I never had the doubtful pleasure of the SA80 Having started on the Lee Enfield 303. and quickly changing to the SLR. Being a country boy I could castrate a flea at 100yds with the 303 and that got me my marksman badge. The SLR was a different kettle of fish I never quite got the hang of it and I was soon switched to the 7.62 Bren with which I could hit what I aimed at. Practically my only contact with the SLR from then on was on Drill parades for as I progressed my personal weapon became the SMG. Yes it was easy to carry, easy to clean and so easy to fire it often did it on it's own. I always thought it was more of a danger to us than to any enemy. On a live firing advance to contact I saw one dropped as the guy fell over whilst running to the firing point, it went off and emptied a full mag in all directions, Despite some very close calls no-one stopped one.
Ah! happy days

I posted this comment on another forum, but it sums up my feelings.
'The SLR or L1A1 was truly a good weapon. First produced in Belgium by FN, went around the world in different flavours, ours being L1A1 and L1A2. The first SLR being introduced to the British Army by 1956. Some special units had the Australian L2A2, but for most we had the L1A2 mine being fitted with the SUIT sights. We got the 25/25 round (Back-to-Back) mag. To my mind this was the best British weapon with grouping at 600 yds. A lethal weapon in the hands of a British soldier. The SLR is not an assault weapon, so the SA80 was born. Being a shorter weapon, with smaller rounds makes it handy for the combat soldier to use. But, as Ex. weapons instructor, no one can tell me that the shorter barrel and the 5.56mm, and mostly automatic fire is better than my L1A2 with the 7.62 round. As weapons they both have a role to play. I will just say that I could kill at 1000+ Mtrs with my weapon.

I have met a lot of soldiers back from Afghanistan that would dearly love the L1A2 back in service as a bridge between SA80 and GPMG. The SA80 Doesn't have the range or the accuracy, and the sights were better on the L1A2.

Mike in Germany

Mike,

Posted a reply to your Bad Salz post.

Paul.

Sorry Guys, yet another Ex-Scaley joins the group.

I should think that what you trained and used in service would be the one you'd pick.

Course, I used them all myself, and fondly remember by degrees.

Should I have been a PBI in those early testing days, Say Ate Yay!

Would have opted for Early Release than faced those Russian hordes!

Don't forget the L1 A1 Self Loading Rifle concept was the through and through - Kill one; knock two more on their backs - Asian throngs to assail.

Another reason to be cheerful when urban deployment took us to the Emerald Isle - Where of course the MP5, M16 or G3 could have made more sense.

But I hear, what about your favorite?, you all say.

Well, ignoring the kick in the clavicle, it has to be a good Lee Enfield MK4 for steady accurate fire. Followed by the LMG (7.62 converded Bren) for rapid accurate fire and both on the target range.

When facing Russian or Asian Hordes - the trusty L1 A1 SLR comes into its all.

Did someone mention Jimmy Pea?.........and, in the sustained fire role, the GPMG could easily account for much much more.

Finally, the Daganham Sterling or the MP5? - Of course no contest for accurate rapid fire - No pull to high right or spent brass to strike an eye.

But, before we condemn the Sterling out of hand just remember what it replaced - The Sten was originally made for 1&6 so draw your own conclusion.

So in fin, do you think the latest NIG will give two hoots for anything other than their trusty SA80, Minimi, or Jimmy Pea?

Fired my first SMLE in the Army Cadets 1946, one hell of a kick for a 14 year old .. Basic Training on Lee Enfield MkIV, during my many postings alternated between Lee Enfield and Sten Mk's 1 -5. Joined TA in 1963 and used SLR. All had their place depending on circumstances, but as an ex Drill Pig you could not beat the old SMLE for balance and handling. As a point of interest Certa Ceto (Swft and Sure), Typo or ????.

Len(Ciphers_

Hi Len (Cipers), Good to meet you!

Firstly, no its not a typo - I know its not an original idea for an ex-scaley to use it, but there we are. Actually, when taking that moment to decide what to use, I considered not even putting in the capitals. Then erred on the side of caution and included the capitals anyway.

