Barrett MRAD: Difference between revisions

The '''Barrett MRAD''' (Multi-role Adaptive Design) is a [[bolt-action]] [[sniper rifle]] designed by [[Barrett Firearms Company|Barrett]] to meet the requirements of the [[SOCOM PSR]].<ref name="TactLife1">{{cite web |last=Langston |first=Jay |title=Barrett MRAD .338 Lapua MAG |url=http://www.tactical-life.com/online/special-weapons/barrett-mrad-338-lapua-mag/ |publisher=Tactical-Life.com |access-date=18 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520100144/https://www.tactical-life.com/gear/barrett-mrad-338-lapua-mag/ |archive-date=20 May 2022 |date=2 April 2011}}</ref> The MRAD is based on the [[Barrett 98B]] and includes a number of modifications and improvements.<ref name="TactLife2">{{cite web |last=Dall'au |first=Andre M. |title=The Barrett Multi-Role Adaptive Design (MRAD) rifle |url=http://www.tactical-life.com/online/exclusives/the-barrett-multi-role-adaptive-design-mrad-rifle/ |publisher=Tactical-Life.com|accessdate=18 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514225506/https://www.tactical-life.com/exclusives/the-barrett-multi-role-adaptive-design-mrad-rifle/ |archive-date=14 May 2021 |date=21 June 2010}}</ref> The Barrett MRAD was named the 2012 Rifle of the Year by the''Shooting [[NationalIllustrated'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web |title=Barrett MRAD™ receives Golden Bullseye Award for 2012 Rifle Associationof the Year |NRA]]url=https://www.downrange.tv/blog/barrett-mrad-receives-golden-bullseye-award-for-2012-rifle-of-the-year/12943/ |website=Downrange.tv |publisher=Outdoor Sportsman Group |access-date=23 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119073924/https://www.downrange.tv/blog/barrett-mrad-receives-golden-bullseye-award-for-2012-rifle-of-the-year/12943/ |archive-date=January 19, 2012 |language=en-US |date=January 13, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Barrett |first=Angela |date=11 January 2012 |title=Barrett MRAD Receives Golden Bullseye Award for 2012 Rifle of the Year from the NRA Publication, Shooting Illustrated |url=http://www.barrett.net/publications/MRADRifleOfTheYrPressRelease.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126041515/https://barrett.net/publications/MRADRifleOfTheYrPressRelease.pdf |archive-date=26 January 2013 |access-date=18 December 2012 |publisher=[[Barrett Firearms Manufacturing|Barret]]}}</ref>

After the [[United States Special Operations Command]] (USSOCOM) announced their desire for a new [[precision sniper rifle]] in December 2009, [[Barrett Firearms Manufacturing|Barrett]] created the MRAD in accordance with the specifications laid out by SOCOM.<ref name=TactLife1/> Building off of the successful [[Barrett 98B]], the MRAD features multiple improvements such as a folding [[Stock (firearms)|stock]] which allows the rifle to be transported more easily. When folded, the stock latches around the bolt handle which increases the security of transporting the rifle without increasing the width when it is unfolded.<ref name=Bar/> A major MRAD feature (and requirement of the military PSR solicitation) is a field-changeable barrel/caliber capability. Loosening two Torx screws in the receiver allows the removal of the barrel from the front of the receiver/handguard. With only a bolt face change, and in some cases a magazine change, caliber may be changed. The factory headspaced bolt face is provided with each barrel. Barrel/caliber change can occur in less than two minutes. In addition to the typical military requested calibers of .338 Lapua Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum, and .308 Winchester calibers, Barrett also offers caliber conversion kits in .338 and .300 Norma Magnum, 7mm Remington Magnum, .260 Remington, and 6.5mm Creedmoor. Barrel lengths are offered in 17" to 26", but not in all calibers. Barrels are available in [[Fluting (firearms)|fluted]] and heavy profiles. The trigger module can be removed without tools, providing access to user-adjustable trigger pull weight and over travel, and making cleaning easier. Additional features of the MRAD include a single-button [[length-of-pull]] adjustment, adjustable cheek rest height, a polymer bolt guide which acts as a dust cover to reduce debris entering the action, a user reversible AR-15 style safety, an ambidextrous magazine release, and the ability to accept standard M16/AR15 style pistol grips.<ref name=Bar/> Early MRADs had a 30 MOA slope full length 21.75" standard 1913 [[Picatinny rail]] on top of the receiver/handguard. Current MRADs feature a 20 MOA slope rail. Shorter 2"-4" Picatinny rails sections may be user positioned at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock at several fore/aft positions along the handguard. MRADs are offered in several Cerakote colors.<ref>Barrett product sales literature; Barrett website; MRAD Owner's Manual and Barrett Armorer's Course</ref>{{better|date=July 2024}}

