Barrett M107A1
There are few rifles as easily recognizable as the Barrett M107A1. Originally developed in the 1980s as the first semi-automatic rifle that could handle the .50 BMG, the M107A1 went on to be used in both Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
In WWI, the .50 BMG was lauded for its ability to pierce armor. Its power inspired individuals such as Ronnie Barrett, who set out to develop a semi-automatic rifle that could handle the .50 BMG. Since 1982, these rifles have gone through many variations. The Barrett M107A1 represents years of refinement, creating a lighter rifle than its predecessors that still included an integral muzzle brake and was compatible with suppressors.
Now, this military-grade rifle delivers state of the art reliability to civilians. The M107A1 can be used with a sound suppressor to increase stealth, and is known for its manageable recoil for its large caliber size.
This rifle is built for action and brings high-end military sniper-level accuracy to the marketplace. It makes an excellent addition to a collection even for those who may not need its full power.
Let’s look at some of its features.
Standard Features
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The M107A1 is a short recoil, semi-automatic rifle. When fired, the barrel recoils back into the receiver of the gun which helps mitigate recoil. This backwards motion transfers the excess energy through the bolt to unlock the chamber. Once the barrel stops moving from the effects of the buffer spring, muzzle brake and accelerator arm, the bolt itself continues on, ejecting the shell casing. The bolt then returns to its normal position, chambering the next round, recocking the striker, and locking the action.
Because of the amount of energy .50 BMG puts out, the M107A1 needs a lot of mass to be able to safely resist the pressure and recoil of firing. This makes the gun roughly 5 pounds heavier than an M60 machine gun or just under the weight of four M16A2’s with underslung grenade launchers. To help compensate for this weight, the M107A1 features a quick detachable bipod on the front of the gun and a detachable monopod in the gun’s rear handle.
A MIL-STD-1913 rail runs on top of the gun, allowing you to mount optics for more precise shots. One of the military issued magnified optics for this gun is the Leupold /4.5-14x50 Mark 4. This was added for use as a sniper rifle.To aid in this role the M107A1 is also compatible with the Barrett QDL Suppressor, which helps to obscure the sniper’s location.The M107A1 also features a 10-round detachable box magazine that features cartridge witness indicators.
Price:$11,000-$14,000
M107A1
The M107A1 is an extremely powerful gun. Its predecessors were mostly used in an anti-material role or to detonate ordnance from a safe distance away.
While it’s unlikely you’ll need it for these roles it does make a great addition to your firearms collection. It may not be a practical option for a lot of tasks but it is great to be able to say that you own a semi-automatic .50 BMG rifle.
If you’re looking to purchase one, you already know it is heavy and expensive. But if you can afford one, don’t pass up the opportunity.
M107A1 Specs:
| Attribute | Spec |
|---|---|
| Action: | Semi-automatic, recoil operated |
| Caliber: | .50 BMG |
| Capacity: | 10 |
| Barrel Length: | 29 inches, 20 inches |
| Weight: | 28.7 pounds |
| Overall Length: | 57 inches |
| Twist Rate: | 1:15 inches |
| Rail Length: | 23 inches/27 MOA |
| Sights: | MIL-STD-1913/Picatinny (Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50 scope, US Military issue) |
Popular variations:
Browse: Barrett M107A1 rifles
History and Overview
The origins of the M107A1 lie in the development of .50 BMG. This cartridge was designed as an armor piercing or anti-material round during World War I. From there the M2 Browning Machine Gun (the BMG in the cartridge’s name) was designed to handle this new, powerful round.
The machine gun was very successful and is still in service today. However, the cartridge inspired a number of individuals with its power and abilities.
One of these individuals was Ronnie Barrett, the founder of Barrett Firearms Manufacturing. He wanted to develop a semi-automatic rifle that could handle the .50 BMG. So in 1982 he began the process of designing the rifle after seeing a pair of Browning machine guns on a river patrol boat.
Production would start later that year but the first sale of the gun would occur in 1989 with an order from the Swedish military.
In 1990, the US would purchase a number of Barett rifles, designated the M82A1, for use in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Multiple different variations would then be issued as the design was refined and improved upon. This would eventually lead to the rifle’s consideration in the XM107 project.
Originally intended to use a bolt action rifle (using the Barrett M95, a bolt-action version of the M82A1) this idea was scrapped and the M82 was selected for trials. In 2002, the trials ended with the M82 being officially adopted as the Long Range Sniper rifle, Caliber .50, M107.
This adoption would see the addition of a monopod socket in the butt and a lengthened accessory rail and grip. This variation would have an integral muzzle break to help tame the recoil of the cartridge.
However this did not always help with the roles it would be put into and the M107A1 was developed. It also had an integral muzzle break but would also be suppressor compatible in addition to being 4 pounds lighter.