Barrett MRAD | |
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![]() Barrett MRAD in various colors | |
Type | Sniper rifle |
Place of origin | United States |
Service history | |
In service | 2013–present |
Used by | See Users |
Production history | |
Designer | Chris Barrett |
Manufacturer | Barrett Firearms Company |
Specifications | |
Mass | 13.9 lb (6.3 kg) (20" barrel) 14.8 lb (6.7 kg) (24.5" barrel) 15.3 lb (6.9 kg) (27" barrel) [1] |
Length | 42.4 in (108 cm) (20" barrel) 46.9 in (119 cm) (24.5" barrel) 49.4 in (125 cm) (27" barrel) [1] |
Barrel length | 20 in (51 cm) 24.5 in (62 cm) 27 in (69 cm) [1] |
Cartridge | |
Action | Bolt-action |
Effective firing range | 1,600 yards (1,500 m)[ clarification needed ] |
Feed system | 10 round detachable box magazine |
The Barrett MRAD (Multi-role Adaptive Design) is a bolt-action sniper rifle designed by Barrett to meet the requirements of the SOCOM PSR. [4] The MRAD is based on the Barrett 98B and includes a number of modifications and improvements. [5] The Barrett MRAD was named the 2012 Rifle of the Year by Shooting Illustrated magazine. [6] [7]
After the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) announced their desire for a new precision sniper rifle in December 2009, Barrett created the MRAD in accordance with the specifications laid out by SOCOM. [4] Building off of the successful Barrett 98B, the MRAD features multiple improvements such as a folding stock which allows the rifle to be transported more easily. When folded, the stock latches around the bolt handle which increases the security of transporting the rifle without increasing the width when it is unfolded. [1] A major MRAD feature (and requirement of the military PSR solicitation) is a field-changeable barrel/caliber capability. Loosening two Torx screws in the receiver allows the removal of the barrel from the front of the receiver/handguard. With only a bolt face change, and in some cases a magazine change, caliber may be changed. The factory headspaced bolt face is provided with each barrel. Barrel/caliber change can occur in less than two minutes. In addition to the typical military requested calibers of .338 Lapua Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum, and .308 Winchester calibers, Barrett also offers caliber conversion kits in .338 and .300 Norma Magnum, 7mm Remington Magnum, .260 Remington, and 6.5mm Creedmoor. Barrel lengths are offered in 17" to 26", but not in all calibers. Barrels are available in fluted and heavy profiles. The trigger module can be removed without tools, providing access to user-adjustable trigger pull weight and over travel, and making cleaning easier. Additional features of the MRAD include a single-button length-of-pull adjustment, adjustable cheek rest height, a polymer bolt guide which acts as a dust cover to reduce debris entering the action, a user reversible AR-15 style safety, an ambidextrous magazine release, and the ability to accept standard M16/AR15 style pistol grips. [1] Early MRADs had a 30 MOA slope full length 21.75" standard 1913 Picatinny rail on top of the receiver/handguard. Current MRADs feature a 20 MOA slope rail. Shorter 2"-4" Picatinny rails sections may be user positioned at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock at several fore/aft positions along the handguard. MRADs are offered in several Cerakote colors. [8] [ better source needed ]
Similar to the M16/AR15, the MRAD upper and lower receivers can be separated by pressing a rear latch assembly under the stock while the front detent pin acts as a hinge AR-15 to allow for maintenance in the field. [9]
With quality .300 Winchester Magnum ammunition the Barrett achieved groups that averaged 0.45 MOA, with the best of them measuring 0.31 MOA. [10]
The particular model of the MRAD that was submitted for USSOCOM's MK21 PSR trial was fitted with a 24.5 in (62 cm) barrel, and weighed 14.8 lb (6.7 kg) (without an optic). [4] In 2013, the Remington Modular Sniper Rifle was selected as the winner of the PSR competition. [11] However, in 2018, it was decided that the MK21 did not conform to SOCOM requirements at the time, and the program was re-competed as the MK22 ASR (Advanced Sniper Rifle). [12]
MK 22 MOD 0 ASR (Advanced Sniper Rifle) is the designation for the Barrett MRAD variant ordered by USSOCOM. In 2019, USSOCCOM awarded Barrett Manufacturing a US$50 million contract for the ASR (Advanced Sniper Rifle) contract, ordering the Barrett MRAD with the ability to convert chambering between 7.62×51mm NATO, .300 Norma Magnum, and .338 Norma Magnum. [13] [14] The MK 22 ASR is issued with Barrett's AML 338 suppressor and paired with the Precision Variable Power Scopes (P-VPS) SU-295/PVS Nightforce ATACR 5-25×56 and SU-295/PVS Nightforce ATACR 7-35×56. [15] [16] [17]
