Replies

If length is the main issue then a bullpup design is the answer. There are already a couple in service, the Sterling with the Brits and the AUG with a few other countries. Before designing a new bullpup we should procure a few thousand of the existing designs and put them to use. It would make sense to try out the bullpups first before actually commiting to change over completely to a new weapons system.

I don't know if the Sterling uses M16 mags but a bullpup that has magazine compatiblity with the M16 that would make it easier to retain the M16 for non-mechanized troops. The M16A2 is still the best in the business for aimed slow fire.

Isn't the real issue with bullpup designs, that you need to have glass to get hits at any distance, due to the short sight radius of the configuration? Glass longivity and handling by mass number of troops is a real issue, and you end up with a short range weapon when the glass breaks and you have to fall back to iron sights.

If length is the main issue then a bullpup design is the answer. There are already a couple in service, the Sterling with the Brits and the AUG with a few other countries. Before designing a new bullpup we should procure a few thousand of the existing designs and put them to use. It would make sense to try out the bullpups first before actually commiting to change over completely to a new weapons system.
I don't know if the Sterling uses M16 mags but a bullpup that has magazine compatiblity with the M16 that would make it easier to retain the M16 for non-mechanized troops. The M16A2 is still the best in the business for aimed slow fire.

Only the very first of the British L85/SA80 Rifles were built by Sterling, easily identifiable by their SA serial numbers. They proved unsuitable and the L86A1 version replaced them, made by RSAF Enfield, serial numbers beginning with UE, mot much better, though I used them a couple of times and they worked for me just fine. The latest versions are the L86A2, identifiable by the wider cocking handle knob, meant to allow closing the action more quickly with a slap to the bolt. The L85, L85A1 and L85A2 all used with standard M16 magazines, tho the Brits issued steel magazines otherwise identical to the US 30-round magazine.