New Sniper weapon for Army?

**chadbag** · 08-03-08, 02:44

You have to remember that there is about $2K worth of paperwork and stuff that goes along with stuff shipped to the military...

**SethB** · 08-03-08, 03:16

They should just get it over with and buy the AWSM.

**30russkie** · 08-03-08, 14:55

back in the day we had a GS-30 come out to check our coffee maker every week. i think it cost the DOD about $20k a year just to keep the coffee maker's paperwork up to date!--now on the base we had hundreds of coffee makers!!

**Mac679** · 08-04-08, 04:00

Originally Posted by royalroadie

It sounds like they are discribing a rem 700 PSS that has be properly bedded , tuned and a good trigger. You can build one for about 1500 and add an 8x25 Leopold for an other 1100 and you have it done. I have one that will shoot .3 MOA. I just don't understand all the BS. Yes there are some fancier stocks but if the gun is set up correctly I will put the PSS up against their $5000 extra gun and I bet they will shoot the same.

But will they still shoot the same after being dropped out of an airplane and having someone use it for a landing pad?

**GONIF** · 08-04-08, 17:15

If they switch there should a bunch of .308 ammo in the surplus pipeline .

**Razorhunter** · 08-04-08, 17:51

Yeah, there's just no reason to be paying $6700 for an M24. I don't give a damn what glass, stock, bbl, etc it's got... That's BS and everyone knows it.
At that price, they shouldn't need a qualified live sniper to run them.
God only knows what the Barrett .50 cal is costing us...

**Iraqgunz** · 08-05-08, 03:56

Paul,

The last time I heard the Barrett package was costing about the same as the Knights Armament. The Barrett .50 is an awesome rifle and worth every penny as far as I am concerned. Back in 1990 when Ronnie came to Ft. Benning to do a demo and let guys shoot the rifle cost approx. 5750.00 dollars. Considering that was 18 years ago the price increase isn't that bad.

Originally Posted by Paul Cataldo

Yeah, there's just no reason to be paying $6700 for an M24. I don't give a damn what glass, stock, bbl, etc it's got... That's BS and everyone knows it.
At that price, they shouldn't need a qualified live sniper to run them.
God only knows what the Barrett .50 cal is costing us...

**Mac679** · 08-05-08, 11:23

Originally Posted by Paul Cataldo

Yeah, there's just no reason to be paying $6700 for an M24. I don't give a damn what glass, stock, bbl, etc it's got... That's BS and everyone knows it.
At that price, they shouldn't need a qualified live sniper to run them.
God only knows what the Barrett .50 cal is costing us...

"Standard M24s cost about $6,700, he added."

The Army does not buy just the rifle and scope. I would actually like to see the price a civilian would pay for what the Army buys. Having had some trigger time on the M24 SWS (the last S is for System), let me give you an idea of what comes in the system:
Hardigg system case
Leupold MKIV M3A 10x40mm day optic (commercially unavailable)
Leupold MKiV one piece base and rings
M24 rifle
cleaning accessories
Seekonk 65 in lb torque wrench
Allen keys for every screw on the gun
Turner Saddelry sling
BUIS for the M24
Pelican hard case for the "deployment kit" (holds spare parts you may need on mission)
Assorted spare parts (spare followers and springs, screws, etc.)
Repairs contract with Remington (if the Sniper is unable to make the repair to the system, it goes back to Remington for the work)
This is just what I can remember off the top of my head, I do know there's more and it'd also be interesting to know if the Sniper Accessory Kit is included in the cost which includes things like some Eagle Industries products (drag bag, etc.), Mil Dot Master, wind guage, etc.

When you look at how much the Army pays for M4s, do you honestly think that they pay that much for a bolt gun?

But if the Army switches to a longer range bolt gun, my vote is for the AI AWSM in .338LM. As much as I loved my time on the M24, the AI is a superior rifle and .338LM gives the shooter the capacity to reach out to 1600m--which would be nice in countries like say for instance, Afghanistan, where engagement distances like that are not at all uncommon. (Well that and AI would have to open a plant in the US--so cheaper AI's for everyone!)