Designated marksman rifle
Encyclopedia
A designated marksman rifle (DMR) is the weapon used by soldiers in the designated marksman
role. The DM role fills the gap between a regular infantry
man and a sniper
and DMRs have been developed with this middle ground in mind.
These rifles have to be effective, in terms of accuracy and terminal ballistics
, at ranges exceeding those of ordinary assault rifles (typically up to 500 metres (546.8 yd)) but do not require the extended range of a dedicated sniper rifle
(typically up to 1000 metres (1,093.6 yd)).
DMRs, however, often share some basic characteristics with sniper rifles in difference to the weapons carried by others in the DMs unit. DMRs may have an attached telescopic sight
, quickly deployed stabilizing bipod
to allow accuracy in temporarily fixed situations or an adjustable stock
.
They will, though, generally retain semi-automatic
firing capability (more rapid than bolt-action
sniper rifles) and a larger magazine
capacity of 10, 20, or 30 rounds depending on the firearm in question.
, FN FAL
, AR-10
and Heckler & Koch G3
. These rifles were largely replaced by assault rifle
s firing the 5.56mm NATO
cartridge during the 1970s and 1980s.
Some nations have also built rifles that were designed for the designated marksman from the ground up.
issued to the United States Army is fitted with a Trijicon 4x ACOG
, while the standard-issue M4 carbine is equipped with an unmagnified Aimpoint CompM2
or CompM4
. Sometimes, the sighting system will be the only difference between the standard rifle and the designated marksman rifle, as is the case with the F88S DMR issued to the Australian Army.
Sniper rifles often have even greater magnification than designated marksman rifles, for example, the M110 SASS used by the United States Army, is equipped with a Leupold 3.5-10x variable-power scope. However, some designated marksman rifles, such as the Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle or the USMC Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle are fitted with scopes with similar magnification.
has an accurised barrel, also found on designated marksman rifles.
Most sniper rifles, such as the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare
have a barrel with a length of 24 inches or greater. Only the SVD and similar designated marksman rifles have a barrel of this length. The designated marksman rifles based on the M14
have barrels 18-22 inches long.
DM rifles using battle rifle cartridges such as 7.62mm NATO or 7.62x54mmR, may issued with standard ball ammunition, or special match-grade loads, such as 7.62mm NATO 'M118LR' sniper round in the U.S. military.
Some sniper rifles are semi-automatic, though the vast majority are bolt-action.
Designated marksman
The designated marksman is a military marksman role in a U.S. infantry squad. The term sniper was used in Soviet doctrine although the soldiers using the Dragunov were the first to use a specifically designed designated marksman's rifle. Sniper is also used in Russian doctrine...
role. The DM role fills the gap between a regular infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
man and a sniper
Sniper
A sniper is a marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles....
and DMRs have been developed with this middle ground in mind.
These rifles have to be effective, in terms of accuracy and terminal ballistics
Terminal ballistics
Terminal ballistics, a sub-field of ballistics, is the study of the behavior of a projectile when it hits its target. It is often referred to as stopping power when dealing with human or other living targets. Terminal ballistics is relevant both for small caliber projectiles as well as for large...
, at ranges exceeding those of ordinary assault rifles (typically up to 500 metres (546.8 yd)) but do not require the extended range of a dedicated sniper rifle
Sniper rifle
In military and law enforcement terminology, a sniper rifle is a precision-rifle used to ensure more accurate placement of bullets at longer ranges than other small arms. A typical sniper rifle is built for optimal levels of accuracy, fitted with a telescopic sight and chambered for a military...
(typically up to 1000 metres (1,093.6 yd)).
DMRs, however, often share some basic characteristics with sniper rifles in difference to the weapons carried by others in the DMs unit. DMRs may have an attached telescopic sight
Telescopic sight
A telescopic sight, commonly called a scope, is a sighting device that is based on an optical refracting telescope. They are equipped with some form of graphic image pattern mounted in an optically appropriate position in their optical system to give an accurate aiming point...
, quickly deployed stabilizing bipod
Bipod
A bipod is a support device that is similar to a tripod or monopod, but with two legs. It provides significant stability along two axes of motion .-Firearms:...
to allow accuracy in temporarily fixed situations or an adjustable stock
Stock (firearm)
A stock, also known as a buttstock or shoulder stock, is a part of a rifle or other firearm, to which the barrel and firing mechanism are attached, that is held against one's shoulder when firing the gun. Stocks are also found on crossbows though a crossbow stock is more properly referred to as a...
