-
Legacy Member
L1A1 in air defence roll.
This is said to be a photo taken on board HMS Cardiff during the Falkland Islands conflict.
It is claimed the SLRs were converted to automatic and fitted with the L4 LMG magazine.
All arms air defence is still in the teaching pamphlet even for the SA80 and was taught for the L1A1 on repetition.
Information
|
Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current. |
|
-
-
05-26-2015 12:52 PM
# ADS
Friends and Sponsors
-
Legacy Member
That last picture makes me really glad I joined the Army instead of the Navy. Being wet and cold in the jungle, in the middle of the night is one thing. Being cold and wet and standing watch on a cold, wet, pitching, open deck of a frigate is something I really am glad I missed.
Last edited by Paul S.; 05-26-2015 at 10:44 PM.
-
-
-
Advisory Panel
Strange, I thought we had it worse. When we were in the bush wet and cold that was how it was. When they were wet and cold...as much as it happened, they went back inside and showered and changed. Then went to bed between sheets. Don't tell me how hard the navy has it... Four hots and a cot...
-
Thank You to browningautorifle For This Useful Post:
-
Legacy Member
I doubt very much that the SLR's were 'Converted'. This practice was STRICTLY Forbidden in British Service! There was though, the HIGHLY ILLEGAL Practice of temporarily 'Modifying' them to fire full auto. This was extremely dangerous (Which was why it was forbidden!) As, when you cocked the weapon & let the cocking handle go. The rifle fired fully automatic with absolutely no control over it. Whatsoever!!! It only ceased firing when the magazine was empty! There are a number of things you have to do on a standard in service Commonwealth L1A1 to make it selective fire safely. I am NOT going to state it here, or advocate this practice. for obvious Legal reasons. And would NOT advocate anyone doing this procedure! It WAS common however, to slip an LMG 30 round mag in the rifles. & use accordingly, for more firepower with extra rounds. It would take a rifle section of four men or better still. MORE personel in a group. To engage a fast moving Aircraft with smallarms to have any effect. And even then, it is doubtful that they would have much success! Morale would be higher indeed! But.....The practical effect at the business end, would be negligible.
-
The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to tankhunter For This Useful Post:
-
Contributing Member
Only took one lucky shot to bring Baron Von Richhoften down lol
'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA
-
-
Tankie is right about the standard L1A1 being an uncontrollable beast when fired on automatic. When I was going to NI, I converted my L1A1 to auto, quite unlawfully but properly - with L2 parts that I'd brought back from Australia. It looked good with the 30 round mag and roared like a lion but totally crap even with short bursts. The first casualty was the flash eliminatort that split and one piece went flying off down the Perham Down range!
I wouldn't think that those Navy rifles were modified.
I wrote a big spiel a couple of years ago in this L1A1 thread about the many urban myths of the average joe converting the rifle with matchsticks etc etc. Most of it was just that. Urban myth because life ain't that simple
-
Thank You to Peter Laidler For This Useful Post:
-
Deceased January 15th, 2016
The matchstick "system" does work but the rifle reacts as described by tankhunter, necessitating the need to carry umpteen magazines loaded with five rounds. Even then I would not have the balls to fire ball. :-)
-
Yes, it will work but ONLY in auto and you have to strip the rifle AND take the trigger mech apart. A feat not beyond the average crunchie. Alas, what WAS beyond the average crunchie was putting it back together, holding the matchstick in place. THEN undoing it all again in order to hand it all in again. working properly!
-
-
Advisory Panel
The Canadian Navy had FN C1s converted to FA and the buttstock was marked with a big C2 carved in the stock. I was issued one for a short time while on board the HMCS Restigouche in 1974...don't really know why they felt it needed.
Usually also had my personal weapon converted to FA with the parts change but very seldom fired it with ball. It was mostly for playing with blanks. I just kept the selector in my pocket until in the field.
-
-
Legacy Member
Strange, I thought we had it worse. When we were in the bush wet and cold that was how it was. When they were wet and cold...as much as it happened, they went back inside and showered and changed. Then went to bed between sheets. Don't tell me how hard the navy has it... Four hots and a cot...
Having several family members foolish enough to join the RAN who have been subjected to repeated crossings of the Tasman aboard Her Majesty's Australian frigates ... ... Let's just say that the 'four hots' usually stay in the tin (and uncooked) and the bods end up hugging basins.
-