The British army is switching to new small arms

The British armed forces are implementing a program for the transition to a new small arms weapon, which, as stated, has no analogues in the world among other similar systems.

The SA80 is a range of firearms consisting of the L85 automatic rifle, L-86 light machine gun, L22 submachine gun, and L98 training rifle. This complex was adopted by the British army in 1985. Since that time, in 2000-2006, it has been upgraded to the SA80 A2 level, during which 200 thousand advanced bullpups were delivered to the troops.

The SA80 A2 in 5,56x45mm is the standard small arms of the British Army. It is the most reliable system of its kind in the world. Flawless performance is combined with precision, versatility and ergonomic design. A product from Heckler & Koch [a German company] is considered the world leader in the field of small arms

- indicated on the website of the British army, explaining that due to the high performance characteristics, "the accuracy tests had to be redone."

In 2016, the prototype of the SA80 A3 complex was presented for the first time, which was officially accepted for supply in 2018. Compared to the SA80A2 design, changes were made to the top of the receiver, forward grip, laser designator and flashlight. The weight has been reduced by 100g and a new Flat Dark Earth coating has been applied for increased durability and better camouflage in various conditions.

For security reasons, we do not indicate the number of serviceable weapons, but in total there are 134 units in the military department system. SA912 A80 and 2 units. SA17 A900

- British Defense Procurement Minister Jeremy Quinn said recently in response to a deputy's request, in fact, indicating the number of new small products that have entered the army since 2018.

Comments

[Thrifty]

It's not plastic shit that the case is deformed if the entire store is released from it in one burst? British experts, like their scientists, akin to cats, think a lot, but most often behave illogically or even inadequately ...

[210ox]

PR, advertising, image, show-off .. And it's all about them. However, the weapons of this company are very high quality and interesting. And plastic ... So we have it now on small arms

[the most important]

Quote: 210ox

PR, advertising, image, show-off.

And in the photo is a blind shooter with an optical sight and headphones. For as long as I served, I never saw such a miracle. Apparently, such clowns fled from Afghanistan. But for me, there is nothing better than Kalashnikov and Makarov.

[NAP]

Well, if you served in felt boots and a hat with earflaps, then probably this is not the case everywhere? These are shooting glasses so that debris, dust, etc., do not get into the eyes, and in the event of a cartridge rupture, the eyes remain intact. Headphones active - so as not to beat on the ears. You are a great expert in equipment and weapons.

[Shurik70]

For security reasons, we do not indicate the number of serviceable weapons, but in total there are 134 units in the military department system. SA912 A80 and 2 units. SA17 A900

The British do not always understand humor, but this time the joke is great!

[konstantin68]

Quote from N.A.P.

Well, if you served in felt boots and a hat with earflaps, then probably this is not the case everywhere? These are shooting glasses so that debris, dust, etc., do not get into the eyes, and in the event of a rupture of the cartridge, the eyes remain intact. Headphones are active - so as not to beat on the ears

Well, it is very convenient for him to hold the machine. You can even see it.

[culinary]

Quote from N.A.P.

Well, if you served in felt boots and a hat with earflaps, then probably this is not the case everywhere? These are shooting glasses so that debris, dust, etc., do not get into the eyes, and in the event of a cartridge rupture, the eyes remain intact. Headphones active - so as not to beat on the ears. You are a great expert in equipment and weapons.

That is how he served. No glasses or headphones. And field trips didn't mean warm toilets. And you shouldn't sleep in felt boots, your feet get cold.

[Victorio]

Quote from N.A.P.

in the event of a rupture of the cartridge, the eyes remained intact.

===
What happens when a cartridge breaks? where and what can fly there?

[Constanty]

I'll start from the end. As for Kalashnikov, the treaty is a standard of reliability, new modifications such as AK-12, Galil, modernized Finnish Rynnäkkökivääri 62, Polish "Beryl" ... this is a completely effective weapon. Makarov is a good service pistol - light and small - the belt will not make the belt heavier, but the cartridge is weak, the handle is not comfortable - especially for large hands or with gloves, and here, unfortunately, in our time it cannot compete, hence the new "Strikes", pistol Yarygin and other Russian pistols.

As for the soldiers in the photo - these are exercises at a shooting range in peacetime - safety standards apply - hence active headphones, Peltor glasses .... Standard - why spoil the hearing and risk the sight of a soldier during exercises in stationary conditions

The SA-80 itself is a defeat for the British - the rifle developed for decades (the progenitor - EM-2 of the late 1940s) turned out to be tragically unreliable and only the Germans from the HK made it a useful and relatively reliable weapon

[Ilya_Nsk]

PM - easy? Compared to the Desert Eagle - yes, but the GSh-18 loses significantly.

