The MKEK KNT-308 is notable in becoming the first indigenously designed and produced sniper rifle of 7.62mm caliber for Turkish Armed Forces.
Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited:
8/16/2018
The MKEK KNT-308 marks the first Turkish indigenously-designed and manufactured 7.62mm sniper rifle. It serves the Turkish Armed Forces including special forces groups and police elements. The 7.62mm cartridge is the militarized version of the .308 Winchester and is in widespread use around the world - particularly for sniping weapons like the KNT-308.
The KNT-308 utilizes a proven manually-actuated bolt-action system. The lever sits over the right side of the receive in the usual way. The stock is of plastic for lighter weight and the butt section comes complete with adjustable cheekpiece, shoulder pad and monopod. The stock features an integrated pistol grip and oversized thumbhole benefitting a gloved hand. The frontal section of the rifle is supported by a folding, adjustable bipod which can be tucked away for when on-the-march. Over the receiver can be fitted a variety of optics for either day or night operations. The barrel sits partially exposed in the stock and extends a fair distance ahead of it, capped by a special muzzle flash hider.
Introduced in 2008 (with design work completed by Kalekalip), the KNT-308 is said to already have seen combat service in parts of Eastern Turkey and Northern Iraq, primarily against PKK forces. MKEK markets the weapon based on several key traits - low cost, low operating weight and high accuracy.
The "KNT" acronym in the designation stands for "Keskin Nisanci Tufegi".
Specifications
Year: 2008
Manufacturing MKEK - Turkey
Turkey
- Manual Repeat-Fire
- Long-Range Precision
Overall Length:
1,080 mm (42.52 in)
Barrel Length:
525 mm (20.67 in)
Weight (Unloaded):
11.79 lb (5.35 kg)
Sights:
Various Optics Supported for Day/Night Operation.
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