Sa80 rifle. Sep 30, 2019 · The SA80 series Individual Weapon, a 5.
Sa80 rifle INTRODUCTION. 56mm), non self-loading modified version of the "Individual Weapon" L85A1 and A2 - SA80 Service rifles for Cadet and training use. Introduced in the 1980s, the rifle has undergone several modifications to address initial reliability and performance issues, with the A3 version featuring significant improvements in weight, durability, and Jul 16, 2021 · The SA80 (or SA80 A2) has been the standard issue weapon used by personnel across the branches of the military after it was officially introduced in 1985. The next article in our series on the SA80 will accompany a video examining the SA80 carbines. It has a simple fire selector with two Finally, the SA80 has always been rejected by British Special Forces units, who have tended to go for the Colt 5. Dec 23, 2024 · The SA80’s troubled history begins with the British military’s search for a new service rifle in the 1960s. SA80 is of a bullpup configuration. The SA80 has a reputation for accuracy, this is due largely to the heavy barrel that is nearly free-floating on the L98A1 (but for the fore-end screw), plus the SUSAT x4 optical sight, a higher magnification than any other military rifle I am aware of. It has several versions, such as the L85A2, L86A2, L22A2 and L98, with different features and roles. Nato allies poke fun at snipers’ equipment and the rounds used in standard-issue arms would be ‘useless’ against the Russians and Chinese, sources claim The Enfield SA80 (Small Arms for the 1980s) is a family of British assault rifles developed in the 1970s and officially introduced into service in the mid-1980s. SA80 A2 comprises the Individual Weapon (IW) and the Light Support Weapon (LSW). 56 MM) SYSTEM (THE RIFLE, LIGHT SUPPORT WEAPON AND CARBINE) AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. May 1, 2024 · Watch: L85A2 to A3 – How the SA80 assault rifle was brought up to date With the experiences of the Gulf War to draw on, Heckler & Koch managed to turn the unreliable L85 into a fully functional assault rifle, but the update from L85A1 to A2 was not the end of the story. 216). SA80 A2 comprises the Individual Weapon (IW); and Light Support Weapon (LSW): It has a heavier and longer barrel than the SA80 individual weapon allowing greater May 20, 2017 · Given that the only component not to have been newly manufactured since production ceased in 1994 is the TMH (lower receiver), SA80 seems likely to remain in service years beyond its current 2025 out of service date. £50 each inc. That rifle has undergone upgrades and seen action around the globe, most notably in Northern Ireland, The Gulf War, Bosnia and more recently, Afghanistan and the Iraq War. Armament Research Services (ARES) is a specialist technical intelligence consultancy, offering expertise and analysis to a range of government and non-govern Tarver Productions is the sole provider in the UK for SA80 A1 and A2 cadet training weapons. Feb 20, 2025 · The selection of the KS-1 battle rifle for the Royal Marines is thought likely to influence the decision for the wider replacement of the legacy SA80 bullpup rifle used by the UK Armed Forces. (Janes/Amael Kotlarski) Beretta Defense Technologies (BDT) has told Janes that it intends to put forward its New Assault Rifle Project (NARP) and Sako rifle for Jan 16, 2025 · The L85A3, the latest upgrade of the SA80 series, has served as the British military’s standard-issue rifle for over three decades. Technical Specifications (L85A2 Rifle) The SA80 is, no surprise, not a stranger to this series but this week we get to showcase the latest & greatest iteration of it's hotly-debated legacy: the L8 L85 style rifle handguard requires 7 Mlok slot rail (standard on 16" & 18" BRN180), Carbine length handguard for 6 slot rails coming soon. Testing involving safety surrounding the rifles are taken by cadets on a regular basis and NO cadet would be allowed on SA80(即“80年代轻武器”Small Arms for the 1980s的意思),英国人俗称为恩菲尔德武器系统 (Enfield Weapon System) ,主要由两种发射5. The SA80's 20 in barrel is housed in a rifle with an overall length of only 30 inches. The new rifle will be modular and adaptable to different roles, based on the lessons learned from Project Hunter and the L403A1. The SA80 is a bullpup rifle and its variants, designed and produced in the UK since the 1970s. “The upgrade will build upon the rifle’s state-of-the-art features enhancing accuracy and consistency. This is the rifle that the L85 could have and should have been from the very beginning. The L85 is currently the standard service rifle of the British Army, and has been produced by Enfield and Heckler & Koch. In addition, further improvements will likely lead to an A3 variant in the relatively near future. 56mm gas-operated assault rifle manufactured by Heckler & Koch. It has been the standard issue rifle of the British Army since 1987 and has undergone several upgrades and improvements. British SA80 Rifles The L85A1 and L86A1 LSW Text & Photos by Dan Shea SA80 on the firing range. 