Barrett M107
Summary
| Country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Anti materiel sniper rifle |
| Manufacturer | Barrett |
Technical specifications
| Barrett M107 | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | Single shot rounds/min. |
| Caliber | .50 BMG (12.7 x 99 mm) |
| Magazine | 5 rounds |
| Length | 1448 mm (57.0 in) |
| Weight | 12.0 kg (26.5 lb) |
| Range | 2300 m (7546 ft) |
Description
The Barrett M82, standardized by the U.S. military as the M107, is a recoil-operated, semi-automatic anti-materiel rifle developed and produced in the United States by Barrett Firearms Manufacturing. Founded by Ronnie Barrett, the company aimed to produce semi-automatic rifles chambered for the .50 BMG cartridge. Initially sold to the Swedish Army in 1989, the United States armed forces acquired the M82A1 in 1990 for operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Known by the U.S. military as the SASR—"Special Applications Scoped Rifle", the M82A1 has been used as an anti-materiel rifle and explosive ordnance disposal tool. The designation XM107 was initially used for the Barrett M95 bolt-action rifle, but trials led to the adoption of the M82A1M variant as the Long Range Sniper Rifle, Caliber .50, M107 in summer 2002.
The M82 is a short-recoil semi-automatic firearm utilizing a rotating bolt locking mechanism. When fired, the barrel and bolt recoil together. An accelerator mechanism then unlocks the bolt from the barrel, transferring energy to the bolt for cycling. The barrel is stopped by the combined effect of the accelerator, buffer spring, and muzzle brake. The bolt then extracts and ejects the spent case and chambers a new cartridge on its return stroke, locking to the barrel. Feeding is from a detachable box magazine typically holding ten rounds. The receiver consists of two parts, stamped from sheet steel and connected by cross-pins. The heavy barrel is fluted for heat dissipation and weight reduction and fitted with a large muzzle brake. Recoil reduction is attributed to the barrel assembly's movement against springs, the weapon's weight, and the muzzle brake. The M107's maximum effective range is cited as 1,830 m, while its maximum range is stated as 4,000 m.
The M82 line includes several variants:
-
The original M82 and M82A1 models
-
The M82A3
-
The bullpup M82A2
-
The Barrett M107A1
Specific M82A1 variants include the M82A1A, optimized for the Raufoss Mk 211 round, and the M82A1M, featuring a lengthened accessory rail, rear grip, and monopod socket. M82A3 rifles are new production models built to M82A1M specifications but generally lack the rear grip and monopod socket. The M107 is a product improved M82A1M variant, incorporating the lengthened accessory rail, rear grip, and monopod socket. The M82A2, distinct for its bullpup configuration, is no longer manufactured. The M107A1 variant is made from titanium and designed to accept a suppressor.
The M82 has been deployed as an anti-materiel rifle and explosive ordnance disposal tool. It saw use with the United States armed forces during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Despite its anti-materiel primary designation, it can also be used in an anti-personnel role. In 2002, the Barrett M82A1 served as the platform for the experimental OSW (Objective Sniper Weapon) prototype, which fired 25 mm high-explosive shells and was later designated the XM109. Some weapons were smuggled to non-state actors, including some supplied by the CIA to Afghan Mujahideen, some obtained by Al Qaeda, and others used by the Provisional IRA and Kosovo Liberation Army. The rifle has also been associated with Mexican drug cartels.
The Barrett M82 and M107 have been acquired by various military and police forces across at least 30 countries. These include Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Canada (JTF2), Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt (Thunderbolt Forces, Unit 1999, navy special forces, Black Cobra Unit), El Salvador, Finland, France (GIGN), Georgia, Germany, Greece, India (Mumbai Police Force One Commandos, special forces), Indonesia (Komando Pasukan Khusus), Israel (IDF Combat Engineering Corps), Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Kosovo, Lithuania, Malaysia (Special Operations Force), Mexico, Moldova (M107A1), Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway (M82 and M107A1), Oman, Pakistan, Philippines (Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police), Portugal, Qatar, Romania (Special Forces), Saudi Arabia, Serbia (Special Forces), Singapore (Special Forces), Slovakia (5th Special Operations Regiment), Slovenia (Special Police Unit), Spain, Sweden, South Korea, Turkey, Thailand, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States (US Armed Forces, Texas Highway Patrol), and Yemen.