Originally Posted by Lil Hulk 1988

Depends on the mission and the unit. Most use a mixed model, some MP5's, some assault, etc.

yeah i totaly agree.

i think that the G36 is probably the rifle that would be the best replacement for the SA80, as its made by the same company, uses same/similar magzine, same ammo, carbine/para/full rifle versions, modern, proved to work, used by nato allies, special forces and normal soldiers can use same rifle etc. etc. but sadly it wont happen.

Originally Posted by webs

man, those are so wierd, the barrel is longer because the handle is in front, right?

I liked 'em - there is a major shortcoming though - you cannot fire them left-handed. If you are left-handed - you learn to shoot right-handed. There was supposed to be a left-handed model - never saw one! But, more importantly, in a tactical situation - you cannot lean around a corner to the right and keep you body out of sight .

Sling is a bloody masterpiece though

Personally I don't like bullpup designs because they are a b**** when you come across a corner. You may have to switch hands to give yourself the best cover while covering the street.

Also I am a left handed shooter. If the casings pop out in front of me, then I guess I could still manage with a right handed weapon but as for bullpup I would imagine I wouldn't have much of a face left.

Err! With this one - fire it left handed and you end up with an earful. Not to mention the recipricating cocking handle removing lumps of your face - not good. Like I said - shortcomings.

this may be a really dumb question, but are there left handed guns made? cuz im strongly left handed (i have never fired a gun but when we play laser tag or smth i fire "lefty") or do they force you to fire right handed?

I don't think that 'handed' rifles are the norm - think of the manufacturing costs, logistics etc. Usually, one would expect foibles like this to be ironed out at the drawing board stage. With the L85, however, something went wrong somewhere.

If you look at the picture posted earlier and locate the cocking handle. Now! Imagine this reciprocating whilst firing. It will collide with your left cheek probably causing damage to your face.

So there was mention of producing a left-handed model. This, however makes other problems as I stated earlier. With the SLR (Britains previous Infantry weapon), if you had a building corner to your right that you needed to fire around, you could change hands, lean out a bit, aim and fire, thus, keeping a lower profile. With the L85, you can't. You need to go around the corner or find a buddy who is left-handed with a weapon to suit (if one actually exists) and give him the job.

Oh! And as I have stated in another thread - somewhere here - there are no such things as dumb questions

Well that's why I dislike bullpups. Personally I think they're well overrated. Not to mention it's probably harder to beat the crap out of someone with the buttstock if it ever came down to it!
Not to mention if the fighting got close and you got into the rare situation of fixing bayonets, you'd get a better reach with a regular rifle design.
But yeah mostly I guess it's for us left handed shooters. Urrghh! Imagine that! Sorry Vassily (Zaitsev), you can't shoot with us because the weapon would blow your face off.

Never actually got involved with the bayonet aspect of conflict - in fact - I remember a sergeant major actually telling me off for wearing one on my webbing

But I know what you mean redneck, you are awfully close to the enemy with a bullpup design - having said that - they are a damn site easier getting in and out of vehicles and such like than with a full sized rifle - perhaps it is case of 'horses for courses'.

I did feel that the L85 was more 'comfortable'?? than the SLR however, that caused a sweat now and again. I dare say every soldier (honest enough) will admit to misplacing a rifle at least once during his/her career. I know I did. I remember wearing the L85 like a back pack and going in to a cold sweat till I remembered that I was wearing it

Yeah the bullpups are a bit easier to carry. That was the main selling point... that and that they could make the barrel longer without extending the length of the rifle.