Similar to the M16/AR15, the MRAD upper and lower receivers can be separated by pushingpressing outa rear andlatch frontassembly twounder take-downthe pins.stock Pushing out onlywhile the rearfront take-downdetent pin allowsacts the upper receiver to tilt on its front take-down pinas likea anhinge [[AR-15]] to allow for maintenance in the field.<ref name=Shoot>{{cite web|last=Adelmann|first=Steve|title=Barrett MRAD|url=http://www.shootingillustrated.com/index.php/16498/barrett-mrad-review/|publisherwork=Shooting Illustrated|accessdate=18 December 2012|date=24 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610153238/http://www.shootingillustrated.com/index.php/16498/barrett-mrad-review/|archive-date=10 June 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The particular model of the MRAD that was submitted for [[United States Special Operations Command|US SOCOMUSSOCOM's]] [[Precision Sniper Rifle|MK21 PSR (Precision Sniper Rifle)]] trial was fitted with a {{convert|24.5|in|cm|sp=us|abbr=on}} barrel, and weighed {{convert|14.8|lbs|kg|sp=us|abbr=on}} (without an optic).<ref name=TactLife1/> In 2013, the [[Remington MSR|Remington Modular Sniper Rifle]] was selected as the winner of the PSR competition.<ref>{{cite web|last=Curtis|first=Rob|title=SOCOM PSR contract awarded to Remington Defense MSR|url=http://militarytimes.com/blogs/gearscout/2013/03/07/socom-psr-awarded-to-remington-msr/|work=Gearscout blog|accessdate=9 March 2013|date=7 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312025655/https://www.militarytimes.com/blogs/gearscout/2013/03/07/socom-psr-awarded-to-remington-msr/ |archive-date=12 March 2013}}</ref>

However, in 2018, it was decided that the MK21 did not conform to SOCOM requirements at the time, and the program was re-competed as the MK22 ASR (Advanced Sniper Rifle).<ref name="taskandpurpose.com">{{Cite web |last=Keller |first=Jared |date=2020-02-24|title=The US military is falling in love with the Barrett MRAD sniper rifle|url=https://taskandpurpose.com/military-tech/barrett-mrad-military-sniper-rifle/|access-date=2021-04-01|website=Task & Purpose|language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626045426/https://taskandpurpose.com/news/barrett-mrad-military-sniper-rifle/ |archive-date=26 June 2022}}</ref>

'''MK 22 MOD 0 ASR''' (Advanced Sniper Rifle) is the designation for the Barrett MRAD variant ordered by USSOCOM. In 2019, [[U.S. Special Operations Command]]USSOCCOM awarded Barrett Manufacturing a US$50 million contract for the ASR (Advanced Sniper Rifle) contract, ordering the Barrett MRAD with the ability to convert chambering between 7.62×51mm NATO, .300 Norma Magnum, and .338 Norma Magnum.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=11 March 2019 |title=Contracts for March 11, 2019 |url=https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/1782108/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527102654/https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/1782108/ |archive-date=27 May 2022 |access-date=2021-04-01 |website=[[United States Department of Defense|U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="tac-life hands on 2022">{{cite web |last1=Jordan |first1=Robert |title=Barrett MRAD MK22 Review: King of the SOCOM Sniper Rifles |url=https://www.tactical-life.com/firearms/barrett-mrad-mk22-review/ |website=Tactical-Life |access-date=26 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404193558/https://www.tactical-life.com/firearms/barrett-mrad-mk22-review/ |archive-date=4 April 2022 |date=9 March 2022}}</ref> The MK 22 ASR is issued with Barrett's AML 338 suppressor and paired with the Precision Variable Power Scopes (P-VPS) SU-295/PVS Nightforce ATACR 5-25×56 and SU-295/PVS Nightforce ATACR 7-35×56.<ref name="tfb mk22 asr scopes 2020">{{cite web |last=Moss |first=Matthew |title=Nightforce Optics Selected as SOCOM's Precision-Variable Power Scopes |url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2019/12/18/ussocom-selects-nightforce-optics-for-precision-variable-power-scope/ |website=The Firearm Blog |access-date=26 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624182511/https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2019/12/18/ussocom-selects-nightforce-optics-for-precision-variable-power-scope/ |archive-date=24 June 2022 |date=18 December 2019}}</ref><ref name="nightforce 2022 catalog">{{Cite web |date=2022 |title=Nightforce 2022 Catalogue |url=https://cdn.nightforceoptics.com/wp-content/uploads/2022_Product_Catalog.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624064008/https://cdn.nightforceoptics.com/wp-content/uploads/2022_Product_Catalog.pdf |archive-date=24 June 2022 |access-date=26 June 2022 |website=[[Nightforce Optics|Nightforce]]}}</ref><ref name="warzone celebrity mk22 2022">{{cite web |last1=Tingley |first1=Brett |last2=Trevithick |first2=Joseph |title=Army Green Berets Brought Out Their Newest Sniper Rifle For A Celebrity Shoot-Off |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43742/army-green-berets-brought-out-their-newest-sniper-rifle-for-a-celebrity-shoot-off |website=The WarZone |access-date=26 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107072335/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43742/army-green-berets-brought-out-their-newest-sniper-rifle-for-a-celebrity-shoot-off |archive-date=7 January 2022 |date=4 January 2022}}</ref>

