Mother of all Bren Accessories

[Peter Laidler]

I hear exactly what you are saying of course, but I asked about where you learned that the SA80 was being repaired in Germany.

While the SA80 was upgraded to A2 spec in much the same way as many other weapons have an incorporated upgrade - take the GPMG L7A2 and Bedford trucks for example - it was also a HALF-LIFE upgrade and that made it an economic proposition. And while many outside the service might STILL deride the L85/SA80, I can tell you, straight from the horses mouth, that there are very, very few complaints about its performance now. In fact, I can't remember offhand the last one we looked at! ..................Oh yes, the vortex flash eliminator that does nothing of the sort that the previous, original (also designed at Shrivenham in the 50's) didn't do cheaper and better!

Lewis gun contender (your 1st para)! I'll reserve my comments. Maybe I'm just not in a humourous mood today

[LesterH]

Peter some info in The Last Enfield book. Weapon development section. L85A2 and L86A2 to New (H&K) specification, IW, issued beginning in 2002. Quantity 200,000(?).
If the books correct, about two thirds of the issued SA80s to be rebuilt/repaired or modified.

My comment was about the Lewis Ind. 7.62mm rifle and not the Lewis machinegun!

Very sorry for spoiling your sense of humour today. Have a nice Easter. KRs Lester

[John Sukey (Deceased)]

I do find it amusing that it only took the MOD 10 years to find out there was a problem with the SA80 and take "immediate action" to fix it by giving it to the Germans, who Jacked up the front sight and ran a rifle under it! Remember Gulf War 1? Forward troops were given SA80's while rear echelon support was given L1A1's. In short order the situation was reversed! Seems the SA80 didn't work in the sand but the L1A1's DID. One stoppage was rather odd, a cartridge BEHIND the bolt!. Oh yeah, the magazines were a POS as well.
I actualy got to shoot one with the .22 adapter on a indoor range of a Territorial unit. It also jammed!
At least now the rifle works properly, but they should have done some serious testing before issuing it the first time around.
The Bren was declared obsolete in that war, but wiser folks stuffed APC's with Brens and issued them when they arrived in the sand box.

As for those Bren tripods, they may not have been used much in service, but they are a very nice accessory for collectors to have now.

[Peter Laidler]

My dear well respected friend John......, please, please.......I will just answer your factually incorrect comments about the SA80 once more by saying this John. And I'm not just singing the party line, but the rifle did have problems but 90% of the problems were sorted out HERE. It was up to H&K to put the whole lot into a one-hit half life upgrade package. Just like we did with the GPMG A2 version.

Additionally, and I've said this before, but your experience of the rifle, except for the sub calibre kit - of which I'll say no more eccept the sub cal unit was made by......, guess who? Yep, you got it in one. H&K. But you conveniently failed to mention that. - are at best, marginal. You are there reading about it and I am here dealing with it.

Now to the nitty gritty. I am sat here with an L85A1 on my lap (and I hope by now that BritPlumber and Skippy are too.......) and let me tell you that it is mechanically impossible for a live or empty cartridge case to end up behind the breech block carrier. IT CANNOT HAPPEN. Just try to physically replicate such an event on your SAA80 A1 or 2, whichever you possess or have access to. IT CANNOT HAPPEN and a case will not fit through the cocking handle slide opening. Additionally, no such a feat has never been officially documented. PLEASE DO NOT REPEAT THIS FICTICIOUS HORSE MANURE.

I made you and offer several years ago. Get on a plane and I will personally take you onto a range with any L85A5 you select from the thousand we have and you can shoot it until its red hot. But please, please let's not hear any more ,er....... sh.......er....... heresay about the A2 rifle.

I almost forgot to say, but the actual bullets are not far reaching enough for the terrain of Afghanistan but you go to war with what you've got.

[John Sukey (Deceased)]

Peter, I am just repeating what was posted on British sites many years ago. Now as for that stoppage of a round behind the bolt, it was traced to a faulty magazine not retaining a cartridge and releasing it behind the bolt.
As for my getting on a plane to visit you, that is financialy impossible. When I was still working, that might have happened but NOT now.
Please note that I was NOT criticising the weapon in it's present form but rather when it was originaly issued without proper testing.
In any case I will stick to my L1A1 with the "sand cuts" in the bolt carrier when I go to the range.