Accuracy International's L96A1 was a stunning success in British military trials, and became the basis for one of the most respected line of precision rifles in the world. However, it very nearly was abandoned almost as soon as the first rifles were delivered to the British military in 1986. Production had been subcontracted to a firm called Pylon Industries, a respected high-tech military equipment manufacturer. Pylon bungled the production so badly that the rifle was nearly recalled when improper materials use led to broken firing pins and out-of-battery detonations. One Royal Marine was seriously injured, and serious steps were taken to bring back the old L42 snipers...

Want to know more about the L96A1? You can get a copy of Steve Houghton's book "L96A1: The Green Meanie" from Swift & Bold Publishing.