Jinxed SA80 rifle goes back for yet another refit.

[Sleuth]

I have fired (a limited amount) the SA80, but my opinon is re-enforced by a good friend who just retired as a REME Armour. In fact, he was sent to the tests of the SA80A2.
1. Ergonomics - you have to be double jointed to access the controls at the shoulder. When you pick up a hot rifle, you can burn your fingers on the front sight base (which sticks up out of the handguard) or the sling swivel (Ditto), take your pick.
2. Stregnth - depends on the age of the duct tape holding things on. I don't trust any rifle where I can squeeze the mag well and deform it with my fingers.
3. 'One sided' - Troops in Northern Ireland would not patrol down the left side of a street. The rifle is right hand only - no problem, for decades no one has been allowed to shoot left handed in HM Forces.

My friend says that the A2 is a more reliable weapon - but the last I heard, the SA80 was decertifed for NATO - meaning UK troops cannot carry the SA80/L85 on NATO missions.

It's so bad, I'm surprized that the french did not design it! Imagine, the french have a better rifle than the Brits!

 

[Nightcrawler]

3. 'One sided' - Troops in Northern Ireland would not patrol down the left side of a street. The rifle is right hand only - no problem, for decades no one has been allowed to shoot left handed in HM Forces.

If you're holding your weapon right handed, the muzzle points to the left. So, wouldn't then the troops not patrol down the right side of the road? I mean, what are they trying to cover with their weapons, the road or alongside of the road?

 

[Sleuth]

Let me clarify. If you are in a built up area, and are on the left side of the street, it is exceptionally akward to cover the threat areas in the buildings on the right side of the street with a right hand only rifle.