'''MK 22 PSR''' (Precision Sniper Rifle) is the designation for the Barrett MRAD variant ordered by the US Army. In 2021, the US Army awarded Barrett a US49US$49.9 million contract for delivery of 2,800 MK22 PSR rifles,<ref name="army psr announce 2021">{{Cite web |lastlast1=Rowland |firstfirst1=Peter |last2=Williamson |first2=Jamin D. |date=31 March 2021 |title=New Army sniper weapon system contract awarded to Barrett Firearms |url=https://www.army.mil/article/244821/new_army_sniper_weapon_system_contract_awarded_to_barrett_firearms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527102650/https://www.army.mil/article/244821/new_army_sniper_weapon_system_contract_awarded_to_barrett_firearms |archive-date=27 May 2022 |access-date=2021-04-01 |website=[[United States Army]] |language=en}}</ref> while the Marine Corps planned to order 250.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cox |first=Matthew |date=3 March 2020 |title=Army and Marines to Arm Snipers with Special Operations Multi-Caliber Sniper Rifle |url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/03/03/army-and-marines-arm-snipers-special-operations-multi-caliber-sniper-rifle.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610035821/https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/03/03/army-and-marines-arm-snipers-special-operations-multi-caliber-sniper-rifle.html |archive-date=10 June 2022 |website=[[Military.com]]}}</ref> The MK 22 PSR will have conversion kits for .338 Norma Magnum, .300 Norma Magnum, and 7.62×51mm NATO. However, unlike the MK 22 ASR, it is issued with a Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm scope. The Army plans for the MK 22 to replace the currently in use [[Barrett M82#M82 to M107|M107]] and [[M2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle|M2010]] sniper rifles.<ref name="army psr announce 2021" /><ref name="peo soldier mk22 psr">{{Cite web |title=MK22 Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) |url=https://www.peosoldier.army.mil/Equipment/Equipment-Portfolio/Project-Manager-Soldier-Lethality-Portfolio/MK22-Precision-Sniper-Rifle/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518234058/https://www.peosoldier.army.mil/Equipment/Equipment-Portfolio/Project-Manager-Soldier-Lethality-Portfolio/MK22-Precision-Sniper-Rifle/ |archive-date=18 May 2022 |access-date=26 June 2022 |website=[[PEO Soldier]]}}</ref> The Marine Corps intends to have the MK 22 to replace all [[M40 rifle|M40A6]] and [[Mk 13 rifle|MK 13 MOD 7]] sniper rifles.<ref name="usmc plan replace m40/mk 13 (2022)">{{cite web |title=US Marines test new Mk22 Mod 0 sniper rifle |url=https://defbrief.com/2022/05/06/us-marines-test-new-mk22-mod-0-sniper-rifle/ |website=Defense Brief |access-date=26 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220508140717/https://defbrief.com/2022/05/06/us-marines-test-new-mk22-mod-0-sniper-rifle/ |archive-date=8 May 2022 |date=6 May 2022}}</ref>

File:MK22 ASR and PSR comparison.jpg|SOCOM MK 22 MOD 0 ASR (above) compared to Army MK 22 PSR (below).

* [[BarrettM110A1 Model 98Brifle]]