Enfield L7

Enfield L7 History

The L7 GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun) - sometimes referred to as "Gimpy" or "Jimpy") was a very successful Belgian FN MAG in service with the British Army (described in detail elsewhere on this page). The L7 is largely faithful to the original design, with only minor changes (this was done by the Royal Small Arms Works - Enfield Lock) to better suit British production standards. After trials with Belgian artillery and the American M60 GPMG in 1956, the British Army adopted the L7 in 1963 as the standard GPMG for light infantry support missions.

Dozens of variants in the series followed, improving the feed and different characters on the battlefield.

The L7 retains its tried-and-true open-bolt aerodynamic design and is a "true machine gun" as it is fed from a belt. It is loaded with the ubiquitous 7.62x51mm NATO rifle cartridge, which produces suppressive firepower of up to 1,000 rounds per minute.

The muzzle velocity is estimated at 2,755 feet per second and the range is 1,800 meters (aiming aided by iron sights - hinged rear plate and notched front plate).

The original model was the L7A1, followed by the L7A2, with improved feed and support for 50 rounds of belt box ammo supply. The L8A1 is a vehicle (i.e. a tank like the Chieftain MBT) machine gun that has no stock and is equipped with a fume extractor/smoke evacuator and gas regulator to work better in tight spaces. The pistol grip can also be folded.

L8A2 is its improved feed version.

An optional heavy duty tripod assembly can be mounted on the weapon, enabling it to be used as a standard defensive machine gun.

Other brands are the L19A1 as a heavy barrel model and the L20A1 as a "pod" machine gun (used as a stationary weapon for attack aircraft/helicopters). The L20A2 is its improved feed version. Mounted on an Armored Fighting Vehicle (AFV) pivot mount, the L37A1 has a traditional pistol grip, while also being removable for use as a squad support weapon.

The improved feed model is the L37A2. The L43A1 is a long-range machine gun used in the "Scorpion Light Tank" series (described in detail elsewhere on this site), and the L44A1 is the version used by the Royal Navy for warships and ship attack vehicles captured.

The Westland Lynx transport helicopter is equipped with a trunnion-mounted version of the L7, designated L112A1.

While the L7 was originally manufactured by the Royal Armouries for the British Army, it is now manufactured by the German group Heckler & Koch.

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes