M21 Sniper "US Army"





Specification
Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 Win.)
Capacity: 20 or 5 round detachable box magazine
Mechanism: Rotating bolt, gas operated, air cooled, semi-automatic magazine fed rifle
Weight: 11.25 lbs (5.11kg)
Length: 44.1" (112cm)
Barrel: Match Grade 22 inches 1:10 RH twist
Trigger Pull: Specially tuned 4 1/2 pound match two-stage military trigger
Sight: Redfield/Leatherwood 3-9x Automatic Ranging Telescope (ART)
Max Effective Range: 900 yards (822m)
Capacity: 20 or 5 round detachable box magazine
Mechanism: Rotating bolt, gas operated, air cooled, semi-automatic magazine fed rifle
Weight: 11.25 lbs (5.11kg)
Length: 44.1" (112cm)
Barrel: Match Grade 22 inches 1:10 RH twist
Trigger Pull: Specially tuned 4 1/2 pound match two-stage military trigger
Sight: Redfield/Leatherwood 3-9x Automatic Ranging Telescope (ART)
Max Effective Range: 900 yards (822m)
Details and Function
The M21 is esentially a modified M14 National Match rifle. The earlier versions (XM21) had a specially selected walnut stock, but this changed with the M21 to a fiberglass stock, often camoflaged. The XM21 began to be fielded in the second half of 1969 and remained the U.S. Army's primary Sniper Weapon System until it began to be replaced by the M24 SWS in 1988. Some National Guard units and even a few active duty units (The OPFOR at JRTC for example) still use the M21. The M21 is a very pratical sniper weapon maintaining acceptable accuracy out to about 700 meters. Besides the problem that it is semi-auto and sends brass flying, the M21 was, and still is, a very capable military sniper rifle. The 10th SFG, in conjuntion with the U.S. Navy SEALs has developed an improved version of the M21 known as the M25. The M25 was designed out of a need for a semi auto sniper rifle, and it was the weapon of choice for SEAL snipers during Desert Storm. The M21 holds a dear spot in many U.S. Army snipers hearts, and rightfully so.
US M1903-A4 & USMC M1903-A1/Unertl "US Army and USMC"



Specification
Calibers: .30-06 Springfield (7.62x63mm)
Magazine: 5 round internal box magazine.
Barrel Length: 24" (610mm)
Barrel Profile: 2 Grooves, LH Twist, cut-rifled (early rifles) 4 Grooves, LH Twist, draw rifled (later rifles)
Weight: 9.38 lbs (4.34 kg)
Overall Length: 43.21" (1098mm)
Stock: Type "C" (early rifles)
"Scant" grip (later rifles)
Sights: M73B1 2.5x Telescopic site (Weaver 330C) - No Iron Sites
The M81, M82, and M84 were also used on the M1903-A4 (late WWII and Korea)
Unertl 8x (USMC M1903-A1/Unertl) - With Iron Sites
Magazine: 5 round internal box magazine.
Barrel Length: 24" (610mm)
Barrel Profile: 2 Grooves, LH Twist, cut-rifled (early rifles) 4 Grooves, LH Twist, draw rifled (later rifles)
Weight: 9.38 lbs (4.34 kg)
Overall Length: 43.21" (1098mm)
Stock: Type "C" (early rifles)
"Scant" grip (later rifles)
Sights: M73B1 2.5x Telescopic site (Weaver 330C) - No Iron Sites
The M81, M82, and M84 were also used on the M1903-A4 (late WWII and Korea)
Unertl 8x (USMC M1903-A1/Unertl) - With Iron Sites
Details and Function
The M1903-A4 was a specifically designed sniper rifle that came as a result of early U.S. combat involvement in the Pacific. There was a high demand, that could not be filled, for telescopic (sniper) rifles. The Infantry Board and the Ordanance Department conducted an evaluation and recommended that the Weaver 2.5x 330C hunting telescope be adopted for use on M1903 and M1903-A1 rifles. The rifle was officially adopted on 14 Jan 1943 as the M1903-A4 (sniper).
