Commercially Retailed L96A1 Rifle

[Micheal Doyne]

What happened to the Irish contract rifles? Is there a chance of them coming onto the private market one day or are they headed for distraction at the end of their army careers?

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[Strangely Brown]

What happened to the Irish contract rifles? Is there a chance of them coming onto the private market one day or are they headed for distraction at the end of their army careers?

I did some research in 2004 regarding what Lee Enfield's the Garda owned; it appears they took in some 53 No.4's during the 1950's & early 60's but then destroyed a quantity in 1978 for fear of attack on their armoury by PIRA. I believe from some accounts gleamed from the IDF these were dumped at sea!
They also sold a quantity to a UK dealer in 1982; I did wonder if this was to Armalon?

It begs the question; did Ireland sign up to that UN clause to destroy surplus weapons rather than sell them abroad?

[Roy W]

I did some research in 2004 regarding what Lee Enfield's the Garda owned; it appears they took in some 53 No.4's during the 1950's & early 60's but then destroyed a quantity in 1978 for fear of attack on their armoury by PIRA. I believe from some accounts gleamed from the IDF these were dumped at sea!
They also sold a quantity to a UK dealer in 1982; I did wonder if this was to Armalon?

It begs the question; did Ireland sign up to that UN clause to destroy surplus weapons rather than sell them abroad?

Mick

I understand the UN agreement is for military weapons, not Police.

British Police adhere to what was ACPO guidance (Now National Police Chief's Council - NPCC) which says police firearms should be destroyed when no longer used.

As we know, this hasn't always been adhered to and it is guidance, not law.

I would imagine the Garda have their own rules.

[Strangely Brown]

Mick

I understand the UN agreement is for military weapons, not Police.

British Police adhere to what was ACPO guidance (Now National Police Chief's Council - NPCC) which says police firearms should be destroyed when no longer used.

As we know, this hasn't always been adhered to and it is guidance, not law.

I would imagine the Garda have their own rules.

Roy thanks for the confirmation on that; I had wrongly assumed it applied to all government departments in the UK and assumed Ireland was the same.

[desperatedan]

As well as any PM rifles used by the Garda, didn't the Irish Defence Forces/Army not also use the L96? (is this what they referred to as their AI92 rifle?)

There are a fair few "AI" serialled little green S&B 6x42 scopes around that are usually referenced being as ex-Irish Army so does that not indicate that the rifles to which they once belonged have been chopped up but the scopes released onto the open market?

[Roy W]

As well as any PM rifles used by the Garda, didn't the Irish Defence Forces/Army not also use the L96? (is this what they referred to as their AI92 rifle?)

There are a fair few "AI" serialled little green S&B 6x42 scopes around that are usually referenced being as ex-Irish Army so does that not indicate that the rifles to which they once belonged have been chopped up but the scopes released onto the open market?

I believe the Irish scopes were sold to the US Gunsite without scopes, that's how the 'Irish scopes' came onto the UK market.

The Irish ones have a different reticle to the UK ones, which is how to spot the difference.

[desperatedan]

I believe the Irish scopes were sold to the US Gunsite without scopes, that's how the 'Irish scopes' came onto the UK market.

The Irish ones have a different reticle to the UK ones, which is how to spot the difference.

Presumably you mean the rifles were sold without scopes.

Do we know if these were ex Irish Army rifles rather the ex Garda Police ones?

I’ve a few scopes and yes the graticle/reticle is different to the UK L13.

[Micheal Doyne]

Mick

I understand the UN agreement is for military weapons, not Police.

British Police adhere to what was ACPO guidance (Now National Police Chief's Council - NPCC) which says police firearms should be destroyed when no longer used.

As we know, this hasn't always been adhered to and it is guidance, not law.

I would imagine the Garda have their own rules.

Thanks for the correction, I thought it was gov. bodies not just military.

Does any one know what markings these Irish PMs have? I believe they referred to them as the AI96. Specification wise they have early AW style single chamber muzzle breaks, but I’m not sure if this applies to all of them? Additionally I haven’t seen photos of them having L96 type irons.