British military rifles. These are the British Army's standard combat weapons.
British military rifles. 56×45mm NATO service weapons used by the British Army.
British military rifles The bullpup configuration allows the rifle to retain a full-length 20. [11] Sep 26, 2024 · What You Need to Know: The British military’s Ranger Regiment, created in 2021, has received the L403A1, an advanced rifle designed for special operations. Jul 1, 2016 · The . 56×45mm NATO service weapons used by the British Army. It was arguably the best combat rifle of World War I. Feb 25, 2025 · Beretta Defense Technologies (BDT) has told Janes that it intends to put forward its New Assault Rifle Project (NARP) and Sako rifle for the British Army's Project Grayburn, a programme to replace Jul 16, 2021 · That rifle has undergone upgrades and seen action around the globe, most notably in Northern Ireland, The Gulf War, Bosnia and more recently, Afghanistan and the Iraq War. Feb 4, 2025 · The 2023 selection of the L403A1 ‘KS-1’ battle rifle as the AIW was conducted under Project Hunter, intended to deliver a new battle rifle for the UK military’s Special Operations Brigade. British special operations soldiers and Royal Marines will soon be more lethal on the battlefield thanks to a £90m contract to deliver a new modern, high-pre The British Army rifle platoon consists of a platoon headquarters and 3 rifle sections. Publication date 2005 Topics Great Britain. Enfield Enforcer A police-specific sniper variant used by various British police forces from the early 1970s. It is equipped with a 25x scope, a suppressor , a folding stock, a five-round . The P-1856 was the first “short rifle” in the new . Sep 30, 2019 · British Army with the new HK-upgraded L85A3/SA80A3 (Photo: British Army) The SA80 series Individual Weapon, a 5. Red Coat and Brown Bess by Anthony D. Issued for home defence only; Rifle, Anti-Tank, . It was similar to the L39A1, with a commercial "Monte Carlo" style butt with semi-pistol grip and integral cheekpiece. Optimised in the crucible of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, The Rifles holds an incredible 913 battle honours, world record 117 Victoria Crosses (VC) and has a "Small Arms for the 1980s" or SA80, was program for a new assault rifle for the British military. Jan 16, 2025 · The L85A3, the latest upgrade of the SA80 series, has served as the British military’s standard-issue rifle for over three decades. British Antique Guns for sale including the Martini-Henry Rifle, Enfield Rifle, Snider Rifle, Brown Bess Musket, Brunswick Rifle, Baker Rifle, East India Compnay Musket, 1853 Enfield Musket, . The Baker rifle was a muzzle-loading flintlock weapon used by the British Army in the Napoleonic Wars, notably by the 95th Rifles and the 5th Battalion, 60th Regiment of Foot. The L42A1 was deployed in Dhofar and Northern Ireland, but arguably saw its finest hour during the Falklands War 1982. Blacker Bombard – spigot mortar firing round. Read These rifles were mostly sent to the Army Rifle Association, and were available for purchase by military units. -made LMT LM308 rifles as the L129A1 DMR. 56mm NATO bullpup designed by Enfield in the 1980s, was originally produced in England for the British armed forces in three variants– the L85 rifle, L86 light support weapon, and the . Considered to be one of the finest marksmen in the British army, Ferguson knew it was an easy shot — the target was just over 100 yards away and he had a clear line of sight. That all changed with the introduction of the Pattern 1851 Minié Rifle. The British-made Accuracy International (AI) family of rifles are regarded by many as the best sniper rifles in the world. Jun 28, 2019 · In 2009, a British army sniper used a L115A3 to score the longest sniper shot in history when he took out 2 Taliban machine gunners from a distance of over 2400 meters. 4 rifles refurbished at BSA Shirley were for commercial sale to various British Commonwealth countries and to civilian rifle shooters in the UK and the Commonwealth. 6 cm) and combined the bolt action Design and Features of the SA80. MISC NOTES: The British Military Martini MKs (Enfield Martinis): Martini-Henry Infantry Rifle, MK I, 1871-1876 Martini-Henry Infantry Rifle, MK II, 1877-1881 Martini-Henry Infantry Rifle, MK III, 1881-1888 Martini-Henry Infantry Rifle, MK IV, 1888-1889 Note that the markings in the buttstock will sometimes appear as 'III' over 'I' for example. The KS family of rifles was unveiled at military small arms conventions in 2022 as being developed for an international special operations forces (SOF) requirement. Several variants have been employed by UK forces: Precison Marksman. SA80 is the designation for a revolutionary family of assault weapons. Sep 7, 2023 · Special operations elements of the British Army and Royal Marines are getting a new rifle - the KS-1. Sep 7, 2022 · British military rifles 1800-2000 by Duckers, Peter. [9] In late 1870s British military was looking forward to unify ammunition for its rifles and machine guns (they were both . 