What Gun Does The British Army Use

So, there I was, a few years back, on a guided tour of the Imperial War Museum in London. I'd always been curious about the gear our boys in green use, you know? The guide, a friendly chap with a real passion for history, was holding up this rifle, and I could see the other tourists were as clueless as I was. "Anyone know what this is?" he asked. Crickets. So, let's dive in, shall we? What does the British Army use?

Meet the SA80, the British Army's Workhorse

Alright, let's get something straight. The British Army doesn't use just one type of gun. It's a bit like having a toolbox - you've got your hammer for everyday jobs, but you also need a screwdriver, a wrench, and maybe even a crowbar for those tough nuts. But if we're talking about the main gun, the one that's been serving the British Army since the 1980s, it's the SA80.

The SA80, or the Small Arms for the 1980s, is a family of rifles that includes the L85A2 and L86A2. The L85A2 is the standard issue rifle, a bullpup assault rifle that's designed to be compact and lightweight. It's chambered for the 5.56x45mm NATO round, which is the standard for many armies around the world. The L86A2, on the other hand, is a light support weapon, a bit beefier and designed to provide covering fire.

Why the SA80? Why Not?

Now, I know what you're thinking. "Why not just use the good old L1A1, the British version of the FN FAL?" Well, the L1A1 was a great gun, but it was designed in the 1950s, and times have changed. The British Army wanted a gun that was lighter, more compact, and could use the standard NATO round. Plus, they wanted something that could be easily upgraded with new tech, like scopes and lasers.

But here's the thing, the SA80 hasn't been without its critics. Some say it's not as reliable as it should be, that it jams too easily. Others say it's just not as accurate as it could be. But you know what? Every gun has its detractors. And the SA80 has been serving the British Army for decades, so it must be doing something right.

Guided weapons | The British Army

More Than Just the SA80

Remember when I said the British Army has a toolbox? Well, here are a few more tools. The L129A1 is a sniper rifle that's based on the American M24, chambered for the .338 Lapua Magnum round. It's designed for long-range sniping and anti-material work. Then there's the L115A3, a bolt-action sniper rifle that's used by the Army's elite sniper units. It's chambered for the .338 Lapua Magnum and can hit targets up to 1,500 meters away.

And let's not forget the General Purpose Machine Gun, or GPMG. The British Army uses the L7A2, a belt-fed machine gun that's based on the American M60. It's a heavy hitter, designed to provide suppressing fire and take out enemy vehicles. Then there's the Minimi, a light machine gun that's used by the infantry. It's a bit lighter than the GPMG, but it's still a formidable weapon.

General Purpose Machine Gun | The British Army

Training and Tech

But it's not just about the guns, is it? It's about how you use them. The British Army has some of the best training facilities in the world. They've got ranges where soldiers can practice shooting in all sorts of conditions, from desert heat to Arctic cold. And they're always looking to upgrade their tech. They're using things like laser rangefinders and advanced scopes to help their soldiers hit their targets.

So, there you have it. The British Army uses a range of guns, from the SA80 to the L115A3. Each one has its own job to do, and together, they make up the British Army's toolbox. And if you ever get the chance to visit the Imperial War Museum, you can see some of these guns for yourself. Just don't ask me to tell you how to pronounce 'SA80'. I still haven't figured that one out.