[YOUR]

SA-80 is a cool barrel, especially for adepts of first-shot accuracy. Sights 4x optical sight, additional front sight and diopter on top of the optical sight. Class. God forbid you drop your rifle with the sight down, imagine aiming through an open sight located on top of the optics. How to turn your head up. An optical sight is good, how great it is to hit the target from it, but how it limits, narrows the field of view.
The rifle is so "good" that during Desert Storm, the English special forces switched to the M-4, which is also not a masterpiece.
How to use this rifle in a forest, a village, when you have to dodge to shoot through cracks, small openings, etc.

[aybolyt678]

Quote: the most important

blind shooter with an optical sight and headphones.

frankly, I think that ears need to be protected .. Without headphones, you become deaf. The shooter is not blind, but not a sniper either. The sniper usually does not close the second eye.

[Ilya_Nsk]

At the shooting range, my neighbor stunned me more (AKS-74), but at my own I heard the shutter clang

[culinary]

Quote: the most important

Quote: 210ox

PR, advertising, image, show-off.

And in the photo is a blind shooter with an optical sight and headphones. For as long as I served, I never saw such a miracle. Apparently, such clowns fled from Afghanistan. But for me, there is nothing better than Kalashnikov and Makarov.

But not Makarov!!!
Shit is rare. Try a Glock 19. Story.

[the most important]

Quote: kulinar

But not Makarov!!!
Shit is rare. Try a Glock 19. Story.

Makarov was my service weapon. And he was even a little older than me - 1964 release. I fired several thousand shots from it, as I conducted training sessions with the personnel of the battalion and had to shoot out unused cartridges with zinc. Never failed! In the zero years, completely different Makarovs went, it was even unpleasant to take it in hand ... And shooting from a machine gun in glasses, headphones, on a duvet cover, with coffee and a secretary will not teach you to really feel the machine gun as part of yourself. Well, maybe someone else. But we never used glasses and headphones in the field. Glasses and headphones were given only to young girls who first took Makarov in their hands.

[culinary]

Quote: the most important

Quote: kulinar

But not Makarov!!!
Shit is rare. Try a Glock 19. Story.

Makarov was my service weapon. And he was even a little older than me - 1964 release. I fired several thousand shots from it, as I conducted training sessions with the personnel of the battalion and had to shoot out unused cartridges with zinc. Never failed! In the zero years, completely different Makarovs went, it was even unpleasant to take it in hand ... And shooting from a machine gun in glasses, headphones, on a duvet cover, with coffee and a secretary will not teach you to really feel the machine gun as part of yourself. Well, maybe someone else. But we never used glasses and headphones in the field. Glasses and headphones were given only to young girls who first took Makarov in their hands.

I also shot a lot with Makarov, but not as much as you. There was also a TT, Walther and revolver. He met Glock after his dismissal from the ranks of the USSR Armed Forces. And fell in love with this gun.

[English tarantas]

I fired several thousand shots from it, as I conducted training sessions with the personnel of the battalion and had to shoot out unused cartridges with zinc.

In principle, after these words, you can not listen to your arguments about how to conduct combat training. You scrap ammo after firing, instead of distributing additional fighters, it’s clear that this may not be your decision, as you were taught or as you were ordered to do so, but you can’t share and even more so praise this approach .. You will still teach someone .

And shooting from a machine gun in glasses, headphones, on a featherbed, with coffee and a secretary will in no way teach you to really feel the machine gun as part of yourself.

That's right, just as you can't learn the floors without sitting on a mop, just as you can't shoot without sitting in the downpour and up to your neck in the mud. You are just a standard of objective assessment, what are you complaining about poor quality PM then?
Most of all, what do you think about glasses and headphones in the Russian army? Probably those who came up with this are fools without exception, and praise the gods that the officers of the units keep our soldiers from this abomination, pulling it away even before issuing it to the fighters.

[Glory1974]

But not Makarov!!!
Shit is rare. Try a Glock 19.

Glock is a Kalashnikov in the pistol world. In addition, there is a difference of several decades between Glock and Makarov.
Makarov is a good pistol, outdated of course, but not shit.

[Lara Croft]

Quote: the most important

And in the photo is a blind shooter with an optical sight

Blind because his assault rifle has a scope?

and in headphones

these are safety requirements that have passed on to Practical shooting, where the mandatory attributes of being at the shooting site (and not just at the firing position) are a headgear, glasses and headphones ....
So in this case, the British V / SL is not blind and his passive headphones are not due to the fact that he is deaf ....