56x45mm NATO bullpup rifle has been the mainstay of the British armed forces since the late 1980s, undergoing significant improvements and modifications over the years to enhance its reliability, accuracy, and ergonomics. 338 Lapua Magnum magazine and has an effective range of over 1,100m. com is the #1 Gun Classified website that brings gun buyers and gun brokers or sellers together through classifed advertising of guns, gun related items and services for sale online. May 13, 2025 · The plan to replace the British military’s SA80-series infantry rifle could be pushed to the right following confirmation from the UK government that Project Grayburn remains in the concept phase, with progress to assessment likely only in 2026. Jul 3, 2024 · What Guns Do The British Military Use? The British military employs a range of firearms suited to diverse operational requirements, from close-quarters combat to long-range engagement. 303 SMLE and many more. This change marks an evolution of British military equipment, with the SA80 having been in service since Used Guns 1822 303 British Police Trade-in Bolt Action Rifle $399. The short rifle had a length of 44. The use of volley or mass firing by troops meant that the rate of fire took precedence over accuracy. British Army Rifles. 56x45mm NATO, with a magazine capacity of 30 rounds, the SA80A1's ammunition was less powerful but lighter and easier to carry in high quantities than its predecessor. Sep 26, 2020 · Major Patrick Ferguson, the weapon’s inventor, put his experimental rifle to his shoulder and centered the sights on a high-ranking American officer in buff and blue. The SA80 family employs a gas-operated, rotating bolt system to maximize reliability and firing efficiency. British Military Firearms 1650-1850by Howard L. 56x45mm NATO. While a musket was largely inaccurate over 80 yards due to a lack of rifling and a generous tolerance to allow for muzzle-loading, it was cheaper to produce and could be loaded quickly. 577 caliber muzzle-loading rifle revolutionized infantry tactics and saw extensive use in conflicts worldwide. While a musket was largely inaccurate over 100 yards (91 m), due to a lack of rifling and a generous tolerance to allow for muzzle-loading, it was cheap to produce and could be loaded quickly. The weapon was procured in order to fill a capability gap identified by experience in Afghanistan, where British infantry units were often engaged by small arms fire from outside the range of their own assault rifles and light machine guns. The prototypes were created in 1976, with production of the A1 variant starting in There are a total of [ 34 ] Modern British Army Guns (2025) entries in the Military Factory. The use in volley or in mass firing by troops meant that rate of fire took precedence over accuracy. Sep 18, 2019 · Besides the HK-upgraded SA80s, the British Army also uses the Glock 17 as its standard sidearm, the Benelli M4 as the L128A1 combat shotgun, and U. Return to the Modern Infantry Arms Index. Flag images indicative of country of origin and not necessarily the primary operator. A. EM-2 rifle [2] – Experimental rifle adopted very briefly in 1951. Which ended up in the L85 family of weapons. Mar 15, 2025 · Chambered in British . Sep 7, 2023 · British Army Ranger regiments are scheduled to start receiving the new rifle by the end of the year. Formed in 2007, it consists of four Regular battalions and three Reserve battalions. Adopted as the primary service rifle of the British Army in 1866. 56 mm rifle equipped with Vortex LPVO, Aimpoint Micro red dot, and a KAC suppressor. 9 inches (785 mm), making it ideal for close-quarters combat and urban warfare. The L85A1 was adopted in 1985. Army -- Equipment -- History -- 19th century, Great Britain. Jul 15, 2021 · Introduced officially in 1985, the rifle has undergone upgrades and seen action around the globe, most notably in Northern Ireland, The Gulf War, Bosnia and more recently, Afghanistan and the Iraq War. Nevertheless, the British Army expanded its use of rifles during the French and Indian War, when it equipped selected light troops and marksmen in the 27th, 42nd, 44th, 46th, 55th and 60th regiments of foot with The Rifles is an infantry regiment of the British Army. The British Soldiers Firearm, 1850-1864 From Smooth-bore to Small-bore by C. [1] In September 2023, the British Armed Forces selected the KS-1 rifle under Project Hunter to replace the L85A2-A3 and L119A1-A2 rifles used by the British Army Special Operations Brigade and elements of the Royal Marines Dec 13, 2024 · The origins of the modern British military rifle are within its predecessor the Brown Bess musket. 