In message , Steyr
writes
I spoke to some Brits in North Belfast last year and they told us
that their new
rifle was 'complete crap'. I think they were detached from a field gun
formation, possibbly Royal Artillery. The Welch Fusilers were in the same area.

Spoke to a colour-sergeant from the Royal Irish Rangers a few days ago
and he said the L85A2 was, quote, "****ing fantastic as long as you look
after it". While like any weapon it's less tolerant of neglect than an
AK, it shoots much better and is very reliable with basic (and correct)
care.

He'd been out using it for real, I assume he had some knowledge of the
subject.

I have no opinion on the SA80 matter other than to note that I've
not actually encountered a favourable review of the weapon from a serving
soldier.

Talk to a few who have used it. It's interesting how the "it's crap and
we hate it" mindset of the early 1990s has changed among soldiers who
have (a) used it on operations, (b) seen other weapons used on
operations.

--
When you have to kill a man, it costs nothing to be polite.
W S Churchill

Paul J. Adam MainBoxatjrwlynch[dot]demon{dot}co(.)uk