I like the SA80

[browningautorifle]

There's this:

Those old things... Sort of anti climactic though, I'd take 'er out and warm it up for them. I can still "Struggle" through headspacing and timing one of those guns.

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[skiprat]

I worked on the A1 in 1987 ( two years after its introduction) at the Guards Depot (infantry basic training) where it got a real hammering, with lots of use by inexperienced, young users.... We worked flat out to keep the rifles in the hands of the user as well as filling in all the equipment failure reports ( the start of any proposed modification).
We had problems with the quality control of many of the spares supplied, many made by small engineering firms with little or no firearms experience. ( And the same part could be made by a few different companies in a short time)
We Armourers identified the common problems early in its service but there felt like there was an unwillingness for change ( modification) There was one "special" stepped bolt that failed regularly ( bipod leg pivot) we replaced it with a standard m6 bolt and it was accepted as a modification ...... Until the manufacturer made a new "special" stepped bolt and we had to replace all the m6 bolts!!!!
I didn't like to shoot the A1 ( ergonomics, I don't like changing magazines under my armpits...) bit did not have any reliability problems with my A1 and I did more shooting than most as I was part of the shooting team.

With the introduction of the A2 the quality of the parts improved and the common faults were removed by modification. And the work load of the Armourer reduced drastically.... It's now a very reliable platform ( if your Armourer is aware of what to look for in the annual inspection , as some of the parts are nearly 30 years old)

I still don't like it, It's boring to repair!!!!! ...... But can get it to perform out to 600m

[bigduke6]

I don't like changing magazines under my armpits...

Could this have something to do with being in the field a few days in hot climate (obvious not Yorkshire)

[Flying10uk]

We are where we are with the SA80 rifle, a rifle that, today, most people seem to say is reasonably ok. It may not be perfect, it may not be the best available bull-pup rifle, it may not be everyone's cup of tea but it does at least work reasonably well or so we are led to believe. The fact that it may have cost us poor U.K. tax payers shed loads of money is no great surprise. The U.K. has a long history of equipment procurement costs spiralling out of control, something that we are use to in the U.K., nothing new.

[browningautorifle]

Matter of fact, I think most of the units that use AR family are using Colt Canada (Diemaco) rifles...C7, C8 and variants...according to "The Black Rifle".

[enfield303t]

Matter of fact, I think most of the units that use AR family are using Colt Canada (Diemaco) rifles...C7, C8 and variants...according to "The Black Rifle".

From what I have heard from owners and many reviews it is a given that Colt Canada (Diemaco) builds a better AR than its US counterpart...and that should start another battle.

[browningautorifle]

So...should I start another thread? What's the best AR thread should go about 1000 entries...

[Frederick303]

the 5.56 M262 Mod 1 load is 2,750~2770 fps out of a 20 inch rifle barrel. The bullet is a 77gr bullet with a G1 BC of .362 from 1,700 fps and up, .343 under 1,700 fps.

pretty effective out to 600 M. Hits the difficult transonic region (1224 fps) around 750~760 yards.

If you compare that to 6.8 x43 SPC cartridge you pretty soon figure out while the 6.8 was dead on arrival once the M262 was being issued, make a good steel jacket or core and the round would be just dandy for standard infantry use.

[Peter Laidler]

We used to call the retired-but-still-serving Officers RO's (for Retired Officers). They used to wield a lot of power/authority and even as a lowly Capt, you had to tread carefully! Some even used to wear uniform. One uniform wearing retired Lt.Col I know of was told in no uncertain terms by a serving Lt Col that there was only a place for one such rank - and HE had it!

[browningautorifle]

A whole 'nother set of stories... "Do you know who I am!!!?" Then to be corrected by the serving member..."Who you used to be...sir..."