Rifle and Pistol Info. Page 1 of 5
Rifle and Pistol Information Page 1 of 5

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Soldier


Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR)

Weight: (Unloaded) 10-11 lbs.
Bore diameter: 7.62mm (.308 caliber)
Maximum effective range: 600-800 meters
Unit Replacement Cost: Information not available.

Features: The DMR will be a precision grade, 7.62mm, semi-automatic rifle. It will be equipped with a simple mounting system which will accommodate a day optical sighting scope, the AN/PVS-4 Starlight Scope, and other night/low level obscurant target engagement equipment common to, or in development for, the infantry battalion. The DMR will also have an operator attachable flash suppressor and will use both ten and twenty round magazines. It is anticipated that the "basic" DMR (i.e. less sight, magazine, sling, basic issue items, cleaning gear, suppressor, and bipod) will weigh 11 pounds or less. The DMR design will allow the sight mount, barrel, bolt, and other key assemblies to be repaired/replaced at the third echelon maintenance level.

Background: The DMR shall be employed by the Main Corps Scout/Sniper team when the mission requirements dictate the need for a weapon capable of delivering rapid, accurate fire against multiple targets at greater ranges and with greater lethality than the M16A2. It will also be used by the Designated Marksman (DM) assigned to the Marine Security Force Battalion and Military Police units in the execution of their security and counter-terrorist missions.
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M40A1 Sniper Rifle

M40A1 Sniper Rifle

Manufacturer: Specially trained armorers at Quantico, Virginia.
Length: 44 inches (111.76 centimeters)
Barrel length: 24 inches (61 centimeters)
Weight: 14.5 pounds (6.58 kilograms)
Bore diameter: 7.62mm (.308 inches)
Maximum effective range: 1000 yards (914 meters)
Muzzle velocity: 2550 feet (777 meters) per second
Chamber pressure: 50,000 psi,
Magazine capacity: 5 rounds
Unit Replacement Cost: $2,105

Features: The M40A1 sniper rifle is based on the Remington model 700. It is a heavy barrel, bolt action, magazine fed 7.62mm rifle that is optimized for accuracy with Match Grade ammunition. The rifle is equipped with a special 10 power Unertl sniper scope. With scope, the rifle weighs approximately 14.5 pounds. It is equipped with a built-in five round magazine. This weapon is hand-made by specially trained and qualified armorers at Quantico, Virginia. The unique characteristics of the M40A1 Sniper Rifle are: commercial competition-grade heavy barrel, McMillan fiberglass stock and butt pad, modified Winchester Model 70 floorplate and trigger guard, and modified and lightened trigger. In addition, each stock is epoxy bedded for accuracy and all weapons must shoot less than one minute of angle (MOA).

Background: The M40A1 was put into service in the 1970s to meet the need of a long range sniper rifle. Each rifle is hand built by specially trained and qualified personnel at the Marine Corps Marksmanship Training Unit (MTU) at Quantico, Virginia.
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M16A2 Infantry Rifle

M16A2

Primary function: Infantry weapon
Manufacturer: Colt Manufacturing and Fabrique Nationale Manufacturing Inc.
Length: 39.63 inches (100.66 centimeters)
Weight, with 30 round magazine: 8.79 pounds (3.99 kilograms)
Bore diameter: 5.56mm (.233 inches)
Maximum effective range:
Area target: 2,624.8 feet (800 meters)
Point target: 1,804.5 feet (550 meters)
Muzzle velocity: 2,800 feet (853 meters) per second
Rate of fire:
Cyclic: 800 rounds per minute
Sustained: 12-15 rounds per minute
Semiautomatic: 45 rounds per minute
Burst: 90 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds
Unit Replacement Cost: $586

Features: The M16A2 5.56mm rifle is a lightweight, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed, shoulder- or hip-fired weapon designed for either automatic fire (3-round bursts) or semiautomatic fire (single shot) through the use of a selector lever. The weapon has a fully adjustable rear sight. The bottom of the trigger guard opens to provide access to the trigger while wearing winter mittens. The upper receiver/barrel assembly has a fully adjustable rear sight and a compensator which helps keep the muzzle down during firing. The steel bolt group and barrel extension are designed with locking lugs which lock the bolt group to the barrel extension allowing the rifle to have a lightweight aluminum receiver.

