I completed my basic training with the 7.62 SLR many moons ago, it was a fantastic robust weapon. Difficult to train young soldiers the prinicples or markmanship with, due to the larger caliber but very dependable if you knew what you were doing, nice range and satisfying kick in your shoulder when you fired it. But only semi automatic. The thing i remember was that we had shit 58 webbing ammo pouches, and it didnt work to well with the magazines.
The contact range of engagements in a fire fight are smaller now, so 5.56 is the way to go, ammo expenditure in a fire fight has increased also, so 5.56 makes sense if you have to carry extra ammo.
We got the SA80 a few years later, everyone in my unit was more impressed with the cleaning kit than the actual weapon lol it had so many neat things to clean your gat with, a well guarded possesion. The SLR cleaning kit was sooooooo crap and ancient in comparison.
The concept of the SA80 is good, but it couldnt take the punishement you could give a SLR. Its easy to train recruits with the SUSAT than with iron sights. I havent fired the updated version yet, but it looks promising. I liked the SA80 because it was short, suited to FIBUA (fighting in built up areas) compared to the longer SLR. The sling for the SA80 is very good, with a quick release and you can fire with it still wrapped around your upper torso, very secure, and its easy to jump out a plane/ vehicle with. The thing we got pissed about was the amount of air vents to keep it cool. You had to use electrical tape or something to plug the holes, otherwise it would fill with shit and spend hours later trying to clean it out.
Despite what you read in the press, the SA80 is very accurate, the SUSAT does its job, and if maintained well and a little modding in the armoury the SA80 is equal if not ahead of most similar weapons of its genre, but the SLR was infinately more durable, if a little heavy but more trustworthy.
The LSW is a waste of time really, they should scrap it, the rate of fire is not really different to a SA80 anyway.
The GPMG is the weapon i felt most comfortable behind, an awesome weapon, and accurate if you have some skill and a good eye between bursts. It is tough and dependable just like the SLR. It very satisfying pulling that trigger and watching your tracer arc towards your target.
You guys that say you would shoot to wound are missing the point. You shoot to kill, it is taught that way, a wounded enemy soldier can still shoot back at you and your comrades. 7.62 or 5.56 whatever, it doesnt matter as long as you achieve your 'aim'.
Sorry for rambling, i like the new models by the way ;D