Parker-Hale Model 85 (M85)

Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle

United Kingdom | 1985

"The Parker-Hale Model 85 bolt-action sniper rifle system has been taken into service by the marines of Brazil and special forces of Malaysia."

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Parker-Hale Model 85 (M85). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

2,955 ft
900.7 m | 985.0 yds
Max.Eff.Range

Physical
The physical qualities of the Parker-Hale Model 85 (M85). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

1,150 mm
45.28 in
O/A Length

622 mm
24.49 in
Barrel Length

12.57 lb
5.70 kg
Weight

Manually-Actuated Bolt-Action System
Action

7.62x51mm NATO
Caliber(s)

10-round detachable box magazine
Feed

Iron Sights; Optional Optics
Sights

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Parker-Hale Model 85 (M85) Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle family line.

Model 85 - Base Series Designation

Model 85 Police - Specialized police variant with standard cheekpad.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 10/17/2016 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

During the Falklands War between the United Kingdom and Argentina, British forces were still being deployed with the ages-old Lee-Enfield service rifle as a primary sniper weapon system (detailed elsewhere on this site). This bolt-action rifle was introduced as early as 1895 and went through considerable combat experience across the 20th Century including both World Wars. In British Army service, the dedicated sniper version was known as the "L42A1" and was chambered for the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge while fitted with a telescopic sight. Conversion work took place in the 1970s to support the newer Western caliber and the L42A1 remained the standard British sniper platform until 1993.

Parker-Hale of Britain attempted a design to supplant the long-running Lee-Enfield series in the same battlefield role. This led to the Model 85 - or M85 - which was trialed by the British Army along with several other global contenders emerging from the United States, West Germany and Switzerland. Additionally, Accuracy International had entered their L96 platform and it was this design that won out over the others. The M85 ended up adopted in limited numbers by only a few nations - Brazil (Marines) and Malaysia (Navy special forces).

The M85 was given a very traditional design arrangement at sniping platforms go. The stock is of a single-piece McMillan fiberglass form encasing the internal workings and part of the barrel. The pistol grip is integral as is the padding shoulder support. The forend supports a bipod assembly. All of the usual fixings are there - manually-actuated bolt-action handle, iron sights and support for various optics set over the receiver. The muzzle accepts a flash suppressor for clandestine operations. The weapon is fed by way of a 10-round detachable box magazine inserted just ahead of the trigger group. Overall weight is 12.5lb with an overall length of 45.3 inches (24.5" barrel).

As with the Lee-Enfield, the M85 continued support of the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge. Range was out to 1,200 meters (maximum, 900 meters effective). The rifle is shipped with a 6x42mm Schmidt & bender telescopic scope.

A police model has also been seen, this differentiated by the inclusion of a cheekpad for additional operator comfort. Royal Malaysian Navy PASKAL special forces units are known operators of the M85 series.

The production license for the M85 - and entire rifle division of Parker-Hale for that matter - was purchased by the Gibbs Rifle Company (founded in 1991). The concern specializes in "remakes" of the Springfield M1903 and Lee-Enfield bolt-action rifles.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Parker-Hale Model 85 (M85). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Paker-Hale Ltd / Modular Industries UK - United Kingdom

[ Brazil; Malaysia ]

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Going Further...
The Parker-Hale Model 85 (M85) Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle appears in the following collections:

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