US Army pictures
U.S. Army M-21 sniper
rifle :
US Army pictures
| Caliber : |
7.62x51 mm
NATO
|
| Operation : |
Rotating bolt,
gas operated semi auto
|
| Magazine : |
20 or 5 round
detachable box
|
| Barrel length : |
550 mm / 22"
|
| Total length : |
1120 mm / 42.1"
|
| Weight : |
5.11 kg / 11.25
lbs
|
| Rate of fire : |
-
|
| Sights : |
Redfield/Leatherwood
3-9x Automatic Ranging Telescope
|
| Muzzle velocity : |
-
|
| Max. effective range : |
822 m / 900
yards
|
| Accuracy : |
-
|
As a matter of fact, M-21 is a modified M-14 rifle. Earlier types (XM-21) had a walnut stock, but the final version has fiberglass stock, often camouflaged. M21 is a very pratical sniper weapon maintaining acceptable accuracy out to about 700 meters. Besides the problem that it is semi-auto and sends brass flying, the M21 was, and still is, a very capable military sniper rifle. There is an improved version of this rifle, the M25. That was the issued sniper rifle of SEAL units during Operation Desert Storm. The M21 began to be fielded in the second half of 1969 and remained the U.S. Army's primary Sniper Weapon System until it began to be replaced by the M24 SWS in 1988. Some National Guard units and even a few active duty units still use it.
