Small arms training Oz style

[abninftr]

The Australian Army is 'PR-ing' its new small arms training syllabus developed by SASR.


Link: www.facebook.com/TheAustralianArmy/videos/10155735367861195/

[CXM]

Interesting video... thanks for sharing...

Do you know if the Aarmy uses the SA80?

Thanks

Chuck

[abninftr]

No, it does not. Primary rifle is the 'Austeyr F88. An enhanced version, EF88 is due to replace the current F88A2. 


www.army.gov.au/our-work/equipment-and-clothing/small-arms/f88-austeyr-f88a2-with-ring-sight-and-f88a2-with-acog-rmr
www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.asp?smallarms_id=846

[abninftr]

Added info:
The list of weapons that were short listed (I believe there were five) for evaluation as a possible replacement for the L1A1 SLR in the 1980s included the FN-FNC, the Steyr, M16A2, and the SA80. The SA80 got bumped off the list early on for a number of reasons.

The F88 has proved itself although there were a number of range accidents early on due to the trigger/safety arrangement.


I won't swear by it, but I think the other two may have been the French 'Clarion' and the Valmet M76. I know somebody was looking at those two back then and it may have been us.

[CXM]

Thanks abninftr...

Interesting rifle... though it seems a bit heavy... if memory serves me it is about the same weight as a U.S. M14... of course we have managed to get the weight of our M16 series rifles up to that weight range too... which is interesting given that one of the main selling points for the M16 as a replacement for the M14 was the lighter weight...

Thanks again for the info.

V/r

Chuck

[abninftr]

Mate, the F88 feels heavier than one would expect just looking at it. Saying it weighs ~ 8 lbs seems optimistic to me because it feels more like 9 to 9.5 lbs. That said, it is a sturdy, compact rifle.

If you look further on the .gov.au website, you will see the FN BHP (Mark III) is still the current pistol despite rumours that it was going to be replaced by a Glock.

[jonnyc]

Might be the balance point that makes it seem heavier to us "older folks". Back in the '90s I got to handle a Tavor prototype. I hated the balance and it did feel awkward and heavy to me. No bull-pups in my collection; give me a standard AR or AK thank you.