L86A1

Semi-Auto

Double

The **L86A1** is a British Light Support Gun. It is unlocked by default.

## In-Game

### ***General Overview***

The L86A1 is the first Light Support Gun available in-game. Damage is moderate, sporting a four-shot kill up close. Range is quite good for an automatic weapon, with damage drop-off starting at 101 meters. Rate of fire is also relatively quite high at 775 RPM, fastest in-class. Muzzle velocity is slightly better than all Support Class primary weapons, at 650 meters per second. This results in the L86A1 having a fairly quick time-to-kill up close out to a middle distance.

Magazine capacity is comparatively low at 30 rounds—lowest amongst any Support primary and more in line with the Automatic Rifles. Reload times are conversely the fastest amongst any Support primary. At 3.84 seconds for a normal tactical reload, it is only slightly slower than the Automatic Rifle average. Recoil is quite low, with slight vertical bias. Other handling traits — running speed, aim time, draw speed — are tied with its class peer the MG36.

### ***Usage and Tips***

The L86A1 can be described as a 'heavy barreled assault rifle', its performance lying in between the more lightweight Automatic Rifles and high-capacity Light Machine Guns (LMGs) with corresponding downsides. Boasting the better range and controllability of an LMG — and faster reload times of an Automatic Rifle — it has the former's slower aim time, and much smaller magazine capacity of the latter.

It is the best-handling aggressive option available for the Support Class. However, its more cumbersome aim time means it is not entirely ideal for reactive gunfights despite its quick kill time. It is serviceable, but users should bare in mind it is first and foremost a Light Support Gun. With all Support Class primaries, it is best employed from a prepared defensive position, overseeing key chokepoints and objectives. The L86A1's key strength lies in its controllability coupled with its high firerate. This gives it an edge in medium-ranged engagements over most Automatic Rifles as it retains its four-shot kill and thus has a faster kill time at such distances compared to other automatic weapons.

Attachment wise, the L86A1 functions well with low-powered optics. Grip and barrel attachments can help further reduce the low recoil to an even more manageable degree. Given the slower aim time of the L86A1, a laser sight can prove beneficial by improving hipfire accuracy and close-quarters performance. The Extended Magazine attachment addresses the lower capacity of the weapon but does come at the cost of worsened recoil and running speed.

### ***Conclusion***

The L86A1 is a fairly effective squad automatic weapon, capable of downing targets relatively quickly. It is the Support Class' best choice for more aggressive players, but still limited by the typical slower handling of such heavier firearms.

## Attachments

* Barrel
* Main Sight
* Other sights
* Side Rail
* Underbarrel Rail
* Magazine

 Delta Sight Top
 C Red Dot Top
 F You Top
 Red Dot
 Holo Dot
 F You Canted

 Range Finder | 115

 Quick-A | 30

## History

The L86A1, officially designated L86 Light Support Weapon (LSW), is a British squad automatic weapon derived from the L85A1 assault rifle. It was developed in the 1970s as part of the larger SA80 bullpup weapon series for the British Armed Forces. Compared to its parent L85A1, the L86A1 has multiple modifications to act as a portable infantry weapon providing sustained automatic fire. This included: a longer, heavier barrel for improved accuracy, muzzle velocity and range; a rear-mounted vertical grip behind the magazine for better controllability; and integrated folding bipod with accommodating shorter handguard. It utilizes the same magazines and SUSAT optic as the L85A1.

Originally intended to replace the L7A2 General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) — the British designation for the Belgian FN MAG — the early SA80 variants' notorious reliability and fragility issues delayed this. Additional complaints regarding the smaller 30-round magazine capacity, and lack of a quick change barrel were also of concern to soldiers. As such, the L86 LSW was removed from its role, with the Belgian FN Minimi — designated as the L108A1 — replacing it by 2003. However, the L86 LSW was recognised for being quite accurate in semi-automatic mode. Following the A2 upgrade programme from 2000 to 2002, the new L86A2 variant was subsequently employed as a designated marksman rifle. By 2010 due to the combat situations of Afghanistan, the British Armed Forces adopted the L129A1 Sharpshooter Rifle—a semi-automatic rifle chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO similar to the Mk 11 Mod 0 and Mk 20 SSR. It would fully replace the L86 LSW by 2019 when the latter was withdrawn from use. Interestingly, the L108A1 would also be withdrawn from service alongside the L86 LSW, with the L7A2 again being employed in the squad automatic weapon role.

## References

1. ↑ "L86A1." *Military-Today.com.*
2. ↑ "L86A1 SA-80 LSW." *Modern Firearms.*
3. ↑ Hastings, Max. "Don't Buy British". *The Guardian*. London. 31 July 2004.
4. ↑ "The Infantry - Small Arms in the Section". *British Army*. Archived from the original on 27 December 2005

## Videos Section

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLPyg\_kOIiw