[neurostimulator]

not Makarov, no ... there is a Stechkin pistol, aka PS - you can say about him that there is nothing better than him. This is somewhat patriotic, but in 7 out of 10 cases it turned out to be true.
And "Makarov" is just to drive punks with slingshots, ... it will also be normal for Soviet detectives ... as a training weapon - you can’t imagine better who has never fired a pistol before, at first you can’t get anywhere from Makarov at all maybe that's why the soft descent and aiming then train very well and inexpensively.

[SSA]

APS is not a very convenient pistol, which has practically not received distribution. Shooting in bursts is a waste of ammunition, bulky, uncomfortable to wear, not very balanced. In short, inferior to Makarov in everything, except for the amount of ammunition.

[neurostimulator]

Sorry for the question, but have you ever used it for its intended purpose? ... especially in "useless" queue mode... ? There is also a "useless" stock, it is also a cabura, but even without it, believe me, there is something to discuss.

[SSA]

The purpose of the APS is to arm tank crews, radar operators, and pilots. In addition to the pilots, no one used it for its intended purpose, since the APS turned out to be useless for the army.
If I need a pistol, I will definitely not take a bandura with a butt holster.
If I need high intensity of fire at short distances, in cramped conditions, I will take KEDR, Cypress, "phobos" take "Chestnut" (Western special forces will take MP5K)

Do not believe and do not produce myths about the "coolness" of the APS. The designer Stechkin was given a technical assignment - a pistol with the ability to automatically fire a 9x18mm cartridge, and the designer fulfilled this TOR with the highest performance for the technology of those years. Well, what a weapon is, from a tactical point of view, turned out to be useless, these are no longer questions for Stechkin.

[neurostimulator]

I have a different opinion than you, based on practice. For example, a holster turned out to be very necessary when, apart from the PS, there was nothing at hand. None of what you listed would solve my problem then. However, I am still alive, which means that my point of view has a place to be.
Therefore, I have the same question for you - did you yourself use PS (or as you call it APS) or another automatic pistol for its intended purpose?

[ROSS_51]

Quote: the most important

And in the photo is a blind shooter with an optical sight and headphones. For as long as I served, I never saw such a miracle. Apparently, such clowns fled from Afghanistan. But for me, there is nothing better than Kalashnikov and Makarov.

Have you ever seen anything besides Kalashnikov and Makarov?
I remember in the year 89-90m they brought to our company a complete set of equipment for an American paratrooper (everything is brand new, including the Colt M1911 and M-16 with m 203). In general, at the arms exhibition, the big stars of the Soviet and American paratroopers were shown in full equipment for landing.
The conscript was dressed in American clothes in 15-20 minutes, but ours tried to hang all the crap (pouches, bowlers, ozk, etc.) on the belt and RD for about forty minutes, after the incredible efforts of three people succeeded, the guy said- I'm not going to jump in all this.
Guess which of the two of them looked like a clown?

[lucul]

PR, advertising, image, show-off .. And it's all about them

If you don't praise yourself, no one will praise you :)

[Cat Alexandrovich]

Yeah, I was very pleased that changes were made to the flashlight.

[paul3390]

Yes, this junk is naked. Not for nothing that only arrogant people run with him. Nobody else screwed up. Even the Negroes in Mozambique - and then spat. A good weapon - it instantly diverges all over the wide world. And here.

[culinary]

Quote: Thrifty

It's not plastic shit that the case is deformed if the entire store is released from it in one burst? British experts, like their scientists, akin to cats, think a lot, but most often behave illogically or even inadequately ...

It is the same.
The Britons have already pointed out the shortcomings.
I wonder where the negatives come from?
I'm from the island.

[Alexey RA]

Quote: Thrifty

This is not plastic shit that the body is deformed if the entire store is released from it in one burst?

EMNIP, there were complaints about the plastic on the German G36: in the model ordered by the Bundeswehr, the barrel was planted directly in the plastic and simply melted it during prolonged shooting.
Moreover, the manufacturer fought off all the customer's claims, stating that all the parameters specified in the TOR are met, and the rest is not his problem: he is not obliged to comply with what is not in the TOR.

[IL-2]

Storytellers ...

[polpot]

They also have the greenest snot and ......... the most smelly

[Ramon Mercader]

BUGAGA, laha - the most reliable ??? Rather, the enema will turn into a rose ...

[Pechkin]

If you don't praise yourself, no one will. The SA80 did not become a hit, only Great Britain and Jamaica were armed.

[mark1]

It is the most reliable system of its type in the world. Flawless performance combined with precision,

Her own British on pure British matter for quality and reliability - like they wanted to throw it away. Endured - fell in love?

