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Both these firearms have their similarities and differences. Both fire a 5.56 round and are gas operated. Both firearms also hold a 30 round mag. I personally like the m16 better because of its shorter barrel length and less recoil. The main downsizes of the sa80 are its restrictions of left handed users and it unreliability in jungle setting such as Venezuela.

I am a left-hander and I have used both the SA80 and M16 at BATUB in Belize and i feel that the SA80 is more reliable than the M16, also the grip on the M16 isn't designed for left handers, and its more comfortable and eaiser to use an SA80 and learn to change firing hands.

my friend the SA80 is one of the best weapons in jungle conflict unlike the m16 which couldn't stand the jungle conditions in Vietnam, although the initial teething troubles with the M16 were due to the lack of features such as a chrome lined chamber, ammunition with powders which burned dirtier than what it was originally intended for, and the fact that cleaning kits were not issued. These problems were soon rectified, and the M16 series has seen widespread usage the world over, and it should be noted that many of the world's elite units have opted for the M16 over their armed forces standard issue rifles.

In truth, both have their strong and weak points. The M16 does suffer somewhat from the direct impingement gas system, and the M16 and M4 are both longer than comparable bullpup designs.

The SA80 is shorter, and uses a gas piston design. This was the short stroke system derived from the Armalite AR-18 (to which Sterling Armaments owned manufacturing rights). However, in designing the L85, this system was weakened for reasons which have yet to be explained. That, coupled with poorly manufactured magazines - intended to be used and thrown away - made the original SA80 rifles very problematic and prone to malfunction. In 1997, Heckler & Koch was called in to save the design, and they implemented a number of changes, including high end magazines.

Advantages of the SA80 include:

  • Shorter overall length
  • Better suited for firing in the confines of a vehicle
  • Gas piston system

Disadvantages include:

  • Awkward balance common to bullpup designs
  • Infantry models are dependent on the SUSAT sight, with no provision for backup iron sights if the SUSAT optic is damaged, although a set of crude iron sights are in place atop the SUSAT optic.
  • Awkward selector lever placement

Advantages of the M16 include:

  • Ergonomic placement of the selector lever
  • Balance
  • Modularity

Disadvantages include:

  • Greater length
  • Direct impingement system
  • Awkward setup for use from within vehicles
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Q: What is better the M16 or the SA80?
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Why do the british use the sa80?

Why wouldn't they - the SA80 A2 is a good weapon, it has outstanding accuracy and good durability. The SA80 A1 didn't have good durability as it has many stoppages in rough conditions. In my opinion it is a good weapon, certainly better than the US's M16.


What value is a British SA80 rifle bayonet?

Ive seen them fo £30 to £40


What is the role of m16 rifle in combat?

The M16 sieries of rifles are individual combat weapons.


What is a m16 composed of?

the M16 assault rifle is composed of steel, aircraft grade aluminum, composite plastics, and polymer


Should the British army scrap sa80 for diemaco c8 or hk g36?

AnswerThe Diemaco C7 and C8 rifles are effectively Canadian copies of the Colt M16/M4 rifles (respectively), which are currently standard issue for the United States forces. The Diemacos are supposedly of higher build quality than the Colt equivalents, which is why they have been used by UK Special Forces like the SAS. However, the M16 platform is now getting on for being a 50 year old design - making the platform considerably older than the SA80. This alone makes it unlikely the MOD would consider the Diemaco c8 as an option.The G36 however, is a much newer weapon, only going into active service with the German Bundeswher in the mid/late-90's. It is accurate, sturdy and reliable. It has a built in scope and a folding stock, plus its magazines have a built in feature allowing them to clip together. If the MOD did want a replacement, certainly, the G36 would be a top contender.However, the current L85A2 version of the SA80 is generally though of as a very decent weapon in its own right. The A1 version did have some problems, but this is why the MOD commissioned H&K to upgrade most of their stock to the A2 version, at a cost of around £400 per rifle. One advantage the SA80 has over both the above rifles is its bullpup design - this means the magazine and firing mechanism are located behind the trigger. This allows it to have a barrel length similar to the M16, but have an overall weapon length similar to the compact Colt M4. This means good range and accuracy, but in a compact frame.I see no reason for the MOD to replace the SA80 before at least 2015.MERC1911:can i just say that the g36c variable of the g36 is in use by the British SAS and so is the HKmp5/mp5k/mp5SD. the G36 does not have a built in scope but i think the SA80 does or at least every model comes with a scopeTo answer you question alot simpler, 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'The NEW British L85A2 is often considered to be the most accurate assault rifle in the world with its X4 optical scope. Being reliable the new L85A2 will fire off 30,000 rounds per fail which gives it top respect from across the globe.It is also one of the most expensive assault rifles in the world by far beating the American M16 overall!If you are familiar of the L86A1 LSW (light support weapon) it is important to know that nearly all parts on the L85A2 and L86A1 are interchangeable thus giving the two a greater ease of service as it cuts out the need for a variety of different parts for two different weapons. If you were to ask the average British soldier that question their jaw would drop to the floor, the troops have such respect for the weapon a replacement is out of the question!