.
They will, though, generally retain semi-automatic
Semi-automatic firearm
A semi-automatic, or self-loading firearm is a weapon which performs all steps necessary to prepare the weapon to fire again after firing—assuming cartridges remain in the weapon's feed device or magazine...
firing capability (more rapid than bolt-action
Bolt-action
Bolt action is a type of firearm action in which the weapon's bolt is operated manually by the opening and closing of the breech with a small handle, most commonly placed on the right-hand side of the weapon...
sniper rifles) and a larger magazine
Magazine (firearm)
A magazine is an ammunition storage and feeding device within or attached to a repeating firearm. Magazines may be integral to the firearm or removable . The magazine functions by moving the cartridges stored in the magazine into a position where they may be loaded into the chamber by the action...
capacity of 10, 20, or 30 rounds depending on the firearm in question.
Designated marksman rifles compared to sniper rifles, battle rifles, and assault rifles
Most designated marksman rifles are based on an assault rifle that is currently issued by a nation's military, or on a battle rifle that was formerly issued. A battle rifle is a semi-automatic or full-automatic rifle that fires 7.62mm NATO or similar full-power rounds. Classic examples include the M14M14 rifle
The M14 rifle, formally the United States Rifle, 7.62 mm, M14, is an American selective fire automatic rifle firing 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition. It was the standard issue U.S. rifle from 1959 to 1970. The M14 was used for U.S...
, FN FAL
FN FAL
The Fusil Automatique Léger or FAL is a self-loading, selective fire battle rifle produced by the Belgian armaments manufacturer Fabrique Nationale de Herstal . During the Cold War it was adopted by many North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries, with the notable exception of the United States...
, AR-10
AR-10
The AR-10 is an American 7.62 mm battle rifle developed by Eugene Stoner in the late 1950s at ArmaLite, then a division of the Fairchild Aircraft Corporation...
and Heckler & Koch G3
Heckler & Koch G3
The G3 is a 7.62mm battle rifle developed in the 1950s by the German armament manufacturer Heckler & Koch GmbH in collaboration with the Spanish state-owned design and development agency CETME ....
. These rifles were largely replaced by assault rifle
Assault rifle
An assault rifle is a selective fire rifle that uses an intermediate cartridge and a detachable magazine. Assault rifles are the standard infantry weapons in most modern armies...
s firing the 5.56mm NATO
5.56 x 45 mm NATO
5.56×45mm NATO is a rifle cartridge developed in the United States and originally chambered in the M16 rifle. Under STANAG 4172, it is a standard cartridge for NATO forces as well as many non-NATO countries. It is derived from, but not identical to, the .223 Remington cartridge...
cartridge during the 1970s and 1980s.
Some nations have also built rifles that were designed for the designated marksman from the ground up.
Sights
All designated marksman rifles will have some type of optical sight with a higher magnification level than the standard issue rifle. For example, the SDM-RUnited States Army Squad Designated Marksman Rifle
The United States Army Squad Designated Marksman Rifle is a heavily modified M16-series semi-automatic rifle intended to provide increased accuracy over range, giving infantry squads greater firepower.-Background:...
issued to the United States Army is fitted with a Trijicon 4x ACOG
Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight
Advanced Combat Optical Gunsights are a series of telescopic sights manufactured by Trijicon. The ACOG is designed to be used on the M16 rifle and M4 carbine, but Trijicon has developed ACOG accessories for certain other firearms...
, while the standard-issue M4 carbine is equipped with an unmagnified Aimpoint CompM2
Aimpoint CompM2
The CompM2 is a battery powered non-magnifying red dot type of reflex sight for firearms manufactured by Aimpoint AB. In the U.S. military, it is designated M68 Close Combat Optic and is also known as M68 Aimpoint and is designed to meet United States military standards...
or CompM4
Aimpoint CompM4
The Aimpoint CompM4 is a non-magnified red dot style gun sight adopted by the U.S. military. It is produced by the Swedish company Aimpoint AB and is the successor to the earlier Aimpoint CompM2.-Overview:...
. Sometimes, the sighting system will be the only difference between the standard rifle and the designated marksman rifle, as is the case with the F88S DMR issued to the Australian Army.
Sniper rifles often have even greater magnification than designated marksman rifles, for example, the M110 SASS used by the United States Army, is equipped with a Leupold 3.5-10x variable-power scope. However, some designated marksman rifles, such as the Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle or the USMC Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle are fitted with scopes with similar magnification.
