Marines use new Sharpshooter rifle in Afghanistan

[Fanbasher]

(Apologies if this has already appeared ....)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/10254616.stm

Correct me if I'm wrong - looks to be a Para in the picture .... isn't this just a tarted up SLR? So wouldn't it be cheaper just to re-furb SLRs ... just think of all those Falkland Vets with their bragging rights!!

 

[Bravo_Zulu]

Oh God, not this again. No, it's not an SLR, it's much better and there aren't any SLRs lying around anyway.

 

[machiavelli]

oh yawn the old bring back the 'SLR' chat - its a Para as they were the demo troops at the press briefing - awesome weapon been in theatre for a while and doing well.
Definitely not an SLR

 

[Good CO]

Moved from Current Affairs - try to post in the correct forum please.

 

[stickybomb]

Oh God, not this again. No, it's not an SLR, it's much better and there aren't any SLRs lying around anyway.

Without wishing to kick off another elephant-gun-versus-peashooter debate, yes there are. Lots of them.

 

[Bravo_Zulu]

Oh God, not this again. No, it's not an SLR, it's much better and there aren't any SLRs lying around anyway.

Without wishing to kick off another elephant-gun-versus-peashooter debate, yes there are. Lots of them.

Was under the impression they were destroyed or sold off to banana republics long ago?

 

[stickybomb]

Oh God, not this again. No, it's not an SLR, it's much better and there aren't any SLRs lying around anyway.

Without wishing to kick off another elephant-gun-versus-peashooter debate, yes there are. Lots of them.

Was under the impression they were destroyed or sold off to banana republics long ago?

I'm sure some were, but a relatively recent UOR for them was delivered suspiciously quickly.

 

[px4llp]

No they arent an SLR, they are far better.

 

[strewth]

So, some 30 or so years after after the SA80 was introduced its back to a weapon that bears the same calibre as the SLR and doesnt look all that different. If I was'nt such a cynic, me thinks this may be an askew acknowldgement that perhaps they should not have gotten rid of the SLR.
Muuuuuuuuuuuahahahahahaha!!!

 

[GoodIdeaAtTheTime]

Any plans to supply it with wooden furniture just to complete the retro thing?

 

[Biped]

Wow, a 7.62 rifle, not like the SLR, but still, 7.62, so it's still nice. Should never have stopped using it, blah blah blah blah.

Seriously though, nice.

 

[Mitchthebar]

So, some 30 or so years after after the SA80 was introduced its back to a weapon that bears the same calibre as the SLR and doesnt look all that different. If I was'nt such a cynic, me thinks this may be an askew acknowldgement that perhaps they should not have gotten rid of the SLR.
Muuuuuuuuuuuahahahahahaha!!!

Didn't think it was that long ago, the SA80's were not rolled out until the early nineties, which is most probably the reason for the first amendment to the Training Pamphlet which was to delete every mention of "SA80" because it stood for Small Arms System for the eighties and nobody had them until the nineties.

Tin Hat on, no doubt somebody will shoot me down because they got theirs' before then.

 

[FiveAlpha]

They were first issued in '86. Guards were using them at Bisley competitions in '87.

 

[llech]

Look's like an M16 type weapon to me but in 7.62 flavour.

 

[osta]

So, some 30 or so years after after the SA80 was introduced its back to a weapon that bears the same calibre as the SLR and doesnt look all that different. If I was'nt such a cynic, me thinks this may be an askew acknowldgement that perhaps they should not have gotten rid of the SLR.
Muuuuuuuuuuuahahahahahaha!!!

Didn't think it was that long ago, the SA80's were not rolled out until the early nineties, which is most probably the reason for the first amendment to the Training Pamphlet which was to delete every mention of "SA80" because it stood for Small Arms System for the eighties and nobody had them until the nineties.

Tin Hat on, no doubt somebody will shoot me down because they got theirs' before then.

Yes I will shoot you down

3 RGJ had them in 1986, we ditched the SLR in October and went to the falklands with the new kit and very good they were in the anti penguin role!


Osta

 

[Mitchthebar]

So, some 30 or so years after after the SA80 was introduced its back to a weapon that bears the same calibre as the SLR and doesnt look all that different. If I was'nt such a cynic, me thinks this may be an askew acknowldgement that perhaps they should not have gotten rid of the SLR.
Muuuuuuuuuuuahahahahahaha!!!

Didn't think it was that long ago, the SA80's were not rolled out until the early nineties, which is most probably the reason for the first amendment to the Training Pamphlet which was to delete every mention of "SA80" because it stood for Small Arms System for the eighties and nobody had them until the nineties.

Tin Hat on, no doubt somebody will shoot me down because they got theirs' before then.

Yes I will shoot you down

3 RGJ had them in 1986, we ditched the SLR in October and went to the falklands with the new kit and very good they were in the anti penguin role!


Osta

Perhaps the very elite troops (grunts) got them early, but us in the support arms , didn't get them until the nineties. Arte et Marte.

 

[baboon6]

Look's like an M16 type weapon to me but in 7.62 flavour.

It is, made by Lewis Machine & Tool Co in the US and designated L129 by UK. Here is a recent quite comprehensive thread on the weapon:

http://www.arrse.co.uk/Forums/viewtopic/t=148090/postdays=0/postorder=asc/start=0.html

 

[osta]

So, some 30 or so years after after the SA80 was introduced its back to a weapon that bears the same calibre as the SLR and doesnt look all that different. If I was'nt such a cynic, me thinks this may be an askew acknowldgement that perhaps they should not have gotten rid of the SLR.
Muuuuuuuuuuuahahahahahaha!!!

Didn't think it was that long ago, the SA80's were not rolled out until the early nineties, which is most probably the reason for the first amendment to the Training Pamphlet which was to delete every mention of "SA80" because it stood for Small Arms System for the eighties and nobody had them until the nineties.

Tin Hat on, no doubt somebody will shoot me down because they got theirs' before then.

Yes I will shoot you down

3 RGJ had them in 1986, we ditched the SLR in October and went to the falklands with the new kit and very good they were in the anti penguin role!


Osta

Perhaps the very elite troops (grunts) got them early, but us in the support arms , didn't get them until the nineties. Arte et Marte.

Its nice that you think of us as elite you are correct though a lot of support arms did wait a bit for them!


osta

 

[HelmanDrifter]

Just as a slight aside, here in Jamaica the JDF went through a part of Kingston called Tivoli Gardens and most of them were armed with M16s and M4s. When the baddies started opening up with Aks and an assortment of SMGs and shotguns from behind cars and barracades, the JDF sent some reservists forward with L1A1 SLRs gifted from the UK.

They had a similar thing when they were firing just below the window sills of houses to kill the baddies that were spraying Liberia/Gangster style from below the windows...

Seems 7.62 reaches the parts others can't...

 

[ViolatorOfVirgins]

I'm a civvy, so maybe my question will be stupid- but how this weapon is better than, let say, G3 using 7.62x51 ammunition (or M14)? up to 800 metres there should be no difference (compared to those older guns)?