New US made semi-auto L85 manufactured by Murdoch and Co.

JasonGTA

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Some cool stuff coming from a small company Murdoch and Co. in the US. New US made L85s, it sounds like the EM85A1 and A2 are going to be a limited edition run, the EM85A3s will be the standard rifle they will be producing.

For the limited edition guns, they're using some original MOD Enfield made L85 parts and the MSRP will be $12,000usd. For the standard US made EM85A3, MSRP will be $4500usd for the rifle length, $3500usd for the carbine length.


From their site

Technical:
  • Length – 30.9 Inch
  • Weight W/Magazine and Irons – 9.5Lb
  • Barrel length – 20.4 inch
  • Precision Nitride Barrel – 8,000 – 10,000 round life.
  • Caliber – 5.56
  • Twist – 1/7
  • Correct 18mm NATO Rail.
  • Normal, Excess and off gas settings.

Features and Improvements:
  • Built from parts and plans for the original SA80.
  • Field strips exactly the same as SA80 family.
  • Engineering improvements for strength, reliability and longevity.
  • Use of modern common springs for maintenance.
  • Original barrel contour perfected for modern manufacturing, improved accuracy and ease of repair / replacement.
  • Improved trigger group for a better shooting experience, use of AR Springs means your choice of trigger spring weight and ease of maintenance.
  • Accepts modern AR Hammer and Trigger Springs.
  • Correct Markings and MOD style serial.
  • Correct paint and coatings.
  • Ships with original MOD NOS Handguard.
  • Compatible with original L85 Handguards and rails.
  • Murdoch and Co. has Original ACOG Dovetail mount and RIS Adapter which will be available at time of shipment for mounting of modern optics.
  • Improved rail mounting method. (Original top rail design would come loose and not keep zero).





The limited edition EM-85 Ships as a Deployment kit
  • Pelican Case featuring British flag and NATO markings.
  • A detailed owners manual including: Round count, logbook and more.
  • H&K High Reliability Magazine.
  • H&K SA80 Cleaning Tool.
  • SA80 Cleaning kit Case.
  • British ration pack issue brew kit.


EM85 / L85A1
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EM85A2 / L85A2
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"Afghan" spec A2
EM85a2-acog-1024x517.jpg


EM85A3 / L85A3
shot-2026-murdoch-co-launch-american-made-sa80s.jpg



Recoil Rod Assembly and Bolt Carrier Group
IMG_4189-1024x939.jpg



Upper receiver stamping

EM85-stamping-U-2part-base-e1758568369852-1024x655.jpg



Fire control group
EM85-part-fcg2-976x1024.jpg





Pre-production rifle overview

Production rifle

Testing and overview

BRN180 and L85 comparison

Community Q&A


They are offering to sell deactivated rifles to those interested in the US, they'd probably offer parts kits if someone were to ask.
 
The A2 and A3 versions after rework by H&K were reliable. See project Greyburn for current UK plan to replace L85.

I do like bullpups and would buy one if I could but at $4500 usd they would likely be at least 7 grand up here.
 
Would be great if you could buy an L98. Pretty sure that the RCMP are going to call any L85 prohib. Its a semi auto with a detachable magazine that is definitely an assault style firearms however much I wish it were not so.
 
Wrong. Look up the L98A1 FRN 64306. Plus there is a semi-auto L85 that has been at the rcmp lab for a few years and should get their blessing soon…
Granted, as a unicorn rifle, manually operated. Very interesting if any were available : https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/l98a1.138846/

Chances are it will not receive their blessing. Why would it be different from any other 5.56 military type riefle. Almost every military semi auto 5.56 rifle has been banned... If it's not banned, it would be a blessing...
 
Wanting to experience the L85, even after the Germans fixed it, has some serious "I wonder what the worst day of someone else's life would be like" vibes.
 
I used the A2 for 5 years, if I could pick up an A3 for $4k I´d do it in a heartbeat. Not because I think it´d outperform simlarly priced rifles but because of the emotional connection and historical value.
 
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