The Army just picked this new semi-automatic sniper rifle

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Aim1

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Is this a good rifle because $12,000 a rifle is crazy.




http://www.businessinsider.com/the-army-just-picked-this-new-sniper-rifle-2017-4




The Army just picked this new semi-automatic sniper rifle

The Army has chosen a new semi-automatic sniper rifle, replacing the M110 which entered service in 2008.

According to reports by the Army Times, the winning rifle was the Heckler & Koch G28. According to the the company’s website, the G28 is a version of the HK 417 battle rifle — itself a variation of the AR-10 rifle. The new M110A1 does provide some relief in that department, being about 2.5 inches shorter than the M110. More importantly for the grunt carrying it, it is about three pounds lighter than the M110.

Both the M110 and the M110A1 fire the NATO standard 7.62x51mm cartridge, and both feature 20-shot magazines. The Army plans to spend just under $45 million to get 3,643 M110A1s. That comes out to $12,000 a rifle, plus all the logistical and support needs for the Army, including the provision of spare parts.
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Its actually a SYSTEM, and not just a rifle. Typically a sniper weapons system will include such items as the optic(s), tools, magazines, hard and soft carry cases, cleaning equipment, various pouches for components, etc. That said- I think adoption of the system was ill-advised. Variants of this HK417 based system have been in use in various special operations units for quite some time now. I was never issued one, but I have had the opportunity to fire it some, I share the opinion of the SOF snipers who allowed me to fire theirs. That opinion is that this HK version is inferior to the Knight's SR25 and SR25K versions that it replaced, which are both direct impingement rifles. The HK didn't produce the same levels of accuracy and consistency we enjoyed with the SR25. BTW, the M110 is NOT a SR25. The M110 as issued throughout the conventional military is a cheaper version of the SR25. Think of comparing a 870 wingmaster to the 870 express. Kind of the same, but not REALLY. We used to say that is Wal Mart sold sniper rifles, they would sell the M110.
 
FL-NC said:
Its actually a SYSTEM, and not just a rifle. Typically a sniper weapons system will include such items as the optic(s), tools, magazines, hard and soft carry cases, cleaning equipment, various pouches for components, etc. That said- I think adoption of the system was ill-advised. Variants of this HK417 based system have been in use in various special operations units for quite some time now. I was never issued one, but I have had the opportunity to fire it some, I share the opinion of the SOF snipers who allowed me to fire theirs. That opinion is that this HK version is inferior to the Knight's SR25 and SR25K versions that it replaced, which are both direct impingement rifles. The HK didn't produce the same levels of accuracy and consistency we enjoyed with the SR25. BTW, the M110 is NOT a SR25. The M110 as issued throughout the conventional military is a cheaper version of the SR25. Think of comparing a 870 wingmaster to the 870 express. Kind of the same, but not REALLY. We used to say that is Wal Mart sold sniper rifles, they would sell the M110.
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Isn't the Wingmaster just fancier finishing but the same basic weapon as the 870 Express?


Like a Ford F150 XL vs. a Ford F150 Lariat?
 
Aim1 said:
Isn't the Wingmaster just fancier finishing but the same basic weapon as the 870 Express?
Like a Ford F150 XL vs. a Ford F150 Lariat?
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Yes, and no. An Express is the same basic gun as a Wingmaster, but a Wingmaster gets solid metal parts instead of MIM, gets a finish that doesn't rust if the sun goes behind a cloud and is fitted much better than an Express. These sort of quality differences make a difference when you're exposing a gun to the abuse of combat and still need it to provide absolute reliability and peak performance.
 
its a 2000$ rifle with 10.000$ worth of "support" of which it will use about 900$ in its service life. Unless they retire it early, as they're sure to do. Just money wasting at its best. Does it come with the scope? Buy a new Camry for 120.000$, but its okay because the heated seats come standard, and it has free oil changes for life!
 
Heckler & Koch Defense Inc., Ashburn, Virginia, was awarded a $44,500,000 firm-fixed-price contract with options for Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System spare parts, training, and government purpose rights. Bids were solicited via the Internet with eight received with an estimated completion date of March 30, 2022. Funding and work location will be determined with each order. Army Contracting Command, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey, is the contracting activity (W15QKN-16-D-0051).
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https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/710219/

More with photos.http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...1-csass-compact-sniper-rifle-mg4-mg5-shot-17/
 
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12 large for a rifle is too much, it's an insult to the folks that are picking up the tab for the military procurement fiefdoms.
 
The first article makes a point how a long firearm marks a shooter as a sniper. Yet, the new gun is shorter only by about the length of a flash suppressor.

I'd think that the big honking piece of optic on top of the rifle would be more telling than 2.5" of length difference.
 
If we are talking top of the line glass lets do some rough math - SWAG at best. Strip some parts and dressage out of that $12,000 price and we have $10k? Which split down the middle halfsies for the rifle and optic, about $5000 each.

Optics made to a very high standard specification for long range use in an abusive environment getting literally dragged to work - not a pretty range tube sitting on a bench gun that never touches the dirt. About normal retail price. Same for the gun, we are talking hand assembled and limited edition, some people pay $2500 for a 1911 with all the race gun parts massaged by the Builder of the Month. $5000 isn't out of line for that -

Now add in the pile of documentation required to meet the contract - it's all about testing every bolt, not that batch, each part with it's specific unique "not really an AR" shape, and throw in some HK "we hate you" price differences ie a currency exchange DM to Dollars. I don't think these are getting made here? We are talking a HK415 and I missed that breaking news they set up a production line here in the States.

Pick your favorite Knight SR25, add scope at equal price and it's $10,000, so it checks out front and back being about the ball park for a military contract. Rough but not a toilet seat for the Navy . . .
 
12 large for a rifle is too much, it's an insult to the folks that are picking up the tab for the military procurement fiefdoms.
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I have to disagree here, how much do F-class winners or long range competitors spend on their rifles and optics? To me it'd be an insult to the people using them with the bullets flying both ways to demand they use something less.

The claim that its "less accurate" than what it replaces is far more troubling than the price.
 
Considering how many service members these markmen have prevented from becoming widows and orphans, I would say that it is worth it to get them the tools that they need.
 
44.5 mil??? 12k goes into 44.5mil=3708. How many spec ops or sniper's do we have?

I am all for these guys having the best, but damn. Seems pretty pricey. You could probably send some of the older models to a gunsmith and get them tuned up for wayyyy less.
 
The timing, with the "Buy American Hire American" proclamation, was interesting. o_O
Neither Savage, Remington, Winchester, Barrett, Dakota nor nuttin else could have possibly filled the bill.
 
wally said:
I have to disagree here, how much do F-class winners or long range competitors spend on their rifles and optics? To me it'd be an insult to the people using them with the bullets flying both ways to demand they use something less.
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Leupold makes most of the scopes I have encountered for reach out and touch someone rifles I saw in the military. Some units also like their scouts to have IR designators on their rifles. Retail cost for those alone is about 4K. Cost adds up fast for a tough rifle that can shoot quiet and far at night.
 
Unless there is some details we do not know about (integrated night vision? Smart scopes?) $12k for a rifle is a crime.

If it is not a crime that money must be getting clandestinely diverted for some other program...:alien:
 
Stopped reading at "standard 7.62x51 cartridge". If the Army insists on hamstringing our snipers with this limited cartridge then it really doesn't matter how much they spend on the rifle. JMHO.
 
The primary driver is that the gun not look like a sniper rifle...

OK

You got what you asked for... Good job generals.
 
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