Barrett M82: The Best .50 Caliber Sniper Rifle Ever?

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Key Points: The Barrett M82, or M107, revolutionized anti-material and sniper warfare with its .50 caliber BMG rounds. Designed by Ronnie Barrett in his garage, the rifle gained fame for its power and range.

-First adopted by Sweden, it became essential to U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, praised for its accuracy and psychological impact.

-Its semi-automatic design, powerful recoil system, and versatility make it ideal for engaging vehicles, personnel, and explosives.

-With notable successes, including one Marine’s 1,600-meter shot, the Barrett has earned legendary status. Over 60 countries use this innovative weapon, solidifying its place in modern military arsenals.

M82 Barrett, The Most Intriguing Rifle In the World

The Barrett M82 anti-material rifle, designed in the United States, is in the service of many Western militaries. It is the first modern anti-material rifle to fire the large .50 caliber BMG (12.7x99mm NATO) cartridge. It is also known as a sniper rifle and is very effective against personnel.

Most people can identify the M82 Barrett anti-material rifle just from its size and distinctive look. But most don’t know that the United States wasn’t the first country to adopt the first .50 caliber BMG rifle as its own. 

From Simple Beginnings

Ronnie Barrett, the designer of the M82, had no training as a machinist or engineer. He was an award-winning photographer inspired to see if it was possible to make a .50 caliber rifle after taking photos of a Vietnam-era river gunboat.

He drew designs and blueprints on his dining room table and assembled the first weapon in his garage. Appealing to the US’ large-caliber rifle users, initial sales to the public were brisk despite the .50-caliber ammunition and hefty price ($5,895 at the time).

But the rifle remained stuck among the “curiosity” designation. Then Barrett went to the Association of the US Army (AUSA) show in Washington, D.C., where defense designers try to advertise directly with the Army and other nations that attend.

The Barrett M82 Is a Hit In D.C.

Finally able to showcase his rifle to a large audience, the Barrett M82 drew widespread interest. Sweden, not the United States, was the first to order 100 rifles in 1989. This was during the Soviet Union’s war in Afghanistan, and the CIA ordered rifles for the mujahadeen to use against the Soviets as a long-range weapon to offset the substantial numerical advantage of the Soviets.

Then, the other US military services came calling. The US Air Force ordered the M82 to clear unexploded ordinance from runways, as well as destroying IEDs. The USMC ordered 125 M82s, but the most significant order followed shortly after.

The US Army ordered the M82A1 Barrett in 2003 and designated it the M107. The Army ordered 2,142 rifles with a follow-on order for 1,100 more. The Barrett legend was about to be born in the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan. 

The original design was modified to the A1 designation. The M82A1 has a scope mount and folding backup iron sights, which the earlier M82 models did not. The now familiar rectangular muzzle brake was added. A folding carrying handle, a sling assembly, and an easier folding assembly were among the additions to the firearm. It was also lighter by four pounds.

Characteristics of the M82 Rifle

The Barrett M107, often called the Barrett “Light Fifty,” was voted one of the US Army’s top 10 military inventions of 2005. It is a recoil-operated .50 caliber, shoulder-fired, semiautomatic anti-material/sniper rifle. 

Model: M107

Caliber: 50 BMG

Operation: Recoil Operated, Semi-Automatic

Rail Length/MOA: 23” (58.42 cm) 27 MOA

Weight: 20″ Barrel – 27.4 lbs (12.4 kg) or 29″ Barrel – 28.7 lbs (13 kg)

Overall Assembled Length: 57” (145 cm) or 48” (122 cm)

Barrel Length: 29” (73.7 cm) or 20” (50.8 cm)

Barrel Twist: 1 turn in 15” (38.1 cm)

Magazine Capacity: 10 Rounds

The “Light Fifty” Proves Its Worth in Combat 

Once the US Army and Marines widely used the rifle in combat, both in Iraq and Afghanistan, it was a very successful weapons system.

The Army’s “Lessons Learned” report from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) states: “The Barrett .50-cal. Sniper Rifle may have been the most useful piece of equipment for the urban fight—­especially for our light fighters. The XM107 was used to engage both vehicular and personnel targets out to 1,400 meters. Soldiers not only appreciated the range and accuracy but also the target effect. Leaders and scouts viewed the effect of the .50-cal. round as a combat multiplier due to the psychological impact on other combatants that viewed the destruction of the target … The soldiers that employed the XM107 and their leaders had nothing but praise for the accuracy, target effect, and tactical advantage provided by this weapon.”

In Iraq, Marine SSG Steve Reichert took out three insurgents from 1,600 meters behind a brick wall with one well-placed shot. During the firefight, numerically superior insurgents pinned down Marines, and the three were attempting to set up an RPK machine gun. Reichert was awarded a Bronze Star for his actions.

During the two wars, American and Allied snipers recorded some remarkable shots using the Barrett, adding to its legendary status. Currently, five of the 20 longest sniper kills in the world were made using the Barrett.  It has proven to be a popular and effective weapon in the US arsenal. Over 60 countries have or are actively using it. Other .50 caliber rifles have come along, but Barrett was the first. It was designed by a photographer, built in a garage, and deadly.

About the Author: 

Steve Balestrieri is a 19FortyFive National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing for 19FortyFive, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in other military publications.