Rifle Improves Rapid Target Engagement

ASDNews ^ | 1/21/2011 | USMC

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

As a presence in several evolving conflicts around the world, Marines must remain up-to-date on the newest technology in order to defeat the enemy and complete the mission at hand.

For the sniper community, that title belongs to the Model 110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System.

"What (Marines) were finding as we got into Iraq and Afghanistan is that the bolt-action M40 sniper rifle we had was not able to rapidly engage targets in a built-up environment," said Capt. Carlos Cuevas, precision weapons team lead, program manager, Product Group 13 (infantry weapons), Marine Corps Systems Command, Headquarters Marine Corps in Quantico, Va. "What they needed was a semi-automatic system to be able to rapidly engage targets."

The Model 110 SASS is the weapon the Corps is fielding to fill this void and Marines from III Marine Expeditionary Force received the new rifle weapons system here Jan. 10. Consequently, the Okinawa-based Marines from 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF were the first to train with the new weapons system, according to Cuevas.

The ever-changing combat environment, both in Iraq and Afghanistan, shaped the specific requirements for the new weapons system, he added.

For example, the required maximum effective range no longer simply meant the maximum range at which the rifle could hit a man-sized target, but the max range at which the rifle could rapidly engage those man-sized targets without limiting accuracy.

The capabilities of the M110 SASS, specifically the ability to rapidly engage targets, complement existing weapon systems currently in use by the Marine Corps and helps add functionality and flexibility to the scout sniper arsenal.

[MasterGunner01]

Brookfield Precision made the improved scope mount for the M21/M25/M14 Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) rifles. I believe the rights were purchased by Smith Enterprises, Inc. and you can purchase one from them from Smith for about $225. (Note: these mounts are pricey and that's before you add the tactical rings or a precision Mil-Spec scope.)

The Knight's Armament Co. (KAC) of Vero Beach, FL builds the SR-25 Precision Rifle used by police snipers. It is a scaled-up .308 Winchester caliber version of the .223 Remington AR-15.

The Navy and Marines have been using the Mk 11 Mod 0/1 to supplement the M40A5 Sniper's in 7.62 NATO. The M110 SASS (Semi-Automatic Sniping System) is a modified version of the Mk 11 with some Army peculiar bells and whistles the Mk 11 and SR-25 don't have. The M110 SASS will be supplemented by the M24A1 Sniper Weapon System (SWS) now being upgraded to .300 Winchester Magnum from 7.62 NATO.

All KAC sniper rifles employ a quick attach/detach sound suppressor and are equipped with folding iron sights for use if the optics are removed.

[Lurker]

What are you using for optics?

That's a Springfield Armory First Gen Rangefinding. They don't make 'em anymore.

[Lurker]

is almost as good as a $500 M14

You find an M14 for $500, you let me know. I'll buy all of them you have.

[Kenny Bunk]

......You find an M14 for $500....

Point is, the M-14s are already bought and in inventory in numbers large enough to equip at least one man in every squad presently in combat. I am fairly certain they can be refurbished, and fitted with composite, bedded stocks, telescopic sights and bipods for $500 or close, each. As you know, they are an accurate weapon to begin with.

[300winmag]

Poor boy variant.....

GMTA (and spend alike). Most of my changes reflect my preferences in ergonomics. Except for the Timney target trigger, and the new 50-round drum (also available for H&K G3s and FN FALs).

These types of rifles would have been considered bona fide sniper rifles 30-35 years ago. Now these types are "urban shooting gallery" rifles for designated marksmen at the platoon level for use in cities. To reach out and touch someone reliably at 1000m and beyond still requires a bolt action for now. The Army is rebuilding all their Remington 700s in .300 Winchester Magnum (please, please let there be ammo overruns). Beyond that, the money seems to be on the .338 Lapua Magnum. The Canucks seem to like the AI rifle, having set two consecutive world records for first-shot kills. The ranges were, to my best remembering, 2400 and 2600m. Them's bragging rights.

And FYI to anybody with the DPMS SASS, the trigger and hammer pins on their OEM target trigger are .001" undersize, with a diameter that does not correspond to any known SAE, metric, or other oddball drill stock or pin. But the standard pin size is a common SAE diameter, and I just used my fingers to run a reamer through the holes to bring them back to normal, and open up the world of aftermarket parts.

All the trouble they went to, and it only slowed me down for about 15 minutes.

[Smokin' Joe]

Thanks, Lurker. I guess I’ll keep looking. Any recomendations that don’t cost more than a cheap used pickup in the hinterlands?

[gundog]

Poor boy variant.....

You and I differ greatly on the definition of "poor."

