Brits using AR15 - Please help > United Kingdom

Posted: 9/29/2008 1:29:04 PM EDT

Hi

I have just recently started collecting fire arms used by the British Military 1959-1989
and have found a Colt AR15 in great condition that I have requested a Collectors License for from the local police (You cant own an AR in any other way right now where I live)
I now need some documents and/or pictures proving thet the AR was in fact used some time during the specified years by the British Army, SAS etc.

So please, if you have anything post it here or contact me and Ill provide you with a email adress.

Posted: 9/29/2008 1:47:00 PM EDT

[#1]

I believe the SAS used M16 and M4 variants in a number of theatres, and the Royal Marines have certainly used M4's but that may have been post '89, Try googling along those lines and you may find something useful.

Posted: 9/29/2008 1:50:15 PM EDT

[#2]

Hi,

Have a look here, or drop then an email... I'll see what else i can dig up...

Wiki has some useful info...

Posted: 9/29/2008 1:56:51 PM EDT

[#3]

AR15s were used by the British military extensively in Borneo, around 1963-66.

Try here for pictures: www.britains-smallwars.com/Borneo/index.html

AR15 info as well... www.britains-smallwars.com/Borneo/borneo-weapons.html

Posted: 9/29/2008 2:02:43 PM EDT

[#4]

Special Forces were using M16/M4 variants in the Falklands. Not the best picture but you get the idea

link

Posted: 9/29/2008 2:25:20 PM EDT

[#5]

Saw my first Colt AR15/M16 in 1981 when I was in RMR London.

It was love at first sight

Posted: 9/29/2008 10:51:52 PM EDT

[#6]

used in large numbers in Northern Ireland throughout the 80's.

Nick

Posted: 9/29/2008 11:28:59 PM EDT

[#7]

148 Bty used the colt commando & M16 in the Falklands. The book "Falklands Commando" by Hugh McManners has several pictures of both types.

Posted: 9/30/2008 12:45:29 AM EDT

[#8]

SAS had them from 1963, first use.

Gurkhas used them from the 60's in the Far East.

Marines had them for jungle stuff too from the 60's.

Used a lot in the Falklands by Marines/SAS/SBS and some others.

Posted: 9/30/2008 1:51:09 AM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
SAS had them from 1963, first use.

Gurkhas used them from the 60's in the Far East.

Marines had them for jungle stuff too from the 60's.

Used a lot in the Falklands by Marines/SAS/SBS and some others.

Sort of linked to the thread discussing the merits of the SA80 but..............

The SAS and others in the UK armed forces have used the M16 platform. Did they have any input to the trials for a replacement that eventually led to the SA80 ?

Do the SAS still use M16 platform ? Do they use SA80 ?

Posted: 9/30/2008 1:57:45 AM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:

Do the SAS still use M16 platform ? Do they use SA80 ?

I wouldn't have thought they'd use that POS, considering they get the choice of nearly any gucci kit they want...

Posted: 9/30/2008 2:07:48 AM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:

Quoted:

Do the SAS still use M16 platform ? Do they use SA80 ?

I wouldn't have thought they'd use that POS, considering they get the choice of nearly any gucci kit they want...

I have heard words to that effect from many informed sources.

So, the M16 is deemed better than the SA80 by some of the elte of the military. Yet the SA80 is chosen as the issue rifle for everybody else ?

I know that there were political issues at play in the decision to chose the SA80. Just seems strange for the military to have a rifle that their own special forces wont use !

Posted: 9/30/2008 2:24:20 AM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:

Quoted:
SAS had them from 1963, first use.

Gurkhas used them from the 60's in the Far East.

Marines had them for jungle stuff too from the 60's.

Used a lot in the Falklands by Marines/SAS/SBS and some others.

Sort of linked to the thread discussing the merits of the SA80 but..............

The SAS and others in the UK armed forces have used the M16 platform. Did they have any input to the trials for a replacement that eventually led to the SA80 ?
Not much…a bullpup design had been a RSAF goal since the 40's. The late 40's EM2, (which has no parts in common with the SA80, just a similar layout), was apparently a rather good rifle and had been standardized for production as Rifle No9 Mk1 for UK and Canadian issue when the Yanks pulled their 'you will all use our 7.62 cartridge or we'll sulk' stunt. An assault rifle firing a 6.8mm intermediate round… were have we seen that calibre come up again? EM2 couldn't be rechambered for 7.62 so the FAL was quickly adopted.

Do the SAS still use M16 platform ?
Yes, Diemaco SFW8's, C7's and some odds and sods left over from prior purchases.

Do they use SA80 ?
Sometimes it's necessary to blend in with the ordinary bods… standing in a herd of SA80's with gucchi Diemacos would rather give the game away.

Posted: 9/30/2008 12:34:26 PM EDT

[#13]

You can also try the book ' The Shooting Gallery' by Gaz Hunter, ISBN 0 575 06556 7.

Another book called 'SAS in Action' by Chris Chant, ISBN 0 75252-226-4.....

this is just a very few...there are plenty more book about...

be safe

1Turk

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