50 caliber weapon used by Special Forces and the Royal Marines more info : L82A1 - Anti-Material Rifle Jul 14, 2008 · The first true Martini-Henry adopted for service in the British Army was designated the Mark I and entered into service in June 1871. L115A3 Long Range Rifle with sound suppressor and Schmidt & Bender 5-25x56 PM II scope fitted. (Janes/Amael Kotlarski) Further Mar 13, 2024 · In January 2024, the British Army announced the beginning of the reduction in production of its existing assault rifle, the SA80, also known as the L85A3, in anticipation of the introduction of its replacement system under Project Grayburn. [4] The L85 Rifle variant has been the standard issue service rifle of the British Armed Forces since 1987, replacing the L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle. Additional rifle variations followed and include the Mark II, Mark III and Mark IV, as well as an 1877 Carbine version. An order for 1,640 Knight's Stoner 1 (KS-1) rifles, designated the L403A1 in UK service, has been placed, with an option to acquire a further 10,000 falling under a new £90m contract over the next decade. Military rifles have long had a more utilitarian appearance but for In 1879, Mk III rifle was adopted, which had minor design updates as well as more interchangeable parts with Martini-Henry carbine. The programme was thought likely to influence the wider replacement of the SA80A2/A3 bullpup rifles under Project Grayburn. British Military Longarms 1815-1865by D. These are the British Army's standard combat weapons. Sep 6, 2023 · While the British military have used AR-pattern rifles since the 1960s in various roles, Project Hunter and the Alternative Individual Weapon represents a major procurement and it remains to be seen how it will influence Project Grayburn – the effort to select a replacement for more than 150,000 SA80s. 577 calibre marked the culmination of the soldiers’ muzzle loading firearm. 4-inch barrel while significantly reducing its overall length to 30. While a musket was largely inaccurate over 100 yards (91 m), due to a lack of rifling and a generous tolerance to allow for muzzle-loading, it was cheap to produce and could be loaded quickly. The Accuracy International AWM (known in British service as the L115A3/4) is the primary precision rifle for British Armed Forces snipers. May 7, 2021 · Here’s What You Need to Know: The L115A3 bolt-action rifle was developed to have an effective range of 1,500 to 1,700 meters. Developed as part of the British Army’s transition from smoothbore muskets to rifled firearms, this . Entries are listed below in alphanumeric order (1-to-Z). Chambered in 5. W. The army still uses the Lee-Enfield rifle, rifle adopted by the British army as its basic infantry weapon in 1902. May 26, 2024 · Posted on May 26, 2024 May 26, 2024 by TAB Posted in Blog, Video Tagged Alternative Individual Weapon, ARMY SPECIAL OPERATIONS BRIGADE, British Army, british army rifle, Colt Canada L119, Diemaco L119A1, History, KAC KS-1, Knights Armament, Knights Armament Company, Knights Armament KS-1, Knights KS-1, L119A1, L403A1, L85A2, L85A3, Matt The No. Other prominent firearms include the L119A2 carbine, various pistols (Glock 17/19), sniper rifles (Accuracy International AWM Rifles were seen largely as a German hunting weapon, not as a tool of war, and they were slow to emerge as a military weapon. 99 Brand L129A1 Sharpshooter. 62x51mm NATO) as the British military's standard assault rifle. The L85A1 is the rifle, L86a1 as the light support weapon,the L22A1 as the carbine and the L98A1 as the cadet rifle. 577snider, with the "Snider" cartridge conversion, was the most widely used of the Snider varieties. SA80 A2 comprises the Individual Weapon (IW) and the Light Support Weapon (LSW). Nov 3, 2023 · A KS-1 5. [ 52 ] Feb 4, 2024 · The standard issue rifle of the British military is the L85A3, the latest iteration of the L85 assault rifle family. Their primary service rifle is the L85A3 assault rifle, chambered in 5. The long three band rifle musket which was used by the regular line infantry was Click for more info Mar 12, 2024 · The British Army is beginning to ‘ramp down’ production of its existing assault rifle, the SA80, designated L85A3, ahead of the induction of its replacement system under Project Grayburn. Roads. Built by Knight’s Armament, the As with earlier British military long arms, the experimental and developmental work that preceded the adoption of these rifles was conducted at Enfield. H. 22LR L98A1 cadet rifle– with just under . The short, magazine-loaded Lee-Enfield (Mark I, or SMLE) superseded the longer Lee-Enfield that was first produced in 1895. 577 calibre family of muskets made for the British Army. The Rifles formed in 2007 when four of the most famous Regiments in the British Army merged together into a modern and exciting large regiment optimised for 21st Century warfare. Introduced in the 1980s, the rifle has undergone several modifications to address initial reliability and performance issues, with the A3 version featuring significant improvements in weight, durability, and The Enfield Pattern 1853, commonly known as the P53 Enfield, is one of the most historically significant rifles of the 19th century. L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle [3] – Main Cold War service rifle from 1954 to 1994. Discover the history of the Martini-Henry rifle, the mainstay of the British military in the late 19th century, and its impact on the evolution of firearms. The British Militia; Bulk, non-specific, rifle issues; Chapter 15 British Army Rifle Marksmanship with the Flintlock Rifle; Chapter 