The Barrett M82 (also known as the M82 or the M107) is an American anti-materiel rifle developed by Barrett Firearms Manufacturing. It is designed to be able to take advantage of the powerful .50 caliber (12.7×99mm) cartridge, originally designed for the Browning M2 heavy machine gun.
Born in 1982 from the imagination of the American Ronnie Barrett (hence the name of the weapon), it is also called Light Fifty, in relation to its large caliber of .50 BMG. There are several variants of the M82, including the M82A1 (and A3) and the M82A2 bullpup. The latter is no longer manufactured, although the Barrett XM500 could be seen as its potential successor, as long as it employs a bullpup configuration.
Sold to more than thirty countries, including Belgium, Great Britain, France, Italy, Israel, Turkey, Spain, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, Greece, Sweden, Mexico in addition to the United States, the M82 is by far the most commercial success of this category of precision weapons.
In 1990, during Operation Desert Storm, the Barrett proved its formidable effectiveness:used in large numbers against Iraqi units, it destroyed trucks, radars, aircraft cabins, and even immobilized armored vehicles. It was following this show of force that the Barrett managed to carve out a place of choice on the export market, but also on the civilian market in the United States. It thus seems to have a bright future ahead of it today, within the many armies that have adopted it and through its new improved variants.
Presentation
Country United States
Ammunition .50 BMG (12.7 x 99mm NATO)
Manufacturer Barrett Firearms Manufacturing
Weights and dimensions
Mass (unloaded) 14.1 kg
Length(s) 121.9 or 170 cm maximum
Barrel length 737mm
Technical features
Maximum range 4,000 m?
Practical range 1,800 m
Initial speed 964 m/s
Capacity 10 cartridges
Variants
M82 (M107)
M82A1
M82A1A
M82A1M
M82A2
M82A3
XM500
M95
Technical features
Type :anti-materiel rifle
Designer :Barrett
Designed in :1980
Produced in :1982
Variants present :M82, M82A1, M82A1A, M82A1M, M82A2, M82A3, XM107 (M107)
Country :United States
Caliber :.50 BMG (12.7×99mm)
Rate of fire :semi-auto
Practical range :1,800 m1
Maximum range :4,000 m[ref. desired]
Velocity :964 m/s
Magazine capacity :10 cartridges
Length :1,448 mm
Thebarrel length :737 mm
Empty weight :14.1kg
Technical description
The M-82's effectiveness relies primarily on its powerful .50 caliber ammunition. Its unusual dimensions (12.7 × 99 mm) giving it exceptional penetrating power:it can thus cross vehicles, destroy concrete obstacles, perforate certain armor, all with a muzzle velocity of 964 meters per second and a maximum range of almost two kilometres. Large caliber guns are also a serious threat to helicopters.
The appearance of the M-82 is quite characteristic:the weapon is made entirely of steel, it is long, heavy, and the handguard surrounding the barrel is widely ventilated. Note also the unusual size of the magazine, the case ejection window and the muzzle brake at the end of the barrel. A bipod is installed as standard, shooting in a standing or crouching position being unthinkable given the recoil when firing, and the standard scope has a magnification of up to ten times. It can be replaced by many other types of sighting systems.
The M-82, which is semi-automatic, uses a recoil-based reloading system. When fired, the rifle barrel moves back about 25 mm due to the explosion of the powder of the fired cartridge. The power of the latter gives a significant force to the recoil of this gun. This pushes the breech back, causing the ejection of the used casing, then the extraction of a new ammunition from the magazine. After the recoil is transferred to the bolt carrier, the barrel returns to its original position. Then, the breech is also returned to its initial position thanks to an imposing spring placed in the stock, pushing the new ammunition into the chamber of the gun and tensioning the striker spring. The weapon is then ready for a new shot. Note that the M-82 is powered by detachable 10-round magazines.
Official designation
Designations in the United States
M82 12.7×99mm Barrett M82 Semi-automatic rifle.
M82A1 12.7×99mm Barrett M82A1 Semi-automatic rifle, improved variant of the M82.
M82A1A Mk 211 Mod 0 in caliber:50.cal.
M82A1M 12.7×99mm Barrett M82A1 Semi-automatic rifle variant. Improved variant by including the extended auxiliary rail and a monopod integrated into the stock.
M82A2 12.7×99mm Barrett M82A2 Semi-automatic bullpup rifle.
M82A3 12.7×99mm Barrett M82A3 Semi-automatic rifle. New production rifles built to M82A1M specifications, featuring the extended auxiliary rail which is usually, but not always, higher than the M82A1M/M107. Unlike the M82A1M/M107, it does not include the stock-integrated monopod.
XM107/M107 Originally used to refer to the Barrett M95. Includes extended auxiliary rail and stock-integrated monopod.
Export designation
Barrett M82.
Country
Denmark Mrg M/95 12.7×99mm Barrett M95 bolt action rifle.
Finland 12 .7 TKIV 2000 12.7×99mm Barrett M82A1 semi-automatic rifle.
Germany G82 12.7×99mm Barrett M107 semi-automatic rifle.
Italy M82A1 12.7×99mm Barrett M82A1 semi-automatic rifle.
Malaysia M82A2 12.7×99mm Barrett M82A2 bullpup rifle.
Norway 12.7 MØR 12.7×99mm M82A1 semi-automatic rifle.
Sweden Ag 90 12.7×99mm Barrett M82A1 semi-automatic rifle.
United Kingdom L82A1 12.7×99mm Barrett M82A1 semi-automatic rifle.
Users
United States
Belgium
Algeria
Germany
Chile
Spain
Finland
France:GIGN (before PGM Hécate II)
Greece
Israel
Italy
Malaysia:Special Forces Group[Which ones?]
Mexico
Norway
Netherlands
United Kingdom
DSweden
Turkey