Accuracy International AW
Type	Sniper rifle
Place of origin	United Kingdom
Service history
In service	1982 (L96A1), 1988 (AW) - Current
Used by	UK, Australia, Ireland, Germany, Spain, Norway, Portugal, Italy, Sweden
Wars	Afghanistan War, Iraq War
Production history
Designed	1982 (PM), 1983 (AW)
Manufacturer	Accuracy International
Produced	1982 - Current
Number built	Approx. 3000 L96A1 for the British Army
Specifications
Weight	6.5 kg (14.3 lb)
Length	1180 mm (46.5 in)
Barrel length	660 mm (26 in)
Cartridge	7.62 x 51 mm NATO
Action	Bolt-action
Effective range	800 m (875 yd)
Feed system	10-round detachable box magazine
Sights	detachable aperture type iron sights day or night optics

The Accuracy International Arctic Warfare rifle is a family of bolt-action sniper rifles designed and manufactured by the British company Accuracy International. It has proved popular as a civilian, police and military rifle since its introduction in the 1980s. Image File history File links Accuracy_International_Arctic_Warfare_-_Psg_90. ... The M40, United States Army standard-issue sniper rifle. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... Combatants Taliban al-Qaeda IMU Hezbi Islami United States ISAF Afghanistan Northern Alliance Commanders Mohammed Omar Obaidullah Akhund # Mullah Dadullah  Jalaluddin Haqqani Osama bin Laden Ayman al-Zawahiri Mohammad Atef  Juma Namangani  Tohir Yo‘ldosh Gulbuddin Hekmatyar Bismillah Khan Mohammed Fahim Abdul Rashid Dostum Dan McNeill Guy Laroche Ton van... For other uses, see Iraq war (disambiguation). ... Accuracy International is a specialist British firearms manufacturer based in Portsmouth, Hampshire, United Kingdom, and best known for producing the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare series of precision sniper rifles. ... “Kg” redirects here. ... The pound or pound-mass (abbreviations: lb, lbm, or sometimes in the United States, #) is a unit of mass (sometimes called weight in everyday parlance) in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... To help compare different orders of magnitude this page lists lengths between 10-3 m and 10-2 m (1 mm and 1 cm). ... An inch (plural: inches; symbol or abbreviation: in or, sometimes, ″ - a double prime) is the name of a unit of length in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... This article does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... NATO 7. ... In firearms terminology, an action is the system of operation that the firearm employs to seal the breech (in a breech-loading firearm), and to load consecutive rounds. ... Half opened bolt on a Winchester Model 70. ... This article is about the unit of length. ... A yard (abbreviation: yd) is the name of a unit of length in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... A 30-round STANAG magazine. ... Looking down the iron sight of an M15A4 Carbine (a civilian copy of the M4 carbine) The term iron sights refers to the open, unmagnified aiming system used to assist the aiming of a variety of devices, usually those intended to launch projectiles, such as firearms, airguns, and crossbows; they... Half opened bolt on a Winchester Model 70. ... A U.S. Army soldier peers through a scope mounted atop his M-14 rifle during operations in Iraq A sniper rifle is a type of rifle used for engaging in the act of sniping, most purely a rifle used for shooting with great accuracy. ... Accuracy International is a specialist British firearms manufacturer based in Portsmouth, Hampshire, United Kingdom, and best known for producing the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare series of precision sniper rifles. ...

Generally Arctic Warfare rifles are outfitted with a Schmidt & Bender PM II ^[1] telescopic sight with fixed power of magnification or with variable magnification. Variable telescopic sights can be used if the operator wants more flexibility to shoot at varying ranges, or when a wide field of view is required. Accuracy International actively promotes fitting the German made Schmidt & Bender PM II product line as sighting components on their rifles, which is almost unique for a rifle manufacturer. The German Army preferred a telescopic sight made by Zeiss ^[2] over Accuracy Internationals preference. View through a 4x rifle scope A telescopic sight, commonly referred to as a scope, is a device used to give an accurate point of aim for a firearm. ... Carl Zeiss in middle age. ...