The M1903-A4 was an accurate rifle with an effective range of about 600 yards (550m), with the main limit on long range accuracy coming from its very low power scope (2.5x). From its adoption in 1943 until the end of the war, the M1903-A4 was used extensively in every theater of operation by both the US Army and the USMC. The rifle was again used in the korean conflict, and even in the early stages of the Vietnam conflict when sniper rifles were in severe shortage. The M1903A4 is a legendary classic sniper rifle. It served with distinction in WWII, Korea, and even Vietnam.
USMC M1903-A1/Unertl
Unlike the US Army, the USMC had a standard issue sniper rifle at the start of hostilities in WWII, it was a M1903/Lyman 5A (5x), which was adopted (with the Winchester A5 Telescope) during WWI. After there was a push to standardize sniper equipment, the Marine Corps Equipment Board did an extensive study of optics under field conditions and recommended a scope of about 8x, with an objective lens of about one and half inches, a medium fine crosshair reticle, and double micrometer quarter minute click mounts. They specifically cited a 8x target scope made by John Unertl as being the best they found. They also recommended the scope be mounted on a Winchester M70 target rifle, but the USMC decided on the M1903 based on favorable accuracy comparisons between specially selected M1903's and the M70. So the M1903-A1 mounted with the Unertl 8x became the "sniping standard" in the USMC.
The M1903-A1/Unertl was tested and at 600 yards and with M72 Match ammo would group 3.5 inches (.58 MOA, wow!!!) but match ammo was about impossible to come by during the war, so most snipers had to settle with M2 Ball ammo, which was till respectable with groups coming in at 7.5" at 600 yards (1.25 MOA). The M1903-A1/Unertl was used by the USMC through out WWII, along with the M1903-A4. The -A1/Unertl also saw use during the Korean war, with USMC snipers registering a number of kills out to 1000 yards. Like the M1903-A4 the M1903-A1/Unertl was a lethal system in the hands of a properly trained sniper during WWII and Korea.
U.S. M1C & M1D

Specification
Calibers: .30-06 Springfield (7.62x63mm)
Magazine: 8 round internal box magazine.
Barrel Length: 24" (610mm)
Barrel Profile: 4 Grooves, RH Twist
Weight: ~11 lbs (~5 kg)
Overall Length: 43.6" (1107mm)
Stock: Standard M1 Garand
Sights: 2.5x power M81/M82, and 2.2x power M84 were all used
M73B1 2.5x Telescopic site (Weaver 330C) was an alternate
Features: T4 Cheek pad, and M2 flash suppressor were accessories. The more advance T-37 flash suppressor was never "officially" adopted.
Magazine: 8 round internal box magazine.
Barrel Length: 24" (610mm)
Barrel Profile: 4 Grooves, RH Twist
Weight: ~11 lbs (~5 kg)
Overall Length: 43.6" (1107mm)
Stock: Standard M1 Garand
Sights: 2.5x power M81/M82, and 2.2x power M84 were all used
M73B1 2.5x Telescopic site (Weaver 330C) was an alternate
Features: T4 Cheek pad, and M2 flash suppressor were accessories. The more advance T-37 flash suppressor was never "officially" adopted.
Details and Function
The M1 was adopted as the standard issue rifle in 1932 and started to enter service in 1936, which led to constant refinement of the rifle. This precluded any work on a sniper version of the M1, but as the war broke out, there was a large demand for scoped rifles, and this lead to the adoption of the M1903A4 and also the authorization to produce a sniper version of the M1. Work was slow and finally the M1E7 and M1E8 were evaluated. In June of 1944 the M1E7 (renamed M1C) was adopted as the standard issue sniper rifle and replaced the M1903A4 making it "Limited Standard". The M1E8 (renamed M1D) was adopted in September of 1944 as a "Substitute Standard". The only difference between the C and D was the scope mounting system.
Only small numbers of M1C/D's made it to the frontlines in WWII, so they were never really battle tested, until the Korean conflict, when they were still the standard issue sniper rifle. There they proved satisfactory with the max range being about 600 yards, with fairly reliable hit percentages from 4-600 yards. Of course the 2.5 power scopes were a severe limiting factor to the max range. There was no military match ammo that was issued to snipers, so they just used standard ball, which I'm sure hurt the accuracy of these weapons also. The rifles continued their service until the mid 60's and the vietnam conflict. The M1C also became the USMC standard issue sniper rifle in 1951, and was used extensively by the USMC during the Korean conflict. The USMC adopted a new scope in 1954 known as the Model 4XD (a 4x Scope produced by Stith-Kollmorgen) but it did not see much combat use.
