Can't add anything to the commenters on the earlier post. It's been 22 year since I last handled one (Aust army reserve) but I remember the SLR with great affection, something which I can't say for abominations like the M16.

Safety catch my son, safety catch.
Rusty

I had an Aussie one an L1A1 with wooden stock and forend one of my all time favorite rifles in four years of use it never jammed or failed to fire unlike my AG42 that was super accutate but very temperamental.

Still remember using the SLR in the Aust Army, before they went to the plastic fantastic. Those were the days. Fire a big 7.62mm round and knock arms and legs off the bad guys.

And now that I come to think of it did anybody ever use that carrying handle? I can't think of one time that I did......Bit like nipples for men, if you ask me.

And the SUIT was a POS.

Cheers. Rusty

I remeber they had some folding stock Argentinian versions at the School of Infantry in Warminster in the early 80s.

Its a bit like finding a picture of your first girlfriend; makes a man come all over emotional.

I admit to a slight state of glassy-eyed-ness when I found out they have them in gunshops in Italy for 670 Euros.

Thats the SLR, I mean, not your first girlfriend, in case anyone is confused....

The SLR was truly a gentleman's rifle. I feel so sorry seeing our boys out in the Stan with those bloody SA80's.

You are right about the carrying handle, a rifle is not a briefcase after all.

Rusty,

Oh yes, I did.

In basic training, when we were volunteered to do more pushups while holding the rifle in our hands, I put it handle side down so the rifle would not crush my fingers into the ashphalt.

Worked a treat!