168GRN HPBT
Jan 30 2002, 00:58
The following is and interesting article I read in the Australian shooter , it covers a lot of unknown points about the steyr and how bad it sux , the article was written by N Moir snr , Mooroolbank , Victoria -Australia
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While reading the November 2001 issue I was interested to see that you planed to do an article on the F88 in the December 2001 Australian Shooter.
In May 1993, the Army Tech Department asked me. As a marksman, to evaluate the f88 and compare my observations with there estimates of the rifle. Here are the results of my tests.
I fired 25 rounds prone single shot and found the rifle to be accurate. However, the scope had a slight convex effect on the impact point. I considered it to be a goods rifle to used to teach recruits firearms use and easier to handle than, say, an SLR or Lee Enfield type (i.e., the scope made aiming easier and semi-auto sliminated having to learn how to cycle a bolt and keep aim point.)
I then fired 75 rounds standing in auto bursts and not only got them all on, but shot some good groups. However, I was not very impressed with the rifle in this mode.
I made the following two adverse comments on the rifle:
1. I considered the shotgun-type safety very dangerous, in particular for recruits and also while on the move in trucks or AFVs. I suggested it either be modified to a leaver type safety or that the current one have some sort of side over lock.
2. I considered the weight of the trigger pull on the second stage for auto bursts to be excessive ad suggested it be lowered by about 1.5kg. Firing aimed bursts with the weight as it was made any attempt at accurate aiming impossible.
Eight years later, as far as I know nothing has been done regarding my comments and several deaths have come about due to the safety
Form several sources, both retired and current servicemen, the rifle is not popular with the troops. It failed dismally in Somalia and was proven to be deficient in Timor. Several media reports indicated this, in particular when special forces refused to move until they where kitted out with USA rifles, which I assume was the modified M16.
My own view is that the SLR is a superior rifle to either, as are the HK class rifles and even the updated BM-59 Grand. The F88 will be handier in thick brush but my view is in such country robust sub-machine-guns are superior. Other adverse points of the F88 are that it cannot be fired single shot (i.e., whiteout the magazine) and it is prone to magazine jams. In hot weather, due to the design and materials used, the action will not cycle correctly. This is exactly what happened in Somalia and Timor.
To clear the rifle as safe, the barrel has to be completely removed. No doubt there are some others I haven’t noticed.
So, the only real good points are its cheap cost, its ease of teaching recruits and, of course, its ability to e rapidly altered from either left- or right-hand shots.
In summary, I do not consider the F88 a good frontline battle weapon and, as already stated, it dose not have the confidence of the troops. At last report there where only 70,000 in reserve, a pitiful number if any real mobilisation has to occur.
I will refrain myself from bitter comments about two past PM’s who either sold off or gave away our large stocks of Enfield’s and SLR’s followed by the current dill destroying even larger numbers held by the rifle clubs.
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I want my SLR's back http://www.flashpoint1985.com/ikonboard3/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
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While reading the November 2001 issue I was interested to see that you planed to do an article on the F88 in the December 2001 Australian Shooter.
In May 1993, the Army Tech Department asked me. As a marksman, to evaluate the f88 and compare my observations with there estimates of the rifle. Here are the results of my tests.
I fired 25 rounds prone single shot and found the rifle to be accurate. However, the scope had a slight convex effect on the impact point. I considered it to be a goods rifle to used to teach recruits firearms use and easier to handle than, say, an SLR or Lee Enfield type (i.e., the scope made aiming easier and semi-auto sliminated having to learn how to cycle a bolt and keep aim point.)
I then fired 75 rounds standing in auto bursts and not only got them all on, but shot some good groups. However, I was not very impressed with the rifle in this mode.
I made the following two adverse comments on the rifle:
1. I considered the shotgun-type safety very dangerous, in particular for recruits and also while on the move in trucks or AFVs. I suggested it either be modified to a leaver type safety or that the current one have some sort of side over lock.
2. I considered the weight of the trigger pull on the second stage for auto bursts to be excessive ad suggested it be lowered by about 1.5kg. Firing aimed bursts with the weight as it was made any attempt at accurate aiming impossible.
Eight years later, as far as I know nothing has been done regarding my comments and several deaths have come about due to the safety
Form several sources, both retired and current servicemen, the rifle is not popular with the troops. It failed dismally in Somalia and was proven to be deficient in Timor. Several media reports indicated this, in particular when special forces refused to move until they where kitted out with USA rifles, which I assume was the modified M16.
My own view is that the SLR is a superior rifle to either, as are the HK class rifles and even the updated BM-59 Grand. The F88 will be handier in thick brush but my view is in such country robust sub-machine-guns are superior. Other adverse points of the F88 are that it cannot be fired single shot (i.e., whiteout the magazine) and it is prone to magazine jams. In hot weather, due to the design and materials used, the action will not cycle correctly. This is exactly what happened in Somalia and Timor.
To clear the rifle as safe, the barrel has to be completely removed. No doubt there are some others I haven’t noticed.
So, the only real good points are its cheap cost, its ease of teaching recruits and, of course, its ability to e rapidly altered from either left- or right-hand shots.
In summary, I do not consider the F88 a good frontline battle weapon and, as already stated, it dose not have the confidence of the troops. At last report there where only 70,000 in reserve, a pitiful number if any real mobilisation has to occur.
I will refrain myself from bitter comments about two past PM’s who either sold off or gave away our large stocks of Enfield’s and SLR’s followed by the current dill destroying even larger numbers held by the rifle clubs.
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I want my SLR's back http://www.flashpoint1985.com/ikonboard3/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif