Barrett Firearms recently announced the first batch of new MK22 Advanced Sniper Rifles have been shipped to U.S. Army Special Operations.
The U.S. Special Operations Command in 2019 tapped Barrett Firearms to produce what was then termed the Advanced Sniper Rifle.
The Advanced Sniper Rifle program was Identified in SOCOM’s budget justification book as part of an effort to continue the development of enhanced capabilities to improve the performance of individual sniper weapons to engage out to 1500 meters.
Designed with precision and modularity in mind, the MK22 sniper rifle is based on Barrett’s MRAD multi-caliber bolt action rifle. It can quickly convert between 7.62 NATO, .300 Norma Magnum, and .338 Norma Magnum calibers, based on the mission profile. (Photo: Barrett)
Barrett followed up with this award earlier this year with a five-year $49.9 million contract under the Army’s Precision Sniper Rifle program for the MRAD (Multi-Role Adaptive Design) MK22 MOD 0 rifle.
This rifle is paired with a Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25×56 optic, complete with a flat dark earth coating and the Army’s patented Mil-Grid reticle and sniper accessory kit.
Modularity Without Compromise | No Gunsmithing Required
The new Mk22 is designed with modularity in mind. This allows the operator to tailor the weapon system to specific mission sets without the need for a professional gunsmith or specialized tools.
Features three user-changeable calibers. The operator can easily switch between 7.62×51 NATO, .300 Norma Magnum, and .338 Norma Magnum by simply loosening two bolts using a standard Torx wrench.
The Mk22 contains a fully adjustable match-grade trigger module, allowing the operator to set their desired trigger pull.
The MRAD Mk22 also contains a tool-less cheek height adjustment and length-of-pull on the stock that is easily adjustable to fit all shooters.
Adjustable for height to suit all shooters. no tools required.
The length-of-pull is easily adjusted by pressing a single button located at the top of the stock.
The MK22 will replace several currently fielded Army sniper rifles, including the famed Barrett 50 cal.
Check out what retired Army Special Forces Sniper, Kevin Owens, has to say about the new Barrett Mk22 Advanced Sniper Rifle.
The Army’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget request asks for 515 new MK22 sniper rifles, at a total cost of $11 million. that lofty number also includes optics, accessories, program management, and logistical support. This follows the purchase of 315 of the rifles in 2020 and 456 in 2021. All told, Army Special Operations hopes to field around 2,800 Mk22 sniper rifles.
"We are pleased to have passed all preliminary program requirements and to now begin delivery of the MK22 rifle system to the Army soldiers," said Joel Miller, Barrett’s VP of sales and marketing.
Members of the special operations community and snipers from the 82nd Airborne Division recently began operational testing of the MK22 at Fort Bragg, a crucial step before final fielding.
"With a folding stock and removable suppression system, the PSR will provide airborne snipers a more compact load during airborne infiltration operations without reducing their lethality while providing a precision rifle platform more conducive to their combat environment," said MK22 Project NCO Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Copley.
7.62 NATO, 300 Norma Mag, 338 Norma Mag | Why Did They Choose Those 3 Calibers?
The 7.62 NATO round was kept because it’s a great training round that can be used on any military base AND it’s also a great round to use when learning to call wind and sharpening your wind calling skills.
The 300 Norma Magnum (215 grain Berger Hybrid) was chosen for its high ballistic coefficient, high muzzle velocity, and devasting terminal effects on target. This is the preferred anti-personnel round for engaging targets out to 1500 meters.
courtesy of Berger Bullets
The 338 Norma Magnum was chosen an as anti-material round for defeating hard targets. This round is why the Mk22 will be replacing the Barrett 50 Cal.
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