[voyaka uh]

They gave it to the Germans for alterations.
Like the Americans their M-4.
In both cases, the upgrade was successful.

[Pechkin]

So yes, Heckler & Koch is like a lifesaver for them, the Americans and the British do not know how to use automatic machines.

[NAP]

FN SCAR, Remington ACR are American designs. AP15 too. How do Americans not know how to use machine guns?

[Pechkin]

M-16 is an army AR-15. The FN SCAR was developed by the Belgian FN Herstal. The normal M-16 was made by Heckler & Koch, HK-416, so they don't know how.

[DienBienPhu]

FN Scar, G-36 and many other European guns are based on AR180

[NAP]

Here you are right that FN SCAR and G36 are the development of Eugene Stoner's AP18.

[user1212]

Quote from N.A.P.

FN SCAR that the G36 is a development of the AP18

what does this follow from? What do they have in common?

[NAP]

Is it not destiny to read on the Internet? G36 is a slightly modernized version of AP18, L85 is even AP18, only bullpup. Unlike previous developments that have semi-free-breech automation, the G36 has automation similar to the American AR-18 rifles based on a gas engine with a short stroke of the gas piston. The barrel is locked by turning the bolt by 7 lugs, as in the AR-18.

[user1212]

A short piston stroke was widespread even before WWII (as an example of SVT-40), locking by turning was also used long before ARok, in the same M1. Did you make the heir to AR-36 out of G18 only based on the number of stops?

[NAP]

So I got downvoted for no reason. The FN SCAR platform was developed by FN Herstal AMERICAN. But there is also Sig Sauer USA, etc.

[Alexfly]

Unless more compact than the classic layout, the charms of the SA80 end there, which cannot be said about the H&K 417 - a song ..

[voyaka uh]

Their trunk length is more than 50 cm. This is serious.
10 cm more than all competitors.

[ssergey1978]

Why is this serious? The increase in speed is negligible, the weight of the barrel?

[Mountain shooter]

Quote: ssergey1978

Why is this serious? The increase in speed is negligible, the weight of the barrel?

Their accuracy has grown, accuracy.

[yehat2]

this is a long-planned transition - Nagly, like the Americans, are trying to expand the distance of fire contact of the infantry squad. The barrel is needed to get ballistics for distances of 400m.
But to be honest, I heard exclusively negative reviews from specialists about the English complex. I doubt it will be anything interesting.

[Igool]

Increasing accuracy and at the same time they themselves are quite compact, which is a definite plus for the product. Interested only in the issue of fault tolerance. How did they decide on that

[user1212]

Quote: voyaka uh

Their trunk length is more than 50 cm. This is serious.
10 cm more than all competitors.

I hope you are still talking about the machine

[Vladimir61]

It is the most reliable system of its type in the world. Flawless performance...

But what about this?

For security reasons, we do not indicate the number of serviceable weapons ...

[Cat Alexandrovich]

Apparently, this is about 125 percent! Just don't tell anyone!

[Amateur]

These are not those who "according to official information" refused to shoot at Afghanistan because they were lubricated with "the wrong oil"

[NAP]

That's if it's about A1, you have to live in the present, and not stories of 15 years ago.

[Sands Careers General]

It's funny, the Germans make weapons, the cartridge is American, but it's like "the best English weapon"

[storm]

changes were made to the top of the receiver, forward grip, laser designator and flashlight.

A new flashlight is of course very important !!!

[Eraser]

Belgian patron

[Sands Careers General]

Originally .223 Remington

[user1212]

.223 Remington is a designation for a caliber, not a cartridge. But the cartridge is really Belgian SS109

[Sands Careers General]

In Europe, yes, but this is still a modification of the American cartridge adopted by NATO.

[Eraser]

How far will we go back in time? Since 1980, the standard NATO cartridge has been M855, nee Belgian SS109. It differs from the original .223 Rem in energy. Shooting this cartridge from a weapon designed for .223 Rem is the same as shooting a PMM cartridge from a PM - you can, but not for long. What do you think, under what cartridge is the system in question designed?

[Kerensky]

An interesting family. But all these grooves, recesses, cavities ... When will they make a washing machine for these vintars? Or do they take them to the dry cleaners?

[Knizhnik]

A few years old news. Recently, they seemed to write that they would still abandon the L85, and they were thinking of taking something from the American competition, and there was a conversation about 6.8 mm.

[Aviator_]

All this is very noble, but what about combat use? In what conflicts did it light up and with what result?

[Knizhnik]

So the "pathfinders", the reconnaissance brigade, the SAS and the "boatmen" both fought M16 and HC, and are fighting)))

[Sebastian Aristarkhovich Pereira]

Is it still laser or already proton?!

