| M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System | |
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The M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System |
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| Type | Sniper rifle |
| Place of origin | United States of America |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2008–present |
| Wars | War in Afghanistan, War in Iraq |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Knight's Armament Company |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 6.94 kg (15.3 lb) with scope, bipod and a loaded 20-round detachable box magazine |
| Length | 1,029 mm (40.5 in) (buttstock fully compressed) 1,181 mm (46.5 in) (buttstock fully compressed and suppressor attached) |
| Barrel length | 508 mm (20 in) |
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| Cartridge | 7.62x51mm NATO |
| Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Muzzle velocity | 783 m/s (2,570 ft/s) with 175 gr. M118LR |
| Effective range | 800 metres (875 yd) (point targets) |
| Feed system | 10 or 20-round detachable box magazine |
The M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System (or M110 SASS) is a semi-automatic sniper rifle that is chambered for the 7.62x51mm NATO round, developed by the American firearm manufacturer Knight's Armament Company.
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The M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System is intended to replace the M24 Sniper Weapon System used by snipers, spotters, designated marksman, or squad advanced marksmen in the United States Army. However, the Army still acquired M24s from Remington until February 2010.[1] After witnessing the effects of USSOCOM snipers and extensive after-action reports from SOF snipers throughout the Iraqi theater of operations, the U.S. Army ran a competition involving several designs, including rifles from Knight's Armament Company, Remington, and DPMS Panther Arms. On September 28, 2005, the Knight's Armament Co. rifle won the competition and was selected to be the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System. In April 2008, U.S. Army soldiers from Task Force Fury in Afghanistan were the first in a combat zone to receive the M110. The troops rated the weapon very highly, noting the quality of the weapon and its semi-automatic capabilities compared to the bolt-action M24. The United States Marine Corps will also be adopting the M110 to replace the M39 and Mk 11 as a complement to the M40A5.[2] It is manufactured by Knight's Armament Company in Titusville, Florida, though the complete system incorporates a Leupold 3.5–10x variable power daytime optic, Harris swivel bipod, AN/PVS-14 night sight and PALs magazine pouches of yet unpublished origin. The rifle has ambidextrous features such as a double-sided magazine release, safety selector switch, and bolt catch.
The rifle is similar to the SR-25/Mk 11 Mod 0, but differs significantly in buttstock and rail system design. The SR-25, Mk 11 Mod 0, and M110 are based loosely on the original AR-10 developed by Eugene Stoner but feature additional refinements instituted by KAC to maximize parts commonality with the AR-15 design, improve weapon reliability, and increase accuracy.
The main differences between the Mk 11 and M110 are improvements suggested by a user group meeting between NAVSOC, USASOC and USA in 2007:
Other changes were made when the XM110 made the transition to the M110. Features added were a buttstock hand-tightening knob, sling swivel sockets, a double sided bolt catch, and a button on the folding front sight to allow it to be locked into position.
On June 12, 2008, the M110 was ranked #2 on the U.S. Army's top ten inventions of 2007.[3]
According to performance specification (MIL-PRF-32316 (AR) w/AMENDMENT 1, 5 October 2009):
3.4.1.1.1 Accuracy. The distance between the mean point of impact of each shot group, both unsuppressed and suppressed, shall be not greater than 1.1 inches at 300 feet.
3.4.1.1.2 Dispersion. The average mean radius (AMR) (see 6.11), of each shot group shall be not greater than to 0.68 inches at 300 feet. All targets shall be fired on using M118LR ammunition or equivalent, using five (5) round groups.
AMR 0.68 inches for 5 round groups corresponds to 2.34 inches extreme spread for 10 round groups or 2.2 MOA extreme spread for 10 round groups 300 feet.
The US Army has issued a request to the private sector to reconfigure or replace the current Knight Armament M110 sniper rifle as the current version of the M110 is not functioning well in the field requiring significant maintenance and replacement of parts.[4] The Army responded to the referenced article clarifying that the rifle is functioning perfect and they are just looking for a smaller, lighter version of M110 for the spotter in a sniper team, providing the sniper is equipped with the new XM2010. "The spotter will have an urban sniper support weapon which will be the M110. … Now you’ve increased the lethality of the team…" - Program Manager Lt. Col. Chris Lehner.[5]
The specifications the US Army has issued are as follows:[6]
In 2009, the M110 rifle and commercial equivalents were added to the list of NRA-legal US service rifles under rule 3.1.6 of the NRA High Power Rifle Rules.[7]
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