Charleston police buy really, really big gun

The Dominion Post ^ | 1/31/2003 | Associated Press

[the_devils_advocate_666]

Web Photo

Charleston police now have a Barrett Model 99 .50 calibre BMG single show sniper rifle. The gun can hit a target up to 4.2 miles away.

AssociatedPress

CHARLESTON -- The Charleston Police Department has bought what may be the largest-caliber sniper rifle owned by any police agency in West Virginia, a Barrett Model 99 .50 caliber BMG single shot that fires bullets slightly smaller than a hot dog.

The bullets, which cost $2 each, can hit a target up to 4.2 miles away. Because of Charleston's hills, such a shot is unlikely, said Sgt. Steve Walker, who leads the sniper unit on the city's SWAT team.

Walker said the gun exceeded his expectations during its first test at a firing range in Putnam County. ''We shot a 30-inch log and it tore a pretty good hole through it,'' he said.

The $2,500 firearm with a 33-inch barrel could be used to shoot barricaded suspects who are firing on police officers.

The .223- and .308-caliber bullets currently used by the department's sniper team would have a hard time penetrating some buildings in which suspects could be barricaded, Walker said.

''If there were some other type of weapon that would work in a situation, we wouldn't use this.''

He adds, ''I need a rifle that will stop cars. If I shoot into the engine block of a car or truck, I want to know it's going to stop.''

[the_devils_advocate_666]

And to think, West Virginia University just cut their rifle team, the school's most decorated team, ever!

[MineralMan]

"a Barrett Model 99 .50 caliber BMG single shot that fires bullets slightly smaller than a hot dog.
"

Now, I've seen a .50 BMG bullet, and I've seen a hot dog. If I were served a hot dog only slightly bigger than a .50 BMG bullet, I'd demand my money back.

[SylvesterPennoyer]

Maybe they meant the cartridge is just smaller than a hot dog? I mean, a .50 caliber bullet is smaller than a pig in a blanket.

[Eala]

Some of the varieties, and there are several, of hot dogs they serve in Denmark are a bit slimmer than American hot dogs. (The Scandinavians seem to be big on hot dogs...)

[dts32041]

Any bias in this report.

Nope, not a bit, BTW what would they do if somebody come up with a way to chamber a 30 MM depleted round as a single shot weapon, now you could really get out and touch someone with that.

And a 20 bucks a round its a bargain.

[kenth]

They have a lot of vehicles they have to shoot to stop, do they? Are they going to be able to get this rifle set up in time to shoot engine blocks, or will they be shooting on the run?

Sounds like they got a new toy instead of a tool.

[El Gran Salseron]

Ah, all of you guys are misinterpreting what the author was trying to say.

He was comparing the bullet or cartridge to his "manhood," not really "hot dog."

OR

If the author is female then she was comparing to her boyfriend's or husband's "manhood."

You guys can't even recognize when someone speaks in poetic terms. :-)

[the_devils_advocate_666]

Sounds like they got a new toy instead of a tool.

Do I sense a little jealousy?

[erinjohn]

What do the police need with a 50 cal sniper rifle?

[philetus]

"The .223- and .308-caliber bullets currently used by the department's sniper team would have a hard time penetrating some buildings in which suspects could be barricaded, Walker said."

"OK men, there might be a suspect in that building. Lets shoot the crap out of it."

[Labyrinthos]

The $2,500 firearm with a 33-inch barrel could be used to shoot barricaded suspects who are firing on police officers.

How many times has that happened in Charlestown over the last twenty years" A toy indeed, at taxpayers' expense.

[IronJack]

The bullets, which cost $2 each, can hit a target up to 4.2 miles away

With a 45-degree elevation, a .50 might HIT a target (the ground?) 4.2 miles away. But it won't do a whole lot of damage. Its effective range is 2,500 yards, far short of the 6,000+ yards this article claims.

This is hyperbole simmered in ignorance.

[ExSoldier]

Range 4.2 miles? Effective range or max range? I thought the max effective range was 3,750 meters; which I think is less than 4.2 miles. Maybe they're thinking of a 4.2 inch MORTAR! Have they got one of them, too?

[verity]

It's less expensive than a Browning 12 ga. over/under. :~)

[Hotdog]

Hey...will you guys quit talking about me?!

[ExSoldier]

I'd also like to know if they have a KD (Known Distance) range where they can effectively ZERO the optics for the piece, or are they popping away slick barrel? Kind of a slow-mo "spray and pray?"

[I got the rope]

What do the police need with a 50 cal sniper rifle?

exactly...Their only use is for killing. What happened to "Peace Officers"?

[erinjohn]

It just seems to be such a waste of Tax Money. The cost of the rifle will most likely be accompanied by some training which will cost more then $2500.

I wouldnt mind owning the 50 cal or the 12ga Over Under

I can only afford a 50cal black powder rifle and mossberg pump

[LibWhacker]

One of the best hot dogs I ever had was from a hot dog vendor whose stand was on the sidewalk in front of the little Mermaid in Copenhagen. Nothing like an American hot dog, but delicious!

[Atlas Sneezed]

For all those criminals who remain behind armor a mile away...