Background: The M16A2 rifle is a product improvement of the M16A1 rifle. The improvements are:

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M203 40mm Grenade Launcher

M203 40mm Granade Launcher on an M16A2

Weight: Launcher: 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms)
Rifle (M16A2): 8.79 pounds (3.99 kg)
Total (including 30 rounds): 11.79 pounds (5.35 kg)
Bore diameter: 40mm
Maximum effective range: Area target: 1148.35 feet (350 meters)
Point target: 492.15 feet (150 meters)
Maximum range: 1312.4 feet (400 meters)
Minimum safe range: Training: 426.53 feet (130 meters)
Combat: 101.71 feet (31 meters)
Unit Replacement Cost: $601

Features: The M203 40mm Grenade Launcher is used while attached to an M16A2 5.56mm rifle. It is a lightweight, compact, breech loading, pump action, single shot launcher. The launcher consists of a hand guard and sight assembly with an adjustable metallic folding, short-range blade sight assembly, and an aluminum receiver assembly which houses the barrel latch, barrel stop and firing mechanism. The launcher is capable of firing a variety of low velocity 40mm ammunition. The launcher also has a quadrant sight which may be attached to the M16A2 carrying handle and is used when precision is required out to the maximum effective range of the weapon.

Background: The M203 was designed and procured as the replacement for the M79 grenade launcher of the Vietnam era.
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M9 Pistol

M9 Pistol

Primary function: Semiautomatic pistol
Builder: Beretta and Beretta USA
Length: 8.54 inches (21.69 centimeters)
Width: 1.50 inches (3.81 centimeters)
Height: 5.51 inches (14 centimeters)
Barrel length: 4.92 inches (12.5 centimeters)
Weight fully loaded: 2.55 pounds (1.16 kilograms)
Bore diameter: 9mm (approximately .355 inches)
Maximum effective range: 152.5 feet (50 meters)
Magazine capacity: 15 rounds
Muzzle velocity: 1200 feet (365 meters) per second
Unit Replacement Cost: $263

Features: The M9 is a light weight, semiautomatic pistol manufactured by Beretta and designed to replace the M1911A1 .45 caliber pistol and .38 caliber revolvers. The M9 has redundant automatic safety features to help prevent unintentional discharges. It can be fired in either double or single action mode and can be unloaded without activating the trigger while the safety is in the "on" position. The M9 pistol has a 15-round magazine, and may be fired without a magazine inserted. This weapon can have the hammer lowered from the cocked, "ready to fire," position to the uncocked position without activating the trigger by placing the thumb safety on the "on" position.

Background: The 9mm Pistol Program was a Congressionally-directed Non-Developmental Initiative to standardize DoD with NATO and field one handgun for all United States armed services. Beretta of Italy was awarded a multi-year contract for delivery of over 500,000 pistols. The contract award stipulated that production of the weapon must transition from Italian to US production after two years. The US Army is the lead service in this program.
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5.56-mm SA80

Cartridge: 5.56-mm NATO
Weight: 5kg
Length: 785mm
Cyclic rate of fire: 800 rounds per minute
Magazine: 30-round box
Effective range: 500m

The SA80 is a complete weapons system replacing the British Army's rifles, LMGs and SMGs, the SA80 is arguably the finest service rifle available today. Short and handy, it is ideal both for urban combat and for the cramped interior of an APC. The SA80 is fitted with the SUSAT (Sight Unit, Small Arms, Trilux) sight, which provides 4x magnification. This is a tremendous aid to accuracy, especially when shooting in poor light conditions. The SA80's sling allows the weapon to be held in 3 or more positions, accress the chest, under the right arm and sholder, and flat againsed your body to leave both hands free.
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