[Wildcat]

in 2000-2006, he was upgraded to the level of SA80 A2

IMHO, I redid 50 percent of the HC in the rifle, although the barrel does not seem to be touched . Maybe it worked out well, but since the 80s of the last century, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge, the reputation has been ruined, and major rearmaments in .223 have already passed. No big buyers...

Of the large remaining rearmaments, only India (traditional dances from AK to "make in India" and vice versa, plus minor infusions of other manufacturers) and Ukraine, which seems to have chosen Tavor, aka Fort, which ended something in 2021 (this is what Ukrainians comment on , plz.).

The rest are waiting for new calibers and new rifles.

[Tomcat_Tomcat]

The British armed forces are implementing a program of transition to a new small arms, which, as stated, has no analogues in the world among other similar systems.
The SA80 is a range of firearms consisting of the L85 automatic rifle, L-86 light machine gun, L22 submachine gun, and L98 training rifle. This complex was adopted by the British army in 1985. Since that time, in 2000-2006, it has been upgraded to the level of SA80 A2

Last year, the British voiced the transition by 2025 to a new shooting complex - NGSW (Next Generation Squad Weapons) under the new 6,8x43 mm cartridge. The NGSW contest is currently taking place in the USA, and the winner will be determined soon. The minke whales decided to switch to a new caliber, the impudent Saxons, most likely, will follow their example. And here they tell us about the version of the A3 rifle, which will soon be changed, as if this is the future of the British rifle.
The British assault rifles underwent an extreme modernization in 2018, under the L85A3 standard.

[Boratsagdiev]

"This has never happened before, and here it is again!" )))
They are at least a complete transition to a new look, L-ka continuous problems.

[KOMA]

Normal barrel, no need to cut down the fly!

[Comrade Kim]

Quote: Constanty

The SA-80 itself is a defeat for the British -

The British are true to tradition, and the most perverted (and they know a lot about it).
I am glad that after the masochistic L85, the British soldiers will again receive a "worthy" attack in their hands.

[Chever]

It is the most reliable system of its kind in the world.

SHIELD?

[Chever]

It is the most reliable system of its kind in the world.

SHIELD?

[riwas]

SA80 is a set of small arms, consisting of an automatic rifle L85, light machine gun L-86, a shortened L22 assault rifle and an L98 training rifle.

There was an article here earlier, they seemed to be going to remove the L86A2 from service:

In addition, the British infantry loses the so-called L86A2 Light Support Weapon (LSW) support weapon, which could be used as a light machine gun or as a sniper rifle at close and medium distances. This weapon will be completely replaced by a sniper rifle L129A1, and now this rifle will become standard for all infantry units.

https://topwar.ru/145451-britanskaja-armija-nachinaet-perevooruzhenie-pehoty.html

[Doliva63]

Quote: glory1974

But not Makarov!!!
Shit is rare. Try a Glock 19.

Glock is a Kalashnikov in the pistol world. In addition, there is a difference of several decades between Glock and Makarov.
Makarov is a good pistol, outdated of course, but not shit.

How is an officer's personal weapon (going into outfits or, for example, shooting himself) in what way is he outdated?

[ufasipailovo]

Stupid, it would be better if they copied Kalash

[tolancop]

Quote: Neurostimulator

who has never fired a pistol before, at first he cannot get anywhere from Makarov,

I also heard a similar opinion, but at my first shooting, to everyone's (and my own, too) surprise, I got where I needed to. Not a sniper, but in any case, as they say: "in the tolerance." And this is from a broken-down duty pistol. And before the pistol, he fired only from AKM and SKS-45, having shot a total of 24 (twenty-four) rounds.

[Reserve buildbat]

All this in holes, openwork ... The dirt collector is perfect. And what I just can’t understand is what a joy it is to stick a magazine somewhere in an armpit, looking for its mine there, and what a joy it is to move the center of gravity closer to the face, so that there is more barrel toss. I don’t even mention the “joy” of shooting from the left shoulder.

[silver_roman]

No matter how much shit you modernize, it won't stop being shit.

[Zaurbek]

Britons with riflemen, except for bolt rifles, do not get along .... Before this, there was a licensed FN FAL 7,62x51 ...... Brazil just remade it under 5,56 and use it further .... and the British decided to sculpt a bullpup

[Alexander Voilokov]

Wonderful toys, for toy warfare, armies of homosexuals and transgender people - 100 grams is super. If only the enemies were not beaten in the face. Do they give you eye shadow and lipstick?

[Zaurbek]

They managed to use a non-NATO standard 5,56x45 mm cartridge there ....