Lithgow L1A1

[enbloc8]

From what I understand, the Canadian government had a standing policy against any foreign weapon sales. So no, there were no Long Branch-made C1s/C2s sold outside of Canada. I'm told that they did try to sell parts to other nations that had L1A1s, but they were turned down as too expensive and too "oddball" in many cases compared to standard production.

Because of this, Long Branch Arsenal eventually lost its relevance once the Canadian Forces were fully equipped by the mid-60s, and was finally shut down in 1976. And because Canada dropped all their C1s and C2s in the shredder in the 90s (including 50,000 Colt Canada-rebuilt C1A1s in war reserve), all that remained were a comparative handful in civilian and police hands, and whatever parts were sold off as surplus. Needless to say, assembling a C1 or C2 of any sort in the States is a daunting task!

[Peter Laidler]

I asked about Canadian LB L1A1 sales because I never saw one in private hands. We had them at the big Base Workshop at Wetter in Germany and some of them might have 'gone around the block' due to our 'pooled' Ordnance stockpiles but even then, I only ever saw one LB L1A1 in British Service although Lithgow AD's were quite common. There's another LB L1A1 at Warminster

[enbloc8]

I asked about Canadian LB L1A1 sales because I never saw one in private hands. We had them at the big Base Workshop at Wetter in Germany and some of them might have 'gone around the block' due to our 'pooled' Ordnance stockpiles but even then, I only ever saw one LB L1A1 in British Service although Lithgow AD's were quite common. There's another LB L1A1 at Warminster

Did the LB rifle you saw in service still have the Canadian disc sight?

I've heard it said that one of the big arms vendors in Canada is sitting on over a thousand C1A1s that it can't sell. Supposedly they're ex Ontario Provincial Police rifles that were initially sold to a British dealer, then when the laws changed the lot was purchased by the Canadian vendor, who brought them back to Canada...just in time for THEIR laws to change too!

[browningautorifle]

I'm told that they did try to sell parts to other nations that had L1A1s, but they were turned down as too expensive and too "oddball" in many cases compared to standard production

Canadian parts were exactly the same as Aussie and UK parts. No oddball here.

I've heard it said that one of the big arms vendors in Canada is sitting on over a thousand C1A1s that it can't sell

I seriously doubt that statement. By now they would have been broken down for parts kits and sold that way. Our laws aren't going to get easier any time soon in that area. Those that have them can't even take them out to shoot. No one would sit on immovable rifles.

[Peter Laidler]

Both the backsights on the LB rifles I saw were/are the bog standard UK spec leaf backsights.....

There's a thing BAR........ Backsights and top covers spring to mind. Both well used consumables that differ and if you need them you don't buy Canadian production OR UK for that matter as they were too expensive anyway

[mrclark303]

It's good to see modified Lithgow build L1's being used by NZ special forces in Afganistan.....got to give it to them...they get value for money out of their arms purchases!!!

Unconfirmed via my fiend.....He heard they came from the handful of reserve L1's kept by the NZ Navy for use as "line thrower" rifles.

Apparently when a Semi 7.62x51mm rifle was required for SF use....."they" raided the stores...... liberated a small number, tricked them out with US commercially available Picatinny quad railed forends and railed dust covers, then fitted a silencer.

The result was......so I am told, highly satasfactory......I hear (rumour) it was very well received because "gas off " single shot mode...it could be reach out and give someone the good news in a very quiet fashion!

Love to see some pics of these rifles

[Peter Laidler]

Surely................ you don't need the gas-plug-off mode for single shot fire. You just put the change lever to R....... no?

As I understand it - not that I or anyone knows of course - the NZ SF group are the anti-hijack/anti-hostage group in the cities as opposed to out in the wilds

[mrclark303]

Surely................ you don't need the gas-plug-off mode for single shot fire. You just put the change lever to R....... no?

As I understand it - not that I or anyone knows of course - the NZ SF group are the anti-hijack/anti-hostage group in the cities as opposed to out in the wilds

I suppose so Peter re, gas dial as opposed to turning plug round , just repeating what I heard, NZ SAS would be sausage side I would imagine..along with their Australian colleagues?
...who knows...quite rightly they remain the the shadows.
just shows what an adaptable rifle this excellent rifle it is though...still like to see some pics of the pimped up L1, to see if the rumor is true though!

Fancy writing a book on the British L1A1 Peter, gap in the market mate, I and many others would buy it!

[browningautorifle]

Backsights and top covers spring to mind

Agreed on that point. Even at the end, the sights cost about $100 CDN to replace. Therefore we cannablized. Don't know if that was authorized though...

You just put the change lever to R....... no?

The gas off will eliminate the action noise. But you knew that...

[Peter Laidler]

We'd occasionally fit the L2 trigger mech housings or components to L1 rifles during range days but while the fire-power was awe inspiring, they were useless to the point of uncontrollable. I expect the first couple of rounds might have hit the target (we used triple figure 11's) the rest went, well, anywhere really. I looked at a google image of the old range complex the other day. Good job that there was a zillion miles of jungle or bush behind it!