I`ve said my bit about the wunnerfull SA 80 previously.
First introduced one troop at a time to 3 Cdo Bde. from 86 onwards but had been around the Units for either trial or evaluation purposes for at least three years previous. Main probs stemmed from spindrift entering the working parts would thaw as the weapon was fired. Marine would cease firing and working parts would instantly freeze again, with a round in the chamber and the bolt moving forward. Later, heat from the Mne`s body, or if the weapon was taken into a building or vehicle would thaw the spindrift and the working parts would slide for`d. Often with sufficient energy to fire the round. Guys were getting charged with ND before the problem was finally admitted and it became sop to carry out the "make safe" after every time the weapon was fired.
The plastic furniture absolutely did not like the cold and would frequently break. The SUSSAT was assembled in air and over a few days the moisture inside would freeze until the sight was useless, later versions were assembled in Nitrogen. Worse thing, besides the NDs, was the quality of build of the magazine. It was so cheaply made as to be an embarrassment. Normal routine in the Arctic is to park your weapon, butt first, in the snow, like parking an umbrella. At first it was very funny when someone else’s mag fell apart when they did this
. Until it was your turn
They were shite.
SLR bayonet cost about eight quid, SA 80 bayonet cost about 120 quid so obviously, I left mine in me locker at every opportunity. It was full of answers to questions no one was asking. Who needs a bayonet that can make a pair of wire cutters if you join it to your scabbard? I`ll tell you who. The same cnut who has never tried taking his scabbard off his belt order and fitting it to his bayonet whilst lying next to a wire fence at minus thirty. Plus, I never saw the need of that little pedicure attachment
Best thing was the very accurate nature of the bulpup design and second best was the sling. For Arctic conditions it was a dream. Arctic sling on SLR was cunningly designed to allow the weapon to only be carried across the chest whilst skiing where it would smack you in the face at every opportunity. SA80 without a Bergan would fit on your back, muzzle up or down, or with a Bergan ,across your chest or under your arm. I thought it was the only thing they got right.
I thought what we were testing was an early proto-type and all of the things we pointed out would be sorted before it was issued.
Imagine my surprise, etc.
After the latest spend on making the weapon work, who else uses this piece of shite? Apart from the FIDF. As opposed to the AK?
I can still spot a raging success
Or poss not.
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