16 Rifles for Indians in British Service, 1783-1840; The Board of Ordnance 1813 Contract Indian Rifles; The Tatham Rifles of Captain Norton, 1816; The Last of the Government-gift Flintlock Trade Rifles; Chapter 17 The Enfield 1853 rifle-musket was issued to the British Army regiments, colonial Militia and Volunteer units and later to the New Zealand Armed Constabulary, and saw extensive use in the mid and later stages of the New Zealand Wars. Short, Magazine Lee-Enfield Mk III rifle was fast to operate and up to the wretched conditions of the trenches. Each Regular battalion was formerly an individual battalion of one of the two large regiments of the Light Division (with the exception of the 1st Battalion, which is an amalgamation of two individual regiments). All available for purchase at International Military Antiques. Lee–Enfield [1] – Main service rifle until the 1950s and afterwards adapted for a variety of specialist roles. The L129A1 Sharpshooter is a marksman's rifle that has been fielded by UK forces since late 2010. This rifle was an accurate weapon for its day, with reported kills being made at 100 to 300 yards (90 to 270 m) away. Bailey. Greener conversion of a Martini Henry MKII 450 rifle to 22 caliber for the British N. Greener installed 22 caliber barrel with military ladder rear sight and fixed front sight. 4 rifles refurbished at ROF Fazakerley were for British military use while No. R. SAS Weapons - L96A1 Sniper Rifle. This configuration will be used by the British Army's Ranger Regiment. While the L85A3 is the standard issue rifle, the British Army utilizes a range of other weapons to meet diverse operational requirements: L119A2 Carbine: A variant of the Canadian Colt Canada C8 rifle, the L119A2 is a shorter, more compact weapon often used by special forces and in specialized Sep 14, 2023 · The British Army is poised for a transformative leap in modern warfare with the acquisition of the revolutionary L403A1 signature-masking rifles through Project Hunter, symbolizing a commitment to Jun 28, 2019 · L82A1 - Anti-Material Rifle accurate and powerful long range . The origins of the modern British military rifle are within its predecessor the Brown Bess musket. W. Aug 1, 2002 · -- Guns Australia, July/September, 2003 First-class effort from Bailey whose stature continues growingcontributed so much to knowledge of British Army weaponsa must have. Aug 16, 2023 · Until the 1850s, the British military still used a large-caliber, smoothbore musket as its main infantry arm. 55in, Boys "Boys anti-tank rifle" – infantry anti-tank weapon (prewar–1943). 22 LR; fair bore, fair stock, 26'' barrel, W. S. At ranges between 500m and 800m, Feb 25, 2025 · The British army is said to be the 'laughing stock' of NATO because its outdated rifles wouldn't be able to kill Russian or Chinese soldiers in advanced body armour. . A similar The origins of the modern British military rifle are within its predecessor the Brown Bess musket. The first Enfield rifles were issued to the 58th and 65th Regiments, stationed in the country, in 1858. Although the basic platoon structure has remained the same since the maneuver support section was removed in 2001, the particulars of the section-level structure and equipment were updated in 2018 going into 2019. The MK II, saw action everywhere the British had a presence, in the 19th century. The 'Precision Marksman' (PM) was the first variant in use with the British Military. 45 caliber, but different cartridges). Darling. 5 inches (111. Guns International Advertising Policy GunsInternational. 62mm L42A1 bolt-action sniping rifle in 1970. -- Arms & Armour Society Newsletter, December, 2002 Highly recommended titlequality productionlarge, clear, illustrationsselected to show the details demanded ** In response to the challenge of the Soviet Dragunov self-loading rifle, the British Army adopted the 7. On its introduction, it proved so accurate that the Army marksmanship tests had to be redesigned. 303-cal. The SA80 (Small Arms for the 1980s) is a British family of 5. Now nearing its 36th anniversary as the British Army's standard service rifle, the weapon system has stood the test of time. Blackmore. Matching numbers on Jul 16, 2017 · The family of British Service Rifles and Carbines introduced during the 1850’s and 1860’s in 0. The SA80A1 assault rifle (L85A1) entered service in 1985, replacing the venerable L1A1 SLR (7. This 5. Introduced in 1889 as the Magazine Rifle Mark I, the new design featured Metford rifling, which had proven to be extremely accurate in competition at Wimbledon. SA80 L85 rifle [4] – Adopted right at the end of the Cold War in 1987. The L403A1 is the latest variant of the SR-16 ArmaLite assault rifle fitted with a muzzle Boys anti-tank rifle which was the main infantry anti-tank weapon of the British Army in the early war PIAT (Projector, Infantry, Anti-tank) along with ammunition. The British Service Lee: Lee-Metford and Lee-Enfield Rifles and Carbines 1880-1980 by Ian Skennerton Jul 26, 2024 · Other Weapons in the British Army’s Arsenal. jysmbjiailmtlzaoyybytfvlzqiyvtdglapftpwrltmochzfuv