5 THE SA80 A2 (5. 56mm, a much smaller and lighter round than the 7. May 29, 2023 · As our previous instalments have covered, the SA80 family endured a very troubled development cycle, and many of these challenges continued well into its actual service life. The L85A1 was chambered in 5. ” Mar 22, 2023 · First entering service in the 1980s, the SA80 bullpup assault rifle has gone through a series of upgrades and iterations, with the SA80A2 being created in 2002 following a mid-life upgrade, followed by the SA80A3 in the mid-to-late-2010s. The bullpup configuration allows the rifle to retain a full-length 20. Feb 14, 2024 · In 1984, the L85A1 rifle and L86A1 machine gun gained official approval, and our earliest evidence for an SA80 carbine emerges. 223" or 5. Armed Forces, with the Beretta M9 pistol arguably a close second. This one is original genuine British surplus for that blasted bullpup, the SA80. 56x45mm bullpup assault rifles and light support weapons which are, officially, the standard rifle of the British army. The latest variant, known as the L85A3, has been gradually rolled out across the British Army. The L98A1 Rifle is a full-calibre (. ” The British Army Rumor Service — a message board and comedy site — described it as the Oct 13, 2024 · The SA80 consists of the L85 rifle, the L86 light support weapon, the L22 carbine, and the L98 Cadet rifle. Mar 26, 2021 · To be fair, some British soldiers say the L85A2 — the most recent incarnation of the SA80 assault rifle — is reliable most of the time. The L85 Rifle variant has been the standard issue service rifle of the British Armed Forces since 1987, replacing the L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle. To avoid confusion when the Rifle is referred to with other rifles, such as the Cadet GP Rifle, its weapon identity number, L85 will be used. Related Articles. The SA80 is a British 5. Production model pictured General advisements: *AR grips with extra tang may not fit. 9 inches (785 mm), making it ideal for close-quarters combat and urban warfare. The LSW version… The SA80 (Small Arms for the 1980s) is a British family of 5. The SA80 family employs a gas-operated, rotating bolt system to maximize reliability and firing efficiency. The L85 Rifle variant has been the standard issue service rifle of the May 27, 2017 · A sub-variant of the L98A1 was the SA80 Competition Rifle, essentially an LSW built as per the Cadet GP rifle without gas parts and with the crank handle. The SA80, introduced in 1985, has undergone three variants and faced operational issues in adverse conditions. INFANTRY TRAINING VOLUME II SKILL AT ARMS (PERSONAL WEAPONS) PAMPHLET No. L1 SLR (British-made FN FAL rifle Sep 12, 2024 · He also got to fire the SA80 L85 A3, the latest iteration of the British Army's assault rifle. Given that the total strength of the UK military, including regular and reserve forces, is approximately 180,000 personnel, the figures suggest there may not be enough rifles for every service member should all be required to fight simultaneously. Mar 13, 2024 · The British Army announced the reduction of SA80 production and the introduction of its replacement system under Project Grayburn in 2024. Designed in a bullpup configuration, with the magazine located behind the trigger, the SA80 series was chambered in 5. 56 x 45 mm ammunition. 62mm cartridge used by the L1A1, meaning more rounds could be carried for the same weight and space. Jan 21, 2025 · As a British guy at SHOT Show it would be remiss of me not to go and check out the new AKB-23 inspired by the UK’s service rifle - the SA80/L85. Designed on the operation of the Armalite AR-18 and SAR-87 (An advanced AR-18 made by the rival company Sterling Armaments of Dagenham), and produced from 1985 to 1988 by The remainder of the SA80 family comprises the L86 Light Support Weapon, the short-barrelled L22 Carbine and the L98 Cadet rifle. (U. 56mm SS109弹的自动武器组成,一种是L85A1单兵武器(IW——Individual Weapon),即突击步枪;另一种是L86A1轻型支援武器(LSW——Light Support Weapon),即轻机枪;此外还有一种很短 The SA80 rifle: 40 years of service. The strapping is 2. If you're going to be lumping around a hefty rifle all day, you've got to have a strong sling. 5 L85A1 Rifle L85A2 Rifle L86A1 Light Support Weapon L86A2 Light Support Weapon L22A1 Carbine L98A1 Cadet Rifle L98A2 Cadet Rifle PL-85 LEI SA80: Thông số; Khối lượng: 3. 