The M24 SWS (Sniper Weapon System) is a principle sniper weapon of US Army. Developed for a US Army requirement replacing the aging M21 system (itself a stop-gap conversion of the M14 service rifle), the M24 was designed to particularly specific requirements that included new manufacturing techniques, overpowering range and a stainless steel barrel. Remington Arms Company, Incorporated answered the call with their Model 700BDL trial version, which was later accepted by the US Army over the competing Austrian Steyr SSG. The M24 was designed in 1988 with production running from 1988 to 2010 to which some 15,000 units have been delivered. The M24 has seen operational service in the 1991 Gulf War, the 2001 American invasion of Afghanistan and the 2003 American invasion of Iraq.
The M24 is chambered to fire the 7.62x51 NATO (.308 Winchester) caliber round from a 5 or 10-round internal magazine (some versions have a detachable box magazine). The system utilizes the Remington bolt-action operation and promotes a 2,800 feet-per-second muzzle velocity. Construction of the M24 is such that the system is made ideal for rough handling and even rougher battlefield conditions. The M24 SWS is traditionally fitted with the Leupold Ultra M3A 10x42 telescopic sight which increases the range of the weapon out to nearly 900 yards and detachable iron sights serve as back up. The system is fitted with a removable bipod support assembly and a suppressor is optional for the stainless steel barrel, which itself is designed to an extended life status. The stock is of a Kevlar, fiberglass and graphite composite construction.
Variants of the M24 include the XM24A1, the M24A2, the M24A3 and the M24E1. The XM24A1 served as an experimental variant chambered for the .300 Winchester Magnum cartridge but was never pursued by the US Army due to the system's specialized ammunition requirement. The M24A2 was an improved M24 system with a detachable 10-round box magazine. Side Picatinny rails were standard and a revised precision adjustable stock was included as was support for a sound suppressor. The M24A3 was a variant chambered for the .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge with a 5-round detachable box magazine. The front and rear iron sights were made detachable and a Picatinny rail system was added to the top of the receiver. The M24E1 is an ongoing M24 SWS upgrade conversion program looking to upgrade the stock, magazine, suppressors, muzzlebrakes, optics and barrel of existing M24 SWS systems.
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.
January 2011 - On January 5th, 2011, Remington Arms Company, Incorporated was awarded a $9 million dollar contract to supply up to 1,212 M24 sniper rifles and bipods to the government of Afghanistan by way of the US Army TACOM LCMC of Rockford, Illinois.
Specifications
Basics [+]
Manufacturer(s)
Remington Arms Company, Incorporated - USA
Operators
Afghanistan; Algeria; Bangladesh; Brazil; El Salvador; Hungary; Indonesia; Iraq; Israel; Georgia; Japan; Kosovo; Lebanon; Malaysia; Philippines; 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.
Overall Length
1,092 mm / 42.99 in
Barrel Length
660 mm / 25.98 in
Weight (Empty)
11.90 lb / 5.40 kg
Action
Manually-Operated 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.
Caliber(s)*
7.62x51mm NATO (.308 Winchester); Winchester Magnum; .338 Lapua Magnum *May not represent an exhuastive list; Calibers may be model-specific dependent; Always consult official manufacturer sources.
Feed
5-round internal magazine / 5- or 10-round detachable box magazine
Sights
Optional Telescopic Sight; Detachable Backup Iron Front and Rear Sights
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.
Max.Effective Range
2,624 ft / 799.8 m | 874.7 yds
Rate-of-Fire
20 rpm
Muzzle Velocity
2,800 ft/sec / 853 m/sec
Model 700BDL - Remington Company Designation
M24 SWS - Base Series Designation; internal magazine.
XM24A1 - Proposed variant; chambered for the .300 Winchester Magnum cartridge; never produced.
M24A2 - Improved M24 SWS; 10-round detachable box magazine; adjustable side Picatinny rail; sound suppressor support; improved adjustable stock.
M24A3 - Chambered for the .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge; 5-round detachable box magazine; detachable iron sights; top-mounted Picatinny rail system.
M24E1 - Enhanced Sniper Rifle Reconfiguration Competition; proposed upgrade of barrels, stock, muzzlebrakes, suppressor systems, optics and magazines of some 3,500 existing M24 SWS models for the US Army.
Images
1 / 11
Right side view of the Remington M24 Sniper Weapon System
2 / 11
Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
3 / 11
Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
4 / 11
Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
5 / 11
Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
6 / 11
Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
7 / 11
Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
8 / 11
Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
9 / 11
Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
10 / 11
Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
11 / 11
Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.
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.
