Barrett M82A1

History of the M82A1

The idea of a shoulder fired .50 caliber rifle was something no one thought possible, but one man dared to dream a photographer named Ronnie Barrett sketched out his designs showing multiple dimensions and how he felt it should function. At first, he couldn't find a machinist that was interested, but he eventually partnered with a local tool and die maker, Bob Mitchell. Throughout the early eighties they got to work, finishing the first model named for the year it was completed, the M82. He continued to develop and improve his design until he released the M82A1 in 1986.

In 1987 he tried revising the gun into a shoulder fired bullpup design intended for use as an anti-aircraft weapon dubbed the M82A2, but the gun failed to make an impression on the firearms market, so it was discontinued. Coincidentally Brandon Herrera owns one and has brought it to several of their YouTube Range Days, if you'd like to see one in action.

The first military force to adopt the M82A1 rifle was the Swedish Army purchasing approximately 100 in 1989. Then in 1990 the US military purchased significant numbers for use in Kuwait and Iraq during operations Desert Sheild and Desert Storm. It was dubbed the SASR (Special Applications Scoped Rifle) where it is primarily used as an anti-material weapon and for explosive ordinance disposal. It is effective against targets like radar cabins, light armored vehicles like trucks, and stationary aircraft. The US Army adopted the rifle in 2002 under the designation M107.

The latest version is the M82A1M that was adopted by the US Marine Corp under the designation M82A3. Unlike the A1, the top picatinny rail runs the length of the weapon allowing for a much larger variety of scopes and sighting equipment. The A3 also allows for a monopod to be added to the back under the stock, the bipod and muzzle break are detachable, and it is generally lighter.

Since 1989 the rifle has been purchased for use by Military and police in more than sixty countries, some of which include: Belgium, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaca, Mexico, the Netherlands, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, UK, and the USA. It also plays a role in civilian .50 caliber long range shooting competitions. In 2005, the US Army recognized the rifle as one of the Top Ten Greatest Inventions for the soldiers in performing their mission. Chosen by the soldiers, this was the first time in history a small arm received this honor.