L85 vs M16

[Zeta Crossfire]

I love my M16, but I have noticed that it does have it's draw backs. I never realized it until recently but the thing is a damn musket. There are times where the length does get in the way. (for example in the village at splat action) But the M16 is still a great and amazing weapon to use. But if I could go back and get another weapon I would of gotten a M4 for its compactness.

[Deathlycobra]

I just got 5 MAG mid-caps, so that is very nice to here.

So does l85 have the same barrel length of a M16? Or longer.

I am now extremely interested in a L85 now.

[Patrick750]

40 mm is 1.5 inches. i'd be surprised if you saw a difference in performance

[Raging Hormann]

it was back heavy. but the british don't complain. you'll get used to it.

Not what I heard from a retired 1st Sergeant. He said they preferred our M4's/M16's, but they use the lady5 for the sake of keeping their firepower based in their home country. SAS doesn't use them, according to everything I've ever heard and seen, and I'm pretty sure they are more elite than the regular British army.

Again, what I've heard.

[Solid]

One loads in the back and one loads in the front, take your pick. There are less L85's out there too, so id suggest using that

[Raging Hormann]

Oh god,
with this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgA_3ulwN_w
I would buy an L85.

Also, I have a problem with the reloading personally. I really dig how armalites are set up to have you drop a mag from your firing hand. The Lady5 makes it a bit more difficult, and I think probably slower.
With an armalite you can drop the mag before you have the next one in hand, but the Lady5, you have to pick: am I going to bring the mag and THEN drop the old one, or am I going to drop the dry and THEN bring a new one?

[Cap n pickles]

So it pretty much comes own too this:

M4/16 : Fast reloads, which are only good in CQB when you need to reload asap. Tacticool rails.

Crappy Design of the Gear box, kinda big.

L85 : slower reloads, akward to some people, the piston is a piece of crap ive heard. no rails.

Parts are easy to come by now, CQB design. Its also bleeding cool.



Got to a store that has one, and hold it. feel the gun. Ask if you can walk around with it for a bit, melee your best friend with for good measures, then decide.

[Voodoo Man]

Iceman (guy on DRAT) can reload his L85 faster than lots of people can reload their Armalites. With reloads it comes down to lots of repetitions attempting to get it down as fast as possible.

[Cap n pickles]

L85 : slower reloads, akward to some people, the piston is a piece of crap ive heard. no rails.

From what I gather it's the blowback function that screws up pistons in no time flat. Once you disable that you're good.

Ive heard that also, but also the fact that they arent just that great.

[dr.feelgood]

The only reason reloading an L85 can be slower is because most people are used to reloading armalites.

As to living with an L85, it is an exciting love hate relationship. Lately I'm loving it; I haven't had any drastic mechanical or cosmetic failures in the last twoish years, which is better than some. I've become quite keen on medic roles where I am able to fully use my rifle while dragging someone with my other arm. Also if all you need to do is a quick spring change or piston change, its a matter of pulling out two pins and undoing a handful of screws, I think I can do it in less than 5 minutes.

Problem wise I only have two major issues, firstly semi auto is hit or miss. I it has to do with how the timing of releasing the trigger, however I have yet to fully master it. Full auto always works, and that is where my gun tends to stay. The other issue I have is with the trigger delay before a shot is fired, which is why I've really had it fall out of favor in CQB. A higher voltage battery would alleviate this problem, but would (supposedly) drastically reduce the life of my gearbox.

As to mag compatibility; I've had CA midcaps, star realcaps, echo1 midcaps (I think), and have snagged tons of mags from all sorts of people while on the field with nary a problem. It also seems to be somewhat uncommon (based on the research I did when I bought mine) for people to not have any issues.

Any other questions I would be happy to answer.

[Deathlycobra]

What type of gearbox is it? 2? 3? custom?

[afatcow]

The L85 uses a custom gearbox with the gears in one compartment and the piston and spring and such in another. It's not really a problem unless you put a lipo in it, from what I've heard from Eudorus. You may have to buy a new piston every so often, 's an SR25 piston, and then you file a certain tooth off (ask him or perhaps Iceman) and then you're good to go. If you don't do your airsmithing yourself, you can hand it to Jesse and he can fix it for you. If you do do it yourself, just take it slow and observe what you're doing, be gentle, and put everything back where you found it.

[Eudorus]

The army L85 uses a split gearbox which makes for easy spring changes but it does mean that you are SOL when you try to do extensive upgrades.
The gun is highly reliable as long as you do not try to use a LiPo (nothing more powerful than a 9.6v battery for sure) and make sure you get your smithing done by an experienced professional such as Jesse "Shogun" Winter at AONW

[k3gn3123512]

If you want something original go for the L85. There are few sporting that gun while everyone and their mother has an M16/M4.

[Raging Hormann]

Just remember, Reload time is all about getting your mag out of the pouch. The rest is quick and easy.

If under fire, drop it and get it a little later, standing around putting your mag away can get you shot. Then again, why aren't you behind cover already...

It's pretty, but I really love my HK416.