[freddy]

the long muzzles masked by more scraps of cloth, the better to prevent the glint of metal which would give their position away.

All US military sniper rifles are NON reflective and it is NOT necessary to cover the barrel or the scope with "dusty rags".

That part of the story is bogus...Unless it was the personal choice of the sniper to cover the scope and barrel.

[templar]

That part of the story is bogus...Unless it was the personal choice of the sniper to cover the scope and barrel

The rags snipers tie to their rifles (actually strips of burlap are preferred if available) are not to prevent reflections. They serve to break up the hard lines of the rifle outline. In other words, if an observer sees it it won't look like a rifle in it's shape and won't draw attention.

Try an experiment for fun sometime. Go out in the woods or fields and place some rifles camoflaged in various ways around, in simulated tactical positions not just hidden, then have someone try to spot them. It's interesting and informative to do so. (be sure to make a serious note as to where you have them, or you might spend a lot of time trying to find them later)

PS, as a result of such experimenting a number of years ago in all sorts of day and night lighting, I no longer have any black guns (or clothing) except for my collector pieces that I want to keep original.

[Abn1508]

Read. The. Story.

These were _Brit_ snipers, "expert". _Black Watch_. _S-80_.

Jeeze louise.

[Rasputin_TheMadMonk]

"the long muzzles masked by more scraps of cloth, the better to prevent the glint of metal which would give their position away.

All US military sniper rifles are NON reflective and it is NOT necessary to cover the barrel or the scope with "dusty rags".

That part of the story is bogus...Unless it was the personal choice of the sniper to cover the scope and barrel. "

Like asymmetric camoflague, the intent of cloth wrapping is to break up the straight lines of the barrel of the weapon and the optics. A rifle barrel with non reflective coatings still looks like a rifle barrel. It's all about profile. Reference the ghillie suit.