L85 rifle new manufacture receivers?

[Peter Laidler]

Yes........ but the numbers game doesn't work in this case David because those Cadet GP L98A1 single shot, straight pull rifles were reworked into L85 or L86 A2's. It simply means that the quantities remain the same (except for weeding out those 85's, 86's and 98's A1's fit only for scrap of course). It means that now, there are three major but VERY similar and simply converted* variants. The L85 A2 the L98A2 which is simply a simple change* semi auto L85 and the LSW L86 version
* one axis pin and one disconnector or interceptor sear. You don't even need to remove the trigger mech to change it/them either!

As one mentioned to me during the L98A2 trial. '.....it means that there are XX,XXX 'nearly' L85 rifles spread throughout the Country instead of being in Ordnance stores where we would be charged storeage'.

[David TS]

Peter
You are correct, the overall numbers stay the same - EXCEPT that the L98A1's allegedly went back into store and L85A2's were modified into L98A2's, so the MoD would be left with the remnants of the 21,707 L98A1's that couldn't be readily converted to L85/98A2's, because they have no ported barrel/gas block/gas parts in?

It might be that just certain now scarce parts have been remanufactured by HK - I would have thought that a lot of L85A2's would have shot out barrels long ago that were replaced from surplus stock (even L86A2's, if someone wanted to persevere with shooting them! ).

[pbsmg]

Regarding petrol cookers. The new ones run on diesel. The No12 looks and functions the same as the old petrol No2.

[Peter Laidler]

That's amazing, cookers that run on diesel. Who'd have thought that! Are they still serviced/maintained by the Armourers PB? I suppose that while generation ago the food and hot tea always had a petrolly pong about it, now it's all got a slightly dieselly pong about it!

[mrclark303]

Peter
You are correct, the overall numbers stay the same - EXCEPT that the L98A1's allegedly went back into store and L85A2's were modified into L98A2's, so the MoD would be left with the remnants of the 21,707 L98A1's that couldn't be readily converted to L85/98A2's, because they have no ported barrel/gas block/gas parts in?

It might be that just certain now scarce parts have been remanufactured by HK - I would have thought that a lot of L85A2's would have shot out barrels long ago that were replaced from surplus stock (even L86A2's, if someone wanted to persevere with shooting them! ).

Parker Hale manufactured L1A1 barrel / Gas blocks assemblies, cocking handles etc (on former Enfield machinery I think) to keep the veteran L1 in service through the 1980's and into the 90's. It stands to reason someone (probably HK) must be manufacturing replacement barrels for the L85A2 by now, after all the base rifle has been in service for 25 plus years and is looking at a fair few years of service yet.

[pbsmg]

Peter, the slop Jockeys are supposed to look after them but i always ended up servicing them. Same goes with the No5 Burners, which now run only on Gas.

[Peter Laidler]

Only H&K make parts for the L85A2 now as they are the design authority for what I am going to describe as 'certain aspects' of the rifle.

[Flying10uk]

Has H&K inherited all the various original form tools and jigs etc etc necessary to manufacture the new main receivers for the SA80 or are they going to the expense of producing all new tooling?

[Brit plumber]

Did H&K simply take over the Nottingham factory or did they take they take the business back to Germany?

[mrclark303]

As far as I know, all engineering work is undertaken in Germany. I was talking about this with an engineer friend of mine the other day, he said with modern manufacturing systems and rapid prototyping, its never been easier (note easier not easy) to build replacement component parts.

I doubt very much any of the old machinery is being employed for the task.