SA80 facts for kids
SA80 (Small Arms for the 80s) is the name of a weapons family used by the British Army and Royal Marines. All are of bullpup design: this means the magazine is behind the trigger so the weapon is shorter yet still has a long barrel.
The series includes an assault rifle known as the L85 and a Light Support Weapon (LSW) designated the L86 as well as a carbine variant for helicopter crews and a bolt action army cadet variant.
The LSW variant is far more accurate than its predecessor, and is used in army FSGs (Fire Support Groups). They are amazingly accurate for their size (Army marksmanship tests were redesigned after the SA80 introduction because it was so accurate). Nevertheless, the SA80 family has been plagued by poor reliability. They have had an upgrade by the German arms company H&K when it was British owned. This resulted in the A2 series, but not all models have been upgraded.
The SA80 also has a cadet force variant (L98 A2 Cadet GP) that is the same size, and is used throughout the ACF. It has a success rate far higher than the old, bolt-action A1 version.
Images for kids
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Pictured left to right are the L85-A2, XL 60 and EM-2
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A Royal Marine aims an L85A2 equipped with an L123A2 (AG36) grenade launcher.
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A US Marine operating the cocking handle of an L85A1, 2000.
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View through a SUSAT sight.
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Close-up of an L85A2 with the polymer Magpul EMAG. Note the clear round counting window.
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L85A2 carrying upgraded Laser Light Module Mk 3 with 800 m range.
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Royal Marines boarding team member with an L22 Carbine
See also
In Spanish: SA80 para niños
