Haenel RS (series)

Military / Law Enforcement Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle

Germany | 2016

"The Haenel RS9 is known to the German Bundeswehr as the G29 and is in use with Special Forces elements."

Image from official Haenel marketing materials.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 04/21/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The sniper retains a critical, primary role on the modern battlefield, charged with neutralization of both high-value and low-value targets through ranged, precision-based fire. For decades, the tool of this deadly trade has settled on a long gun with distinct qualities: manually-actuated bolt-action function, an "accurized" barrel, over-frame optics / magnifiers, and 5- or 10-round magazine. The modern day sniper is no different, still relying on such a solution. To satisfy this market need, Haenel GmbH of Germany designed, developed, and produces the excellent "RS" bolt-action rifle series for the role for both military and law enforcement organizations.

The line includes both the "RS8" and "RS9", similar in from, versatility, and modularity but differing in certain qualities: The RS8 is intended for medium-ranged work whilst the RS9 covers medium-to-long range requirements. RS8 variants include the RS8 Basic, RS8 Compact (with shorter barrel assembly), and RS8 Subsonic (featuring an integrated, full-length silencer to go along with 7.62x51mm subsonic ammunition). The RS9 is made up of the RS9 Standard offering and is chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum.

Introduced in 2016, the rifle line is of conventional arrangement and features the tried-and-true manually-actuated bolt-handle system-of-operation. The handle is set over the right side of the stock in the usual way and the ejection port is positioned just ahead, and above, the magazine well - which accepts a steel-constructed 10-round, spring-loaded hard case. The hinged, collapsible shoulder stock is fully-adjustable in both height and length and comes complete with a padded butt and cheekpiece for maximum shooter comfort. The pistol grip sports ergonomic grooves for the primary hand and sits behind the two-stage, adjustable trigger unit incorporating a 3-position firing pin safety device. The forend has a complete series of Picatinny rails for the mounting of tactical accessories at the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions - the over-frame run being full-length and helping to make modularity a staple of the rifle's design. A hinged, folding bipod can be installed under the forend as a forward support while the underside of the shoulder stock can mount a monopod as an additional support aid. The barrel protrudes from the perforated forend and is capped by a multi-slotted brake, a suppressor being optionally supported for clandestine work.

As expected, the rifle can mount a variety of day-night scopes / optics as well as magnifiers and laser aimers as needed. Iron sights are retained as backup and are detachable.

The rifle was designed to a 2014 German Bundeswehr requirement drawn up to cover a fully-modern, medium-ranged sniping solution chambered for the powerful .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge. The company was awarded the requirement in February of 2016 and delivered the first 115 rifles thereafter. Currently (2022), the RS9 is only used by German special forces groups (as the "G29") as their primary sniper rifle, the series having succeeded the earlier G22 (Accuracy International AWM in .300 Winchester Magnum).

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Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Haenel RS (series). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

4,920 ft
1,499.6 m | 1,640.0 yds
Max.Eff.Range

12
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire

3,290 ft/sec
1,003 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity

Physical
The physical qualities of the Haenel RS (series). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

1,275 mm
50.20 in
O/A Length

690 mm
27.17 in
Barrel Length

16.64 lb
7.55 kg
Weight

Manually-Actuated Bolt-Action System.
Action

.338 Lapua Magnum
Caliber(s)

10-round detachable box magazine.
Feed

Various Optics Supported; Back-Up, Optional Iron.
Sights

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Haenel RS (series) Military / Law Enforcement Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle family line.

RS9 - Base Series Designation.

G29 - Bundeswehr designaiton.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Haenel RS (series). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): C.G. Haenel GmbH - Germany

[ Germany ]

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Image from official Haenel marketing materials.

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Image from official Haenel marketing materials.

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Going Further...
The Haenel RS (series) Military / Law Enforcement Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle appears in the following collections:

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