M21 sniper weapon system

Rifle, 7.62 mm, Sniper, M21
Rifle, 7.62 mm, Sniper, M21
	M21 sniper rifle
Type	Designated marksman rifle; Sniper rifle
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1968–present
Used by	See Users
Wars	Vietnam War; Laotian Civil War; Cambodian Civil War; Sino-Vietnamese War; Cambodian–Vietnamese War; Sino-Vietnamese conflicts; Soviet–Afghan War; 1982 Lebanon War; Iraq War; War in Afghanistan;
Production history
Designer	Marines Weapons Command; Combat Development Command; Limited Warfare Agency;
Designed	1968
Manufacturer	Rock Island Arsenal; Springfield Armory; Smith Enterprise, Inc.;
Variants	M25
Specifications
Mass	5.27 kg (11.6 lb)
Length	1118 mm (44 in)
Barrel length	560 mm (22 in)
Cartridge	7.62×51mm NATO
Caliber	7.62mm
Action	Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Muzzle velocity	853 m/s (2,800 ft/s)
Effective firing range	460 m (500 yd) ; 900 m (980 yd) (with 3–9× scope)
Maximum firing range	3,725 m (4,074 yd)
Feed system	5-, 10-, or 20-round detachable box magazine
Sights	Front: National Match front blade. ; Rear: Match-grade hooded aperture with one-half minute adjustments for both windage and elevation; 26+3⁄4 in sight radius.

The M21 sniper weapon system (SWS) in the US Army is a national match grade M14 rifle, selected for accuracy, and renamed the M21 rifle. The M21 uses a commercially procured 3–9× variable power telescopic sight, modified for use with the sniper rifle. It is chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge.

Rifle, 7.62 mm, Sniper, M21
M21 sniper rifle
Type	Designated marksman rifle Sniper rifle
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1968–present
Used by	See Users
Wars	Vietnam War Laotian Civil War Cambodian Civil War Sino-Vietnamese War Cambodian–Vietnamese War Sino-Vietnamese conflicts Soviet–Afghan War 1982 Lebanon War Iraq War War in Afghanistan
Production history
Designer	Marines Weapons Command Combat Development Command Limited Warfare Agency
Designed	1968
Manufacturer	Rock Island Arsenal Springfield Armory Smith Enterprise, Inc.
Variants	M25
Specifications
Mass	5.27 kg (11.6 lb)
Length	1118 mm (44 in)
Barrel length	560 mm (22 in)

Cartridge	7.62×51mm NATO
Caliber	7.62mm
Action	Gas-operated, rotating bolt
Muzzle velocity	853 m/s (2,800 ft/s)
Effective firing range	460 m (500 yd) 900 m (980 yd) (with 3–9× scope)
Maximum firing range	3,725 m (4,074 yd)
Feed system	5-, 10-, or 20-round detachable box magazine
Sights	Front: National Match front blade. Rear: Match-grade hooded aperture with one-half minute adjustments for both windage and elevation 26+3⁄4 in sight radius.