SLR / SA80 or M16!

I trained on the SLR/SMG/LMG when I first joined and subsequently used these weapons whilst in BAOR/BFG with 6 Ord Bn. Converted to SA80 A1/LSW/GPMG and found all but the GPMG to be a little tacky. The upgraded A2 was a vast improvement and was suitable for jungle/desert conditions. The SLR did not, in my opinion require more ammo however the same amount of ball was heavier due to the size/weight ratio of the 7.62 round. Accuracy was never an issue on either weapon. The SLR was an accurate rifle (which most long barelled weapons tend to be) especially when kitted up with the SUIT sight. The SA80 was excellent when the SUSAT was used and with iron sights was an awful weapon to trail around with.

The LMG had its drawbacks. Magazine fed, the 30 rounds went through the weapon far too fast and it was a bliss when support arms got the GPMS with a better ratio of fire and belt fed making it a versatile and effective weapon. Suppresive fire with the LMG was impossible - with the GPMSG an ease.

The M16 had more disadvantages than advantages. I have used the M4 (the shorter version which is in use with US front line troops) and it is, in its M4 variant, a good weapon however, I would rather have the SA80 as it is shorter and more use in CQB which, sadly we all tend to be involved in over in Afghanistan nowadays.

The 9mm Browning was great fun to use and will be/has been superseded by the SIG - much superior and far more accurate.

.303 and SLR here, managed to avoid touching any weapons for the lst 5 or 6 years of my service.

Have you heard of the RAOC board?

Yes Jim, I pop into there every so often but don't post much. I've gone completely off ARRSE and tend to lurk and watch a little more than I post.

The reason I like the look of this place is the fact I loved BAOR and BFG - best time of my life!

Oh I'd agree with that, mind I liked Canada, Cyprus and Hong Kong as well.

Well Martin, you have not posted on RAOConLine since 2007! and its time you did LoL the RAOC board is what you make it, and if you enjoyed BAOR then post a few threads on it and see what comes up. We have a number RLC lads who lurk, and it would be nice to get a up to date prospective.

I am the webmaster over at RAOConLine and since this year have become the caretaker webmaster here as well.

Is it really 2007 - gosh, I was still in then albeit in the AGC.

It is a good resource and I would like to bump back into a few lads I knew back then however things took a turn when I was med discharged in late 2007 and I shunned many sites I used to go on to.

I think it is very true what they say - When a choice is made for you and you have no input then you resent the choice for whatever it is worth - that was very true for my part. Now, I have come to terms with the injury and subsequent discharge and may just pop back in to see what and who is lurking over there.

On a pleasant note - I received my RAOC gazette the other week and have been thinking of attending a meeting or two....

RAOConLine has its AGM/Dinner at Kineton next month. PM me if you are interested! since you are a Fellowship member - Jim is also going.

Yes it'd be nice to meet up Martin, and it's one hell of a do, believe me.

I trained, as a boy soldier, on the Lee Enfield 303 then we were later issued with the SLR which was a fine weapon. Later on as armored crewman we got the Stirling which is my personal favorite. Incidentally some troops in Afghanistan are being issued with something similar to the SLR because the SA80 is too short range for the type of engagements there.

Ilike Buzz he says nice things about Foxes LOL SLR best rifle in the world!

Alas I never crewed either, I'd left the army by the time they were introduced however I keep in touch with my regiment and they used the Scorpon to good effect in the Gulf War. The Blues and Royals used both the Scorpion and the Scimitar in the Falklands and they were very effective even on the boggy ground.

thought the SLR was by far the best outright killing weapon. .303 was very accurate and I achieved my cross rifles with it. (SMG - Nato ak47) - spray the target. I thought the first SA 80 were the biggest pile of (do do). I used the SA 80A with RMR, still did not rate it highly...
M16, now the yanks always seemed to have Gucci gear, wonder why it wasn't purchased?? It has always been stated, don't no if everybody agrees??? Best Trained but s**t equipment

9mm Browning, excellent

The outright stopping power of the 7.62 is what is needed in these times. The SLR was and still is a damn good soldiers weapon, able to put up with all the crap that could be thrown at it in the field.
Anyway Iam off to put a new head gasket on my Fox

...enjoy..

:lol Thank you....loved pulling that back armour off him!

handler 69 wrote:

:lol Thank you....loved pulling that back armour off him!

..did u swap the jag out or have u kept'd it?

We have kept the Jag, mech is going to have a hard look at it sometime this week, hoping it is just the haed gasket....if we have a cracked head then Iam in real trouble. Would love to drop something "meatier" in him though! Something with a real nice note, if you know what I mean

6tons + jag engine, i'd take reskimming the head anyday, be expensive if head is cracked

Would love to redesign the entire power pack and gear box! Had a real nightmare with the Wilson pre select as no one over here knew anything about them......Hmmmmm nice V 8 disel

.. wasn't it multifuelled ?

I was a far better shot with the .303 than the SLR. But then I probably did more training in the CCF than in the Army.

handler 69 wrote:

Would love to redesign the entire power pack and gear box! Had a real nightmare with the Wilson pre select as no one over here knew anything about them......Hmmmmm nice V 8 disel

..have you thought about a different powerplant?

I think that they were supposed to be multi fuelled. Yeah I would like to put a disel in it, any ideas on what sort?

handler 69 wrote:

I think that they were supposed to be multi fuelled. Yeah I would like to put a disel in it, any ideas on what sort?

..cummins..