SA 80 A2 problems

[jamie]

what will it take for the marines to get a weapon that equals the tough and demanding job's they have to perform day in day out? is there such a rifle? There are many rifles that meet specific requirements but which is the best? bullpup? 7.62 with its heavier ammo but better fire power? OK im not in the marines but hope to be soon, id like to have a weapon i can trust. All our thoughts about the calibre of the SA 80 wont change a thing. The government seems content on wasting its money on tests, while our soldiers still have to put up with the life threating rifles. OUR men are the best trained; Its the Government's duty to give them the equiptment they deserve They need to ask the soldiers what they want not what they THINK they want.

[Rotary Booty]

So, the MOD reason why the latest SA80 failed in Afghanistan is our guys don't know how to clean it properly! (Todays BBC news and newspaper reports) The report also states that they are to spend even more taxpayers money to improve the weapon. Does this mean they are going to buy cleaning kits? Sounds like a whitewash to me.

Jamie, don't feel too badly, even the media think we are part of the Army. However, it does get right up a Royal Marines' nose to be called a soldier!

[jamie]

Sorry for my lack of concentration last night. I'd had more than a few to drink and i wanted to try put the world to rights on here!! Didnt mean to cause offence by calling Marines "soldiers"

[Andy O'Pray]

I was somewhat angered when I read the BBC report that indicated that the failures of the SA80 in Afghanistan, was due to the improper cleaning by the Royal Marines.

I was under the misconception that a weapon was designed to meet all of the operational requirements of the user, regardless of climatic and operational conditions. Maintenance of a weapon under classroom conditions versus operational conditions are two entirely different things.

What did the manufacturers of the Vickers MMG, Lee Enfield 303, 9mm SMG, LMG know about weapons that todays manufacturers don't know?
If the MMG clogged up with sand you poured a pint of oil into the works and got it going again. If you had no cleaning gear for your 303, you pissed down the barrel. I think that it is time that these overpaid designers and beaurocrats got off their fat behinds and went into the field, preferably under operational conditions, and find out what kind of weapon the user requires. Don't try and fit the user to the weapon. Fit the weapon to the user.

Andy

[Sea Soldier]

Having never used this particular weapon,being an "SLR man",I did not feel suitably qualified to express an opinion on its merits,or lack of them before.

However,I do feel suitably qualified,having served in the Corps,to be incenced by the suggestion by faceless MoD beaurocrats,(or should that read beauroPRATS)? suggesting that Royal Marines (by name,on tonights news) failed to keep the weapon properly clean !

For a Corps,such as ours,who have always been fanatical about cleanliness,both personal & in regard to weapons,this is an unforgivable slur !

I for one would be happy to meet said Prat,in rear of the Block,for a full & frank exchange of views !!

I rather suspect,that somewhere along the line,money "changed hands" when this "Chad Valley" weapon was wished on our troops .... & for that to be proven would cause too many red faces in Whitehall .... well,it's happened before !

How do others feel about this insult to the Royal Marines ?

Cheers,

[harry hackedoff]

Owdun,
seems to me we`ve been here before on Dereck`s thread.
Remember, 20 rounds per minute is the max. rate that a well-trained rifle-man can achieve. Whatever the weapon. Same as a Longbowman at Agincourt.
Ask John D, he was there


Aye Harry

[harry hackedoff]

Yes, one finds oneself much more relaxed, these days.
Recent article in G&L didn`t mention cleaning probs, one noticed.

Aye, Harry

[John_D]

No cleaning probs with the trusted crossbow,in the hands of a good bowman it was unrivaled,A wounding range of 400Yds.Akilling rang of 200 Yds but if the enemy were in armour the the killing range was only 100 Yds,but with a rate of 6 arrows a minute there were no problems.

Aye
John_D

[harry hackedoff]

400 yards? 6 rounds per minute?
You`re having a laugh, Johnnie.
Remember the I.A. on the Longbow?
"Longbow firing o.k."
"thung"
"thung"
"thung"
"Longbow stops"

"Check string"

That is all.

Aye, Harry

[ratso]

Bloody hell John you say that with a lot of conviction, so it is true you are tree hundred and twenty next year......

These days it would be down to the wood worm and lack of grease on the old wood if you miss fired.

I think this discussion is set to rage on for ever, or until El-Presidante is assasinated (looses the vote to any MI5/6 who are reading and have no sense of humor). The debate is set for Wednesday again and then they will, as with everything else they seem to be trying to put right, just throw some more money at it to put it right.
Pity the Yanks didn't mistake the Boffins for a wedding party........

[harry hackedoff]

Rats, you are so cynical, thank Christ!

Shoulders said everything that I want to say on page one.(I`d already said it on "Rest on Your Arms, Reversed")
Great sling, pity about the weapon.
And, yes, the Light Support Weapon variant is shite as well.
I`m starting a campaign to re-equip with Brown Bess, just to please all our muzzle loading fans

Harry (keep your powder dry) Hackedoff

[Shoulderholster]

Once again if any one cares to give our Mr Hoon the "good news" rattle the Bastards cage on
www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/alms.htm#h
Its only fair that he starts to earn his recent pension increase.
SH