[Squantos]

Lol....as do I an Reed Knight an his SR25 flavor.....

The DPMS version is a third of the cost at MSRP around here.

IMO the DPMS is just as good if not better as I have fired both many times at work an varmint hunting. Same optics an ammo ...same lot numbers in fact.

Yeah if I had the duckets to waste....KAC products ae neat yet my serious rifle for accuracy is s 98 mauser.

But agree with ya on poor....:p)

[Lurker]

I am fairly certain they can be refurbished, and fitted with composite, bedded stocks, telescopic sights and bipods for $500 or close, each.

I'd dispute that figure just a bit. A McMillan Tactical stock runs nearly $500.00 alone. Kreiger barrels will set you back $400 or so. Toss in a bipod and you're at a grand right there. And we haven't even started talking about mounts for optics, let alone the optics themselves.

Then there's the tactical advantage of having a nearly identical platform to the M16. Training is vastly simplified because the controls are all in the same place and serve the same function. AND the bad guys can't pick out the obvious marksman from a distance. That's huge.

Now don't get me wrong. I love the M1A. Scroll back up the thread to see the one I built. But making a new, purpose built 7.62 platform for our guys at the tip of the spear makes a good deal of sense to me.

Best,

L

[Lurker]

My buddy put a Luepold on his, but those things run several hundred dollars easy. I got a real deal on the SA model on a close out. I think I paid around 450 or so.

L

[Squantos]

I think I was one of the first 200 folks to buy a Dakota Longbow in .338 Lapua Mag an love it yet I have a pet mauser that was built for me by a friend in 300 win mag that will out shoot the longbow.....

Marketing an bling aka flash aside....one can build a proper rifle that will do sod poodles an yotes at extreme ranges be it bolt gun or AR etc...

Almost time to start reloading for sod poodle season here. Spent most of my winter cleaning an preparing the gear an benches ect...

Also have a local cryo shop now. What parts if any should be considered for the cryo process ?

[mad_as_he$$]

Many people forget about the AR-10. I saw one once years ago. A friend of mine worked for Armalite and was “field testing” one at range one day. In many ways it is too bad the system went 5.56.

[B4Ranch]

>>the M-14s are already bought and in inventory in numbers large enough to equip at least one man in every squad presently in combat.<<

The idea during wars is to spend money, get into debt, as deep as the banker will allow you. Buying new equipment keeps the economy bristling and the taxpayer.

[300winmag]

Also have a local cryo shop now. What parts if any should be considered for the cryo process ?

I never had the luxury of even thinking about cryo, but my first candidate would be all the fire control parts. This would be prior any trigger work. With known hardness all the way through, it should take a long-lasting precision adjustment without worry about breaking through to a softer spot.

[gundog]

IMO the DPMS is just as good if not better...

I'm not much of a rollmark snob. Lewis Machine and Tool makes Olympic's uppers and lowers and they match up tighter than the Rock Rivers that I've seen. May look into a .308 DPMS lower. The one thing I will say for the AR platform is that you can pick up a piece at a time. May be able to build an SASS fairly cheaply by avoiding the excise tax on a complete rifle. May be in the market for an ugly gun before the 2012 election. Haven't regretted buying any, to date.

[Squantos]

Oh agree....one of my best 1911A1’s is a stock Norinco I think I paid 180$ for ! I am always in the parts bins at gunshows and gunshops . I like fixing them and building them and always have something else to learn. never afraid to ask or admit I don’t know etc ...

Agree on the parts buy, good foundation and parts fit and function and rigs will last a lifetime of personal peacetime use IMO. .....LMT got the brits or canooks military contract didn’t it ? very good reviews on that company.

Taking old enfields and converting to 7.62 x 54R is another favorite thing to do. Almost a kitchen table conversion if ya don’t mind the brass being fire formed a few thousandths . If such is a problem you can set the barrel back same measure. Doing that and re-crowning the barrel turns those old surplus rifles and sino soviet ammo into perfect hunting rifles for those on a budget. The 54R and .303 ammo are almost identical in pressures etc ..

Stay safe !

[Squantos]

I cryo’d a few super knife serrated blades back a few years ago that I picked up at an ace hardware shop. Just basic utility knife blades, carpet cutters yet found some that were serrated and very very sharp and long lasting. had my buddy at that shop cryo the package of 10 of em for me and I still have 9 I haven’t used in a few years .....;o)

The one in the little superknife brand is used almost every day for some task or another at work and home etc . That is all I have cryo’d for now. Hear that sears and such last longer. Figure to tune and polish a 1911A1 set of internals and then cryo those and see how they hold up over time...... all an experiment for me !

Stay safe !