SAS L1A1 (but not really)

[mrclark303]

Is it possible to tell from the 3 pictures provided in the link that it is definitely a British spec L1A1 SLR and not an Australian or Canadian version?

Receiver is Lithgow cut F10, just another nail in its coffin...

---------- Post added at 01:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:58 AM ----------

I remember the long, long thread we had here reference that...



I think if were Canadian they would be happy to jump on a cash bandwagon and try to sell it for big bucks that way. They're scarce...

Never seen anything C1 here Jim, except for the Warminster example.

If someone could make one up here it would be a real one off!

[CINDERS]

Couple of pics from a book I have on the SASR with modded SLR's in VN, the author Mick Malone OAM was a member of the SASR and toured VN with the Regiment during that conflict I say this as sometimes info is gathered by the 3rd person and can be erroneous in content this is by one who was there, he now sells WW history books.

[mrclark303]

Thanks for posting Cinders, plenty of accounts and pictorial evidence for the ANZAC modified L1's, absolutely none for a Northern hemisphere example.

[Brit plumber]

Original NI photo of a shorty L1A1 courtesy of Adobe PS9

Attachment 83053

[Woodsy]

In my experience (having made many 'shorties') the accuracy is noticeably improved as the barrel is shortened. A good condition L1A1 is usually capable of consistent 2 - 3" groups at 100 yards with good ammo, but shortening (as much as only 1.5" ahead of the gas port) can bring the groups down to 1". Of course this comes at the expense of some velocity, and the gas port has to be enlarged to operate with the lower port pressure. The end result is a handy little unit!

[Peter Laidler]

No need to go through it all again, but we found barrel length most critical for accuracy using 7.62mm NATO, issued ammo. It was for this very reason that the L4 barrel had to have a longer barrel than the old Mk3 gun barrel it replaced! Check it out next time you see them together. They WANTED to keep the 762 barrel shorter for technical manufacturing purposes but the accuracy figures fell away.
Never seen that photo before but it needs further info from somewhere. But VERY early....., still in the old original sateen combats. Probably 1969 I'd say. With all the thousands of photos taken during the time, others with short rifles that noone has ever seen would have emerged.

[Flying10uk]

I can't say that I've ever remember seeing a photo before of a British soldier in Northern Ireland with bayonets attached. Do you know what the policy was, Peter, on bayonets in Northern Ireland, please? Perhaps the policy was changed for political reasons in more recent years?

[mrclark303]

Original NI photo of a shorty L1A1 courtesy of Adobe PS9

Attachment 83053

I see the FE is attached to the gas plug, very funny, what have you done, the dealers will be using this as proof Ha!

Caption should read, Private Adobe of the Queens 1st Foot and Mouth tests the "Special Army Soldier" short rifle, as he stands guard after a Glaswegian Stag night...

[browningautorifle]

Original NI photo of a shorty L1A1 courtesy of Adobe PS9

That pic has been altered and it's easy to see. Just look closely...

[tankhunter]

The REAL reason these were shortened to this length. Was to ensure the user was able to extract pickled onions easily. Out of the glass jar!........