Stoner SR-25 (Stoner Rifle-25)

Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) / Sniper Rifle [ 1990 ]

Designed by Eugene Stoner, the SR-25 sniper rifle has seen recent actions in East Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 02/15/2019 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]

The SR-25 Enhanced Match rifle (EM) was a semi-automatic sharpshooter / sniper rifle system developed within the United States during the late 1980s. Production ensued in 1990 to which the weapon was formally adopted for service in the US military followed by other allied nations. While currently seeing frontline service, the SR-25 is steadily being replaced in some circles by newer more modern types now entering service. To date, the SR-25 has seen extensive combat actions in and around Afghanistan, Iraq, East Timor and the Gaza Strip. Key global operators of the weapon type (beyond the US) include Australia, Greece, Israel, Poland and Thailand.

The stellar M21 sniper rifle of 1969 proved during the Vietnam War the value of long-range firepower time and again. It was a semi-automatic system utilizing the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge from a 5-, 10- or 20-rond detachable box magazine reaching out to ranges in excess of 900 yards. The M21 was, in essence, an evolution of the M14 semi-automatic service rifle which, itself, was a development of the war-winning World War 2-era M1 Garand self-loading rifle. The M21 was progressively updated to the M25 system which saw combat service in the Gulf War of 1991.

By the 1990s, attention was given to developing a similar system for the modern military. To keep development and production costs at a minimum, the Armalite AR-10 (chambered for the 7.62x51mm NATO) was selected for modification. The AR-10 entered service in 1955 but only saw limited service, production ceasing a short time later in 1966 with some 10,000 units completed. Eugene Stoner - designer of the AR line as well as the M16 - took the helm in the new rifle's development. The identifiable carrying handle so prevalent in the AR and M-16 series of automatic weapons was removed and an accessories rail system was fitted instead. This would allow for the installation of various specialized optics and the like. Additional rails were adapted to the top and bottom of the forend and silencer could be affixed to the barrel muzzle. The barrel was "free-floating" in the design to allow for maximum precision at range and an optional folding bipod could be affixed. The resulting design became known as the "SR-25" ("Stoner Rifle-25") with arrangement to be handled by the Knight's Armament Company.

Overall, the SR-25 retained much of the form and function of the original AR pattern including up to 60% commonality of parts with the AR-15 and M-16 - which made it an excellent economical investment. It was chambered to fire the rifle-caliber 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge from a 10- or 20-round detachable box magazine through a semi-automatic action (one cartridge fired for each trigger pull). The firing action centered around the conventional gas-operated, rotating bolt system consistent with the original AR it was derived from. The rifle sported an overall length of 46.25 inches with a 20 inch barrel assembly. Overall unloaded weight was 9.75lbs.

The SR-25's primary marketed form today is the "Mk 11 Mod 0". There is also an "SR-25 Enhanced Match (EM) Carbine form" which is shorter in length.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Basics [+]

Manufacturer(s)

Knights Armament Company - USA

Operators

Australia; Greece; Israel; Italy; Malaysia; Philippines; Poland; Thailand; United States

Service Year

1990

National Origin

United States

ACCURACY / PRECISION
Long-range accuracy / precision capable; suitable for sniping, particularly when equipped with sighting aids.

SPECIAL FORCES
Qualities of this weapon have shown its value to Special Forces elements requiring a versatile, reliable solution for the rigors of special assignments.

SILENCED / SUPPRESSED
This weapon is either inherently silent/suppressed or can be made so through special assembly added at the muzzle, specialized subsonic ammunition or a combination of both.

Overall Length

1,118 mm / 44.02 in

Barrel Length

610 mm / 24.02 in

Weight (Empty)

10.76 lb / 4.88 kg

Action

Gas-Operated; Rotating Bolt; Semi-Automatic

SEMI-AUTOMATIC
One shot per trigger pull; self-loading or auto-loading action aided by internal mechanism; trigger management (and initial cocking) typically required by the operator; subsequent shots are aided by the unlocked / moving bolt.

ROTATING BOLT
System utilizes internal mechanism to lock the breech or rear barrel assembly prior to firing.

GAS-OPERATED
Gas-operated system is featured, typically involving a gas cylinder and rear-driven piston directing energy to the bolt component.

Caliber(s)*

7.62x51mm NATO
*May not represent an exhuastive list; Calibers may be model-specific dependent; Always consult official manufacturer sources.

Feed

10- or 20-round detachable box magazine

Sights

Optional Optics.

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.

SR-25 - Base Series Designation

SR-25 "Enhanced Match Rifle" - Fitted with 510mm (20-inch) barrel.

SR-25 "Enhanced Match Carbine" - Fitted with 410mm (16-inch) barrel; M110 SASS-stype flash suppressor.

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