Sniper Rifles

The sniper rifle is a highly refined tool for the military profession of sniper. The sniper has an important, specialized role for regular ground forces and special forces.

Sniper instruction course, Taji, Iraq, 8 February 2005. The National Guard Marksmanship Training Unit's Sniper School Mobile Training Team set up training for the Arkansas National Guard's 39th Brigade Combat Team, deployed with the 1st Cavalry Division. Trainees are firing both the M24 Sniper Weapons System and M21 rifles.

Sniper Rifles of the U.S. Military

A U.S. Marine scout sniper scans for insurgents in the streets and buildings along the edge of Fallujah, Iraq, during the first hours of Operation al Fajr (New Dawn), 8 November 2004. The weapon is an M107 .50 Caliber Sniper Rifle. The Marine is assigned to Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.

This section of Olive-Drab.com features the sniper rifles used by the U.S. Military from World War II forward. Snipers have been a part of military tactics since the rifle was invented, but have become increasingly sophisticated. Early sniper rifles, such as the M1903A4 Springfield, had little except a scope to distinguish them from an ordinary infantry weapon. Today's sniper weapon systems, such as the M-107 .50 cal. Long Range Sniper Rifle, are technical marvels that can reliably engage targets out to 2000 meters with a high probability of a kill.

Sniper Rifle Directory

Click on the link to go to the Olive-Drab page for each specific rifle:

• USMC .30-06 Model 1941 Sniper Rifle
• M-1903A4 .30-06 Sniper Rifle
• M1C & M1D .30-06 Sniper Rifles
• M21 7.62mm Sniper Rifle
• M40A1 & M40A3 7.62mm USMC Sniper Rifles
• M-24 7.62mm Sniper Weapon System
• M82A1 & M82A3 .50 cal. Special Application Scoped Rifle
• M107 .50 cal. Long Range Sniper Rifle
• XM110 7.62mm Semi-Automatic Sniper System

Recommended Books about Sniper Rifles

• The World's Sniping Rifles: With Sighting Systems and Ammunition
• FM 23-10: Sniper Training

Find More Information on the Internet

There are many fine websites that have additional information on this topic, too many to list here and too many to keep up with as they come and go. Use this Google web search form to get an up to date report of what's out there.

For good results, try entering this: sniper rifles. Then click the Search button.

Find at Amazon:  Military Issue equipment, clothing, boots, MREs, MOLLE gear and much more.