At times the M16A2 get's a bad rap...

but I was watching a program the other day, and it mentioned that the M16 is the weapon of choise for the SAS!! Anyone know the story behind this?

actually its the C7 the SAS use the CANADIAN M16 They bought them from DIEMACO

as for why ......proven battle rifle ........doesn`t have a 3 round burst (what a stupid idea that was ) and it was in .556 nato. that is speculation though :)
 
actually its the C7 the SAS use the CANADIAN M16 They bought them from DIEMACO

as for why ......proven battle rifle ........doesn`t have a 3 round burst (what a stupid idea that was ) and it was in .556 nato. that is speculation though :)

The SAS were using M-16A1s (AR-15 in Aden) before DIEMACO existed ... and I'm pretty sure it's the C8 and C8SFW (L119A1). (but I don't know what colour the boat house door is.)

Generally stated original reasons:
-need for a lighter rifle (the L1A1 was general issue at the time) with automatic fire capability.
-5.56x45mm adopted by NATO (1979); more ammo could be carried.
 
cause the SAS don't have the purchasing power to say we want this gun this way i mean they are only the most elite troops in england they can't just say we want your rifle but make it fully automatic
 
cause the SAS don't have the purchasing power to say we want this gun this way i mean they are only the most elite troops in england they can't just say we want your rifle but make it fully automatic

sorry for the sidetracking - but reading your post can be quite atrocious if you cannot exercise some basic coherence. I am in no way a grammer or spelling nazi but god, please make it as least comprehensible!! Thanks
 
It's because the PBI issue rifle, the SA80, has reportedly proven to be a useless piece of junk. The M16 family is, like shortandlong says, a proven battle rifle. The SAS gets to use pretty much whatever they want though.
 
... Aside from the M16 "family" being a proven design, and no doubt Unit Armorers could easily remove the 3 round burst clockwork mechanism. It's probably, based more, on the compatibility with other "operators" that the SAS might work with, plus ease of parts just about anywhere in the World, plus the versatility of "aftermarket parts" that allow a variety of time tested "configurations" ....... David K.
 
Three round burst is not very nice. For semi auto fire, your most accurate shooting, the f%^$ing trigger preasure is different for each shot! If you fire one of three with the first squeeze, you get the other 2 on the second squeeze, it is not very nice to shoot at all!!

Scott
 
Three round burst is not very nice. For semi auto fire, your most accurate shooting, the f%^$ing trigger preasure is different for each shot! If you fire one of three with the first squeeze, you get the other 2 on the second squeeze, it is not very nice to shoot at all!!

Scott

Ooohhh... so in implementation it has issues eh? Interesting. Thanks.
 
SAS is also very fond of G3 & M79/203. The guns they really despise are the SA 80 and before that, Sten gun.
 
Cause you can't jump out of a plane with the SA80 and have it land and stay in one piece - at least that's why the paratroops use it.
 
I wasn't too impressed with it but that was back in '97 and my use of it was limited. Apparently the current version is much improved of the original.
 
The current model the L85A2 has proven its self to be an excellent weapon in the various sandy conflict zones the world over.

Pretty much the every fault was correct by the H&K rework. Though I do recall hearing that it still had one or two problems. I can't remember if its the safety or mag release catch but apparently its easy to hit accidentally. Unit armours apparently make some sort of cover to stop this. Not 100% on this one though.
 
The SAS and SBS reportedly use and very much like the Canadian made C7/C8 family. They have no need to publicize it either. Other sandbox forces like it too. The Dutch and Danes call theirs, the DIEMACO. The Afghans are apparently transistioning the first model C7 rifles too. At least they won't be able to sell their ammunition to the bad guys.

The 3-shot burst is an awkward cam and spring mechanism. Someone told me, but it can't be field stripped, never mind removed and having the gun still work.
 
3rd burst in AR systems is garbage, If you let go after 1 shot, next pull is 2 and stop. Stop after two shots and next pull is 1 shot and it stops. Garbage. AR wasnt designed for it.
 
The current model the L85A2 has proven its self to be an excellent weapon in the various sandy conflict zones the world over.

Pretty much the every fault was correct by the H&K rework. Though I do recall hearing that it still had one or two problems. I can't remember if its the safety or mag release catch but apparently its easy to hit accidentally. Unit armours apparently make some sort of cover to stop this. Not 100% on this one though.

Unless, of course you like to be able to shoot from BOTH sides of the weapon. (big ouch, lefty!)
 
The 3-shot burst is an awkward cam and spring mechanism. Someone told me, but it can't be field stripped, never mind removed and having the gun still work.

Yeah... but field strip never includes trigger mech... three round burst or auto, regardless.
(not to say it doesn't suck for other reasons though)
 
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