I'm really fascinated by how popular SA80s (no one in the military calls them L85s) are in the airsoft world. My friend has a WE SA80A2 and he's fitted it out with the DD RIS, an eotech, fore grip and torch. I tried it a couple of times and on CQB is pretty badass! Especially as the GBB mechanism is right next to your head!
I should be getting my hands on my WE SA80A2 when I get back next week, I bought it on here and it has come with the DD RIS, ACOG, riser, Dr sight, gripod and LLM, pretty much up to Afghan spec. I'll post some pics when I get it.
The SA80 was actually quite popular when first introduced due to its small, compact size. Its unreliability killed its reputation within the military, but the A2 version really is the business, with over 10 years of combat proven reliability in Iraq and Afghanistan behind it, the "external upgrades", the RIS, LLM (used with HMNVS) gripod, the ACOG and now the ELCAN Spectre and of course the UGL have made it cool and desirable, coupled with its reliabilty and accuracy due to the barrel length, it really is a world class rifle.
The LSW remains extremely under-rated, hampered by being magazine fed and has pretty much been replaced the the LMG (M249). It's nickname of "Crow-Cannon" shows really what the military thinks of it.
The Carbine, the L22, is gaining popularity as is seen by its expanded use from AFV crews and air crew to the likes of the RM Fleet Protection Group, hope someone is going to make a GBB one, because that's definitely on my shopping list!!
Even the Cadets have been able to feel the love and have seen the much maligned L98A1 Cadet GP Rifle with the horrible straight pull cocking handle has gone and we now have new TMHs (Trigger Mechanism Housings) and proper A2 working parts and gas parts to give us the L98A2 Cadet Rifle, fixed to single shot.
It's gonna be around for a few years yet and there's no real contender out there that stands out as an obvious replacement.
The AR/M16/M4 platform is now old and does not out perform the SA80 family of weapons. Attempts to find a successor to it have resulted in the FN SCAR and the H&K 416, neither being a real leap forward. The 416 does owe some of its reliability to what H&K developed working on the SA80, just look at the short stroke gas piston.
I know Ed's got some great pics and great guns, I'd love to see more pics of SA80s and Brit style load outs on here, don't be shy!! You know we all love to show off!!!