MK 22 PSR (Precision Sniper Rifle) is the designation for the Barrett MRAD variant ordered by the US Army. In 2021, the US Army awarded Barrett a US$49.9 million contract for delivery of 2,800 MK22 PSR rifles, [18] while the Marine Corps planned to order 250. [19] The MK 22 PSR will have conversion kits for .338 Norma Magnum, .300 Norma Magnum, and 7.62×51mm NATO. However, unlike the MK 22 ASR, it is issued with a Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm scope. The Army plans for the MK 22 to replace the currently in use M107 and M2010 sniper rifles. [18] [20] The Marine Corps intends to have the MK 22 to replace all M40A6 and MK 13 MOD 7 sniper rifles. [21] The MK 22 reached full operational capability in November 2024 in the U.S. Marine Corps with all infantry and reconnaissance units completing new equipment training on the system and fielding it. [22]
A sniper rifle is a high-precision, long-range rifle. Requirements include high accuracy, reliability, and mobility, concealment, and optics, for anti-personnel, anti-materiel and surveillance uses by military snipers. The modern sniper rifle is a portable shoulder-fired rifle with either a bolt action or semi-automatic action, fitted with a telescopic sight for extreme accuracy and chambered for a high-ballistic performance centerfire cartridge.
The .338 Lapua Magnum is a Finnish rimless, bottlenecked, centerfire rifle cartridge. It was developed during the 1980s as a high-powered, long-range cartridge for military snipers. Due to its use in the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War, the cartridge has become widely available.
The Accuracy International AWM is a bolt-action sniper rifle manufactured by Accuracy International designed for magnum rifle cartridges. The Accuracy International AWM is also unofficially known as the AWSM, which typically denotes AWM rifles chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum.
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The M40 rifle is a bolt-action sniper rifle used by the United States Marine Corps. It has had four variants: the M40, M40A1, M40A3, and M40A5. The M40 was introduced in 1966. The changeover to the A1 model was completed in the 1970s, the A3 in the 2000s, and the A5 in 2009.
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The PGM 338, also known as the PGM .338 LM or PGM Mini-Hecate .338, is French sniper rifle from the early 1990s. It uses the .338 Lapua Magnum (8.6×70mm) cartridge, which remains supersonic up to a range of 1200–1500 m depending on the exact ammunition type and environmental conditions.
The Sako TRG is a bolt-action sniper rifle line designed and manufactured by Finnish firearms manufacturer SAKO of Riihimäki. It is the successor to the SAKO TR-6 target rifle, and thus the letter G within the rifle's name is meant to represent number 7.
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The Barrett Model 98B is a bolt-action sniper rifle chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum and manufactured by Barrett Firearms Manufacturing. The Model 98B was officially announced in October 2008, and became available for sale in early 2009, with an MSRP of $4,495.00.
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The M2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle (ESR), formerly known as the XM2010 and M24 Reconfigured Sniper Weapon System, is a bolt action sniper rifle developed by PEO Soldier for the United States Army. It is derived from and replaced the M24 Sniper Weapon System, and was designed to give snipers longer range in the mountainous and desert terrain of the War in Afghanistan. After winning a competitive bidding process, Remington was awarded the production contract for up to 3,600 weapons. The Army had anticipated sending the upgraded weapons to deployed snipers in late 2010, but later expected fielding would happen in January 2011. The M2010 fires .300 Winchester Magnum (7.62×67mm) ammunition, which offers about 50 percent more effective range than the M24's 7.62×51mm NATO. This chambering to dimensionally larger cartridges is possible because the M24 was designed to use the "long action" bolt version of the Remington 700 receiver for cartridges up to 3.34 inches (84.84 mm) in overall length.
The Modular Sniper Rifle, or MSR, is a bolt-action sniper rifle developed and produced by Remington Arms for the United States Army. It was introduced in 2009, and was designed to meet specific United States Army and USSOCOM Precision Sniper Rifle requirements. The MSR initially won the PSR competition, and was called the Remington Mk 21 Precision Sniper Rifle in U.S. military service. However, it was then decided that the Mk 21 did not conform to SOCOM requirements at the time in 2018, and the program was re-competed with the Barrett MRAD selected in 2019 as the Mk 22 Advanced Sniper Rifle solution.
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