UK Special Forces' M16 Variant: the L119A1
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Published 2022-01-21
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UPDATE: One correction to make; this rifle has the A2 charging handle. The original A1 version was essentially identical to the standard conventional charging handle. Sorry!
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In 1999, the UK Ministry of Defense put out a tender for a new rifle for UK Special Forces (UKSOF). The elite units of the British military were definitely not going to be using the L85! There was some competition (including the SIG 550 series), but it was pretty much known going in that the contract would be going to Diemaco (later Colt Canada) for a version of their C8 SFW ("Special Forces Weapon"). That was the case, but only after very extensive trials, which actually cost more than the procurement contract itself. The rifles were tested in all environmental extremes, including Alaska, Kuwait, and Brunei.
The rifle ultimately adopted had a number of unique features. It was at heart a Diemaco C8, with Diemaco's early flat top upper (which predates Picatinny adoption, and is actually a bit closer to Weaver - but still compatible with modern accessories). Two barrel lengths were purchased, 10.0 inch and 15.7 inch. Other details include:
Stepped buffer tube
Textured telescoping stock
Permanently attached rubber buttplate
Lone Star grip
Knight's RAS with locking clamps on both top and bottom rails
Strengthened gas block (usually but not always)
SureFire 216-A flash hider
Unique castle nut details
Ambidextrous charging handle
The barrel profile chosen for the L119A1 is quite heavy, and the 10 inch barreled version is substantially overgassed. The guns were heavy, but very reliable, and have since been adopted as the standard service rifle of the Royal Marines. The SOF opted to seek out a replacement around 2013-2016, and that would result in the L119A2 (a significantly different rifle).
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All Comments (21)
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"They spent more on testing than on actually purchasing." That might have saved them a lot of headaches with the L85.
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A few years ago when Colt Canada released some C8 pattern rifles made for the civilian market in Canada, a company rep made some posts on a popular forum here explaining some of the development process for the C8, including how the barrel length was selected. Evidently Diemaco had made multiple test barrels of various lengths, each custom cold hammer forged, and ultimately chose the 400mm (15.7") length because it was at a harmonic node for the SS109 cartridge, leading to better accuracy.
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One of the reasons the SAS procured their M-16 variants from Diemaco/Colt Canada, is because, as a small company, they were extremely open to small, almost custom orders. They were happy to built one thousand guns, were Colt USA only wanted major orders.
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Honestly 90% of my gun knowledge comes from you guys, thank you for teaching me about guns and getting me into them.
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It is surprising that Ian did not mention that UKSF had used Canadian AR15 since the 1990s even before L119A1
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the finger groove; its there for when you are operating in the cold and snow. Trust me, when you pick your rifle up out of a snow bank with thick gloves you will begin to think the guy who came up with that finger grove was a damn genius. Same thing with that rubber grip. Stays pliable even in Saskatchewan and Yellowknife.
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Now being used by Royal Marines, SFSG, RMP and 148 battery 29 commando
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Says, "they spent more money on testing than they did on purchasing. Which is smart."
2 minutes later, "This charging handle is really stupid as you scrape your fingers. It gets caught in webbing and can open unexpectedly. Here's one a soldier has sawed off." I give you British Government Bureaucracy.... gasp at the greatness. -
When I was deployed during OIF with the 82nd 1st/504th we worked with the SAS on two occasions. They were a solid group of shooters who were both humble and extremely helpful. I have immense respect for them, in my eyes in our specific AO at the time they were indeed the apex predators of the battlefield.
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@16:35 perfectly well balanced assessment of SAS performance up until circa 1990. Made me laugh.
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I’m surprised that forgotten weapons hasn’t shown off the HK MP5 40/10mm out of everything
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I'm from Ontario but I was doing some work in Montreal and I was in the hotel elevator, wearing my Forgotten weapons beater and a few other guys who got on noticed and we talked about the channel and nerded about guns for few minutes. This was weird because big cities in Eastern Canada have almost no gun culture to speak of in my experience. I saw them later in the week and asked them what they were doing in Montreal. They were from Colt Canada, and they were meeting with some government officials. That explains it, lol.
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Interesting story I was told in 2001 by someone who was around during that period. Originally when the regiment went to Colt US, they wanted it chambered in UK spec 5.56mm along with other mods and Colt said no, go to Canada. So, once that trial and order was complete, the Regiment went back to Colt USA to order and have fitted a load of M203's to part of the order. Colt US refused, saying that with the modifications, they saw it as out of license and would not supply/fit the M203's. So, the UK went to HK Germany and opted for the AG36 instead. Think that's the meat of it, has been 20 years, so my memory may be a bit muddy on some of it.
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those lonestar grips were super popular in the paintball world for a time - usually with the trap door removed so you could fit a bottomline tank connector
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As an ex armourer from REME. I would just like to commend you on your amazing Channel. Really appreciate your hard work and commitment to an often misunderstood or appreciation of firearms engineering historical importance.
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Muzzle device: the step down is to fit into the interior profile of the suppressor which are designed to work together.
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I always thought it was weird how UKSF would have their peqs on the lower hand guard and thought how the hell did it hold zero. Thanks to Ian my question has been answered #TheMoreYouKnow
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What a beautiful rifle. That Knight's rail system, the classic style stock, this will always be the best era/aesthetic of the M16/M4 platform to my eyes.
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God I hope there's an L119A2 video in the works, would love to see some details about that rifle
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I heard they missed the sten and were upset that Colt Canada would not move the magazine well to the side of the gun.
This has to be true, I read it on the internet!
