Stoner SR-25 (Stoner Rifle-25)

History

The SR-25 Enhanced Match Rifle (EM) is a semi-automatic sniper/sniper rifle system developed in the United States in the late 1980s. Production followed in 1990, after which the weapon was officially adopted by the U.S. military and subsequently adopted by other allies. While the SR-25 is currently in front-line service, it is gradually being replaced by newer, more modern models in some respects.

To date, the SR-25 has conducted extensive combat operations in and around Afghanistan, Iraq, Timor-Leste and the Gaza Strip. Major global operators of such weapons (outside the US) include Australia, Greece, Israel, Poland and Thailand.

The 1969 Stellar M21 sniper rifle proved time and time again the value of long-range firepower during the Vietnam War. This is a semi-automatic system that uses 7.62x51mm NATO cartridges in 5, 10 or 20 round detachable magazines and has a range of over 900 yards.

The M21 is essentially an evolution of the M14 semi-automatic rifle, which itself is an evolution of the victorious M1 Garand semi-automatic rifle during World War II. The M21 was gradually upgraded to the M25 system, which served in the 1991 Gulf War.

In the 1990s, attention began to develop similar systems for modern militaries. In order to keep development and production costs as low as possible, an Armalite AR-10 (for 7.62x51mm NATO) was chosen for retrofit. The AR-10 entered service in 1955, but with limited service, production ceased in late 1966, with about 10,000 completed.

Eugene Stoner - designer of the AR series and M16 - was in charge of the development of the new rifle. The identifiable carrying handle so common on the AR and M-16 series automatic weapons has been removed and an accessory rail system installed in its place. This will allow installation of various specialized optics etc.

Additional rails were adjusted at the top and bottom of the front end, and the silencer could be attached to the muzzle of the barrel. The barrel is "free-floating" by design to allow maximum accuracy at range, and an optional collapsible bipod can be mounted.

The resulting design, known as the "SR-25" ("Stoner Rifle-25"), was handled by Knight Armament.

Overall, the SR-25 retains most of the form and function of the original AR model, including up to 60% of some commonality with the AR-15 and M-16 - making it an excellent economic investment . Its chamber fires 7.62x51mm NATO rifle caliber cartridges from a 10- or 20-round detachable magazine by semi-automatic action (one cartridge per trigger pull). The shooting action is centered on a traditional pneumatic rotating bolt system, in line with the original AR from which it was derived. The rifle has an overall length of 46.25 inches and a 20-inch barrel.

The total weight discharged is 9.75 lbs.

The main sales form of the SR-25 today is the "Mk 11 Mod 0". There is also a shorter "SR-25 Enhanced Match (EM) Carbine Shape".

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes