I know the SLR was a bit of an elephant gun but it was what I was used to and I liked it. The first time we went on the range with the SA80 it didn't instill any confidence at all, it was in a word, garbage. That was the Mk 1 however and I'm told they have improved considerably since then. I never did understand why we didn't convert from SLR to M16! I never used an M16 myself but everyone I've spoken to who has used one has nothing but praise for the weapon.

I agree with you Andrew,I liked the SLR and having used the AR15 in Borneo the M16 would have been ideal,plus the drill manual would not have had to be re-written.

Trained on the SLR, then when I arrived at my first posting they were just converting to the SA80. I preferred the SLR because it was a solid bit of kit, however the SA80 was far more practical when on exercise especially when your a Metalsmith and need to swing around on vehicles to repair them etc.

As for moving to the M16, I hope that never happens - look at the trouble the yanks had with it throughout the Vietnam war, also it isn't too wise to rely on other countries for your weaponry, we already get so much from the yanks.

Nasty horrible things weapons.

Yep, Lived with the SLR for nine years! Best since the Mark 4 Lea Enfield. Used in the Army Cadets and TA before joining the regulars.

Did my training with the Lea Enfield, and service with SLR
Returned briefly to the Lea Enfield, at Warminster
(that name should please you Jim !!)
For Sniper use with the telescopic sight.

If the Lea Enfield was the .303 then I used that in the CCF, liked it as well, I managed to get sniper, never did so well with the SLR Jerry.

Yep 303 it was. You could get snipers eye with the recoil,
I joked with the instructor, I'll get bolt nose (firing left handed)

At the risk of sounding a tad pedantic, are we talking sniper or marksman!

oh yes, Marksman, sorry.

I had 18 years of the Slr (silly long rifel) You could do some damage with it. Only trouble I found was that you had to carry a large amount of ammo.
I also had to put up with the 9mm SMG (silly metal gun) As much good as useless.

John S

Don't forget the Bren boys, here's a little ode I penned to it some years back ... I've got a million of them ...

Len (Ciphers)


The Soldiers Friend


Gathered in a training room, May of fifty-one,
Attempting to grasp the workings of the light machine gun.
The instructor looked exasperated at our lack of ken,
As he sighed, and tried one more time, to impart the workings of the Bren.


There are, he said, five main groups making up the gun,
Now pay attention carefully as through the groups I run.
First there is the barrel, then there is the butt,
Then comes the body - don't forget the locking nut.
Now to remove the piston, you move it fully to the rear,
Twist off the bi-pod, place it carefully over here.


Everybody got it, the instructor asks, with a fiendish grin,
But we were all still struggling - with a body locking pin.
Once you've learned this lot, and got it off by heart,
We will quickly go over another 365 listed working parts.
Magazine holds thirty two - you load only twenty eight,
This here is the gas block - to regulate, rotate.


Leaf backsight for accuracy - graded to a thousand yards,
This here is the trigger - this the trigger guard.
Now we'll strip the trigger - pay attention here,
This item is called the bent - this here, is the seer.
Spring retaining plunger - must be pressed of course,
Some say the gun kicks like a mule, not so, more like a bloody horse.


Your weapon is your best friend, so treat it with respect,
You will learn to handle it with ease, sooner than you expect.
I look down at the monster, stripped and at my feet,
And shudder at the prospect, that an enemy I'd meet,
What with body locking pins, and spring retaining nuts,
I'm of the firm opinion, that I hate its bloody guts.


Len Payne