British army gets SA80 replaced with new rifle as of now!

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myopicmouse

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The armourer in the army camp beside me was saying that the British army has gotten a brand new rifle, I don't know what type it is and it isn't fully distributed yet but he says the camp will get they're new rifles soon. If it doesn't breach security I'll try to get a picture of it and post it here for everybody.

It's about time! thats all that I can say!
 
Can't find any news on the web.

There has been idle talk of the G36 for a while, also the FN2000. G36 isn't exactly cutting edge, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. HK recently overhauled the SA80, is this getting mixed up with a new rifle?

Interesting article on the SA80, particularly the newer variant can be found on the website of a British member of THR here.
 
This is good news if true. The SA80 has been a disaster since Day One.

The G36 should be a big improvement.
 
I wonder if the SA-80s will be demilled and sold as parts kits - an SA 80 in semiauto would be an interesting - if impractical - rifle to play with.
 
I looked for it on google too (thats where I got the G36 rumor from) but the bit a bout a new rifle rather than a SA80 upgrade was from the army armourer...but you know what it's like with soldiers...maybe someone got their wires crossed, but thats what he said, so I'll wait & see and tell you lot any updates when I get them.
 
IIRC, the SA80 is being shipped as a new, and upgraded version now, not a complete replacement rifle.

It's a good rifle, with problems (sound like one we field!?), and when they run they are robust, accurate and have great optics. If they get them running, it's a heck of a combat platform.
 
neat looking weapon...To bad its a POS...

Are semi-auto G36's being imported??<~~~Asleep at the keyboard:D
 
It's highly accurate but bug spray melting the plastic, scopes fogging, mags suddenly deserting the rifle, jams, jams, jams (on what's a normally reliable action, the same used in the AR18 and G36) all make me say NAH.

A Brit Territorial (National Guardsman) I once talked to said "It's accurate for the range, but I hope I never go to war with it!".


While the M16 has some problems, they're few and generally overblown and taken care of by basic maintenance. The SA80 is built crappy from the factory. Sadly to say, the French FAMAS is a much better bullpup than the SA80 (so is the FN2000, and others).
 
Are you sure he wasn't talking about the SA80 A2 modification program? HK was contracted to modify all the L85s and L86s to improve reliability. Bolt, barrel extension, hammer, cocking handle, magazine and some other components were replaced.
 
Usually, there's a heads up, with testing, political debate, contract awards, etc. Like the US and the XM8. It would be odd that there wouldn't be a similar buzz in Britain.
 
They guy said it's a complete new rifle, not a upgrade. I couldn't find anything on google about it either so I'm torn between he is after all a army armourer : surley it would be in the news. All i can imajine is that maybe it'ss on the hush hush. Like I said if i get any more info I'll keep yous posted, but again I wont rule out that it's BS - i hope not though.
 
IF it is true then the old ones will almost certainly be cut up for scrap and no parts will be sold.
Haven't heard any rumours recently.
 
IIRC the parent company to H&K is based/owned in england so that is where the G36 rumers come from. also IIRC the upgrades to the SA80 costs the britts more per gun than a new M16 and was close to a g36. just to upgrade what they had. I would like some of the upgraded H&K sa80 mags, they look rock solid.
 
Nah, the Germans bought it back from the Brits a few years back. If this is true then H&K is going from niche player to dominant in just a few years. I guess all the talk about H&K failing will have to take the back burner for a while.
 
It will be interesting to see if this is a new rifle or just the upgraded SA-80. Usually, a new rifle will receive a lot of press and fanfare.
 
Could sneak in under the radar since the G36 is a tried and true weapon, not a new one that needs extensive testing... Who knows, would be quite interesting for H&K to be building the main rifles for Germany, the British, and US wouldn't it?
 
don't get too excited....

The brits got an SA80a2. It is simply a carbine type rifle for vehicle crews and others that need a shorter weapon. Combat & Survival (a british "military magazine") had a feature on it last month. H&k is revamping the SA80 for them. The SAS and others use the m16 although they call them Armalites. As for the magazines they are already here! Hope this helps let me know. I've been to the uk last year and I'm going in about 4 weeks again. Oh Combat and survival features british and other world military reviewed. It is available online and at Borders. I have a pix of it at home maybe I'll post it later.

DAROGUE1
 
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