The Brits are going 7.62 with new rifles

The British are fielding a new rifle to Afghanistan.

To be redesignated the L129A1, the gas-operated weapon carries a 20-round magazine, is 945 mm long and weighs 5 kg. It will be manufactured by Lewis Machine & Tool Company in the United States, with deliveries expected to begin in early 2010.

Features of the weapon include a single-piece upper receiver and free-floating, quick-change barrels available in 305 mm, 406 mm and 508 mm. It has four Picatinny rails with a 540 mm top rail for night vision, thermal and image intensifying optics. Stock options include fixed or retractable versions.

Here's some more about the fielding.

More than 400 of the 7.62mm Sharpshooter rifles are being bought as part of a £1.5million ‘urgent operational requirement’, the MoD announced. The first batch will be sent to frontline troops later this year. Defence minister Quentin Davies said the move would ensure ‘our brave forces have the best kit available to them’.

By: Brant