What does FTR fully mean?

[RJW NZ]

In order to qualify for the FTR stamp what processes happen to the rifle?
Is this a partial overhaul process where just the most worn or damaged items are replaced, or it it a comprehensive overhaul where the whole rifle is restored, ie new surface finishes, new bolt head, barrel, new wood, new magazine spring etc?

Its a little hard to determine this by examining the FTR rifles we see, mostly because they have had a lot or a little use since their FTR's, some though are in great shape, with new suncorite etc, and look like they may have had the whole works done and others look much rougher than that.

thanks

[trooper554877]

well as end user of the SLR or L1A1 here in Australia, they appeared to be all of the above. I missed out on the 303 days unfortunately but understand it to be the same. Haven't see a F88 with FTR markings. Are they doing them Son?
Cheers
Ned

[Peter Laidler]

RJW, I went through through the detailed answer to this question some time ago but in brief, the rifle is sent back to a factory where it's stripped and every last piece is subject to a most stringent visual, gauged and metallurgical examination to the original factory tolerances. Every part that goes back, including the barrel must conform to an 80% new life. The same applies to the body. So it comes out as a new rifle BUTusing 80%+ lifed used parts. Obviously, if a part is less than that, it's scrapped and a new one fitted. There's much more to it than this of course but that's it in a nutshell

[RJW NZ]

Thats a great answer Peter, thanks.

[Son]

Yes, Ned... Lithgow are doing the whole FTR thing continuously to several weapons. There was an article I think in Guns Australia a while back on the factory and it's work. The F88 has been through quite a few on going upgrades there as well.

[trooper554877]

Yes, Ned... Lithgow are doing the whole FTR thing continuously to several weapons. There was an article I think in Guns Australia a while back on the factory and it's work. The F88 has been through quite a few on going upgrades there as well.

yeah and still no good!!!

[Bindi2]

yeah and still no good!!!

Be gentle Ned Son gets a little upset when somebody rubbishes the F88 or calls it a POS ( felt his wrath, got cooked). The projectile weight and stability have been improved beyond civilian availability ( not really a fox calibre anymore) and the current Aussie built model is somewhat better than earlier ones.

[muffett.2008]

I agree Ned, it was a fair culture shock to go from the L1A1 to that plastic toy.
It even made me laugh when they had to change the face of the targets from round to ellipse to give them a chance in competition, if they only new that helped us lot still clinging to the 7.62, as elevation variations was the only thing hard to handle and the increase in height of the bull meant we were still able to outshoot them.
If you ever saw the group sizes that Cfn. Frank Taylor was putting in when he won the first two Champion Shot of the Army medals at AASAM, As big as your fist, the little 5.56 was all over the target.
The skill levels of the likes of Oakford, Bowden, Taylor, Nayda and others of my time were a pleasure to watch and a great group to compete against and shoot with.

[trooper554877]

Muff, You mention Phil oakford, he is still grand master grade in CSD pistol and rifle and competes at nearly every shoot. I remember him from singo, or someone very like him. we would have been better off with the M16A2 with wildcat sight, same as the canadians got but hindsiight is a wonderful thing and this is not really the forum for reminiscing too much.
Still trying to place you in the scheme of things muff, narrowing it down some what!!!
cheers
Ned

[aussiedave]

Talking about the Champion Shot were you in Sydney in 88 . Remember the rain and mud.

Dave