Barrett MRAD
| Barrett MRAD | |
|---|---|
 Barrett MRAD Press Image[1] | |
| Type | Sniper rifle |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Israel: YAMAM and IDF Norway New Zealand |
| 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) [2] |
| Length | 42.4 in (108 cm) (20" Barrel) 46.9 in (119 cm) (24.5" Barrel) 49.4 in (125 cm) (27" Barrel) [2] |
| Barrel length | 20 in (51 cm) 24.5 in (62 cm) 27 in (69 cm) [2] |
| Cartridge | .338 Lapua Magnum, .300 Win. Mag. and .308 Win.[3] |
| Action | Bolt-action |
| Feed system | 10 round detachable box magazine |
The Barrett MRAD or Multi-Role Adaptive Design is a bolt-action sniper rifle that was designed by Barrett to meet the requirements of the SOCOM PSR.[4] The MRAD is based on the Barrett 98B with a number of modifications and improvements.[5] The Barrett MRAD was named the 2012 Rifle of the Year by the NRA.[6]
Design
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 as unfolded.[2] A major MRAD feature (and requirement of the military PSR solicitation) is a user field changeable barrel/caliber capability. Loosening two Torx screws in the receiver allows removal of the barrel from the front of the receiver/handguard. With only a simple 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 popular caliber conversion kits in .338 and .300 NORMA, 7mm Remington, .260 Remington, and 6.5mm Creedmore. 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 check rest height, a polymer bolt guide 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.[2] Early MRADs had 30MOA slope full length 21.75" standard 1913 Picatinny rail on top of the receiver/handuard. Current MRADs feature 20MOA slope rail. Shorter 2"-4" Picatinny rails sections may be user positioned at 3, 6, and 9 0'clock at several fore/aft positions along the handguard. MRADs are offered in several Cerakote colors; all barrels are black.[7]
Similar to the M16/AR15 rifle, the MRAD upper and lower receivers can be separated by pushing out rear and front two take-down pins. Pushing out only the rear take-down pin allows the upper receiver to tilt on its front take-down pin like an AR to allow for easy maintenance in the field.[8]
With match grade .338 Lapua Magnum ammunition the MRAD is capable of 0.5 MOA (minute of arc) accuracy at a distances of up to 1500 meters. With standard ammunition the accuracy drops to 1 MOA.[9]
SOCOM PSR
The particular model of the MRAD that was submitted for the PSR trial was fitted with a 24.5 in (62 cm) barrel, and weighed 14.8 lb (6.7 kg) (without an optic)."[4] The Remington Modular Sniper Rifle was selected as the winner of the PSR competition.[10]
Users
Israel: In 2013 the MRAD was adopted by the Yamam, Israel's elite counter-terrorism and SWAT unit as their long range sniper rifle, to replace old PGM 338 rifles.[11] In 2018 the Israel Defense Forces also adopted the MRAD.[12]
New Zealand: To be introduced in 2018 as a replacement for the 7.62mm Arctic Warfare sniper rifles [13]
Norway: In use by the Norwegian armed forces special operations forces since 2015.[14]
References
- ^ "MRAD". Barrett. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e "MRAD". Barrett. Retrieved 17 December 2012.
- ^ http://www.barrett.net/firearms/mrad
- ^ a b c Langston, Jay. "Barrett MRAD .338 Lapua MAG". Tactical-Life.com. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
- ^ Dall'au, Andre M. "The Barrett Multi-Role Adaptive Design (MRAD) rifle". Tactical-Life.com. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
- ^ Barrett, Angela. "Barrett MRAD Receives Golden Bullseye Award for 2012 Rifle of the Year from the NRA Publication, Shooting Illustrated" (PDF). Barret. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Barrett product sales literature; Barrett website; MRAD Owner's Manual and Barrett Armorer's Course
- ^ Adelmann, Steve (24 October 2011). "Barrett MRAD". Shooting Illustrated. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
- ^ Barrett MRAD, Shooting Illustrated.
- ^ Curtis, Rob (7 March 2013). "SOCOM PSR contract awarded to Remington Defense MSR". Gearscout blog. Military Times. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
- ^ נחשף פירוט הנשק של הימ"מ, Ynet, 2015.3.1
- ^ [https://www.idf.il/%D7%90%D7%AA%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D/%D7%96%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%A2-%D7%94%D7%99%D7%91%D7%A9%D7%94/%D7%AA%D7%A2%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%9B%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%90%D7%9E%D7%9C%D7%97-%D7%91%D7%96%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%A2-%D7%94%D7%99%D7%91%D7%A9%D7%94/
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2], Presis og potent, Vi Menn, 2015
External links