I have shot M1C's and they are an acceptable performer out to about 500 yards, after which its tough to hit man size targets. It is tough to be objective having been spoiled with the M24 and other modern sniper rifles. These are classic sniper rifles, and they bring in a hefty collectors premium for good rifles, but they are a fine addition to anyones rifle collection.
U.S. Army M24 SWS






On the upper is the m144 telescope for far sniping
Specification
Calibre: 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 win)
Operation: Bolt Action
Feed: 5-Round internal magazine
Weight: 12.1 lb (5.49 kg) empty without telescope
Length: 43in (1092mm)
Sights: 10x42 Leupold Ultra M3A telescope sight (Mil-Dots),
plus detachable emergency iron sights. (Redfield Palma International)
Barrel: 416R Stainless Steel, 24" length, 1:11.2" twist, 5 radial land grooves
Stock: HS Precision - adjustable length.
Max Effective Range: 800 meters (875 yards)
Expected Accuracy: 1 MOA with M118
.5 MOA with M118LR
Operation: Bolt Action
Feed: 5-Round internal magazine
Weight: 12.1 lb (5.49 kg) empty without telescope
Length: 43in (1092mm)
Sights: 10x42 Leupold Ultra M3A telescope sight (Mil-Dots),
plus detachable emergency iron sights. (Redfield Palma International)
Barrel: 416R Stainless Steel, 24" length, 1:11.2" twist, 5 radial land grooves
Stock: HS Precision - adjustable length.
Max Effective Range: 800 meters (875 yards)
Expected Accuracy: 1 MOA with M118
.5 MOA with M118LR
Details and Function
The M24 Sniper's Weapon System (SWS) represents a return to bolt action sniper rifles by the US Army. As in the USMC M40A1, the M24 uses the Remington 700 action, although the reciever is a long action made for adaptation to take the .300 Winchester Magnum round. The stock (HS Precision) is made of a composite of Kevlar, graphite and fibreglass bound together with epoxy resins, and features an aluminium bedding block and adjustable butt plate. A detachable bipod (Harris) can be attached to the stocks fore-end. The metal finish is powder coated for extreme durability
The rifle had a very quick development cycle as the US Army had decided it wanted to get snipers back into the US Army and was in the process of developing the B4 identifier and the school to award it. There was a major short fall of M21's which was the standard sniper rifle at that point of time and the Army figured it would need 10,000 sniper rifles of which they didn't have nearly that many M21's. So a new sniper rifle was developed at the same time and it was done in a record 22 months. The Weapon System Matrix Manager for the M24 was Major John Mende and he explains that the long action actually had nothing to do with the ability to convert to a .300 Win Mag but was a product of that quick development time. The rifle was intended to be chambered in the .30-06 as the -06 was a type classified munition for the Army unlike the .300 WM at the time. They wanted to have a high power load for the .30-06 eventually developed. As development of the system was moving forward they discovered that there was not enough .30-06 ammo in a single lot in the Army's inventory to test and develop the system so they quickly changed to the 7.62x51mm NATO (308 Win) and left the action the same as there was not enough time for the manufacturers of the stock and floorplate to make the change to short action. They also fully believed they would later do a product improvement update and convert all the M24's to .30-06. The fact that they could convert them to .300 Win Mag was an unexpected benefit to the SF groups and was never actually designed into the system.
The actual rifle requirements for accuracy were .35 MOA from a machine rest and according to Major John Mende (ret.) this accuracy had to be maintained to 10,000 rounds. He stated, "Interesting side note was there was a 10,000 round requirement for the barrel to maintain the original accuracy. In fact after some 10,000 round tests we discovered the accuracy improved. A few barrels were tested past 20,000 and accuracy never went below the original accuracy requirement." I would have to say that is very impressive! The US Army barrel life states 5000 rounds and that sounds like they are being conservative. Based off of the experience I have, the rifles do shoot quite well if the shooter does his part. Apparently there were several other rifle makers who said they could build a better rifle for the required price, but they were not interested once they heard it would be 10,000 rifles and that they would be required to provide maintenance on those rifles for at least 5 years and with an Army option for 2 additional procurements. Remington was able to do it.
