>The cocking handle was on the right-hand side, along with its ejection to the right means that the weapon has to be fired from right shoulder, problematical for left-handed shooters, as well as causing problems while firing from left of cover.
>Weight – an SA80, fully loaded with SUSAT is just 80g lighter than the L1A1.
>Balance problems – the bullpup design along with the position of the SUSAT sight, the use made of stamped sheet steel for the main body and nylon for the pistol grip and fore-grip makes the weapon butt-heavy, a factor that exacerbates the high recoil when firing on automatic.
>High-sighting plane – the firer has to expose more of him or herself to fire over cover.
>Hard trigger pull – has an impact on accuracy.
>The position of selector switch and magazine release catch on the left-side of the weapon but away from the pistol grip means the firer could loose target acquisition if he needs to change magazine or the rate of fire. Also, the magazine release catch could be accidentally pressed when carried against the chest.
>The sling cannot be used as an aid to shooting.
>The shoulder-butt strap was configured to sit too high when the LSW was in the shoulder and served no useful purpose.
>The lack of a changeable barrel and belt-feed option on the LSW might limit its sustained fire capability.
>The discovery that the weapon could fire if dropped muzzle first onto a hard surface with the safety off from more than three metres.
>The rate of fire was between 50 and 100 rounds per minute less than expected.
>The LSW occasionally ejected a case into the firer's face and magazines were difficult to fit when the bolt was closed.17
>Concern that use of the SUSAT would lead to the infantryman loosing track of the 'bigger picture' and ignoring dangers on the edge of their peripheral vision.
>Bayonet – tip breaks, fails to stay on, the retaining clips on the frog fracture, wire cutter distorts if used to actually cut wire, sharpening stone falls off.
>BFA – carbon build-up after firing causes problems in removal, leading to the screw being damaged when this is tried;
>Bipod – does not stay in when in the up position, the retaining screw sometimes falls out;
>Body Locking Pins – either seize up or fall out;
>Bolt – erosion from gases around the firing pin hole, fails to close or function properly if dirt, dust or sand get into the locking lugs;
>Butt – pulls out the retaining screws if pressure is applied via the sling to the rear sling loop;
>Butt Strap – stop lugs break, making the item unusable.
>Cleaning Kit – oil bottle leaks or cap splits, pull-through snaps or cannot be pulled through barrel, combination tool breaks or falls apart, brushes break or unwind or just inadequate to do the job, the rod 'T' piece fails to lock.
>CWS – difficult to attain the proper eye relief when wearing a helmet.
>Ejection Opening Cover (EOC) – breaks or freezes shut in arctic conditions.
>Ejector – fails to work, works erratically, still occasionally ejects case into firer's face, and in arctic conditions it freezes and fails to work.
>Extractor – sharp edges can cut brass from the case with the debris causing it to jam.
>Firing Pin – springs can loose strength and allow weak strikes, the tip fractures after long bursts on automatic.
>Functioning – ammunition fails to feed properly, rounds fail to eject, insufficient gas to cycle the weapon (especially in arctic conditions when locking lugs are fouled up), weapon fails to function unless spotlessly clean and well-oiled.
>Gas Plug – carbon deposits make removal difficult and doing so sometimes causes damage preventing re-assembly and gas-system operation.
>Guide Rod Assembly – spring weak, guide rods can distort or become loose.
>Hand Guards – brittle (especially in arctic conditions) with no means of repair once cracked due to heat shield inserts.
>HOD – fails to function and the button breaks off.
>Iron Sights – fracture if struck at the right angle, while the retaining screw breaks.
>Magazine Catch – fails to lock magazine when a full magazine is loaded, sometimes releases the magazine when the weapon is carried across the chest, in arctic conditions the magazine can freeze in place.
>Muzzle Cover – no way of keeping it secured on the weapon, use in arctic conditions causes it to freeze to the flash eliminator and shrapnel effects if fired through.
>Rear Sling Loop – distorts or pulls off the butt if any pressure is applied.
>Sight Rail – inconsistent welding leads to failure, rusting occurs under the rail itself.
>SUSAT – loss of adjusting screw lock nuts, loose sight clamp, range drum prone to jamming, eye lens prone to misting up and the rubber cap and front hood fill with snow in arctic conditions).
>Top Cover – catch fails leading to the cover opening.
>Trigger Mechanism – trigger fails to reassert when weapon set on 'R', the hammer stops distort and break, interceptor sear jams on hammer stud, safety sear does not always engage on the hammer fully or occasionally at all.
>Sight Cover – too rigid with no method of retention.
>Sling – plastic parts break.