M24
Summary
| Country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Sniper rifle |
| Manufacturer | Remington |
Technical specifications
| M24 | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | Single shot rounds/min. |
| Caliber | .308 Winchester |
| Magazine | 5 rounds |
| Length | 1092 mm (43.0 in) |
| Weight | 5.49 kg (12.1 lb) |
| Range | 800 m (2625 ft) |
Description
The M24 Sniper Weapon System (SWS) is the military and police version of the Remington Model 700 rifle. Adopted by the United States Army in 1988 as their standard sniper rifle, the term "weapon system" indicates that it includes the rifle, a detachable telescopic sight, and related accessories.
The M24 uses the Remington 700 "long action" receiver. While initially chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge, the longer receiver allows for reconfiguration with larger cartridges up to 3.340 inches in overall length. The original rifle featured a Leupold Ultra M3A 10×42mm fixed-power scope and a Harris 9–13" bipod. Later, a Leupold Mk 4 LR/T M1 10×40mm scope was adopted. Specifications include a 416R stainless steel barrel with 1-in-11.25 inch, 5-R rifling. The H-S Precision PST-024 stock has an aluminum bedding block, free-floated barrel, and adjustable length of pull. The maximum effective range is 800 meters, although shots exceeding 1,000 meters have been recorded.
Several variants and reconfigurations have been developed:
- The XM24A1 was an experimental variant chambered for .300 Winchester Magnum that was not widely adopted.
- The M24A2, developed by Remington, features a detachable 5-round magazine, Picatinny rails, barrel modifications for a suppressor, and an improved adjustable stock. Existing M24s could be converted to this standard.
- The M24A3 SWS is a Remington variant chambered for the .338 Lapua Magnum, using a 5-round detachable magazine and tapped for a variable power day scope.
In 2009, the U.S. Army issued a solicitation to reconfigure existing M24s, with the following improvements: rechambering to .300 Winchester Magnum to use Mk 248 ammunition, fitting a MIL-STD-1913 rail for optics and night vision, a stock with a detachable magazine and adjustable features, a suppressor interface, and a new variable power optic.
Although there was a plan to replace it with the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System, the Army continued to acquire M24s and upgraded many to the A2 and M24E1 standards. A major program upgraded the Army's entire fleet to the M2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle standard, which involved extensive reconfiguration and rechambering to .300 Winchester Magnum. The final M24 conversion was completed in April 2014. In 2019, the Israel Defense Forces began modernizing their M24 rifles with a new chassis system. The U.S. Marine Corps uses the M40 series, which is also based on the Remington 700 action, however the M40 variants typically use the short-action receiver, whereas the Army M24 uses the long action.
The M24 SWS has been used by various military and law enforcement organizations including Algeria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Georgia, Hungary, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Mexico, Philippines, Ukraine, and the United States Army and Air Force, as well as police SWAT teams. Former users include the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The weapon has also been documented in use by non-state actors in the Philippines.