Barrels
In some cases, the designated marksman rifle will have a longer barrel than the standard issued rifle. However, this is not universally true. In fact, the M16A4 rifle is still standard issue to the United States Marine Corps. The barrel on the Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle, the current rifle used by the squad designated marksman in the USMC, is only 18 inches long - two inches shorter than the barrel on the standard rifle. Also, some rifles, such as the F88S Austeyr, have a barrel that is the same length as the standard service rifle. The FD-200FAMAE FD-200
The FAMAE FD-200 is a semi automatic designated marksman rifle of Chilean origin and is chambered in the 7.62x51mm NATO round.It saw a very limited production run in the early 2000s, and was based upon their license-made SIG SG 540 assault rifle action and frame, although all mechanics were...
has an accurised barrel, also found on designated marksman rifles.
Most sniper rifles, such as the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare
Accuracy International Arctic Warfare
The Accuracy International Arctic Warfare rifle is a family of bolt-action sniper rifles designed and manufactured by the British company Accuracy International...
have a barrel with a length of 24 inches or greater. Only the SVD and similar designated marksman rifles have a barrel of this length. The designated marksman rifles based on the M14
M14 rifle
The M14 rifle, formally the United States Rifle, 7.62 mm, M14, is an American selective fire automatic rifle firing 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition. It was the standard issue U.S. rifle from 1959 to 1970. The M14 was used for U.S...
have barrels 18-22 inches long.
Ammunition
In most cases, a designated marksman rifle will share the ammunition used by standard issue rifles. In the U.S. military, designated marksman rifles chambered for 5.56mm NATO have available the 77 grain match-grade Mk 262 Mod 0/1 cartridge that enhances range to roughly 700 meters.DM rifles using battle rifle cartridges such as 7.62mm NATO or 7.62x54mmR, may issued with standard ball ammunition, or special match-grade loads, such as 7.62mm NATO 'M118LR' sniper round in the U.S. military.
Action
All designated marksman rifles in use today use a semi-automatic action, with some also being able to fire in full-automatic mode.Some sniper rifles are semi-automatic, though the vast majority are bolt-action.
Designated marksman rifles by nation
-
- F88S Austeyr 5.56 NATO standard issue rifle, fitted with an enhanced optic is issued to one rifleman in each fireteam in the Australian ArmyAustralian ArmyThe Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
. - AR-15 based
- SR-25SR-25The SR-25 is a semi-automatic sniper rifle designed by Eugene Stoner and manufactured by Knight's Armament Company. The SR-25 uses a rotating bolt and a direct impingement gas system. It is loosely based on Stoner's AR-10, rebuilt in its original 7.62×51mm NATO caliber...
; 7.62mm NATO sniper rifle is often used to provide fire support. - HK417; 7.62mm NATO gas-piston battle rifle is in limited service.
- SR-25
- Mk 14 Enhanced Battle Rifle; 7.62mm NATO rifle is in limited service.
- The Steyr AUG HBAR-T, is a longer heavier-barreled version of the Steyr AUG designed for use as a designated marksman rifle that can be fitted with a variety of optical sights.: The Canadian ForcesCanadian ForcesThe Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
issue the C7CT and C8CT designated marksman rifles, which are based on the C7 and C8 rifle.: The FD-200FAMAE FD-200The FAMAE FD-200 is a semi automatic designated marksman rifle of Chilean origin and is chambered in the 7.62x51mm NATO round.It saw a very limited production run in the early 2000s, and was based upon their license-made SIG SG 540 assault rifle action and frame, although all mechanics were...
is a variant of the SIG 542 with an accurised barrel, sniper stock and bipod.: The FAMAS G2 SniperFAMASThe FAMAS is a bullpup-styled assault rifle designed and manufactured in France by MAS located in Saint-Étienne, which is now a member of the French government-owned Nexter group...
is a designated marksman rifle fielded by the French ArmyFrench ArmyThe French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
. It is based on the FAMAS G2.
- The Steyr AUG HBAR-T, is a longer heavier-barreled version of the Steyr AUG designed for use as a designated marksman rifle that can be fitted with a variety of optical sights.: The Canadian Forces
- The German ArmyGerman ArmyThe German Army is the land component of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. Following the disbanding of the Wehrmacht after World War II, it was re-established in 1955 as the Bundesheer, part of the newly formed West German Bundeswehr along with the Navy and the Air Force...
uses the G3SG/1, a modified version of the Heckler & Koch G3 battle rifleHeckler & Koch G3The G3 is a 7.62mm battle rifle developed in the 1950s by the German armament manufacturer Heckler & Koch GmbH in collaboration with the Spanish state-owned design and development agency CETME ....
