Really bad weapons...

[perardua]

Originally Posted by StainlessSteelCynic

They aren't quite as wise as it would appear, the problem with their ruling is that the L85A1 was reliable until it was used in sandy and/or very dusty conditions. In a typical European setting (and in jungles) it was as reliable as any other average rifle.
The worst faults of the weapon aren't addressed at all by any game system as far as I'm aware - magazine catch releasing at inopportune times (until they put a guard around the catch), plastic parts breaking, the issue insect repellent melting the plastic parts, the takedown pins coming completely free from the weapon and thereby being easy to lose and finally, the working parts literally fly out the reciever when you disassemble the weapon (unless you're ready for it and keep your hand over the opening.

Having used both the L85A1 (as a cadet), and the L85A2 (as a soldier on ops in Afghanistan), I feel pretty confident in saying that the difference between the two is enormous. The one experience I had with the A1 was pretty awful, whereas the only stoppages I've ever had with an A2 have been down to damaged magazines, which are pretty rare thanks to the more durable metal HK ones that replaced the old plastic Radway Green ones.

All of the above faults have been fixed, as far as I am aware. To my mind, the recoil rod and spring assembly 'flying out the receiver when you disassemble the weapon' is not an issue. Anyone correctly trained to strip and disassemble it won't find it a problem, and I'd have rather have a spring that pushes the bolt forward effectively and avoids the A1's problem of being a bit anemic with chambering a new round.

Anyway, if you want to see bits of weapon flying around, try watching some strip a cocked GPMG. Tis hilariously dangerous.

Several USAF Security Forces personnel on a recent exercise with us also felt the L85A2 was more reliable than our M4s, though comparing their cleaning regime with ours led me to suspect that the frequency with which we cleaned our weapons may have had something to do with it.

The L85A2's biggest problem is that memories of the A1 pretty much ruined it's reputation outside of the British forces, hence a lot of servicemen I know have had to try and defend the weapon to concerned civvies who come up to us at public displays and things and tell us our weapon's crap. It's really not any more.