Fabrique Nationale FN SPR (Special Police Rifle (SPR)

History of the Fabrique Nationale FN SPR (Special Police Rifle (SPR))

Fabrique National developed the FN Special Police Rifle (SPR) from the successful and highly regarded Winchester 70 series. The original Winchester Model 70 Bolt Action Rifle was introduced in 1936 and was known for its accuracy, reliability and quality (it was even used by the US Marine Corps during the Vietnam War).

Today, the type continues to be produced at the National Plant in Columbia, South Carolina. As the name suggests, the SPR was developed under strict demands from law enforcement agencies and selected for procurement by the FBI. The FBI has been using the SPR since 2004 and called it the FNH SPR-USG ("Fabrique Nationale-Herstal, Special Police Rifle, United States Government"), a weapons operations team used as a sniper rifle in FBI counterterrorism hostage rescues. Although the Belgian name of the SPR family is FN-Herstal, the SPR rifles are manufactured in the United States under the American Repeating Arms Company (formerly known as the "Winchester Repeating Arms Company") based in New Haven, Connecticut, Fabrique is part of this company.

Nationale is owned by de Herstal and is the parent company.

The overall design approach of the SPR series of rifles is traditional. The weapon features a cold forged barrel with corrosion resistant chrome holes and supports MIL-STD-1913 rail fittings. They fit 7.62x51mm (.308 Winchester) or .300 Winchester Short Magnum cartridges depending on model type and are operated by a manually operated bolt action system.

In this capability, the operator manages the bolt handle to eject spent cartridges and insert live rounds into the firing chamber. The SPR can be purchased as an inner or detachable box magazine (3- or 5-round inner box or 4-round detachable box).

The scope is largely optional by design, although it is highly desirable for any precise long-range shooting. Available barrel lengths are 20" or 24" depending on the production brand, which of course determines the overall length and load/unload weight.

Since its inception, SPR has grown into several brands. The original version was the original FN SPR (called "Generation 1") with a 24" non-serrated barrel assembly and HS Precision Marksman stock. It was followed by the SPR A1, which introduced the McMillan A3 series fiberglass stock while retaining the 24" barrel.

The SPR A1 also uses a detachable magazine feeder and integrated MIL-STD-1913 accessory rails. The configuration of the SPR A1a is similar, although it uses a 20" fluted barrel, which in turn makes for a more compact end product and is primarily marketed as a mid-range rifle solution. The SPR A1a also comes with a removable case. The SPR A2 brought the McMillan A4 stock with integrated stock spacers and adjustable cheeks to suit the shooter, and reintroduced the 24" barrel length.

The SPR A4 "shooting system" is nothing more than the SPR A2 brand with a standard optical sight and bipod. The SPR A3 G features a McMillan A3 fiberglass stock with butt spacers and adjustable cheeks, and a 24" grooved barrel design, which was later selected by the FBI as a tactical precision rifle.

This variant uses a Kalthammerschmiede MIL-SPEC barrel and is loaded with a .308 Winchester cartridge. Steel sling bolts are integrated under the shoulder rest and under the front end. The SPR A3 G "Shooting System" is the SPR A3 G with a standard scope and bipod.

The SPR A5 M comes with a McMillan A5 series fiberglass stock (with butt spacers and adjustable cheeks) and a choice of 20" bottom barrel or 24" grooved barrel assembly, also fitted with a .300 Winchester Short Magnum Cartridge (24" barrel) or 7 holds .62x51mm NATO/.308 Winchester cartridge (20" or 24" barrel"). The attachment point provides support for the optional shoulder strap, this rifle type can be identified as .

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