Originally Posted by Architect
Andy,

Figured the FA versions were issued to our Aussie brethren in need if a SMG?


The Sterling SMG is one of the very best SMGs produced in the world (for military uses), New Zealand bought them but we here in Australia have always gone our own way with SMGs, years of jungle fighting saw use favour a TOP loading magazine design that started with the Owen Machine Carbine in WW2 and then lead to the F1 SMG in the 60s (we took both to Vietnam). The F1 only move on in the 80s when the F88 replaced everything (M16, SLR and F1).

F1 SMG...

[Linked Image from i997.photobucket.com]

... you will see some SLR influences in there (they were made at SAF Lithgow wink )and it uses the Sterling magazine. I have sent over lots of F1 magazine pouches to the US as I was able to find them because the Sterling owners crave them... wink

We did make limited use of the L5 (supressed) Sterling here, but in numbers well under 100.

The MP5 was (well is) the choice of SF types needing an SMG for black work and CPP duties.

Andy