56x45mm NATO. May 13, 2025 · The SA80 rifle: 40 years of service. But how do the two rifles compare? Take a look at the specifications, different types of conflict the weapons were used in and one or two neat little facts about the L1A1 SLR and SA80 rifles. [4] The L85 Rifle variant has been the standard issue service rifle of the British Armed Forces since 1987, replacing the L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle. These are the British Army's standard combat weapons. May 20, 2017 · The new A2 rifles were introduced into service starting in 2001, and have receiver widely positive reviews. . Weapon Title. SA80 is the designation for a revolutionary family of assault weapons. Photo: Marsh Gelbart A soldier takes aim with his SA80. The action can only be cycled manually by use of the cocking lever. They are all derived from a single family of rifles and systems but utilize various The SA80 (Small Arms for the 1980s) is a series of 5. The prototypes were created in 1976, with production of the A1 variant starting in 1985 and ending in 1994. Apr 30, 2024 · The rifle was not the only thing to prove problematic, as the early magazines had to be redesigned too. UK postage. 56×45mm NATO service weapons used by the British Army. Robert Gonzales) UK forces often work from vehicles (primarily the Warrior The SA80 is the standard individual weapon of the British armed forces, chambered in 5. Still, past versions of the SA80 were notorious for Apr 25, 2018 · “The SA80 is a battle proven weapon used by the UK Armed Forces on operations all over the world,” McClean said. May 13, 2023 · Meet the SA80: The M16 rifle is, without doubt, the most controversial firearm ever issued to the U. "I thought the firing rate was great, I struggled a little bit with the handling of the SA80 because of its chamber [magazine housing] being behind the pistol grip," Lt Lucas said of the weapon's bullpup configuration. This photo illustrates how the sight The SA80 replacement is part of a wider replacement of old weaponry used by the British military, including systems such as the legacy L115 and L118 sniper rifles, the L110 A2 Light Machine Gun SA80 is the designation for a family of assault weapons in service from the mid 1980s. The SA80 (Small Arms for the 1980s) is a British family of weapons that were designed by RSAF Enfield. This takes the form of an archival photograph dated November 1984 of an early attempt shown alongside a full-size IW and the Sterling SMG (see Steve Raw’s The Last Enfield, p. The SA80 is a British family of 5. Limited stock of genuine SA80 bayonets with either cammo or green frogs or white leather Ceremonial leather scabbards. Nonetheless, Enfield did investigate an ultra-compact carbine or sub-machine gun variant at least as early as 1984. Both designs were similar in most respects to one another which made for a logistically-friendly approach. 62 mm. The UK military has long sought to introduce new personal weapons for use in special operations units as well as regular forces. 1984 Prototype Jan 3, 2018 · SA80 is the designation for a revolutionary family of assault weapons and, on its introduction, it proved so accurate that the British Army's marksmanship tests had to be redesigned. Feb 19, 2019 · The SA80 is the British Army’s main assault rifle, and everything about it just screams “1980s. It is found on the Second Level and is purchasable for $20,000. With the SA80 and its variants reaching 40 years of service, the rifle has long-since outliving its predecessor, the L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle (SLR), the British version of the FN FAL, which was used by the UK for a little over 30 years. 56mm NATO bullpup designed by Enfield in the 1980s, was originally produced in England for the British armed forces in three variants– the L85 rifle, L86 light support weapon, and the . The goal was to replace the beloved L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle (SLR), a robust firearm known for its reliability and firepower. 56x45mm bullpup assault rifle. But Britain’s Armed Forces has for nearly four decades issued a rifle that easily tops those two American military small arms for controversy: the SA80 rifle, […] seriously. This work produced the "XL64EF" automatic rifle and the "XL65E4 LMG" (Light Machine Gun). BDT is bidding the weapon for Project Grayburn: the UK MoD project to replace the UK armed forces’ SA80 individual service weapon. 22LR L98A1 cadet rifle– with just under 372,000 of all types produced. The SA80 possesses a lower-than-average damage for an assault rifle, however, its lower fire rate and higher-than-average recoil cause significant drawbacks to the platform when compared to other assault rifles. Feb 21, 2025 · An example of BDT’s NARP assault rifle family on display at IDEX 2025. The cocking handle was May 24, 2017 · A design in bullpup configuration was even more appealing to some, and the SA80 rifle was developed from the beginning as an ‘SMG killer’. The family comprises the L85 assault rifle, the L86 light support weapon, and the L22 carbine. 1. In this case the intent was to provide the post-ban UK shooting community with a compliant straight-pull SA80, and one with superior accuracy. Upper and non-listed accessories not included unless selected as an option. Jul 15, 2021 · It remained the standard service rifle in the British Army for an impressive 31 years. Mar 12, 2024 · The UK's assault rifle, the SA80, will be phased out and replaced by a new system under Project Grayburn, which will begin industry engagement in late-2024. 