GA MSSR (Marine Scout Sniper Rifle)

History

The Philippine military needed a new semi-automatic platform to play the role of the Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR), and so adopted an indigenous design developed by several of its own naval officers. The result is the "Ocean Recon Sniper Rifle", largely based on the American Colt M16A1 Assault Rifle (described in detail elsewhere on this site), which offers proven pneumatic action with a direct impact system (rotating bolt) that fires The ubiquitous 5 56x45mm NATO medium rifle cartridge with 20 and 30 round STANAG magazines (AR15/M16 style).

Designers focused on the 5.56mm cartridge rather than the larger full-power 7.62mm rifle cartridge, as its effectiveness at short to medium ranges has been proven. Since Filipinos are traditionally considered to fight on the homeland, this means that close to mid-sized people fight in jungle and forest environments.

Therefore, the relatively low penetration value of the 5.56mm cartridge is acceptable in naval service and has been proven in practice.

The modern Designated Marksman (DM) operates as part of an infantry squad, providing precise long-range firepower to Allied forces. As such, his weapon must be reliable and robust, suitable for use on the front lines, while also possessing the counter-maneuvering skills required for a sniper role.

The MSSR meets these requirements and offers several other variants - Suppressed Night Combat Weapon System (NFWS), Special Purpose Rifle (SPR), and Squad Designated Marksman Rifle (SDMR).

The NFWS is particularly noteworthy because it is designed for light low-altitude combat and features night vision goggles and an integrated silencer assembly, the latter of which is located above the barrel. Great for covert operations that require stealth and ambush.

The special rifle has a free-floating 18" barrel (the assembly does not touch the stock at any point along its length) for increased accuracy and is locked with a muzzle flash suppressor. A section of Picatinny rail sits above the receiver for various optical adjustments, and a foldable bipod is mounted under the barrel for forward support.

Trigger groups also provide selective triggering options.

The squad designated marksman rifle is carbine length (and therefore more compact) and also has a Picatinny rail section above its optical receiver. In its place is a solid 16" cold hammer barrel.

MSSR weapons issued to members of the Philippine Marine Corps Reconnaissance Unit. Introduced in 1996, the system has been proven for more than 20 years for uses beyond the DMR - it is also used in the traditional sniper role of two-person teams in the field.

This model follows the aging line of the WWII-era Springfield M1903 bolt-action rifle and the WWII-era M1 Garand and Vietnam War-era M14 semi-automatic rifles before serving in the Philippine Navy.

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes