I've been trying to figure out what this weapon was and I can't find it. And do they make a civilian version. At the time, I was in the field with some Brit Special Forces near the Iraq/Turkey border. It was small, I think 5.56, had the magazine behind the trigger, it was green, and had optics (1.5 or maybe 2x magnification at the most). Really interesting little weapon. Anybody got a clue?
<TABLE class=infobox style="FONT-SIZE: 95%; WIDTH: 315px; TEXT-ALIGN: left; border-spacing: 2px"><TBODY><TR><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 90%; BORDER-BOTTOM: #aaa 1px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: center" colSpan=2> The L85A2 assault rifle fitted with SUSAT sight</TD></TR><TR><TH style="PADDING-RIGHT: 1em">Type</TH><TD>Assault rifle</TD></TR><TR><TH style="PADDING-RIGHT: 1em">Place of origin</TH><TD>United Kingdom</TD></TR><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND: lightsteelblue; TEXT-ALIGN: center" colSpan=2>Service history</TH></TR><TR><TH style="PADDING-RIGHT: 1em">In service</TH><TD>1985–present</TD></TR><TR><TH style="PADDING-RIGHT: 1em">Used by</TH><TD>UK, Zimbabwe, Jamaica</TD></TR><TR><TH style="PADDING-RIGHT: 1em">Wars</TH><TD>Northern Ireland, 1991 Persian Gulf War, Afghanistan, Iraq War 2003—</TD></TR><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND: lightsteelblue; TEXT-ALIGN: center" colSpan=2>Production history</TH></TR><TR><TH style="PADDING-RIGHT: 1em">Designed</TH><TD>1980s</TD></TR><TR><TH style="PADDING-RIGHT: 1em">Manufacturer</TH><TD>Royal Small Arms Factory</TD></TR><TR><TH style="PADDING-RIGHT: 1em">Produced</TH><TD>1985–1994</TD></TR><TR><TH style="PADDING-RIGHT: 1em">Number built</TH><TD>approx 324,000</TD></TR><TR><TH style="PADDING-RIGHT: 1em">Variants</TH><TD>L85 IW (Individual Weapon); L86 LSW (Light Support Weapon); L22A1 Carbine; L98A1 CGP (Cadet General Purpose)</TD></TR><TR><TH style="BACKGROUND: lightsteelblue; TEXT-ALIGN: center" colSpan=2>Specifications</TH></TR><TR><TH style="PADDING-RIGHT: 1em">Weight</TH><TD>4.98 kg (loaded); 6.47 kg (with attached UGL grenade launcher); 6.58 kg (LSW, loaded)</TD></TR><TR><TH style="PADDING-RIGHT: 1em">Length</TH><TD>785 mm; 900 mm (LSW)</TD></TR><TR><TH style="PADDING-RIGHT: 1em">Barrel length</TH><TD>518 mm, 646 mm (LSW)</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=2><HR></TD></TR><TR><TH style="PADDING-RIGHT: 1em">Cartridge (firearms) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:Rifle_cartridge_comparison.jpg" class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Rifle_cartridge_comparison.jpg/220px-Rifle_cartridge_comparison.jpg"@@AMEPARAM@@commons/thumb/a/ab/Rifle_cartridge_comparison.jpg/220px-Rifle_cartridge_comparison.jpg</TH><TD>5.56 x 45 mm NATO</TD></TR><TR><TH style="PADDING-RIGHT: 1em">Caliber</TH><TD>5.56 mm</TD></TR><TR><TH style="PADDING-RIGHT: 1em">Action</TH><TD>Gas-operated, rotating bolt</TD></TR><TR><TH style="PADDING-RIGHT: 1em">Rate of fire</TH><TD>~650 rounds/min</TD></TR><TR><TH style="PADDING-RIGHT: 1em">Muzzle velocity</TH><TD>940 m/s; 970 m/s (LSW)</TD></TR><TR><TH style="PADDING-RIGHT: 1em">Effective range</TH><TD>400 m (L85); 800 m (LSW)</TD></TR><TR><TH style="PADDING-RIGHT: 1em">Feed system</TH><TD>30-round detachable box Magazine (firearms) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:9mm_pistol_magazine.jpg" class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ac/9mm_pistol_magazine.jpg/220px-9mm_pistol_magazine.jpg"@@AMEPARAM@@commons/thumb/a/ac/9mm_pistol_magazine.jpg/220px-9mm_pistol_magazine.jpg</TD></TR><TR><TH style="PADDING-RIGHT: 1em">Sights</TH></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Uses standard M16/AR15 mags. Basically an M16 Bullpup. I had a Bushmaster M17 Bullpup. Very similar. I didn't like it. Your cheek rests right above the bolt and you get a lot of vibration, and the ejection port is just under your face so with a gust of wind you get a snout full of exhaust gas. It will water your eyes. But I don't know if those problems are common with this rifle. It has been adopted as the standard issue for Brit forces.
My thoughts exactly. The idea of something going "bang" right next to my face doesn't thrill me all that much. At least with a conventional design there are things that are a bit more solid between my nose and where the kaboom will take place. That said, there is much going for the design in terms of size. I just cannot warm to bullpup layouts. I for one would very much like to see that optical gadget placed further forward, too. Cannot see how us long neckers could get a proper cheek weld.