Faults found in army's new rifle

ic Wales ^ | 3 July 2002 | staff

[45Auto]

Soldiers in Afghanistan have reported three faults with the army's new SA80-A2 rifles, the Ministry of Defence say.

Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon has told troops he would investigate claims the weapon misfires badly, the same problem suffered by the gun it replaced.

Armed forces minister Adam Ingram told shadow defence secretary Bernard Jenkin that three formal equipment failure reports had been filed from Afghanistan.

He said: "The SA80-A2 is operating in a very difficult environment in Afghanistan with both dusty conditions and extremes of temperature.

"In an operational environment any concerns are treated very seriously and a specialist team on the ground is investigating these reports as a matter of urgency."

The original SA80 was suspended from the Nato Nominated Weapon List in 1997 after soldiers experienced problems such as jamming in extreme weather.

Following a £92 million modification programme, the revised weapon was declared one of the best in the world by the MOD and was introduced earlier than planned for use by troops in Afghanistan.

[45Auto]

[stumpy]

I miss my M-14. Learned to sleep standing up with it as a prop.

[45Auto]

Caliber = 5.56 NATO (.223rem)
Action = Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length = 770mm
Barrel length = 518mm
Weight = 4.13kg (w. optical sight 4X SUSAT scope)The Volunteer only with iron sights
Magazine capacity = 30 rds

[Lurker]

There are a few weapons in my collection I may, just may part with for the right price.

My M1A1 is not among them.

L

[Eagle Eye]

You'd think in this day and age that they'd field test a rifle before issuing it.

[Iris7]

Probably the chamber is too tight, the same fault as M16s - results in an accurate "peacetime" rifle but one that jams as deposits build up in the chamber. The AK-47 solution is the simplest - the Russians fired the weapon until it jammed under field conditions, figured out why it jammed, and changed the shape of parts, especially the chamber, until it wouldn't jam. This resulted in the infamous AK-47 lack of accuracy and extreme reliablity.

[Willie Green]

[Eska]

I carry my ar on the snowmachine all winter long. In many GMU's people so many wolves, you can shoot them on the fly; but much harder than you'd think. I have never experienced problems with my pre-ban A2's under pretty tough conditions. Most people carry mini-14's due to price. My folding stock will jam right up after a few clips if not cleaned.

For all the talk about reliability; I luv my ar's

[Drew68]

I thought our troops were still using the M-16!?!?!

Sadly, they are.

These are British troops.

[Drew68]

It *is* a sweet-looking rifle.

[meyer]

I miss my M-14. Learned to sleep standing up with it as a prop.

I was just going to mention the M-14. Why on earth they left that fine rifle, I'll never understand.

[meyer]

Nice Pic, Mr. Green. A fine work of art.

[dcwusmc]

Love your mini-14 (or is it mini-30?)... it's purtier than mine, but I love my Garand!

[Clive]

The Garand was a beautifully engineered precision instrument but the Lee Enfield No. 4 Mark 1 * was better able to handle mud, dust and rough handling by young men on the move.

[GingisK]

I miss my M-14...

Me too! I'd choose it, or an FAL any day.

[Clive]

See reply 17.

[Willie Green]

Love your mini-14 (or is it mini-30?)...

Springfield Armory M21 Tactical rifle -- 7.62mm NATO (.308 Win.)