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Fedaykin wrote:

Sixshot6 wrote:

Fedaykin wrote:To be honest John MH we had an interesting, polite, informative thread with people who had experience of the rifle and those who didn't discussing the history and functional points of the L85/SA80.

Then you jumped in and made it all about yourself jumping down the throat of anybody who hasn't actually fired the particular rifle. I have never fired a Mauser GEW98 but that doesn't mean I can't express an opinion about it.

For all we know you could be the high king of Walter Mittys who has never even touched an airsoft gun let alone the L85, it is a forum in the end.

You have turned what was an interesting thread into yet another handbags at dawn fight because shock horror somebody who "Might" of had military service doesn't like civvies having an opinion about the equipment used by our armed forces.

Oh and by the way your comment about the L85A3 and its service made me laugh for somebody proclaiming authority! FYI if you are going to be holy then thou on the subject of the L85/SA80 you should know that there isn't anything in UK military service called an L85A3. Now there are some receivers that H&K made marked L85A3, but they are new made bare shell receivers made by H&K for the sandpit to take the guts from L85A2 that had worn/damaged receivers. They are L85A2 with an A3 mark put on them by H&K for whatever reason crossed their German minds...gosh I can be a nerd

Thanks Fedaykin, I thought I had done something wrong questioning the guy and asking him to do something other than laugh and criticize but you're right. We should have an opinion, to quote some French politicians many moons ago "You cannot leave the fighting to the generals". Look where that leads us. Maybe the Germans at HK were future proofing or pulling a surreal form of German humor on us? Plus of course we need spares. Its not like we're making any. I'm glad for people like you. People like John MH guilt trip me into feeling bad, especially after I said he had been trolling, but that's what his behavior was like. Thank you. To bad the thread was so badly ruined.

I like forearms history and love surfing the internet or finding books to research arcane facts about military firearms, it is my hobby as it is many here. I will never get a chance to fire a Federov Automat but that doesn't stop me investigating its history and weighing its pros and cons, I have a significant knowledge of the Kalashnikov and its origins yet I have never fired one on my life. Should my opinions on both rifles be valid only if I have served with the Red army and put a few thousand rounds through it?

There are experts on the Steam trains of the Great Western Railway out there who have never driven one or people who know the history of Liverpool football club to the last detail and player but have never physically experienced driving a train or playing a match of football, are their opinions not valid.

I should also point out I have met plenty a squady who have barely clue about the origins, history and the technical details of the weapon systems they use beyond how to use it and keep it serviceable in the field.

The L85A3 thing got many an Airsoft Walt excited but in the end it was down the the whims of H&K, I vaguely remember the rebuilt rifles using the A3 marked receivers are actually L85A2B1 in MOD paperwork.

That's not a left or right ejection configurable rifle.

No it wouldn't, what in-service rifle used by the miltary anywhere in the world is user configurable to left or right ejection;
True most but not all military rifles are designed that they can be fired either right or left handed.

ordnance wrote: True most but not all military rifles are designed that they can be fired either right or left handed.

John MH wrote: You did, I said it was funny and then was challenged for not contributing. I contributed and now you don't like it, make your minds up.

There is no replacement for the L85A3 on the table at present, that doesn't mean though that it wont be replaced at some point in the future.

Well spotted, a typo I apologise I'm human. And you are also wrong on so many levels.

No it wouldn't, what in-service rifle used by the miltary anywhere in the world is user configurable to left or right ejection

SA/ 80 users.Bolivia: Used by Special Forces and the Bolivian National Police[33]
Jamaica: Used since 1992.[13][34]
United Kingdom

Steyr AUG users.

