Omark Model 44

Omark Model 44
Type Target Rifle
Place of origin  Australia
Production history
Designed 1968
Manufacturer Sportco, Omark, MAB
Produced
  • 1968-
Variants
  • Target Rifle,
  • Silhouette Rifle
  • Pistol
Specifications
Weight 8+ lbs
Barrel length
  • 26 inch
Cartridge 7.62x51 NATO, 5.56x45
Action bolt
Feed system single shot
Sights

The Omark Model 44 is a bolt action single shot target rifle made in Australia. First released in 1968 as the Sportco Model 44 produced in Sportco's Adelaide factory, production was taken over by Omark in the 1970s, then by MAB Engineering in Brisbane in 1984.[1]

The rifle was the mainstay of Australian full bore target shooting for many years replacing the .303in. Lee Enfield.[2] Being a purpose-built target rifle it soon showed its superiority against rebarrelled surplus rifles.[3]

The Omark Model 44 was tested as a sniper rifle by the Australian Defence Force but not adopted, possibly because of its single shot action.[4]

Originally just produced in 7.62mm calibre it was later available in 5.56mm and others.[5] MAB Engineering also produced a pistol version.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Custom Barrel Profile. "TSE". Tsengineering.com.au. Retrieved 2014-01-18.
  2. ↑ "Sportco". Retrieved 2014-01-18.
  3. ↑ Guns Australia December 2007 p.49
  4. ↑ AWM
  5. ↑ Total Solutions Engineering
  6. ↑ MAB

External links