This is the one that I have a lot of experience with. I have used the M24 SWS extensively while a sniper in the US Army National Guard and find the rifle to be of very good quality. The entire system as a whole is very functional. I do NOT like the fact that it has a long action (even if it is adaptable to .300 Win, which the Army has no plan of doing beyond the few Special Forces groups that have done so) it causes feeding problems with the M118 & M118LR (7.62x51mm) if the rounds are not pushed all the way to the rear of the magazine. Throughout all of my use of this system, I have consistently maintained 1 MOA with M118, which is saying a lot when all we use is M118 ammo. The M118LR (175gr BTHP) performs considerably better and shoots about .5 MOA in the M24. I whole-heartedly believe that we have one of the best sniping SYSTEMS in the world.
U.S. Army & U.S. Navy M25 & XM25 Sniper Weapon System



Specification
Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 Win.)
Capacity: 20 or 5 round detachable box magazine
Mechanism: Rotating bolt, gas operated, air cooled,
Semi-automatic magazine fed rifle
Weight: 10.8 lbs (4.9kg)
Length: 44.3" (112.5cm)
Barrel: Match Grade, Heavy Contour, 22", 1:11 RH twist
Stock: McMillan Fiberglass, glass bedded.
Trigger Pull: Specially tuned 4 1/2 pound match
two-stage military trigger
Sight: Typically B&L 10x Tactical (Leupolds are also used)
Max Effective Range: 900 m (983yards)
Capacity: 20 or 5 round detachable box magazine
Mechanism: Rotating bolt, gas operated, air cooled,
Semi-automatic magazine fed rifle
Weight: 10.8 lbs (4.9kg)
Length: 44.3" (112.5cm)
Barrel: Match Grade, Heavy Contour, 22", 1:11 RH twist
Stock: McMillan Fiberglass, glass bedded.
Trigger Pull: Specially tuned 4 1/2 pound match
two-stage military trigger
Sight: Typically B&L 10x Tactical (Leupolds are also used)
Max Effective Range: 900 m (983yards)
Details and Function
The M25/XM25 is a joint venture sniper rifle, built for both the US Army Special Forces and the US Navy SEALs. It was orginally developed by the 10th SFG base at Ft. Devens in response to a requirement for a match grade M14 for Special Forces sniper teams. USSOCCOM was dubbing the rifle the "Light Sniper Rifle", and its also known as the "Sniper Security System" and "Product Improved M21".
The M25 is similar to the M21 in many regards, its a National Match M14 glass bedded in a McMillan fiberglass stock, uses a special gas piston, a National Match spring guide and a BPT (Brookfield Precision Tool) Advanced Scope Mounting System. Most rifles use the B&L 10x Tactical scope. Some of the Army rifles use some of the Leupold Ultra MK4 series of scopes. (Both the M3 and M1), and the Navy rifles have been seen with Leupolds also (MK4s and VariX-III LR M3s). Ops Inc suppressors have also been used on some of the rifles.
The rifle has been referenced as both the M25 and XM25 in US Navy and US Army docs, so I guess the rifle has two official nomenclatures. The M25 is NOT a replacement rifle for the M24, it was requested by the USSOCCOM to fill a specific need, and it served extremely well in the Persian Gulf war. The rifle is still considered a "transitional system" but as far as I know there is no developement being done on a new semi-auto sniper rifle for SF.
