one was a British gun, from everything I've learn't, I dont think we would grind out the original marking and remark it L7A2 would we? I always believed we barred out obsolete markings. Who ever bought it paid a lot of money.
Nope...... We always barr through. Have a look at some of the very early Enfield A1's (and even Belgian 1965/66 initial purchase guns - we had to buy several thousand to sweeten the make-them-at-Enfield deal) and you'll find the A1 barred out and re engraved A2. Occasionally you'll seee the L7A1 barred out completely and re engraved L7A2. If you look at our GPMG's, I'm sure that this was when we first started to call them MACHINE GUN, 7.62mm L7A1 whereas prior to this we always called them GUNS, MACHINE 7.62mm etc etc as in Guns, machine 7.62mm L4A4. I never saw a UK gun with the FN logo and even then, our original FN/Belgium guns, some of which are still in service have the usual BL xxA numbers. Mind you, we did take many captured Argentinian GPMG's on board. Several of these later appeared as DP guns but we didn't re-number them as appears to have been the case here.
But there might be some logical explanation that defies, er........... logic!
It was marked MAG before being ground out and remarked L7A2. I have a post sample that was registered in the USA as an L7A2 but the original left hand side plate markings read MAG 2A which is an early FN mfg., Indian owned GPMG. The later ones are marked MAG 2A1. The LH side plate serial number of mine is A2336. It has also been rebuilt during it's service career and sports mostly EFD replacement parts so I'd say this is commonplace with Indian issue GPMG's.
Off topic here a bit but....... During the licensing agreement to build the GPMG here at Enfield - and only at a government factory I hasten to add - FN would not allow any deviation from standard exccept by agreement and royalties of course! This was a bit of a sore point with Britain because when we did design in modifications, such as bipod leg strengthening straps, magazine box button, sling loop to tyhe top of the butt to name a few, we paid up but FN adopted them AND offered thjem as options for foreign buyers! Bit oif a cheek I'd say. But looking at the long view, I'd say that we got a good deal. Not just a good deal, but a VERY good deal.........
I think alot of these ex Indian 1A and 1A1 guns were sold off by a well known UK engineering firm, I've seen some with markigns which have been stamped somthing like FTR'd by xxxxxxx Engineering, or deactivated by xxxxxxxxx Engineering. And I've seen dealers then remark these as UK L7s, one of them even had the Ashoka badly ground off bu the dealer still insisted on it being a British gun.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Dick
The MAG 2A / L7A2 I have had to have serious repairs done to it. The RH side plate was cracked through the locking shoulder and it had been welded and painted heavily to disguise it here in the USA by a previous owner/dealer. It opened up during a demo in Virginia, surprise! I had Ohio Ordnance who build first class M240B GPMG's fit a new M240 RH side plate to get it back to perfect. There were many other small cracks in the LH side plate that they also weld repaired in the process. I finished it upon return with proper phosphate and baked Suncorite 259. It's a runner. I have the EMERS and IPL available for the L7A2 and tripod assembly if anyone wants the bibles for working and caring for these guns. They are the best of the best.
Been looking for info on this sight without any luck ,can anyone give any info or pics please ?Quote:
Originally Posted by pzluchs
Desperate from Kent :)
I have pict from the book "British army vehicles and equipment" by R.E.Smith only, and know that in the National Archives has User handbook for weapon sight infra-red XL2E1.
pzluchs many thanks for posting the picture.
I have a similar picture but wasn't sure if it was the XL2E1 ? Looks to be similar but not quite the same ?
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...69be5da6-1.jpg
Credit to OP but screen grabbed it so don't know who it was or where from.
Will look into the handbook.Anyone else any other info ?
ATB KG
Look like Dutch - http://www.kvbk-cultureelerfgoed.nl/...30-01-0173.PDFQuote:
Originally Posted by Kev G
regards, Andrey
Thanks........saved.
ATB KG