The Gepard line of 12.7mm Anti-Material Rifles (AMRs) arose out of Hungary during the end of the Cold War and quickly established itself as a premiere heavy rifle solution. The original M1 was a single-shot system and this was followed by the semi-automatic, magazine-fed M2. The M3 moved to the larger 14.5x114mm Soviet cartridge while the M4 and M5 intended to improved upon construction and reliability through a boxier redesign (earlier models were all tubular). The culmination of the line then became the Gepard M6 which continued use of the 12.7x107mm Soviet machine gun cartridge with conversion offering support for the American 12.7x99mm NATO (50 BMG) round.
As with the previous semi-automatic forms, the M6 fed from a 5- or 10-round detachable box magazine in a bullpup arrangement (the feed and action set aft of the pistol grip). The magazine was now more separated from the pistol grip which was a welcomed design change for left-handed shooters. A section of Picatinny rail as seated over the receiver for easier fitting of a variety of optics (the gun lacked any iron sights as standard). The shoulder stock was well-padded and an adjustable folding bipod managed the frontal section of the gun when firing. A large muzzle brake aided in recoil as did an artillery-style recoil mechanism in which the barrel and action recoiled as one. Overall length was shortened which improved portability.
The M6 was adopted by the forces of Canada, Hungary, India, Romania, and the United States.
Specifications
Year: 1995
Manufacturing Technika / Hydrotechnic State Company - Hungary
Canada; India; Hungary; Romania; United States
- Anti-Tank / Anti-Material / Breaching
- Close Quarters Battle (CQB) / Personal Security
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Canada; India; Hungary; Romania; United States