USMC M40A1


Specification
Caliber 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 Win)
Length 43.97" (1117mm)
Weight 14.45 lbs (6.57 kg)
Barrel Length 24 inches (610mm)
Lands and Grooves 6
Twist, Right Hand 1:12"
Trigger Weight 3 to 5 pounds
Magazine Capacity 5 rounds
Sight Unertl 10x with Mil-Dots and BDC. Specially designed for USMC
Stock McMillan fiberglass A1 with epoxy filler
Chamber Pressure 50000 psi
Muzzle Velocity M118: 2550fps (777mps)
M118LR: 2580fps (786mps)
Max Effective Range 1000 yards (915 meters)
Length 43.97" (1117mm)
Weight 14.45 lbs (6.57 kg)
Barrel Length 24 inches (610mm)
Lands and Grooves 6
Twist, Right Hand 1:12"
Trigger Weight 3 to 5 pounds
Magazine Capacity 5 rounds
Sight Unertl 10x with Mil-Dots and BDC. Specially designed for USMC
Stock McMillan fiberglass A1 with epoxy filler
Chamber Pressure 50000 psi
Muzzle Velocity M118: 2550fps (777mps)
M118LR: 2580fps (786mps)
Max Effective Range 1000 yards (915 meters)
Details and Function
The M40A1 has to be the pioneer of the modern sniper rifle. The USMC has always had a leg up on the US Army when it comes to sniping (Remember, I am US Army, so it takes a lot to say this!) and the USMC realized that they needed a standard sniper rifle that could perform the job up to standard. After testing and reviews the USMC placed the initial order for 700 Remington 700/M40 sniper rifles in 1966. 550 of those had the redfield 3-9x accurange scope mounted. As time progressed, the weaknesses of the factory M700/40x rifles began to show. The all wood stocks were very prone to shifting in changes in the weather and other weaknesses were noted. So a process began to upgrade the M40 rifles. There is no "official" date (at least that I can tell) when the M40 was replaced by the M40A1, but the process happened in the early 70's. The wood stocks were replaced by McMillan fiberglass stocks, which are known for their ruggedness. The entire system is built by USMC armorers at Quantico, VA. The redfield 3-9x scopes were eventually replaced by a specially designed scope built by Unertl to USMC specifications. This happened in the early 80's and this is was the standard scope being used on the M40A1's and the A3's up until 2006 when the Schmidt & Bender PMII 3-12x scopes were adopted to replace the Unertls.
The M40A1 is an outstanding system, very capable of extreme levels of accuracy, though the older M118 ammo tended to hold the rifle back to about 1 MOA, but the new M118LR (designed by the USMC) really unleashed the potential of these rifles with accuracy improving to about .5 MOA. The Max Effective range of the M40A1 is listed at 800 meters by a lot of sources, but the USMC says 1000yards (915 meters) and I would have to go with the USMC on this one, as we routinely shoot past 900 meters with our M24 SWS, and the M40A1 is everybit as accurate.
The USMC has replaced the aging M40A1's with the new M40A3's. A rifle that has been in the developement stages for some time now. The M40A1's have served extremely well for many years (over 30). She'll be missed, but the A3 is a capable successor.
For those of you who would like to purchase a M40A1 for your own collection, several manufacturers make excellent reproductions of the M40A1, some even built to mil-specs. But you cannot purchase an ORIGINAL M40A1.
USMC M40A3

Specification
Caliber 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 Win)
Length 44.25" (1124mm)
Weight 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg)
Barrel Schneider Match Grade SS #7
Barrel Length 24 inches (610mm)
Trigger Weight 3 to 5 pounds
Magazine Capacity 5 rounds
Sight Unertl 10x with Mil-Dots and BDC
Stock McMillan Tactical A4
Max Effective Range 1000 yards (915 meters)
Length 44.25" (1124mm)
Weight 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg)
Barrel Schneider Match Grade SS #7
Barrel Length 24 inches (610mm)
Trigger Weight 3 to 5 pounds
Magazine Capacity 5 rounds
Sight Unertl 10x with Mil-Dots and BDC
Stock McMillan Tactical A4
Max Effective Range 1000 yards (915 meters)
Details and Function
In 1996 the USMC started on the design for the replacement of the M40A1, the result was the M40A3. It uses a remington 700 short action, with a steel floorplate assembly and trigger guard built by D.D. Ross. The Unertl rings and bases have been replaced with D.D. Ross base and G&G Machine rings. The rifles also come with a harris bipod and an accessory rail, also built by G&G Machine. The stock is a new McMillan A4, with adjustable cheek and length of pull.
As the M40A1's rotate in for service and repair, they are replaced by M40A3's. All M40A3s are built by USMC armorers at Quantico Virginia. The M40A3 is an outstanding replacement for the aging M40A1's. The rifles are extremely accurate, very rugged, and are designed from the ground up to be a superb sniper rifle. Combined with the new M118LR ammo, it makes a system that is ranked with the best in the world.
Well Sniper2 dan senjata2 inilah yang secara umum di gunakan oleh US Army dan USMC untuk melakukan tugas mereka yaitu membunuh dan melenyapkan orang2 atau target2 yang penting...
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