Murdoch & Co. EM85 first look: US-made SA80 remake of the L85A1 and A2

Key points: Murdoch Co EM85 first

• Murdoch & Co. says the EM85 was re-engineered from a blank slate in the US with the MOD and Royal Armouries, with new stamping dies rather than imports, parts kits or original tooling, because Britain destroys its L85s instead of selling them as surplus.
• Both the A1 and A2 versions carry the roughly 34 changes of Heckler & Koch's A2 program, plus the maker's own, such as a wire-EDM-cut steel safety in place of the plastic original that could swell and stick.
• Fitting an A1 cocking handle brings back the original rifle's jam, where brass was pushed back into the chamber; the A2 handle deflects the brass and avoids it.
• On the range the hosts run Bill drills just under 2 seconds at 7 yards, then make steady hits at 300 and about 550 yards with 62-grain ammunition through an ACOG on the Royal Marines-era riser mount.
• Build details: a 20-inch 4150 CMV barrel from a Pennsylvania maker, nitrided rather than chrome lined, an adjustable gas block with normal, excess and off settings, and a mil-spec trigger Evan puts at 6.3 to 7 lb.
• Evan says the A1-era karate chop to seat the bolt was a Gulf War fix for a weak main spring, made unnecessary by the A2 program and by these rifles.
• Pricing: a collector series limited to 100 rifles with original Enfield parts starts at $15,000, the A3 pattern with Picatinny rail is $6,500, and lead time is 9 to 12 months.

About this First Look video

Murdoch & Co. EM85 first look: Garand Thumb takes the US-made SA80 remake of the British L85A1 and L85A2 to the range with founder Evan, running Bill and Mozambique drills and making hits out to about 550 yards through an ACOG. Evan explains the rebuild from new stamping dies, the Heckler & Koch A2 upgrades carried into both versions, and pricing: $15,000 for a 100-rifle collector series and $6,500 for the A3. The reliability claims are the maker's; this is a launch range day, not a wear test.

Transcript: Murdoch Co EM85