Related questions

Why do the british use the sa80?

Why wouldn't they - the SA80 A2 is a good weapon, it has outstanding accuracy and good durability. The SA80 A1 didn't have good durability as it has many stoppages in rough conditions. In my opinion it is a good weapon, certainly better than the US's M16.


Which is better SA80 or M4?

you cant really compare them because M4 is a carbine ( barrel length between a SMG and a rifle), so a compact version of M16 and SA80 is a full length rifle. SA80 has a further effective range I'm going to have to go with the SA80 its by far more accurate, of good design and was used by the elite, how ever the L85A2 is becoming more popular.


What is better the M16 or the M4 carbine airsoft gun?

The M4 CARBINE IS BETTER THAN THE M16.


What is the standard issue for the SAS?

Unlike the rest of the British military (who use the SA80) the most common assualt rifle for the SAS is the M4a1 carbine. During the 1990's they used the M16


Should British Forces scrap the SA80 for another weapon such as the M16?

Certainly not, because the SA80 A2 is arguably the better of the two rifles. The M16 is slightly less reliable, less accurate, and suffers from more stoppages in certain conditions than the SA80 A2. Also, the M16 is longer and less weildy than the SA80 A2, making it more difficult to operate in confined spaces. On a more interesting note, the design of the bullpup on the SA80 A2 is such that it restricts the rifle to being fired from the right shoulder only, (the M16 allowing its operator to fire from either shoulder) which causes problems when firing from cover especially in urban environment's furthermore the bullpup design makes the bayonet harder to use than on a more conventional weapons system. ANSWER.- The NEW British L85A2 is often considered to be the most accurate assault rifle in the world with its X4 optical scope. Being reliable the new L85A2 will fire off 30,000 rounds per fail which gives it top respect from across the globe. It is also one of the most expensive assault rifles in the world by far beating the American M16 overall! If you are familiar of the L86A1 LSW (light support weapon) it is important to know that nearly all parts on the L85A2 and L86A1 are interchangeable thus giving the two a greater ease of service as it cuts out the need for a variety of different parts for two different weapons. If you were to ask the average British soldier that question their jaw would drop to the floor, the troops have such respect for the weapon a replacement is out of the question!


How do you get a job at m16?

Enlist! What better way to get free ammo and GET PAID to shoot your M16!


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You should use a m16 because its better.


Is the l96 better than the m16?

uh well there completly different guns...the m16 is a assualt rifle and the l96 is a bolt action rifle. m16 is probly the better choice if your trying to survive on a battlefield.


Which is more powerful M16 or SKS?

The SKS packs a bigger round (7.62mm) than the m16 (5.56mm) but the m16 has a higher magazine capacity, better accuracy,and a higher rate of fire, so the SKS is more powerful, but the m16 is generally regarded as a better weapon.


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Is a 2.23 a sniper rifle?

There are some accurised variants of the M16, SA80, and other 5.56 rifles out there which are designed and used as Designated Marksman rifles, but, in general, the 5.56x45 and .223 Remington cartridges really aren't the ideal choices for a sniper rifle.


Which gun is better M16 or the G11?

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