#L22A2

[historicalfirearms]

L22A2 Carbine

When the SA80 was initially adopted a carbine variant was not offered. The L85A1 rifle was believed to be short enough to be suitable for troops in all roles. Subsequent attempts to create a carbine were made in 1989 and 1994 but neither of these proved successful. 

It became clear over time that troops in specialist roles needed a shorter carbine as a personal defence weapon and the British Army’s Armoured Trials and Development Unit called for the development of a dedicated carbine. The Sterling L2A3 submachine gun had originally fulfilled this role but these had been retired from service by 1994. Heckler & Koch, who also performed the extensive refit of the SA80/L85, developed the L22A2. HK built several thousand using parts from redundant L85A1 rifles, although other sources suggest L86 Light Support Weapons receivers may have been used. 

The SA80 in its current configuration, the L85A2 (source)

Heckler & Koch made only minimal changes to the base weapon, altering the gas plug by lengthening it and reducing its diameter to accommodate the shorter gas system and balance the carbine’s pressure curve. This allows the weapon to cycle reliably. A specifically designed aluminium heat-shield with Picatinny rails was added to the front of the receiver to mount accessories and a forward grip. A folding grip is increasingly is being issued, this makes the carbine even more compact for storage. The L22A2 has no backup sights and is generally fitted with a SUSAT sight.

The weapon is 57cm (22.5 inches) in length with a 33cm (11.2 inch) long barrel and weighs 3.5kg (7.7 lbs) unloaded. One of the ergonomic shortcomings of the SA80 series is that they are difficult to quickly fire from the hip, a feature the L2A3 Sterling it replaced was designed for. The L22A2 is issued to a number of branches of the British military. Armoured vehicle crews with the Royal Armoured Corps and helicopter crews of the Army Air Corps are often equipped with the carbines as are Royal Navy and Royal Marine boarding parties.

Sources:

Images: 1 2 3 4

‘Centrefire automatic carbine - Experimental L22A2′, Royal Armouries, (source)

‘British Enfield SA80 Part 6: Carbines’, ARES, J. Ferguson, (source)

The Last Enfield, S. Raw (2003)

SA80 Assault Rifle, N. Grant (2016)

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- Eon Standing

[historicalfirearms]

Recent Recap

It’s been quite a while since the last recap and we’ve covered a lot of ground over the last month or so! We’ve had some very in-depth looks at guns like the SIG P210, the Browning Automatic Rifle, Bergmann MP18 and the Chauchat.  We’ve also looked at some pretty obscure firearms like the Rheinmetall Rh4, the AJ Ordnance Thomas 45 and the Tokarev-Maxim Light Machine Gun. There has also been series of posts on development of the BAR and the CETME rifles. With over 30 posts that just scratches the surface so if you missed anything check out the links below!

Thank you for following, reading and supporting HF. If you enjoy the content please consider supporting Historical Firearms through Patreon! You can also help spread the word about HF and the content I cover by sharing links with friends and sharing on social media, don’t forget you can also follow HF on facebook. As always if you have any questions, suggestions feel free to send me a message here.

~ Matt

Pistols:

SIG P210

North & Cheney Model 1799

AJ Ordnance Thomas 45

Rifles:

CETME Modelo A Prototype

CETME Modelo C

Springfield Model 1875 Officer’s Rifle

L22A2 Carbine

Mauser Model 1917 ‘Trench Carbine’

Rheinmetall Rh4

Submachine Guns:

Bergmann MP18,I

Beretta Modello 12

Zastava M56

Subametralladora Modelo 1929

Experimental Danish Submachine Gun

Machine Guns:

FN Light Automatic Rifle - Heavy Barrel

X11 Belt-Fed Bren Derivative

The Chauchat

Tripod Mounted BAR

Maxim-Tokarev Light Machine Gun

M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle

M1922 Cavalry Machine Rifle

Browning Automatic Rifle M1918A1

In Action:

In Action: Webley Mk VI & Aerial Lewis Gun

In Action: M1928A1, M1903, M1918A2 & Lewis Gun

In Action: FG-42 & PPSh-41

Miscellaneous: 

ARP Whistle

Standard Beaverette Light Armoured Car MkI/II

September HF Patreon Wallpaper - HK VP70M

October HF Patreon Wallpaper - Savage M1907

Owen Gun In Action: How Lieutenant Albert Chowne Won the Victoria Cross

M2 & Owen Gun In Action: How Trooper John Carter won the Distinguished Conduct Medal

For more content and to stay up to date check out Historical Firearms’ facebook page which has some additional pictures and other content.

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