Australian L1A1 version .... "The B^tch!"

[axeman_g]

I was perusing wikipedia (I know... not the best source.) yesterday and reading up on the FAL FN rilfe yesterday and came across an interesting version of the Australian SLR L1A1 reportedly nicknamed "The B^tch".

Apparently this was a heavy barrel version, shortened just past gas block, with a M203 grenade launcher under it.

Anyone know of pictures of this "field" engineered weapon. I would love to see one.

 

[Uncle Mike]

I don't know...but I certainly can understand the name!

 

[Jaws]

This puppy?

It looks bad to the bone.

 

[axeman_g]

that would be it, but it looks as if it was not shortened at all, but that the front hand guard was removed to fit the M203. It also looks as if they preferred the 30rd mags. I had heard that they were less then reliable, but these pictures document real world usage, maybe they were more reliable then reported.

Where did you get those pictures?

 

[Jaws]

I just googled it. I saw some pics before. Don't remember exactly where. Millitary photos maybe.

I found this on some Chinese or Japanese page. I was just searching for images.

 

[Mandolin]

Looks dumb, but I would not want to be on the reciving end.

 

[Trebor]

There are a couple variations of this rifle.

I've also seen pics without the grenade launcher and with a shortened barrel, like the OP described. I don't have a copy saved though, sorry.

My understanding is that unlike most Aussie L1A1's, these had full-auto capability. The idea was to use the 30 round mag (a Bren mag) to break contact in an ambush.

 

[IronLance]

The rifle is definitely an L1A1, with L2A1 mags, and a XM148 Colt grenade launcher. The L2A1 had a much heavier barrel, the bipod folded up to become the handguard, and had a compensator, thus:

http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/F_L2A1.HTM

With a bit of history.