, as a designated marksman rifle. - The Heckler & Koch HK417 is chambered for 7.62mm NATO and has been adopted by several nations for use as a designated marksman rifle.
- L129A1; a 7.62 NATO, 16" barrel variant of the Stoner rifleSR-25The SR-25 is a semi-automatic sniper rifle designed by Eugene Stoner and manufactured by Knight's Armament Company. The SR-25 uses a rotating bolt and a direct impingement gas system. It is loosely based on Stoner's AR-10, rebuilt in its original 7.62×51mm NATO caliber...
developed by Lewis Machine and Tool CompanyLewis Machine and Tool CompanyLewis Machine & Tool Company was founded by Karl Lewis in 1980. LMT started its business by providing law enforcement and government agencies with military type weapons and accessories. Today, LMT still provides law enforcement and government agencies with weapons, but they have now also...
has been procured for use in Afghanistan. A 6x power ACOG is the standard issue sight. - The L86A2 LSW is chambered for 5.56mm NATO was originally fielded as a section LMG, but was later re-purposed as a designated marksman rifle.: The TabukTabuk Sniper RifleThe Tabuk Sniper Rifle is an Iraqi modification of a Russian designated marksman's rifle, made from as a modified version of the AK-47 assault rifle...
is an adaptation of the RPK machine gunRPKThe RPK is a 7.62x39mm light machine gun of Soviet design, developed by Mikhail Kalashnikov in the late 1950s, parallel with the AKM assault/battle rifle...
used as a designated marksman rifle by the Iraqi ArmyIraqi ArmyThe Iraqi Army is the land component of the Iraqi military, active in various forms since being formed by the British during their mandate over the country after World War I....
. It is chambered for 7.62x39mm - The Israel Defense ForcesIsrael Defense ForcesThe Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
formerly used the Galatz as a designated marksman rifle. The Galatz is a variant of the Galil assault rifle chambered for 7.62mm NATO. - The M16A2E3M16 rifleThe M16 is the United States military designation for the AR-15 rifle adapted for both semi-automatic and full-automatic fire. Colt purchased the rights to the AR-15 from ArmaLite, and currently uses that designation only for semi-automatic versions of the rifle. The M16 fires the 5.56×45mm NATO...
, also known as M16A3, is used as a marksman rifle, equipped with telescopic sights. - The STAR-21 Tavor is a variant of the Tavor assault rifle chambered used as a designated marksman rifle by the Israeli Defense Forces. It is fitted with a picatinny rail that allows for the attachment of various optical sights and a bipod.: The QBU-88QBU-88The QBU-88 sniper rifle is a designated marksman/sniper rifle deployed by the Chinese People's Liberation Army.- History :The QBU-88 rifle was the first weapon of the newest generation of Chinese small arms, chambered for proprietary 5.8 x 42 mm ammunition...
is a designated marksman rifle intended for aimed semi-automatic fire at ranges beyond the capabilities of standard infantry assault rifles.: The Philippine Marine Scout Snipers developed and currently use the Marine Scout Sniper Rifle. It is a derivative of the M16 rifle.: The PSL (rifle)PSL (rifle)The PSL is a Romanian military designated marksman rifle. It is also called PSL-54C, Romak III, FPK, FPK Dragunov and SSG-97...
is a purpose-built designated marksman rifle chambered for 7.62x54mmR based on a modified KalashnikovAK-47The AK-47 is a selective-fire, gas-operated 7.62×39mm assault rifle, first developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It is officially known as Avtomat Kalashnikova . It is also known as a Kalashnikov, an "AK", or in Russian slang, Kalash.Design work on the AK-47 began in the last year...
action. It is similar in appearance to the SVD, though the two rifles share little in common. - The SVD was the first rifle designed from the outset as what is now known as a designated marksman rifle.
