Project – L115A3 : the 2020 rifle

Posted on by Switch
Table of Contents
  1. What makes an L115A3 in 2020 ?
  2. Nice STIC !

What makes an L115A3 in 2020 ?

The more recent L115A3s carry all the hallmark accessories that defined it as a British icon since the start of its fielding back in 2008 :

  • Accuracy International scope mount with the SIMRAD interface for the KN250 night sight ;
  • A cosine indicator to the left side of the receiver ;
  • The AI Sniper Thermal Imaging Capability (STIC) bracket mounted on an extended bipod block ;
  • Accuracy International tactical muzzle brake ;
  • The newer AT/AW Legacy stocksides from Accuracy International.

That’s right, the stocksides that defined what an Arctic Warfare rifle looked like for decades are now discontinued. The update was worth the shot though as the L115A3 gets a more streamlined stock which now features pre-drilled holes for the side accessory rails. The old AW stocksides regarded drilling to attach these.

Parts list :

  • Ares MSR-008 spring AW338
    • PDI cylinder
  • Ares SC-MSR-006 picatinny receiver rail with extention
  • Issued Cosine indicator
  • AI AT/AW Legacy stocksides with thumbhole upgrade
  • L24A1 scope*
    • Vector Optics Siegfried 3-12×50
  • AI 6184 scope mount
  • AI extended bipod block
  • AI L115A3 STIC bracket
  • AI tactical muzzle brake*
    • 6mmproshop L115A3 muzzle brake
  • Harris bipod*
As with the real thing, the front side inserts were taken out, leaving visible the pass through holes for the side accessory rails. As I like having them, it also left a spot of unpainted stockside. The side rails are a rare occurence, but do happen to get some use depending on who the rifles belongs to.
This time around I left the cosine indicator unpainted as it’s a real one. I like having it stick out. The various rubber bangs are pre-placed to help attach camouflage accessories, be it fabric based or from vegetation.
The very first official photograph of the L115A3 sporting its newer stocksides. Contrary to the bottom one, the top rifle is missing the inserts covering the side accessory rails fitting holes. The cosine indicator is also missing on the former despite the mount still being attached.
A close up of all the now classic traits of the L115A3, including a better look at the stocksides. The three front ports for side accessory rails are barely visible.

Nice STIC !

Do I spend a lot of time speaking of the L2A1 as the king Lego of British rifles ? The L115A3 shouldn’t be that far off the top list. Out of the regular A3 STIC bracket, the L96A1/A2 18 MOA rail also gets some quite regular sightings. Of course I could stop there and I had to get one of these. That said, this bracket was also part of the L118 CES so it’ll not be a one trick poney. And in case I want to start headache of building an L96A1, I already have this part.

Trading one bracket for the other is as easy as untightening/tightening two screws. And voilà !
L96A1/A2 18 MOA versus L115A3 45 MOA.

Over the years, the A3 could easily be spotted with the STIC bracket intended for the L96A1 and L118A1 rifles. Most likely ensuring that every rifle could still make use of a night sight despite the A3 STIC bracket fleet getting smaller

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