In 2000, DSR-Precision GmbH of Germany released the DRS-1 chambered for the ubiquitous .308 Winchester cartridge and other chamberings then followed (.300 Winchester Magnum, .338 Lapua Magnum). The rifle was configured in a "bullpup" arrangement which set the action and magazine/feed to the rear of the trigger/grip section. It has since been adopted by various global parties including German special police (GSG-9).
From this experience the company delved into the Anti-Material Rifle (AMR) market with the development of the "DSR-50" - again a bullpup-configured weapon though now chambered for the massive .50 BMG (Browning Machine Gun) cartridge firing from a three-round detachable box magazine. Due to the forces at play, and the size of the cartridge, the rifle was given greater dimensions than that of the earlier DSR-1, measuring 1,350mm long with an 800mm long barrel. Weight became 23lb (when empty). A lengthy section of Picatinny rail was added over the receiver and forend for the fitting of various optics for day and night operation as well as a folding bipod (the bipod supports the forward section of this heavy weapon and can be tucked away when the operator is on-the-march). An adjustable cheekpiece and monopod were added under the shoulder stock to complete its look. A unique quality of this gun became a space ahead of the trigger unit used to hold a second 3-round magazine.
As with the DSR-1 before it, the DSR-50 operates through a manually-actuated bolt-action system requiring the user to manage the bolt lever over the side of the receiver to eject spent shell casings and introduce a fresh cartridge into the chamber. A recoil buffer is set within the shoulder stock and multi-baffled muzzle brake helps to retard some of the violent forces inherent when firing such a large and powerful cartridge. The cartridge is capable of defeating up to light armor and, therefore, useful in a tactical sense - crippling individual components on an enemy tank (sensors, vision blocks), neutralizing enemies behind concrete walls, disabling vehicles at range (the bullet is known to pierce engine blocks), etc...
The use of a bullpup configuration allows the rifle to use a full-length rifled barrel assembly, set within the shorter stock, and thusly a shorter overall length is achieved. This also provides a slight increase in repeat-fire accuracy as the dimensions are tighter and held closer to the shooter's body. This style of long gun has been seeing increasing popularity over the few decades, superseding the traditional rifle arrangement that seats the action and magazine/feed ahead of the trigger unit.
As far as is known, the DSR-50 series is in service with Malaysia.
Germany; Malaysia; United States
