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An interesting support weapon based on the last Enfield rifle, the L86 never really fit in, but that didn't stop us from showing this military classic some love. 

 

What is the L86?

 

In the early 1980s – just after the Falklands War – the British government moved to ditch the combat-proven inch-pattern FN FAL (dubbed the L1A1) and the 7.62 NATO-chambered Bren gun (L4A1) with a new and radically different platform.

Adopted in 1985 was a bull-pupped Enfield select-fire rifle in 5.56 NATO that accepted standard 30-round magazines. Fielded with the 4x fixed-power SUSAT (Sight Unit Small Arms, Trilux) optic, this new series of guns was designated the L85 rifle – with a 20-inch barrel – to replace the FAL while the longer L86 Light Support Weapon, complete with a 24-inch barrel, rear grip, and folding bipod, would replace the Bren. 

 

Enfield L86 Light Support Weapon
The SUSAT-equipped L86 LSW (top) and the L85 rifle, are compared. Note the longer barrel with a shorter handguard and outrigger support, the rear grip, and the folding bipod on the LSW. (Graphic: MoD)
Enfield L86 Light Support Weapon
Among other features are a folding butt strap that flips up to assist with stability. (Graphic: MoD)

 

We won't get into the poor performance of the L85A1/86A1 series guns in British service, leading to a rebuild (with the help of HK) following critical failures in the Gulf War (which showed the guns to be unable to work reliably in a sandy environment) and in Sierra Leone (which showed the guns couldn't be trusted when wet), but suffice it to say the L85A2/L86A2 entered service in the early 2000s.

Still, the LSW, meant to be used as a light machine gun at the squad level, tended to overheat if more than four magazines were fired in short order and it was replaced by the FN-made Minimi belt-fed light machine gun, adopted as the L110. 

 

Enfield L86 Light Support Weapon
The L86 was withdrawn from British service by 2019 after about 35 years of, well, lackluster service – while the L85, now in its A3 generation, is set to be replaced in the next decade under Project Grayburn, which may see Beretta NARPs ​​​​fill the bill. (Photo: MoD)

 

When it comes to American audiences, the L86 is most familiar to fans and players of the Battlefield, Call of Duty, and Fallout game franchises. 

 

Our experience with the L86 LSW

 

While in town for SHOT Show earlier this year, we had a chance to swing by and visit our old friends at Battlefield Vegas. They graciously allowed us a chance to tour their vault and pick a few guns to profile and shoot. 

 

Battlefield Vegas
Choices, choices... (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
Battlefield Vegas
You know us, we like the rare ones. 
Enfield L86 Light Support Weapon
The L86 is a beefy weapon, hitting the scales at 16 pounds with the SUSAT installed and a 30-round magazine inserted.  
Enfield L86 Light Support Weapon
However, it is still "light" compared to the L4A1 Bren it replaced, which hit the scales at 19 pounds, unloaded. Plus, the L86 is only a little over 35 inches long, or about the length of a Mini-14!
Enfield L86 Light Support Weapon
The L86 is probably one of the oddest Enfields ever produced. 
Enfield L86 Light Support Weapon
The ergos on the L86 are...different. Note the Battlefield range gun was missing the flip-up butt strap. 
Enfield L86 Light Support Weapon
The chunky L9A1 SUSAT, which was cutting-edge when introduced in the early 1980s, has since been phased out by the Trijicon ACOG and the Elcan Specter in British service. Note the fixed iron backup sights located atop the sight body. The SUSAT uses an illuminated inverted aiming point that looks something like the Washington Monument.
Enfield L86 Light Support Weapon
A peek at the L86's gas system through the hinged handguard top. 
Enfield L86 Light Support Weapon
Note the impressive muzzle device and outrigger support to the barrel, which has a heavier profile than the standard L85 rifle barrel. Of note, the L86A2 was retained in British Army service for a time as a marksman's rifle as, in semi-auto, its 24-inch barrel proved very accurate. 

 

For all of its notoriety, the L86 we fired at Battlefield ran well. While meant to be fired from a prone position or propped on structure/berm with its bipod deployed, we stood and fired it offhand. As such, the 16+ pound weight ate up recoil. Still, if offered either a Bren gun or a Minimi instead, the choice would be simple. 

In all, we had a lot of fun getting to handle and shoot Enfield's oddest rifle/LMG/DMR, and we thank Battlefield Vegas for allowing us to come in and "sample the goods."

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