Accuracy International AWM (Arctic Warfare Magnum)

Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle [ 1996 ]

Introduced in 1996, the Accuracy International AWM is a proven favorite for special police and military forces the world over.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 08/10/2023 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Image from official Accuracy International marketing material.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]

The British concern of Accuracy International added the AWM ("Arctic Warfare Magnum") bolt-action sniper rifle to its lineup in 1996 and the series went on to find considerable military value in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars that followed. As a manually-actuated bolt-action system, the AWM is a true sniper rifle in every sense of the word and able to engage targets (effectively) out to 1,640 yards. The weapon is marketed in two primary chamberings: .300 Winchester Magnum and the more popular .338 Lapua Magnum.

The .338 Lapua Magnum is a high-performance, high-energy cartridge capable of anti-personnel function and (limited) anti-material function. This gives the cartridge a multi-role use over the battlefield in that the sniper can engage both enemy personnel and light-armored vehicles at range with success. The AWM is fielded with a scope over the receiver for accurized ranged fire and feeds from a five-round detachable box magazine fitted ahead of the trigger group. At its core, the AWM is based on the earlier "Arctic Warfare" (AW) line of rifles put out by Accuracy International and thus follows its tried and proven design qualities. However, to contend with the more powerful and longer cartridge, some internal changes to the firing and feed mechanisms were made.

As in most military sniper rifles, the AWM sports some adjustability to better serve the firer - the stock has an adjustable cheekpiece and shoulder pad while a monopod support can be fitted under the stock and adjusted form height. A folding bipod installed under the forend serves a similar support function. There is also a section of rail over the receiver for the mounting of various optics which, themselves, are inherently adjustable.

Operators of the AWM globally are plenty and currently range from Armenia and Bangladesh to Russia and the United States. These see service with both special police units and special forces groups and are mainly chambered in .388 Lapua Magnum.

The AWM also makes up the "L115A1" Sniper Rifle in the British military inventory. These are fielded with Schmidt & bender 3-12x50 scopes, flash and noise suppressors, folding (adjustable) stocks for increased transportability, monopod supports, and five-round box magazines. The longest confirmed sniper kill in recorded history belongs to British Army sniper CoH Craig Harrison who managed two successive kills of Taliban infantry from 2,707 yards away using his L115A1 rifle.©MilitaryFactory.com

Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

Specifications

Service Year

1996

Origin

United Kingdom

Classification

Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle

Accuracy International - UK

(View other Arms-Related Manufacturers)

Armenia; Bangladesh; Czech Republic; Egypt; France; Germany; Indonesia; Ireland; Israel; Italy; Malaysia; Malta; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Russia; Singapore; South Korea; Turkey; United Kingdom; United States

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Accuracy / Precision
Long-range accuracy / precision capable; suitable for sniping, particularly when equipped with sighting aids.

Overall Length

1,200 mm
47.24 in

Barrel Length

660 mm
25.98 in

Empty Wgt

14.33 lb
6.50 kg

Sights

Optional Iron Sights; Optional Optics.

Action

Manually-Actuated Bolt-Action

Bolt-Action
Manually-actuated process of managing the bolt lever to eject spent cartridge case, clearing the breech, to introduce fresh catridge into the chamber.

(Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information)

Caliber(s)*

.300 Winchester Magnum; .338 Lapua Magnum

Sample Visuals**

Graphical image of a .300 Winchester Magnum rifle cartridge

Graphical image of a .338 rifle cartridge

Rounds / Feed

5-Round Detachable Box Magazine

*May not represent an exhuastive list; calibers are model-specific dependent, always consult official manufacturer sources.
**Graphics not to actual size; not all cartridges may be represented visually; graphics intended for general reference only.

Max Eff.Range

3,610 ft
(1,100 m | 1,203 yd)

AWM ("Arctic Warfare Magnum") - Base Series Name.

Military lapel ribbon for the American Civil War

Military lapel ribbon for pioneering aircraft

Military lapel ribbon for the Korean War

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Military lapel ribbon for the Ukranian-Russian War

Military lapel ribbon for the Vietnam War

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2

Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns / operations.

Images Gallery

1 / 1

Image of the Accuracy International AWM (Arctic Warfare Magnum)

Image from official Accuracy International marketing material.

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Chart Military Ranks DoD Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content; site is 100% curated by humans.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.

©2023 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2023 (20yrs)