EQUIPMENT UPDATE
IN DETAIL
THE NEW IMPROVED RIFLE YOUR NEW RIFLE IS COMING: DISCOVER ALL ITS IMPROVEMENTS AND ADDITIONS
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14 ACF SUMMER 2016
Rear sight with iris sight aperture
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Photos: Peter Russell
t’s time to start saying goodbye. After 65 years of sterling service, the Number 8 rifle is being replaced by the L144 A1 cadet small bore target rifle – a modified version of the Savage Arms FVT. “The Number 8, which was developed from the Enfield Number 4, incorporated features which were state-of-the-art for their day, including a heavy barrel with rifling that tapered to almost smooth bore at the muzzle to polish out the rifling marks from the bullet,” says Col Neville Stebbings, National Shooting Adviser. “However, the new rifle incorporates a number of welcome improvements, including a lengthadjustable stock to accommodate different sizes of cadet, and rear sights that are now click-adjustable for both elevation and windage.” It is also slightly lighter, making it easier for junior cadets progressing from the air rifle to .22 shooting. The new rifle, which will start arriving in counties this year, was selected following extensive environmental and resilience tests conducted by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, says Jason Kitching, SO1 Delivery (Training and Support) at Regional Command. “Train the trainer courses, run by the Small Arms School Corps, for all cadet training teams will start in June,” he says. “The first batch of 751 rifles will equip cadet formations in 160 Inf Bde, 38 Irish Bde and also 4 Inf Bde and HQ North East. The balance of 4,750 rifles for the ACF and CCF will be procured in separate phases over the next three years, when funding becomes available.”
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