M24 rifle: history of creation, device and specifications

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:45

In 1980, American weapons designers began designing a new large-caliber sniper rifle. The result of intensive work, testing and refinement of the design was the M24 sniper rifle. Information about the history of creation, device and technical characteristics of this rifle unit can be found in the article.

History

Until the 1980s, American soldiers used M21 sniper rifles, which were based on the semi-automatic M14. However, soon the M21 began to fall into disrepair, and it was quite problematic to get spare parts for weapons. Due to the changed situation in the world, American soldiers had to carry out their military operations in the Near and Middle East. In open desert spaces, the military needed a weapon that could provide high-precision shooting at a distance of at least 1 thousand meters. In connection with the requirements of the Marine Corps, US weapons designers had toto design a new bolt-action sniper rifle with a polymer stock and a stainless steel barrel. A competition was announced for the creation of such a rifle unit. As a result, the SSG69 Steyr and Remington Model 700BDL became the finalists. After the tests, the Remington won, in 1987 the M24 rifle was adopted by the United States Army.

Description

M24 rifle with a monolithic stock, for the manufacture of which combined polymer materials are used: glass and carbon fibers, polymer foam reinforced with Kevlar. At the bottom of the forearm and buttstock there are special mounting swivels, through which the weapon is equipped with a tactical belt. Adjustable folding double-support bipods are attached to the forearm. In the variant of the rifle, intended for use by police special forces, an integrated LCC (laser target designator) is provided at the end of the forearm. The shooter has the ability to adjust the length of the butt up to 5 cm, adjusting the rifle to fit his anthropometric data.

About sights

The M24A1 uses the standard Leupold Ultra M3A or Mk4 LR/T M1 optical sight. They are characterized by a fixed magnification, a determining range and a special compensator are used, the task of which is to take into account the decrease in the trajectory of the fired projectile. Additionally, the rifle is equipped with an open mechanical sighting device: a full diopter and a front sight. Initially, sights on sniper rifles were installed usingspecial brackets. Later, a standard Picatinny rail was used for this purpose.

About the trunk

The M24 rifle is equipped with a barrel made from high quality stainless steel. The length of this element was 60.9 cm. The barrel was subjected to a special treatment that allows the use of this sniper weapon with 7.62 mm M118SB NATO-style cartridges. The barrel is drilled 5R, which is represented by five grooves. According to weapons specialists, in this drilling, which is a development of the Remington company, the rifling has rounded edges. Unlike other sniper systems with a 90-degree bevel angle, the M24 rifle was 65. This was done specifically to minimize friction and contamination as much as possible. The length of the thread pitch is 2.86 cm. The service life of the barrel is not more than 5 thousand shots. According to military experts, due to the odd number of rifling, none of them are at an angle of 180 degrees, which reduces the deformation of the projectile during its movement along the barrel channel.

About options

Based on the M24, American gunsmiths designed an improved model for the more powerful WinMag 300 sniper ammunition. In the technical documentation, the rifle is listed as M24A2 SWS. Equipped with a detachable box magazine, which is equipped with 10 rounds. A tactical silencer can be mounted on the barrel. The stock is equipped with an adjustable cheek pad.

Also in the lineup there is M24A3 SWS. Equipped with a powerfullong-range ammunition 338LM (Lapua Magnum) and Nitro Express 470. A rifle with all the improvements from the previous version.

In 2010, American designers carried out a deep modernization of the M24, which resulted in the emergence of a new model - the M24E1 ESR. This rifle is planned to equip the army and police of the United States.

About specifications

• M24 is a type of sniper rifle.
• Producing country United States of America.
• In service since 1988.
• With empty ammunition and without optics, it weighs 5.4 kg. The weight of the rifle with cartridges and other equipment is 7.26 kg.
• Total length of M24, with 61 cm barrel and stock set to minimum - 116.8 cm.
• The projectile fired towards the target moves at a speed of 830 m/s.
• The rifle works by manually reloading with a bolt action.
• Shooting is effective at a distance of 800 m. With the use of 338LM ammunition, this indicator is increased to 1500 m, with the Nitro Express 470 - 2300 m.

Firearms for civilian use

Cyma М24 Spring pneumatic airsoft sniper rifle was created on the basis of the combat model. Judging by consumer reviews, the wind version is a skillfully executed copy of the military analogue of the American M24. In the manufacture of the stock for the Cyma M24 sniper rifle, the Chinese manufacturer uses high-quality impact-resistant plastic, and metal is used for the receiver and barrel. ATpneumatics, the Spring system is used, which provides for manual cocking of the bolt each time before firing. The butt of the rifle is equipped with a rubber butt pad.

Length - 107 cm, weight - 3.5 kg. Shooting is carried out with balls that cover 120 m per second. The maximum muzzle energy is 1.7 J. The Pneumat is equipped with a mechanical magazine with a capacity of 30 balls. The airsoft rifle comes with a drive, magazine, loader, ramrod and instruction manual.