SA80 FamilyThis is a featured page

L85A2, also known as the SA80Model: SA80
The SA80 family is one with a complicated history that eventually led to it becoming the standard frontline rifle of the United Kingdom. The history begins with the EM-2, an experimental bullpup assault rifle firing a proprietary 7x43mm round, developed immediately after World War II. The United States insisted on the NATO standard being no smaller than .30-06 in power, so the EM-2 was canceled, coming extremely close to becoming the standard rifle for the UK. Experimentation still continued as the M16 in 5.56x45mm replaced the M14 in American service. As NATO began switching to smaller, more controllable cartridges, the British developed a 4.85x49mm round and a rifle to go along with it, the XL64E5. NATO standardization forced them to rechamber it in 5.56mm, and the SA80 was born. It was accepted into service as the L85A1.

Continuing reliability problems, severe enough to make the gun almost useless in many combat conditions, forced them to give the rifles to Heckler & Koch for redesigning. The L85A2 had a number of modifications, including the comma-shaped cocking handle, and is the current service rifle. Other variants include the L86A1 light machine gun (often used as a designated marksman's rifle), the L22A1 compact carbine for tank and air crews, the L98A1 Cadet GP Rifle with a bolt-action for marksman training, the L98A2 with semi-auto firing, the LEI SA-80 semi-auto in .22LR available on several civilian markets in Europe, and the Prexis PL-85 semi-automatic civilian rifle available in limited quantities in the United States.



Specifications:
Weight:
 3.82kg (8.4lb) (L85A1 empty)
6.58kg (14.5lb) (L86A1 LSW)
4.42kg (9.7lb) (L22A1)
Length:
 785mm (30.9in) (L85A1)
900mm (35.4in) (L86A1 LSW)
709mm (27.9in) (L22A1)
Barrel Length:
 518mm (20.4in) (L85A1)
646mm (25.4in) (L86A1 LSW)
442mm (17.4in) (L22A1)
Cartridge:
 5.56x45mm NATO
.223 Remington
.22LR (L98A1 conversion kits and LEI)
Action:
 Gas-operated
Bolt-action (L98A1)
Muzzle Velocity:
 940m/s (3,084ft/s) (L85A1)
970m/s (3,182.4ft/s) (L86A1 LSW)
Effective Range:
 450 m (500 yd) with iron sights
650 m (710 yd) with SUSAT (L85A2)
850 m (930 yd) (L86 LSW)
Feed System:
 Detachable box magazine. STANAG (30 standard)
Sights:
 Front post, aperture rear. Usually seen with SUSAT or ACOG 4x optical sight
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Where to find

Until recently, the SA80 was not available for civilian sale. The Prexis PL-85 has made it available in the United States, but only in limited numbers and for a price close to $3000.


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Complexity

The original L85A1 has a terrible reputation. Problems include the firing pin breaking on full auto, need for lubricant to fire properly (which attracted grit), and most notably a magazine catch that could easily be bumped or get caught on clothes and release the magazine randomly. In total, over 50 faults were found. The L85A2 mostly solved these problems, but it maintains its poor reputation despite being a generally good weapon in both hot and cold weather with modifications.
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Controls
  • Safety: Located above the trigger as a cross-bolt. Push left to right for SAFE, right to left for FIRE.
  • Fire selector: Located on the left side of the frame behind the magazine housing. Push up for SEMI, down for FULL.
  • Magazine release: Located above the magazine housing on the left side of the frame.
  • Bolt catch: Located on theleft side of the frame above the fire selector.
  • Charging handle: Located on the right side of the upper receiver.

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Loading

Condition One, or "Locked and Cocked." Chamber loaded, magazine full, hammer cocked and safety applied.
  1. Point the weapon in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
  2. Push the safety from left to right to activate it.
  3. Take a loaded magazine and push it up into the magazine well until it clicks. Tug on it slightly to ensure that it is seated.
  4. Pull the charging handle all the way back and release it.
Condition Two. Chamber loaded, magazine full, hammer down, safety off.

    Cannot be done.

Condition Three. Chamber empty, magazine full, hammer down, safety off.
  1. Point the weapon in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
  2. Take a loaded magazine and push it up into the magazine well until it clicks. Tug on it slightly to ensure that it is seated.

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Unloading

How to unload the firearm and make safe. Presented in a numbered list.
  1. Point the weapon in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
  2. Push the safety from left to right to activate it.
  3. Push the magazine catch and pull the magazine out of the weapon.
  4. Pull the charging handle back and examine the chamber for any ammunition.
  5. Push the bolt catch down to close the bolt.
  6. Deactivate the safety.
  7. Pull the trigger.

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Field Stripping

How to disassemble the firearm for cleaning. Presented in a numbered list.
  1. Point the weapon in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
  2. Unload the weapon as described above. Remove any optical sight.
  3. Flip the weapon so it is sitting upside-down and push the rear takedown pin through from the right side of the weapon to the left. Pull it a short distance through until it clicks, then push the front takedown pin through and lift the lower receiver up and back until it is separated.
  4. Place your palm on the rear of the upper receiver and fully retract the rear takedown pin. Pull the recoil rod assembly out, making sure to be careful due to spring tension.
  5. Slide the bolt carrier assembly to the rear until the charging handle is in the rear of the slot, then slide it out of the bolt carrier. Slide the bolt carrier to the rear and out of the upper receiver.
  6. Using an appropriate punch (the combination tool in the L85 cleaning kit includes a carbon drill of suitable size), push the firing pin retaining pin out and remove the firing pin.
  7. Pull the bolt all the way forward until it is released and remove it.
  8. Pull the upper handguard up and off the gun to expose the gas piston.
  9. Push the gas piston to the rear until it is free of the gas cylinder. Pull it out of its plane and push it forward to remove the piston and return spring.
Reverse to reassemble.



chitoryu12
chitoryu12 		Latest page update: made by chitoryu12 , Mar 16 2011, 10:49 PM EDT (about this update About This Update chitoryu12 Edited by chitoryu12

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Keyword tags: a2 assault rifle automatic britain british firearm gun l85 l86 longarm rifle sa80 susat uk weapon
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