Useful

**blobmeister** · 09-10-2011, 13:12

Originally Posted by chocolate_frog

Time to discuss the purchase of enough rifles for one a man and a selection of supporting weapons and a 10 year parts and maint contract...

Hence, HK! Could get a cheap deal due to what's already in service.

**Chuffingcivvy** · 09-10-2011, 13:20

Originally Posted by blobmeister

Hence, HK! Could get a cheap deal due to what's already in service.

HK and cheap don't go in the same sentence.

**blobmeister** · 09-10-2011, 14:59

Originally Posted by Chuffingcivvy

HK and cheap don't go in the same sentence.

Should have said 'cheaper'. Saying that, had HK been involved in the initial design of the SA80, it would have saved us a few quid!

As long as the lads get the best available, price shouldn't be an issue.

If you look at the percentage of the national debt held by the MOD, it is only 3%, so why are we constantly getting hammered with poor kit and redundancies!

**Chuffingcivvy** · 09-10-2011, 15:03

Originally Posted by blobmeister

Should have said 'cheaper'. Saying that, had HK been involved in the initial design of the SA80, it would have saved us a few quid!

As long as the lads get the best available, price shouldn't be an issue.

If you look at the percentage of the national debt held by the MOD, it is only 3%, so why are we constantly getting hammered with poor kit and redundancies!

Light weapons wise what poor kit are you talking about?

**chocolate_frog** · 09-10-2011, 15:04

Originally Posted by blobmeister

If you look at the percentage of the national debt held by the MOD, it is only 3%, so why are we constantly getting hammered with poor kit and redundancies!

Because not that many people give a fcuk about the Armed Forces with the exception of when we are building flood defences, manning Green Goddesses or shooting Cows with mental issues. You could cut the Armed Forces back to a Frigate, Bn and a Typhoon and Chinnook and most of the populaton would be ambivalent.

But far more people care about getting gastric bands, boob jobs and other frivoulous operations on the NHS... or about the dole and ensuring that they will get lots of cash for their plasma screens and playboxes...

**daywalker** · 09-10-2011, 15:06

Originally Posted by Chuffingcivvy

Light weapons wise what poor kit are you talking about?

The SA80 would be my first thought.

**Chuffingcivvy** · 09-10-2011, 15:11

Originally Posted by daywalker

The SA80 would be my first thought.

So since 1985 its all been good then

**ugly** · 09-10-2011, 16:11

R3egardless of how good a rifle RPA build it has as an brand an appalling reputation for delivering withing cost and time. The rifle are very heavy and overpriced, for the same money in the sporting rifle world you could have an entry level Sauer delivered the next day in just about any configuration. The RPAn relies upon a very heavy barrel and a good bolt but thats all.
unless you are special or writing a review for the shooting press dont expect an RPA delivered in a month and they are made in Kent so should be easy to get but sadly arent. I wouldnt be surprised if they were bought out every other year!

**Chuffingcivvy** · 09-10-2011, 16:46

Originally Posted by ugly

R3egardless of how good a rifle RPA build it has as an brand an appalling reputation for delivering withing cost and time. The rifle are very heavy and overpriced, for the same money in the sporting rifle world you could have an entry level Sauer delivered the next day in just about any configuration. The RPAn relies upon a very heavy barrel and a good bolt but thats all.
unless you are special or writing a review for the shooting press dont expect an RPA delivered in a month and they are made in Kent so should be easy to get but sadly arent. I wouldnt be surprised if they were bought out every other year!

They have had their problems, and are not perfect by any means. But they have come a long way since they were bought out. They are getting better at having stock on the shelf, and if I was looking for a 7.62x51 BAR I would even spend my own money on one of their tactical rifles, 1000m 10 rounds 12" group in a crosswind and thats without zeroing the thing. For an armourer shooting, I impressed myself TBH.

**ugly** · 09-10-2011, 17:01

I wouldnt buy their products as they are just too heavy, not what I use a rifle for. Yes the hunter is the lightest thing they produce but its still got the heaviest barrel I have ever felt on a serious attempt on a sporting rifle. you wouldnt stalk deer at 500 yards let alone 1000 so its a pointless foray into the sporting market. They had some real problems with bolts binding in recievers which whilst a pain is not a real drama on a range firing point but will miss you the kill on the hill 2 or 4 legged!