Colloquial name for the current British service rifle. So good that no other country has bought it (Jamaica and some African country had a few foisted on them as part of an aid package). Although extremely accurate, the balance is all wrong, the older versions were horrifically unreliable, and it is physically impossible to fire it from the left shoulder. It is also one of the heaviest service weapons in current use, at around 2kg heavier than an M16. It is probably also the most expensive service rifle ever, since the unit cost after the recent modification is now over 1000 pounds.
by Stoatman August 21, 2004
The British Army's issue service rifle.
A poorly researched, badly designed and sloppily constructed weapon, of a layout that generations of designers have been trying to foist on the Army since 1911.
The only outstanding point of the weapon is that it is the most expensive battle rifle available.
It has been kept on purely for political reasons, rather than because it is a good weapon. But in the halls of Westminster political careers deemed to be worth more than brave men's lives.
While the premise of a shorter rifle is laudable, the fact is that this particular 'design' can only be shot from the right shoulder forcing soldiers to shoot from positions without cover thereby putting their lives at greater risk, and negates the British Forces previously unchallenged position as leaders in Urban Operations, (FIBUA/OBUA/MOUT.)
It has previously and erroneously been defined and described as "a good overall weapon" and "undoutably the best weapon series in the world today.... stoppages are all attributed to the rounds.... old magazines would rarely jam with 30 rounds. Do not rate this weapon on what the media says, you have to be like me, live with it and use it regularly to know it." It would be interesting to find out what these gentlemen are comparing the SA80 to.
I too have lived day in and day out with the SA80, but I've also been issued and had many years experience with a large number of other weapons and know their fortés and foibles, and can speak with a certain degree of authority on the subject.
A poorly researched, badly designed and sloppily constructed weapon, of a layout that generations of designers have been trying to foist on the Army since 1911.
The only outstanding point of the weapon is that it is the most expensive battle rifle available.
It has been kept on purely for political reasons, rather than because it is a good weapon. But in the halls of Westminster political careers deemed to be worth more than brave men's lives.
While the premise of a shorter rifle is laudable, the fact is that this particular 'design' can only be shot from the right shoulder forcing soldiers to shoot from positions without cover thereby putting their lives at greater risk, and negates the British Forces previously unchallenged position as leaders in Urban Operations, (FIBUA/OBUA/MOUT.)
It has previously and erroneously been defined and described as "a good overall weapon" and "undoutably the best weapon series in the world today.... stoppages are all attributed to the rounds.... old magazines would rarely jam with 30 rounds. Do not rate this weapon on what the media says, you have to be like me, live with it and use it regularly to know it." It would be interesting to find out what these gentlemen are comparing the SA80 to.
I too have lived day in and day out with the SA80, but I've also been issued and had many years experience with a large number of other weapons and know their fortés and foibles, and can speak with a certain degree of authority on the subject.
by Cutaway August 22, 2004
probably the worst weapon ever adopted by the British Army. Unrelieable, poorly balanced, shoddy and impossible to fire from the left shoulder, making the firer vulnerable when firing around the left side of cover.
by up February 24, 2004
The standard series of rifles used by the British Armed Forces. Not actually one weapon but 3 - SA80 IW (Individual Weapon), SA80 LSW (Light Support Weapon), SA80 Cadet GP (Cadet General Purpose).
A fairly revolutionary design for its time - the first bullpup that was actually usable. One of the most accurate rifles of the world according to NATO trials.
Its proved itself in Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo and on various over operations that the British Army has been on.
People generally say this rifle is worst then it is. It is now a pleasure to fire. It was very bad with several problems - all sinse have been sorted out. (By H&K) The people who say the gun is bad generally are "armchair operators" and have no actuall experiance.
A fairly revolutionary design for its time - the first bullpup that was actually usable. One of the most accurate rifles of the world according to NATO trials.
Its proved itself in Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo and on various over operations that the British Army has been on.
People generally say this rifle is worst then it is. It is now a pleasure to fire. It was very bad with several problems - all sinse have been sorted out. (By H&K) The people who say the gun is bad generally are "armchair operators" and have no actuall experiance.
by Sexeh January 18, 2006
An extremly modern bullpup rifle that has had a cursed beginning from the start, but in its new incarnation, is probably the best overall gun in the world. the SA80A2 out compeats its nearest contender, the G36, with a higher muzzel velocity, greater range and greater accuracy. the original version was cocked up progressivly by Margret Thatcher (well, what do you expect from a woman?) and experienced a whole truck load of problems that were exaggerated to an extent but have now hopefully been ironed out. having fired both the SA80A2, the G36 and the M16 i would rate it higher than anything the yankees or germans can pull out of their backsides
by killthechavs! August 30, 2005
A series of weapons design for the British military, produced in the 1980's, three weapons were produced in the range, the L85A1 assualt rifle, the L86 LSW and the L98 CGP. Complaints of the early versons of the L85 and L86 were exagerated by the media, the revamp has made the L85A2 and L86A2, undoutably the best weapon series in the world today, stoppages are all attributed to the rounds, new sturdy magazines allows 30 round filling, old magazines would rarely jam with 30 rounds. Do not rate this weapon on what the media says, you have to be like me, live with it and use it regularly to know it.
by Anonymous October 25, 2003
"The SA80, otherwise known as the L85A1, is a bullpup assault rifle chambered for 5.56x45mm NATO, 30 rounds. It seems like a nice gun; I wouldn't mind getting my hands on one. ^_^ "
-me
-me
by Dave March 30, 2004