Is the Battlefield 6 L85 Reload Realistic? Gaming vs Reality with firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson

Published on March 9, 2026
Duration: 2:18

Firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson from the Royal Armouries demonstrates the correct magazine reload technique for the L85A3 rifle. He highlights the importance of using the thumb to depress the magazine catch through the dedicated cutaway, a method made necessary by the protective steel shroud added to prevent accidental magazine release. This contrasts with unrealistic in-game animations that fail to account for the shroud's design.

Quick Summary

The L85 reload in Battlefield 6 is unrealistic because the game's animation doesn't account for the L85A3's protective steel shroud around the magazine catch. Real-world reloads require using a thumb through a specific cutaway to depress the catch, a method impossible with the game's depicted technique.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Expert & Firearm
  2. 00:09Video Purpose: Game Reload Realism
  3. 00:22Battlefield 6 Reload Animation
  4. 00:50Physical Impossibility: Shroud
  5. 00:58Shroud's Historical Context
  6. 01:27Correct L85 Reload Technique
  7. 01:40Game's Flawed Reload Demonstrated
  8. 02:06Conclusion: Unrealistic Animation

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the L85 reload in Battlefield 6 considered unrealistic?

The L85 reload in Battlefield 6 is unrealistic because the game depicts a method where the fresh magazine's body presses the magazine catch. The real L85A3 has a steel shroud protecting its magazine catch, making this in-game action physically impossible. A thumb must be used through a cutaway to operate the catch.

What is the purpose of the steel shroud on the L85A3 magazine catch?

The steel shroud on the L85A3's magazine catch was added to prevent accidental magazine releases. This design change addressed issues with earlier L85 variants where magazines could fall out, especially during rigorous activity or in challenging environments like those experienced in Northern Ireland.

How is the L85A3 magazine catch operated for a proper reload?

To perform a proper reload on an L85A3, the shooter inserts their thumb through a cutaway at the bottom of the magazine well. This allows them to press the magazine catch upwards, releasing the empty magazine and enabling the insertion of a fresh one.

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