MK11 Sniper Rifle

[HorseSoldier]

The Mk.12 SPR is used by the SEALs and increasingly by Army SF units. It is a 5.56mm AR-type rifle using an 18-inch 1:7 match barrel fitted with an OPS muzzle brake. It typically is made of Colt, Armalite, or Diemaco receivers and fitted with either a PRI, KAC, or ARMS forearm and an adjustable telestock. Optics used include the Leupold Mk.4 in the Army and the Nightforce NXS in the Navy.

Somewhat dated information -- Army SF got SPRs in quantity several years ago.

Lowers were also built using old M16A1s lowers. At my last unit we had at least a couple that were built on old H&R lowers.

 

[LoneRider]

We've got a couple M110s in my unit, our sniper section is rather fond of the weapon (or at least the two snipers that have the weapon issued to them have said to me).

As for the SPR, I've never seen one. I've seen the SDM-R once (modified M16 DMR) and now all our marksmen carry the M14.

 

[blackops]

The M110 isn't replacing anything, it's just a better option for close quarters with multiple targets. No semi-auto will ever replace a bolt sniper weapon system. A lot of guys try to say the semis are getting just as accurate and to a point I believe they have come along way, but its simple physics, a bolt is going to be more stable thus giving a more consistent sturdy action. Iron Brigade is trying to replace the M40 with the XM3 which (in my opinion) won't happen. Maybe a better night application if at all anything, but they don't even assemble the weapon there because Heart takes care of that. Anyways the M40 is going to be around a while. If you have a chance to talk to any real military snipers a lot of them will tell you the same thing.

 

[LoneRider]

I can't quite see bolt guns being entirely replaced by semis either. But in urban environments most snipers in my unit would prefer their semi-automatic rifles for better firepower against the scenario of multiple targets. I guess that Private News Network, even if a sniper said it, isn't entirely accurate. Said PNN stated that the M24 was gonna be replaced by the M110. I figured upgraded maybe, but not replaced by a semi, especially in Afghanistan.

More than a few AARs from snipers have echoed similar sentiments. Having read several books by former snipers (namely HOGs in the Shadows by Milo S. Afong and Ronin by Mike Tucker) semi-auto sniper rifles are simply preferred in urban environments.

And, blackops, I agree with you on the M40 being around for a while. Someone a few posts back explicitly stated that an A5 variant is due to be fielded.

 

[Kind of Blued]

No sense in getting rid of the bolt-guns, but I'm glad soem of our boys are getting these semi-auto weapons. The nature of urban combat, and an utter lack of rhyme or reason from the enemy leaves the guy with the bolt gun wanting, I'd imagine.

 

[LoneRider]

Supplanting the bolt guns with a semi-auto that is virtually indistinguishable from the other rifles in the patrol definitely helps. A friend of mine said snipers used to carry their M40s on their backs and patrol with their M16s to and from the hides.

My reading of the book Ronin - A Scout Sniper Platoon in Iraq by Mike Tucker actually chronicles a supremely idiotic idea by the chain of command to try and take the snipers' SAMRs, M16s, and M4s and telling them to do their missions and room clearings with the M40s. Thankfully that idea was vetoed by a much more practical chain of command.

 

[HorseSoldier]

I can't quite see bolt guns being entirely replaced by semis either.

The talk before I ETS'ed was that USASOC was going to bump all bolt guns up to 300 Win Mag and only field gas guns in 7.62x51, but that idea did not seem to be going over really well at the end-user level. As others have said, a semi-auto precision rifle is good for some roles, a bolt gun for others. Keeping both in the golf bag isn't a bad thing.

 

[taliv]

is accuracy the only advantage of a bolt over semi auto? or is someone claiming some other advantage?

(I can think of a few, but none that make up for ROF to me... not that I'm a sniper or anything)

and if it is the only advantage, then what is the accuracy requirement?

 

[jpwilly]

^^^ different missions need different tools. The AR is not the end all be all neither is a M14 or bolt action rifle all can fill a specific mission very well. I believe a mixed environment despite logistical complexity is the answer. What it appears they are still looking for is a single platform answer despite the obvious answer = there's no such thing.

 

[Maverick223]

I can think of a few, but none that make up for ROF to me...

Depending upon the situation...I can see where the additional accuracy, the ability to easily police brass, the simplicity of operation, the lesser noise of he operating mechanism, the decreased movement (of the weapon during firing) could be useful for the scout sniper, however I am not one, so I can't say for sure. I can certainly see why they would want to bump up to "greater than 7.62x51" for these bolt guns, because I see the x51 as being a DMR caliber due to the practical range limitations, I think that .300WM would make a pretty good choice as it has a greater practical range without the additional recoil that would require a muzzle brake (.338LM, .50BMG, et al), and thereby be less effective for concealment.

 

[LoneRider]

The talk before I ETS'ed was that USASOC was going to bump all bolt guns up to 300 Win Mag and only field gas guns in 7.62x51, but that idea did not seem to be going over really well at the end-user level. As others have said, a semi-auto precision rifle is good for some roles, a bolt gun for others. Keeping both in the golf bag isn't a bad thing.

Lord knows I agree with you about the golf bag concept. I'm no sniper, as the disclaimer, but as a huge gun enthusiast I can see the logic. From the snipers I've spoken with, most would agree with you.

At least for urban sniping a lot of them prefer the semi-automatic weapons for added firepower and precision. And according to Hans Halberstadt's Trigger Men (our senior snipers in the unit agree with this assessment) was that in Iraq a vast majority of sniper kills have been made using M16s or semi-automatic weapons.

That being said I would say the inherent accuracy of bolt action rifles, especially ones chambered in .300 Mag would be ideal for moutain terrain (a friend of mine who hunts in the mountains of Wyoming swears by that caliber (he uses a .300 Mag in the Remington 700 long action to hunt pronghorn) and again many of the snipers from my unit, some of whom have at least one Afghanistan tour, say a .300 or .338 would be ideal in that terrain).

What it appears they are still looking for is a single platform answer despite the obvious answer = there's no such thing.

Lord knows I agree with you. I figure the bean counters are trying to get our snipers and marksmen to make do with a 'one size fits all gun' in the name of 'budget', but failing to realize your obvious logic. Now how to balance both budget and a variety of different sniper weapons systems in the arsenal isn't really my lane.