Map of Steyr AUG Operators Argentina: Argentine Armed Forces.[35]
Australia: Entered service in 1989 as the new issue weapon of the Australian Defence Force.[36] The first regular unit to be issued with the F88 was 6RAR, who received them in January 1989. Rifles are built locally by Thales Australia under licence from Steyr Mannlicher.[37]
Austria: Standard service weapon of the Bundesheer, serving as the StG 77 in official army nomenclature.[3] Also used by EKO Cobra.[38]
Belgium: In use with the Federal Police.[39]
Bolivia[31]
Brazil: In use by Agência Brasileira de Inteligência since November 2011.[40]
Bulgaria: SOBT (counter-terrorist unit) only.[41]
Cameroon[31]
Croatia: Special forces.[42]
Djibouti[43]
Ecuador[31]
Gambia[31]
Hong Kong: A1 variant used by Special Duties Unit of the Hong Kong Police Force.[citation needed]
Hungary[citation needed]
Indonesia: Komando Pasukan Katak (Kopaska) tactical diver group and Komando Pasukan Khusus (Kopassus) special forces group.[44] Also used by Brigade Mobil special forces group of the Indonesian National Police, including Detasemen Khusus 88 counter-terrorist unit.[citation needed]
Ireland: Standard service rifle of the Irish Defence Forces. Army Ranger Wing special forces use Steyr AUG A2 and A3.[45][46][47]
Italy: Carabinieri special forces: Gruppo di Intervento Speciale and 1st "Tuscania" Regiment[48]
Kazakhstan: Used by SWAT teams.[49]
Luxembourg: Standard infantry rifle of the Luxembourg Army. The HBAR version is also employed as the section support weapon.[50] The Unité Spéciale de la Police intervention unit of the Grand Ducal Police employs the AUG A2 variant.[51]
Malaysia: Made under license from Steyr by SME Ordnance.[52] Local production of the AUG rifle series started in 1991[53] with a joint production with Steyr that started in 2004.[54][55] Lawsuits from Steyr emerged when Malaysia decided to withdraw from joint production.[56]
Morocco
Netherland
New Zealand: In service since 1988. The first 5,000 weapons delivered were manufactured in Austria by Steyr Daimler Puch. The majority of weapons now in service are the Australian ADI-made Austeyr F88 variant. It is called the IW Steyr (Individual Weapon Steyr) in service of the New Zealand Defence Force.[57] The Defence Force is currently (2014) seeking a replacement for the Steyr AUG after concerns about its performance in Afghanistan.
Oman[31][47]
Pakistan: Used by Special Services Group,[59][60] Special Services Group Navy, Frontier Constabulary,and Airport Security Force (ASF).
Papua New Guinea: F88 variant.
Philippines: Used by the Scout Rangers.
Poland: JW Grom special forces group.
Saudi Arabia
Serbia: 72nd Reconnaissance-Commando Battalion.
Republic of China
Tunisia AUG was chosen since 1978 to be the Primary weapon of the Tunisian Army, The first regular unit to be issued with the AUG A1 was the GTS, later on, the leadership started to arming the National Guard with Sturmgewehr 58 (FN FAL) and the Army with the AUG A1/A2/A3 variants, including the Army's Special Forces.
Turkey: Maroon Berets and Police Special Operations Department.
United Kingdom Falkland Islands: Falkland Islands Defence Force.

United States: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.[69]
Uruguay: Received 7,000 Steyr AUG A2UR rifles (with the A1 model sight and Picatinny rail) to be used by the Uruguayan infantry battalions.[70]
Venezuela: Used by SEBIN.

ordnance wrote:

No it wouldn't, what in-service rifle used by the miltary anywhere in the world is user configurable to left or right ejection

What about the Steyr AUG and the Tavor can they not be configured to be used left or right handed. ?

Fedaykin wrote:

John MH wrote: You did, I said it was funny and then was challenged for not contributing. I contributed and now you don't like it, make your minds up.

I like constructive contributions it is so much more interesting...

There is no replacement for the L85A3 on the table at present, that doesn't mean though that it wont be replaced at some point in the future.

Well spotted, a typo I apologise I'm human. And you are also wrong on so many levels.

A typo... I see. Convenient. Funny that this humble mistake made you look like abit of a walt. Lucky it was just a typo then.

Out of curiosity in what particular area am I wrong on so many levels? Some constructive feedback is always useful. Did I miss something in respect of Sterling rifles and the AR-18? Or the SAR-87? The history of the XL54/65/70? I don't remember making any comments about the ergonomics of the L85. Only fired the L85A1 once about fifteen years ago so my grey cells are probably slipping a bit in that respect. Go on as you are the arbiter of the L85/SA80 and its use please do pull me up where I am wrong. I have some opinions about the practicalities of EM-2 production and the UK defence industry but that is purely subjective. I won't be offended just interested.

Sixshot6 wrote: Thanks Fedaykin, I thought I had done something wrong questioning the guy and asking him to do something other than laugh and criticize but you're right. We should have an opinion, to quote some French politicians many moons ago "You cannot leave the fighting to the generals". Look where that leads us. Maybe the Germans at HK were future proofing or pulling a surreal form of German humor on us? Plus of course we need spares. Its not like we're making any. I'm glad for people like you. People like John MH guilt trip me into feeling bad, especially after I said he had been trolling, but that's what his behavior was like. Thank you. To bad the thread was so badly ruined.