SAS L1A1 (but not really)

[Peter Laidler]

That made me laugh Gil........

[Gil Boyd]

Sadly, 1971 to 1974 were probably the worst years for everyone living or serving in the Province, and in many cases, mainland England as well, as they must be included with many bombs causing so much carnage, as internment was brought in.
Moving and often very sad times.................and for what? Another story for someone else to tell, in their best Political speak.

[mrclark303]

As you say Gil ... and for what ... All we can all do is hold the Northern Ireland Assembly to account and hope they can hold their respective egos in check and push forward for everyone, carrying the Provence peacefully into the future...

It's the only option at the end of the day.

[Gil Boyd]

anyway, back to the thread...................L1A1 best rifle ever made in whatever form it took IMHO

[mrclark303]

anyway, back to the thread...................L1A1 best rifle ever made in whatever form it took IMHO

Not really a rifle I have much interest in to be honest Gil

Attachment 83381

[browningautorifle]

Wish digital cameras had been available about 30 squares back so I could have had pics of the variants available when we had then too...markings and such, machine cuts...

[Gil Boyd]

Mon Dieu.....sacrilege................plastic carrying handle on a wood L1A1 on the right, mix and match, never

[mrclark303]

Don't panic, all is right with the world Gil, the Lithgow L1A1 on the right is an NZ contract example and the carry handle is NZ pattern ... I know, Anorak or what!

[green]

In the late 70s the first FN surplus rifles that I recall hit the market, Lithgow L1A1s. They were pretty beat up. I remember one had the barrel shortened to about 18" and the standard flash hider fitted. Wonder if it could have been an early version of the Papua New Guinea model.
These were not the Singapore lot.

[Peter Laidler]

So far as I recall Gil, the only written bar regarding the mixing of wood and plastic was that of handguards. Both plastic or both wood and definitely NO mix! I stand to be corrected by Skippy and Tankie of course as I can't seem to find my L1A1 Misc Instructions that detailed it. But nylon carrying handles were the first 'plastic' bit to come on stream followed by the HG's and pistol grip. The butts came later after a bit of a hiccup as the original filler material would expand(?*) and pop the joint between the two plastic halves of the black skin. Made by a plastics firm in Manchester sub contracted oiut by Helix. Mix and match was not aesthetic but for the first few years it was just a necessity. The butt was an easy fix but had to be trialed again. KG did you have microfische re this saga?
*something in my head tells me that the problem was water ingress between the filler material, a sort of cream colour stuff and the outer skin. Marines first had problems. When cold, it popped the black casing.