Harris / McMillan M87

Anti-Material Rifle (AMR) / Heavy Sniper Rifle

United States | 1987

"Though classified as an anti-material rifle, the M87 can be used as a heavy sniper rifle with devastating effects."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 05/16/2016 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Image of the M93 variant from Harris McMillan marketing material.

The M87 was a military-grade anti-material rifle designed to defeat hardened structures such as armored vehicles with accuracy and a large-caliber cartridge. As such, it made use of the powerful and proven 12.7x99mm NATO standard cartridge at ranges as far out as 1.5 kilometers. The M87's overall design was essentially an enlarged version of the preceding 7.62mm M86 series bolt-action rifle with production stemming from the late 1980s into the 1990s (having since ceased). Global operators of the weapon went on to include Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and Turkey as well as several specialized US departments.

Externally, the M87 proved a well-contoured rifle system utilizing a conventional rifle-style configuration. The synthetic stock was a single piece unit encompassing the butt, receiver and forend. The steel components are inlaid including the barrel which protruded ahead of the weapon in the usual way. Interestingly, the pistol grip was integrated into the stock with a large cut-out for the firing hand's thumb. The trigger group included the curved trigger assembly protected by an oblong ring guard with the magazine well just ahead of the group. The bipod assembly was affixed to the lower forend to provide frontal support as the weapon was primarily intended to be fired from the prone position. The stainless steel barrel was capped by a heavily perforated muzzle brake/flash suppressor. As a bolt-action weapon, the bolt lever was offset to the right side of the body with a knob at its end for a firm grip. Optics were fitted over the receiver's steel component in the traditional way - the gun lacked any backup iron sights. The initial M87 version was a single-shot model while later versions brought about support for repeat fire through integral and detachable multi-cartridge magazines.

The United States Army trialled the M87 (among others) in its effort to find a standardized anti-material rifle and eventually selecting the Barrett M82A1 as the winner. The M87 saw additional versions developed beyond the standard M87 offering including the revised and improved "M87R" with support for a 5-round integral (fixed) box magazine. The "M93" incorporated a butt monopod, cheekpiece and folding stock with 5- or 10-round detachable box magazine support while the M95 "Ultra light", as its name implies, was a lightweight (18lb) variant with a fixed stock, titanium alloy receiver, graphite barrel and single-shot or repeating functionality.

A capable long range and accurate weapon system, the M87 went largely unappreciated in a market filled with a glut of similarly performing options the world over. The M87 was superseded by the "TAC-50" of 2000 along the Harris/McMillan lines.

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Physical
The physical qualities of the Harris / McMillan M87. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

1,346 mm
52.99 in
O/A Length

736 mm
28.98 in
Barrel Length

21.01 lb
9.53 kg
Weight

Manually-Actuated Bolt Action
Action

12.7x99mm NATO (.50 BMG)
Caliber(s)

1-, 5- or 10-round magazine
Feed

Standard Optics (no iron sights)
Sights

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Harris / McMillan M87. 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

2,800 ft/sec
853 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Harris / McMillan M87 Anti-Material Rifle (AMR) / Heavy Sniper Rifle family line.

M87 - Original single-shot version; 26lb weight.

M87R - Revised M87; integral magazine-fed variant (5-round).

M93 - Folding stock; butt monopod; adjustable cheekpiece; 5- or 10-round detachable box magazine.

M95 "Ultra Light" - Lightweight (18lbs) revision of M93 with fixed stock design; titanium alloy receiver; graphite barrel assembly; single-shot or repeating functionality.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Harris / McMillan M87. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Harris Gunworks LCC / McMillan - USA

[ Denmark; France; Germany; Italy; Turkey; United States ]

1 / 1

Image of the M93 variant from Harris McMillan marketing material.

Design Qualities
Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to requirements.

ACCURACY/PRECISION

ANTI-TANK/MATERIAL

Recognition
Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Going Further...
The Harris / McMillan M87 Anti-Material Rifle (AMR) / Heavy Sniper Rifle appears in the following collections:

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