Yes, the SMLE Lee Enfield MK4 was also the first "full bore" weapon that I qualified on as a young Army Cadet, attaining the "Marksman" rifle and crown, which I proudly wore on the sleeve of my BD's

Our first time on the range was a hoot when we were issued with cotton wool and Vaseline as ear defenders! Mind you, one good bit of advice was to take our berets off, fold in two and stuff them into our tunics shoulder area. At the next evening parade we all went around comparing bruises!

Eh! I love the smell or cordite in the morning! javascript:emoticonp('')

No the typo I meant was Certa CETO ... should be Certa CITO ..
and yes can't beat the smell of cordite and gun oil, beats Chanel#5 any day.
My first time firing the old SMLE in shirt sleeve order I thought I had been kicked by a horse, then I fired a PIAT ... holy jesus I don't know what went further, the shell or me (backwards) .. but then having to reload it, I thought I would get a hernia ..

Ciphers

Cipers, Mea Culpa!

Now this is amazing, I have just been having an animated discussion with my daughter about lack of attention to detail. Well this puts me in my place! I did not notice - even when prompted; you see what you want to see I suppose.

Thank you for sparing me any further embarrassment!!

Its Bloody CIPHERS not Cipers ... NOW PAY ATTENTION TO DETAIL or you will never make Lance Jack. ..

Ciphers

Hi Ciphers - Woops! Sorry, Sorry and Thrice Sorry!javascript:emoticonp('')

Seems like I am experiencing some sort of disconnect between brain and fingers.

Yes, I know - Sounds like an excuse right?

Well maybe that is just what it is - We both know how important both of the erroneous bits of information are. Corps and Trade. Can't explain it! Having made it - can't see it!

Think I will need to proof read like Sergeant Crabtree in future.

Ciphers please accept my apology - Slowing down helps, so will slow down until accuracy improves!!!

Think you could be right - Lying down in a dark room seems not to help anymore!

What were we supposed to be discussing anyway? .....ah, Yes!

....I believe that H&K were responsible for developing the latest modifications to the SA80 and it has turned it into a grand weapon. Well it works without the stoppages that used to plague it.

No comparison to the SLR but neither is MK4 Lee Enfield and, as I think someone else said, I would rather carry the ammunition for the SA80 than the SLR.

Still love the smell of cordite in the morning!! javascript:emoticonp('')

Guess I'll jump into this little bit of old timer history. I got to qualify on the Bren .303 in 1960 in the Militia (Cdn Reserve) and the the FN C1 in 1959. The FN had just come into use in the Militia in 58. There were still few FN C2's replacing the Bren in the Militia system hence the reason for qualifying on it on a Jnr. NCO course that year. The Bren was a neat weapon to handle. 7 pieces if I remember correctly. Release the body locking pin, hold by the flash eliminator and shake and it came apart. Only 28 rounds in a 30 round mag. I remember being dragged forward while on automatic fire as we were taught to fire it with our bodes laying directly behind it, ( I was all of 95/100 pounds) very little kick back. As I remember I kind of warped a barrel as there had been plenty of people ahead of me and I held that trigger down. One very ticked of Black Watch Sgt. The FN C2 I got to know when I got into the Regular Army. Now that was a different kettle of fish. It's like they said, it was designed to spread all over on Auto and would travel up in the standing position like a fire hose. The FN C1 was good piece of equipment and was designed to stop what it hit. I always preferred it to the SMG when I had a choice.(If they are close enough to hit with an SMG they're to close in my book.) The only fatality suffered by the Army in the FLQ Crisis here in Canada was caused by an SMG catching it's cocking handle on a tail gate chain of a 2 I/2 ton truck. The breech block came back far enough to engage a round but not to lock. It put 3 rounds through the mans lower chin up wards. The fella was a Bdr in 3 RCHA but was an infantry veteran of Korea. Goes to show that time and experience can be forgotten. In the Canadian Prison Svc I got to know the Colt version of the M16. Nice little weapon and ideal for that role.