How Britain Made the L1A1 SLR.

[Woodbutcher]

Just popped up on YouTube and thought it warranted sharing ...

 

[The Flying Airhead]

It had a wobbly rear sight but I could still get better groups at 300m than my Cometa does at 30m

 

[SabreTroop]

Had the opportunity to fire the SLR at the Strensall Ranges years ago. Having put down over 100 rounds on the L85A2 that day and then getting to shoot the SLR really made you wake up.

 

[crissdee]

Watched that yesterday and bookmarked it, along with the video about the first ever L1A1...

 

[Shooter1]

Put many a round through one of these over the years before the L85A1 (SA80) came along. Ours were fitted with a SUIT scope/sight as standard, which made for much better accuracy.

 

[crissdee]

An ex-Para friend of mine hated the SUIT sight with a passion, reckoned it was one of the worst bits of kit ever issued...

 

[Sir Veylance]

Fired my first one in Autumn 1989 - probably just a week or two after @Scoie fired his first one! But I bet he fired more rounds through one than I did! Cock, hook and look - or was that the SA80??

 

[metalman]

Put a few rounds through one in the late 60’s, words like rats tail stick in the mind

 

[Dudd I]

Has a range day as a cadet in '83 with some of those. Absolutely loved it

 

[Philthunder]

On the last shoot before the deadline to hand in automatic rifles. Just in case the government thought to redistribute them to police or others, the thought was make them unserviceable. So L1A1 on the ground, SWB Landy running over them from all directions, barrel under the front wheel, lifted the Landy up with it. Gave it a wash, still fired as if just issued. Galil did not work so well. Bit of an eye opener that day, and never to be seen again. Hungerford had a lot to answer for, then Dunblane and so the war on legitimate shooters continues.

 

[Spo]

My favourite gun ever ! Put many rounds down with these, best shot in my platoon awarded to me loved shooting it
A long time ago!!

 

[Target Popper]

Great subject matter, many ex military forum members will have done their small arms training with the NATO SLR and relate to this thread. It does beg a few questions as to where we are today:
Does the SA company still exist in Enfield?
Most Western Europe military & law enforcement small arms in current use, SA80 mk3, Mp5 etc are made by H&K in Germany, does Old Blighty make any of this kit anymore?
Cold forge barrel manufacturing, a black art to most inc myself, the video does show this with the L1A1 barrel manufacturing process.
History of the L1A1 SLR, my understanding is its design birthplace is with FN Belgium Arms Manufacturer, the FAL rifle, NATO's answer to the Soviet Block AK47.

 

[Kevo 1959]

Thank you #Woodbutcher for sharing this. My dad (now passed) worked there as a tool setter all of his working life until retirement. I was hoping to spot him . So sad that most British engineering has gone.

 

[Oily Rag]

Fired my first one in Autumn 1989 - probably just a week or two after @Scoie fired his first one! But I bet he fired more rounds through one than I did! Cock, hook and look - or was that the SA80??

Cock, hook and look was the SLR. Can remember all the stoppage drills, like it was yesterday. And stripping it, could do it eyes closed. Was heavy, had a hell of a kick but so dependable, remember my time on the Catterick ranges, good times.

 

[metalman]

And don’t forget the “Rats Tail”

 

[Oily Rag]

And don’t forget the “Rats Tail”

And the gas adjustment