SA80 L85 Rifle

[leitung]

So,
I dont believe these are on the evil list, so I am suprised not to see a California legal version around anywhere. I really like the style of these weapons and I would consider buying a California compliant version if they exist.

If you don't know what the heck I am talking about:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SA80

[Josh3239]

Very few were imported into the US and they were worth a heck of a lot of money. It isn't on any ban list, but it certainly isn't SB23 compliant.

Your best bet would be to stick a rimfire barreled action into an airsoft body because even finding one of those in a free state is extremely rare.

[Pryde]

Were any ever imported into the US?

I have never heard anything about this.

[Josh3239]

I tried to find more info because I know that there were a few imported. MFI claims only 5 were imported and they are impossible to find under $11,000 (I am guessing they are semi auto as something that rare would be even higher priced if it was a transferable machine gun).

Just out of curiousity I wonder if there are any post-dealer samples?

[scfast]

I was unaware that the brit bullpup was even imported...Good luck finding one.If you do i want to see it..

[berg]

I actually saw one of these back before 2000 in the Cow Palace gun show. It was just a display piece, not for sale. As others have said, a very expensive and rare piece. Even harder to find than the French FAMAS bullpup.

[Casual Observer]

Why would you want an SA80 anyways?

Even after being remanufactured by HK, they still aren't very reliable.

[Moonclip]

British mebers of gunboards.com that served in the military say they are crap. IIRC a single shot verison is available for purchase in the UK.

I don't like bullpups much but the FAMAS looks neat. Also I want a bullpup Mossberg 500 or 590.

[Pryde]

Strictly from a military standpoint, bullpups generally suck.

Do you really need a 20" barrel? A 14.5" barrel is more than sufficient to make center mass hits out to 400 meters or so, which is more than enough for your average grunt equipped with a non magnified optic or irons. You won't really be able to see what you are hitting at that point. Anything out farther than that is better to be handed by a SDM or GPMG.

Where the bullpup fails is ambidextrous use. You can't shoot it weak-side only if your right arm is injured and if your left handed buddy grabs your gun accidentally, he blows a hole in his cheek with the ejecting brass. In addition all bullpups generally have hard and spongy triggers due to the linkage system.

[Q]

I actually saw one of these back before 2000 in the Cow Palace gun show. It was just a display piece, not for sale. As others have said, a very expensive and rare piece. Even harder to find than the French FAMAS bullpup.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=106698080

[monkey]

There were between 25 and 50 semi-auto SA80s imported into the states pre-1989 and I used to own one of them. They were ridiculously expensive even in 1989: $5k if you wanted one with the SUSAT optic and I think $4k without. The $11k quote in a prior post is over $1000 less than I sold mine for over a decade ago. The last one I saw for sale went for $19k less than an hour after it was offered. I expect it would easily top $20k today, easily the rarest of civilian-legal, modern military semi-autos around.

They were all manufactured by and marked British Aerospace. The guns were importer marked "Golden State Arms" however they did not actually import them due to a financing fall through. Some other entity imported them though they retained the GSA marking.

I sold mine prior to the age of eBay and now the A2 parts are fairly easy to buy through eBay UK and other sources. Sucks.

[Ford8N]

Strictly from a military standpoint, bullpups generally suck.

Do you really need a 20" barrel? A 14.5" barrel is more than sufficient to make center mass hits out to 400 meters or so, which is more than enough for your average grunt equipped with a non magnified optic or irons. You won't really be able to see what you are hitting at that point. Anything out farther than that is better to be handed by a SDM or GPMG.

Where the bullpup fails is ambidextrous use. You can't shoot it weak-side only if your right arm is injured and if your left handed buddy grabs your gun accidentally, he blows a hole in his cheek with the ejecting brass. In addition all bullpups generally have hard and spongy triggers due to the linkage system.

The British made a huge mistake dropping the FAL.

[Hans Gruber]

Do you really need a 20" barrel? A 14.5" barrel is more than sufficient to make center mass hits out to 400 meters or so, which is more than enough for your average grunt equipped with a non magnified optic or irons. You won't really be able to see what you are hitting at that point. Anything out farther than that is better to be handed by a SDM or GPMG.

Pardon my ignorance, but don't you get better velocity with the longer barrel? I keep hearing about how .223 doesn't get enough velocity to appropriately tumble/fragment out of the M4.

~KJ

[battleship]

SA80 action to be seen on BBC America Top Gear tomorrow night shooting at Clarkson pitty they dont use live rounds.

[Casual Observer]

Pardon my ignorance, but don't you get better velocity with the longer barrel? I keep hearing about how .223 doesn't get enough velocity to appropriately tumble/fragment out of the M4.

~KJ

Yes and....no. Longer barrel = more velocity. Depending on how far away your target is and the grain weight of the round, it might make a difference. Might not.