I've never loved the Steyr AUG, carried for my entire Australian service life, from the frosty mornings in Puckapunyal, to the tropical humidity and heat of the Northern Territory, to the deserts of Kuwait and Iraq.
I always viewed it's only virtues were it's 'SMG' O/L, and the capability of LH conversion, though the ADF turned that into a circus all on it's own. Negatives included proprietary magazines, and the fact that the rifle cannot be submerged in water. Throw in logistical issues with 5 bolts, 3 recoil systems, and two colours of furniture.... the failure across the board (total 100% recall)of 09 generation A2s. Even paint schemes were changed to show an obvious difference (khaki to tan) for 10 and 11 gen A2 types
So, within a few short weeks of arriving in the US, I bought a Steyr AUG A3, cute with 407mm barrel, all strictly for nostalgia and costing about $1700. Now ADI/Thales in Lithgow is going after the US market for both police and civilians. They're saying costs under $2000 RRP.
The ADF have adopted this rifle, with the older F88s being replaced thru attrition. IMHO, no country in their right mind is going to adopt this, so aside from filling Australia's own niche for this system, they're chasing commercial markets. Afterall, it is paramount to keep the small arms manufacturing industry alive at the century old Lithgow plant.
Both SME Malaysia and New Zealand are ditching the AUG for M4 platforms.
Will I buy an EF88? Maybe.
Do have a read of this link...
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...ting-thales-aus-ef88f90-atrax-rifle-nra-2016/
I always viewed it's only virtues were it's 'SMG' O/L, and the capability of LH conversion, though the ADF turned that into a circus all on it's own. Negatives included proprietary magazines, and the fact that the rifle cannot be submerged in water. Throw in logistical issues with 5 bolts, 3 recoil systems, and two colours of furniture.... the failure across the board (total 100% recall)of 09 generation A2s. Even paint schemes were changed to show an obvious difference (khaki to tan) for 10 and 11 gen A2 types
So, within a few short weeks of arriving in the US, I bought a Steyr AUG A3, cute with 407mm barrel, all strictly for nostalgia and costing about $1700. Now ADI/Thales in Lithgow is going after the US market for both police and civilians. They're saying costs under $2000 RRP.
The ADF have adopted this rifle, with the older F88s being replaced thru attrition. IMHO, no country in their right mind is going to adopt this, so aside from filling Australia's own niche for this system, they're chasing commercial markets. Afterall, it is paramount to keep the small arms manufacturing industry alive at the century old Lithgow plant.
Both SME Malaysia and New Zealand are ditching the AUG for M4 platforms.
Will I buy an EF88? Maybe.
Do have a read of this link...
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...ting-thales-aus-ef88f90-atrax-rifle-nra-2016/
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