Just A Young Man And His Dad Who Appreciates An SLR

[Eaglelord17]

I taught lots of lefties to use the FN without problem. They had no issues. We had the same problems stated by Gil changing over to the C7. Whether or not it fit the spot for the FN doesn't matter, the FN was gone and that was a done deal. It was foregone before they had been withdrawn, so when they say "Trials" it's a misnomer. They aren't even close, it's just how it is.

Funniest bit is the fact they have now made the C7A2 loaded weigh the same amount as the FN C1 loaded.

[browningautorifle]

C7A2 loaded weigh the same amount as the FN C1 loaded.

You are correct sir. The only ones of us that know the difference are the old guys that had M16A1 on issue at one time or another.

[mrclark303]

Funniest bit is the fact they have now made the C7A2 loaded weigh the same amount as the FN C1 loaded.

Now that does surprise me, I would have thought the the C7A2 was significantly lighter, I assume that's thanks to alloy railed forends, scope ect?

[browningautorifle]

I would have thought the the C7A2 was significantly lighter,

No, the C79 opitcal sight starts off adding 1.5 lbs. The super heavy barrel they added didn't help. Instead of making the barrel a uniform thickness they went thin behind the gas block and heavy front. That's entirely unnecessary. They said the barrel was prone to damage there...so instead it bends back where it's thin now. Stoner had a pencil barrel that worked just fine.

[Eaglelord17]

1.5lbs for the scope, 1lb for the stupid tri-rail attachment at the front, barrel is heavy, sling swivels aren't matched (i.e. two different types of sling swivels, one being the original, one being a different version which doesn't like working with the original).

[mrclark303]

Is it another case of don't ask the troops, but get the "committee" to tinker with a perfectly good rifle until its lost all the weight saving advantages it had over the C1A1! If its getting heavy, you may as well have done with it and go back to 7.62 NATO..

L29A1 anyone, the ultimate issue Armalite with attitude...

[browningautorifle]

until its lost all the weight saving advantages

No, no...you don't understand, the weapon weight was never part pf the equation or question. It was ammunition weight and size. Three to one if I recall...

[mrclark303]

Ah, I see, 30 Rds instead of 20, more bang for your buck so to speak.

I was speaking to an ex Royal Marine the other week Jim who used the L29A1 in the Sandpit, he had nothing but good things to say about it.

He's the one who said "Armalite with attitude", rated it as one hell of a piece of kit...

[browningautorifle]

30 Rds instead of 20,

Before that, we just carried the ammo we needed...

[Frederick303]

As a Yank back in 1998 I had a chance to shoot the C7A1 and I really liked it. The scope was so clear and , well it was like shooting in a video game, at least that was my impression at the time.

As the time the US still using the M16A2 and it was my introduction to a day optic in the 3.4 x range. Seemed like the best thing ever.

Of course that was before body armor and the need to hang lasers/ hand grips/flashlights/weather vans/ small hot dog cooking appliances/ off of the handguards. I understand these items are required these days.