The SA80 Assault Rifles

The SA80 family of infantry weapons has provided the primary assault rifles of the British Army for the last three decades, equipping troops in Kosovo,Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan. They are still in use to this day, despite a troubled history that saw the weapons feature heavily in the news. This highly illustrated title is sure to appeal to military and firearms enthusiasts, as well as anyone with an interest in the British military.

Now the standard weapon for British soldiers across the globe, the SA80's early years were surrounded in controversy after a series of dismal performances. It was prone to jamming in desert conditions, had several flimsy parts that would often break after repeated use and had an incredibly sensitive magazine catch. When these issues came to light the SA80 was lambasted by the news, leading to the Ministry of Defence ordering an extensive modification programme that dramatically improved reliability.

Combat accounts and in-depth analysis of the SA80's performance in Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and Iraq guide the reader through its troubled life, while vivid artwork helps to illustrate the transformation it underwent; from an unreliable rifle disliked by the soldiers who used it to being one of the world's most innovative and accurate small arms.