Remington M24 SWS (Sniper Weapon System)

History of the Remington M24 SWS (Sniper Weapon System)

The M24 SWS (Sniper Weapon System) is the US Army's primary sniper weapon. The M24 was developed in response to a request by the U.S. Army to replace the aging M21 system, itself a stopgap for the M14 military rifle. It was designed to meet particularly specific requirements, including new manufacturing techniques, an overwhelming range and stainless steel barrels. The Remington Arms Company, Incorporated answered the call with their Model 700BDL trial version, which was later accepted by the US Army to compete with the competing Austrian Steyr SSG.

The M24 was designed in 1988 and produced from 1988 to 2010, with approximately 15,000 units delivered. The M24 served in the 1991 Gulf War, the 2001 US invasion of Afghanistan and the 2003 US invasion of Iraq.

The M24 is designed to fire the 7.62x51 NATO (.308 Winchester) caliber from a 5 or 10 round internal magazine (some versions have a detachable box magazine). The system utilizes Remington bolt action, increasing the muzzle velocity by 2,800 feet per second. The construction of the M24 makes the system ideal for rough handling and even harsher battlefield conditions. The M24 SWS is traditionally equipped with a Leupold Ultra M3A 10x42 telescopic sight, increasing the weapon's range to nearly 900 yards, with a detachable iron sight as a backup.

The system comes with a removable bipod support assembly and an optional silencer for the stainless steel barrel, which itself is designed to last longer. The shaft is a composite structure of Kevlar, fiberglass and graphite.

On January 5, 2011, Remington Arms Company, Incorporated was awarded a $9 million contract to supply the Government of Afghanistan with up to 1,212 M24 sniper rifles and two tripod. The other operators are Hungary, Israel, Japan (paratroopers of the 1st Airborne Brigade) and Lebanon.

US SWAT units also use the M24.

Variants of M24 include XM24A1, M24A2, M24A3, and M24E1. The XM24A1 is available as a .300 Winchester Magnum cartridge, but was never pursued by the US Army due to the special ammunition requirements of the system. The M24A2 is an improved M24 system with a 10-round detachable magazine. Side Picatinny rails are standard and include a modified, precisely adjustable stock, as well as support for the silencer. The M24A3 is for the .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge with a 5-round detachable magazine.

The front and rear sights are detachable, and the top of the receiver is fitted with a Picatinny rail system. The M24E1 is an ongoing M24 SWS upgrade conversion program designed to improve the stock, magazine, silencer, muzzle brake, optics and barrel of the existing M24 SWS system.

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes