The SA80 (Small Arms for the 1980s) is a series of 5.56x45mm bullpup assault rifles and light support weapons designed on the operation of the Armalite AR-18 and SAR-87 (An advanced AR-18 made by the rival company Sterling Armaments of Dagenham), and produced from 1985 to 1994 by the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield Lock.
In 1988 production of the rifle was transferred to the Royal Ordnance’s Nottingham Small Arms Facility (later British Aerospace, Royal Ordnance; now BAE Systems Land Systems Munitions & Ordnance).
Unlike other bullpup weapons like the FAMAS and AUG series, the L85 series has no ambidextrous ejection port, forcing it to be used right-handed only.
The SA80 can be seen in the following films, television series, anime and video games used by the following actors:
Fire Modes: Semi/Auto (safety is separate from fire selector)
L85
L85A1
The original variant of the SA80 series issued to the British forces. These were manufactured by Royal Ordnance (Formerly known as Enfield) from 1985 until 1994 after the notorious faults of the weapon in battlefield conditions.
The L85A2 is a revamped version of the L85A1 with improved components, most notably the external 'Comma' shaped combined charging handle/brass deflector and stronger internal parts. The upgrading of L85A1 rifles to the L85A2 standard was carried out by Heckler & Koch (which, at the time, belonged to BAE) between 2002 and 2006; since then further improvements have been made in response to operational requirements, including new RIS/RAS equipped foreguards and the adoption of the ACOG sight by some units in Afghanistan. The new foreguards and the adoption of the Elcan Spectre as the official replacement of the SUSAT will be applied to all British Army units over the next three to four years.
Converted from surplus L86A1 Light Support Weapons, the L22A2 carbine is intended for use as a personal defense weapon by helicopter aircrew and armoured vehicle crews. They have also been issued on occasion to troops not requiring a full size rifle, such as drivers, dog handlers and combat cameramen, as well as Royal Marine boarding parties. The designation of this carbine is a subject of some confusion, with the argument being made that it cannot be an A2 as despite the fact that it has the "A2" upgrades it is the first weapon to receive the L22 designation so it should logically be the L22A1. However, the right side of the magazine well is marked "L22 A2 5.56 x 45", it has an "A2" stamp on the top of the receiver, and is referred to as the L22A2 in official Ministry of Defence documentation, with the earlier prototype being retroactively referred to as the L22A1. In order to allow a loaded weapon to fit into storage racks, a special 20 round magazine was developed for use with the L22A2.
The L86A1 Light Support Weapon is the sustained fire variant of the SA80 series. Many have been replaced by the FN Minimi in this role or converted into L22 Carbines for AFV/Chopper crew members as a personal defense weapon.
A revamped L86A1 LSW. The L86A2 is in limited usage alongside the FN Minimi, only for DMR purposes as it has superior accuracy/range. The L86A2 is also used by the ACF but only 3-Star+ Trained Cadets are allowed to use this weapon.
As of 2009/10, further modifications have been made to L86A2s used in Afghanistan. These have the current foreguards replaced with the DD-quad RAS foreguard (with the ability to add various extras on all surfaces, such as foregrips or flashlights). The outrigger under the barrel can been removed (but bipod retained) or replaced with a RiS/RAS rail system. SUSATs retained, with the intention of replacing them with Elcan Spectre optics. These modifications have only been made to a select few units L86A2 DMRs. Those units not in, or immediately going to Afghanistan have yet to receive the upgrades.
Various prototypes made by Enfield for the British Government, starting in 1969. Various models, earliest using NATO 7.62. However, both of those listed below used the experimental British 4.85mm round. When NATO adopted the US 5.56 round, the XL70 series was redesigned to fire 5.56 and renamed under the SA80 programme - Small Arms for the 1980's. This project also included an LSW (although that version had a changeable barrel). Originally, the weapon had only a SUSAT - which was built in to the rifle, and non-removable - however, there was a folding foresight (visible).