56x45mm NATO and aimed to offer compact size without compromising barrel length. Feb 25, 2025 · Beretta NARP 5. 56×45mm NATO service weapons used by the British Army. The SA80 fitted with SUSAT is a consummate marksman’s weapon as long as it is not exposed to harsh treatment or severe environmental condi-tions. The AKB-23 is a project that has been in development Aly & Kaufman LLC for a while now and it's worth following their Instagram page to follow the development. The AKB-23 lower receiver pairs with the Brownells BRN-180 with a 18. On its introduction, it proved so accurate that the Army marksmanship tests had to be redesigned. 56mm M16 rifle or M4 carbine (or the examples made under license by Diemaco, a Canadian company, known as the C7 rifle or C8 carbine) or more recently the Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifle. The L85 (SA80) is a select-fire bullpup rifle that operates on a converted AR18 action with a rotating bolt and short-stroke gas piston. It is a member of the SA80 family of assault weapons and serves the British Armed Forces as individual weapon (IW) and light support weapon (LSW). The SA80 was the last in a long line of British weapons (including the Lee–Enfield family) to come from the Royal Small Arms Factory, the national arms development and production facility at Enfield Lock, before its weapons factory was closed down in 1988. Mar 19, 2025 · Variants of the SA80 include the L85 A2 and A3, the now lesser-used L86 Light Support Weapon (LSW) and the L22 Carbine. They fire NATO standard 5. 82 Kg (L85A2 không đạn) 4,98 Kg (L85A2 với ngắm SUSAT và 30 viên đạn) 6,58 kg (L86A2 LSW) 4,42 Kg (L22A1) Chiều dài: 785 mm (L85A1) 900 mm (L86A1 LSW) 709 At the first Services rifle meeting at Bisley after general issue of the SA80, squaddies could be seen relaxing in the sun and wearing T-shirts made by the late, great Pete Bloom which bore an outline of the SA80 in profile, and the legend : "Designed by the Ignorant, Built by the Incompetent, Issued to the Unfortunate". These are the British Army's standard combat weapons. The rifle can be fired in semi- or full-auto and has a 20 inch barrel topped with iron sights that can easily be removed to accept optics. Skill at Arms lessons not only involve teaching the safe handling of rifles used within the ACF but also ‘Marksmanship Principles ie – how to hold the rifle and the correct breathing, whilst aiming at targets. Sep 19, 2022 · A bullpup-configured rifle design was established to fire the cartridge while the family of firearms was collectively known under the "SA80" designation. The appearance of the rifle is similar to its longer-barrelled Finally revealed the new light rifle chosen by UK to replace the British army's SA80 assault rifleCiting from the Army Recognition website, First introduced May 13, 2017 · Book Review – The Last Enfield: SA80 the Reluctant Rifle. Q&A Q&A: British Small Arms of World War Two January 24, 2025 Ian McCollum Q&A, Video 69. Our replica assault rifles are manufactured to be robust enough for use during tough military training exercises and are so accurately weighted that they can be used as a substitute weapon for cadet training purposes. Oct 14, 2019 · Learn about the SA80 rifle, the standard issue weapon of the British Armed Forces for over 30 years. 4-inch barrel while significantly reducing its overall length to 30. The A2 variant came to be Sep 25, 2021 · The SA80 is the British Army’s main assault rifle, and everything about it just screams “1980s. 5cm wide so if both sling loops are wide enough, you too could be harnessing the assistance of a three point sling. Feb 3, 2020 · The SA80 A2 L85 is a 5. Sep 18, 2019 · The SA80 series Individual Weapon, a 5. 56mm NATO bullpup designed by Enfield in the 1980s, was originally produced in England for the British armed forces in three variants– the L85 rifle, L86 The SA80 (Small Arms for the 1980s) is a British family of 5. 07939 226976 Saracen Exports UK Ltd Website 03 June '25 The development of the SA80 (Small Arms for 1980s) system, which included two weapons – SA80 IW (Infantry Weapon) assault rifle and SA80 LSW (Light Support Weapon) light machine gun, began in the late 1960s when Britisharmy decided to develop a new rifle, which will eventually replace the venerable 7. Find out its calibre, weight, range, problems and improvements, from the A1 to the A3 variant. I did find the SA80 to be accurate, although not as accurate as I had hoped due largely to Sep 30, 2019 · The SA80 series Individual Weapon, a 5. Only a handful of small changes were made to the XL80 series before they were accepted as the L85A1 Rifle and L86A1 Machine Gun (aside from tiny dimensional changes in the final set of drawings). 56 mm assault rifle. Design and Features of the SA80. S. ygjs sgbgfs oiqi olnk dmrwpx ovy utrjivlf ruwr rfzzjw ezammfshs