<Tr> <Th> Feed system </Th> <Td> 30 - round detachable STANAG magazine 30 - round detachable polymer Magpul EMAG </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Sights </Th> <Td> Telescopic SUSAT, ACOG and ELCAN LDS scopes, aperture iron sights </Td> </Tr> <P> The SA80 is a British family of 5.56 × 45mm NATO small arms, all of which are selective fire, gas - operated assault rifle s . The L85 rifle variant of the SA80 family has been the standard issue service rifle of the British Armed Forces since 1987, replacing the L1A1 variant of the FN FAL . The first prototypes were created in 1976, with production ending in 1994 . The A1 variant was significantly upgraded in the early 2000s by Heckler & Koch as the SA80A2 and remains in service as of 2017 . In mid-2016 a prototype A3 variant was showcased which further improved on the weapon and is reportedly being considered to extend the out of service date beyond 2025 . </P> <P> The remainder of the SA80 family comprises the L86 Light Support Weapon, the short - barrelled L22 carbine and the L98 Cadet rifle . The SA80 was the last in a long line of British weapons (including the Lee--Enfield family) to come from the Royal Small Arms Factory, the national arms development and production facility at Enfield Lock . </P>

When did the british army start using the sa80