Posted on 07/17/2006 8:35:45 AM PDT by STD
Scout Snipers Break in New Rifles
Ft. A.P. Hill, VA. - Scout Snipers from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Bn., 2nd Marine Regiment, fired their new rifles for the first time on a range here today.
The BLT Marines will use the new MK-11 semi-automatic sniper rifle simultaneously alongside the bolt-action M40A3, a descendent of the Vietnam-era M40.
The rifle resembles an M-16 on first glance, and Sgt. Gerald V. Gavin, Scout Sniper Platoon commander, said the resemblance can benefit operations on today's urban battlefields.
Gavin said the distinct look of the M40A3 makes identifying a sniper in an infantry patrol easier. The MK-11 allows the sniper to better blend in with the infantry, making them less vulnerable.
Gavin said the semi-automatic action on the new rifle, as well as the addition of a suppressor system that reduces muzzle flash and report, make it a valuable addition to the inventory.
The MK-11 comes fitted with the Scout Sniper Day Scope (SSDS), which the Marine Corps also is attaching to its existing inventory of M40A3s.
Gavin said the new scope improves the snipers ability to engage targets, offering enhanced sighting ability and ease of use. "It's a great piece of glass," he said.
Lance Cpl. James K. Dagenhart agreed with Gavin's opinion of the MK-11, and said he prefers the MK-11.
"I like it because it's semi-auto, and I love the scope. . . the new scope is money," Dagenhart said.
The MK-11 weighs 18.29 pounds fully loaded with its two-pound suppressor attached, while the M40A3 weighs in at 18.5 fully loaded.
Both rifles fire the same 7.62 mm round, and the MK-11 is accurate up to 800 yards.
Gavin said he thinks the MK-11 is a great weapon, although he is still partial to his experience with the M40A3.
The BLT and Scout Snipers will continue to train with the MEU's Aviation and Logistics Combat Elements here until the end of the month. The training at Fort A.P. Hill is the MEU's first step in a six-month pre-deployment training process designed to merge the disparate elements of the MEU into a cohesive, rapid reaction force. The 26th MEU will continue to prepare for an early 2007 deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Sound Off...What do you think? Join the discussion.
I think the Mk11 is the Knights SR-25.
The Army SASS is built on the Armalite, IIRC.
DISCLAIMER:
I'm sure someone other (than me) fat, white, early 40's 200+ lb Mall Ninja (4th Degree) will be along to chime in.
If I had to run from the couch to the fridge for more Fritos dip I'd have to stop and rest half way, but I can recall useless trivia about interesting things in a single bound.
Photos! What happened to the rules?
Thanks. I want.
Will the Semi's be as accurate? Never found a auto/semi to be as accurate as bolt action.
Why is he shooting through a croquet hoop?
The more moving parts from ignition to exit out of the end of the barrel, the more the barrel vibrates, like a tuning fork, and is in a dirrent place than the last time the bullet exited.
Marine Corps gun control: "One shot, one kill."
Semper Fi,
Kelly
Have you never played croquet to the death?
Kind of what I thought.
It helps keep it fun.
No.......let me explain the nuance' of this style of shooting.
He is on the downrange end of the projectile (see iron target face down). The shooter pictured has to return fire and place his round down the muzzle of the originating weapon. Sometimes the elevation is a click off and the round ends up in the scope of the oppsing shooter ... but fortunately, Marine medics are pretty accomplished with bandaids and such.
Not only is the AR platform as accurate as any bolt gun, it is much easier to build and the useful life of the barrel is twice as long.
Now if they would issue it in 7.62.
I was wondering about the spent cartridges. I thought that one of the reasons to use a bolt action rifle was to control the spent ejection of the cartridge.
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