The SA/80 one of the worst modern rifles to be put into service. The number of sales to other countries says it all. All new weapons have teething problems but the SA/80 toke it to a new level.
Bayonet – tip breaks, fails to stay on, the retaining clips on the frog fracture, wire cutter distorts if used to actually cut wire, sharpening stone falls off.
BFA – carbon build-up after firing causes problems in removal, leading to the screw being damaged when this is tried;
Bipod – does not stay in when in the up position, the retaining screw sometimes falls out;
Body Locking Pins – either seize up or fall out;
Bolt – erosion from gases around the firing pin hole, fails to close or function properly if dirt, dust or sand get into the locking lugs;
Butt – pulls out the retaining screws if pressure is applied via the sling to the rear sling loop;
Butt Strap – stop lugs break, making the item unusable.
Cleaning Kit – oil bottle leaks or cap splits, pull-through snaps or cannot be pulled through barrel, combination tool breaks or falls apart, brushes break or unwind or just inadequate to do the job, the rod 'T' piece fails to lock.
CWS – difficult to attain the proper eye relief when wearing a helmet.
Ejection Opening Cover (EOC) – breaks or freezes shut in arctic conditions.
Ejector – fails to work, works erratically, still occasionally ejects case into firer's face, and in arctic conditions it freezes and fails to work.
Extractor – sharp edges can cut brass from the case with the debris causing it to jam.
Firing Pin – springs can loose strength and allow weak strikes, the tip fractures after long bursts on automatic.
Functioning – ammunition fails to feed properly, rounds fail to eject, insufficient gas to cycle the weapon (especially in arctic conditions when locking lugs are fouled up), weapon fails to function unless spotlessly clean and well-oiled.
Gas Plug – carbon deposits make removal difficult and doing so sometimes causes damage preventing re-assembly and gas-system operation.
Guide Rod Assembly – spring weak, guide rods can distort or become loose.
Hand Guards – brittle (especially in arctic conditions) with no means of repair once cracked due to heat shield inserts.
HOD – fails to function and the button breaks off.
Iron Sights – fracture if struck at the right angle, while the retaining screw breaks.
Magazine Catch – fails to lock magazine when a full magazine is loaded, sometimes releases the magazine when the weapon is carried across the chest, in arctic conditions the magazine can freeze in place.
Muzzle Cover – no way of keeping it secured on the weapon, use in arctic conditions causes it to freeze to the flash eliminator and shrapnel effects if fired through.
Rear Sling Loop – distorts or pulls off the butt if any pressure is applied.
Sight Rail – inconsistent welding leads to failure, rusting occurs under the rail itself.
SUSAT – loss of adjusting screw lock nuts, loose sight clamp, range drum prone to jamming, eye lens prone to misting up and the rubber cap and front hood fill with snow in arctic conditions).
Top Cover – catch fails leading to the cover opening.
Trigger Mechanism – trigger fails to reassert when weapon set on 'R', the hammer stops distort and break, interceptor sear jams on hammer stud, safety sear does not always engage on the hammer fully or occasionally at all.
Sight Cover – too rigid with no method of retention.
Sling – plastic parts break. And that's just some of the problems as for the SA/80 a2 it took 100 million and a German company to turn it into a usable weapon.
A useful link. SA80 (Small Arms for the 1980s): The Sorry Saga of the British ...
http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_SA80.html