- The Dragunov SVUDragunov SVUThe OTs-03 SVU is a bullpup configuration of the SVD sniper rifle. The SVU was developed to meet the needs of the security forces of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, such as OMON. The SVU was first seen in usage in the First Chechen War...
is a bullpupBullpupBullpups are firearm configurations in which the action is located behind the trigger group and alongside the shooter's face, so there is no wasted space for the buttstock as in conventional designs. This permits a shorter firearm length for the same barrel length for improved maneuverability, and...
variant of the SVD rifle - The M14 rifleM14 rifleThe M14 rifle, formally the United States Rifle, 7.62 mm, M14, is an American selective fire automatic rifle firing 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition. It was the standard issue U.S. rifle from 1959 to 1970. The M14 was used for U.S...
has formed the basis of several designated marksman rifles used by the United States MilitaryUnited States armed forcesThe United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
:- Mk 14 Enhanced Battle Rifle: Used by the United States ArmyUnited States ArmyThe United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
and Navy SEALsUnited States Navy SEALsThe United States Navy's Sea, Air and Land Teams, commonly known as Navy SEALs, are the U.S. Navy's principal special operations force and a part of the Naval Special Warfare Command as well as the maritime component of the United States Special Operations Command.The acronym is derived from their... - M39 Enhanced Marksman RifleM39 Enhanced Marksman RifleThe M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle is a semi-automatic, gas-operated rifle chambered for the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge. It is a modified and accurized version of the M14 rifle built and utilized solely by the United States Marine Corps...
: Used by the United States Marine CorpsUnited States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
, replacing the United States Marine Corps Designated Marksman Rifle - M14 Designated Marksman Rifle: Used by the United States Marine Corps, being replaced by the M39 EMRM39 Enhanced Marksman RifleThe M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle is a semi-automatic, gas-operated rifle chambered for the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge. It is a modified and accurized version of the M14 rifle built and utilized solely by the United States Marine Corps...
- Mk 14 Enhanced Battle Rifle: Used by the United States Army
- The M16 rifleM16 rifleThe M16 is the United States military designation for the AR-15 rifle adapted for both semi-automatic and full-automatic fire. Colt purchased the rights to the AR-15 from ArmaLite, and currently uses that designation only for semi-automatic versions of the rifle. The M16 fires the 5.56×45mm NATO...
has formed the basis of several designated marksman rifles used by the United States MilitaryUnited States armed forcesThe United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
:- SDM-RUnited States Army Squad Designated Marksman RifleThe United States Army Squad Designated Marksman Rifle is a heavily modified M16-series semi-automatic rifle intended to provide increased accuracy over range, giving infantry squads greater firepower.-Background:...
: Used by the United States Army in limited numbers - SAM-R: Used by the United States Marine Corps. Replaced by the Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle
- Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle: Used by the United States Navy SEALs, RangersUnited States Army RangersUnited States Army Rangers are elite members of the United States Army. Rangers have served in recognized U.S. Army Ranger units or have graduated from the U.S. Army's Ranger School...
. Replacing the SAM-R in United States Marine CorpsUnited States Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
service. - SR-25SR-25The SR-25 is a semi-automatic sniper rifle designed by Eugene Stoner and manufactured by Knight's Armament Company. The SR-25 uses a rotating bolt and a direct impingement gas system. It is loosely based on Stoner's AR-10, rebuilt in its original 7.62×51mm NATO caliber...
: Used by the United States Marine Corps, United States Navy SEALs, and the United States Army. - Colt Model 655 and 656: Never standardized. Predecessor to other M16-based designated marksman rifles.: The Zastava M76 is a designated marksman rifle based on a modified KalashnikovAK-47The AK-47 is a selective-fire, gas-operated 7.62×39mm assault rifle, first developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It is officially known as Avtomat Kalashnikova . It is also known as a Kalashnikov, an "AK", or in Russian slang, Kalash.Design work on the AK-47 began in the last year...
action. It is chambered for 7.92 x 57 IS (8mm Mauser). It has also been chambered in 7.62×51 NATO and 7.62 × 54R.: The Zastava M91Zastava M91The Zastava M91 is a modern military semi-automatic sniper rifle developed and manufactured by Zastava Arms, Serbia.-History:Zastava website claims that M91 rifle was designed after a long and careful study of combat tactics and experience of military and police special forces worldwide; and that...
is a purpose-built designated marksman rifle based on a modified KalashnikovAK-47The AK-47 is a selective-fire, gas-operated 7.62×39mm assault rifle, first developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It is officially known as Avtomat Kalashnikova . It is also known as a Kalashnikov, an "AK", or in Russian slang, Kalash.Design work on the AK-47 began in the last year...
action and chambered for 7.62x54mmR.
- SDM-R
- F88S Austeyr 5.56 NATO standard issue rifle, fitted with an enhanced optic is issued to one rifleman in each fireteam in the Australian Army