History

The Accuracy International PM (Precision Marksman) rifle was entered into a British competition in the early 1980s as a replacement for the Lee-Enfield derived sniper rifles then in use by the British Army (e.g. L42A1). Accuracy International's name for this rifle was the PM; the Army designated it as the L96A1. It was selected over the Parker-Hale M85. Lee-Enfield No4 Mk1 with bayonet, scabbard attached The Lee-Enfield was the British armys standard bolt action, magazine-fed, repeating rifle from 1895 until 1956. ... The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... The Lee-Enfield was the British armys standard bolt action, magazine-fed, repeating rifle from 1895 until 1956. ...

A few years later, the Swedish military were also on the hunt for a new rifle, and Accuracy International entered an upgraded version of the PM, now known as the AW or Arctic Warfare. This was the start of the Arctic Warfare name, which would become the primary name of the rifle family despite its earlier names.

The rifle now featured special de-icing features allowing it to be used effectively at temperatures as low as -40 °C. The stockhole, bolt, magazine release and trigger guard on the AW are large enough to facilitate use with heavy Arctic mittens. This version was accepted into use by the Swedes in 1988 as the Psg 90. // Leather gloves A glove (Middle English from Old English glof) is a type of garment (and more specifically a fashion accessory) which covers the hand of a human. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ... Prickskyttegevär 90 (PSG 90) (lit. ...

It has since spawned an entire family of sniper rifles using the Arctic Warfare name, and has been adopted by a number of other countries, including Australia, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, and Singapore. Other AI rifles descended from the L96A1 include the AI AE, and the AI AS50 (see variants below). Motto: Je Maintiendrai (Dutch: Ik zal handhaven, English: I Shall Uphold) Anthem: Wilhelmus van Nassouwe Capital Amsterdam1 Largest city Amsterdam Official language(s) Dutch2 Government Parliamentary democracy Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Beatrix  - Prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende Independence Eighty Years War   - Declared July 26, 1581   - Recognised January 30, 1648 (by Spain...

The AW's unique complete parts interchange ability and reliability in adverse weather conditions have made it a popular, if expensive, weapon. The rifle offers good accuracy (a capable marksman can expect ≤ 0.5 MOA consistent accuracy with appropriate ammunition), and its maximum effective range with a Schmidt & Bender 6 x 42 scope is around 800 m. For the geological process, see Weathering or Erosion. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

The Arctic Warfare family's main commercial competitor/equivalent on the high end factory sniper rifle market is the Sako TRG product line, that is capability-wise, generally on par with the Arctic Warfare system but somewhat less expensive. Sako TRG-22/42 sniper rifles were developed by Finnish company SAKO. The TRG-22 is designed to fire standard 7. ...

The Arctic Warfare system

G22 (German Army)

The AW system is almost unique in being a purpose-designed sniper rifle, rather than an accurised version of an existing, general-purpose rifle. Rather than a traditional wooden or polymer rifle stock, the AW is based on an aluminium chassis which extends the entire length of the stock. All other components, including the receiver, are bolted directly to this chassis. Two hollow polymer "half thumbhole stocks", usually green, are in turn bolted to the chassis, creating a remarkably rugged, yet for its sturdiness comparatively light, weapon. The modular design of the AW system allows for a high degree of flexibility, serviceability and reparability under field and combat conditions. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1280x960, 1212 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Accuracy International Arctic Warfare Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1280x960, 1212 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Accuracy International Arctic Warfare Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner... The German Army (German: [1], [IPA: heɐ]  ) is the land component of the Bundeswehr (Federal Defence Forces) of the Federal Republic of Germany. ... Accurizing is the process of improving the accuracy of a firearm. ... For other uses, see Wood (disambiguation). ... A polymer (from Greek: πολυ, polu, many; and μέρος, meros, part) is a substance composed of molecules with large molecular mass composed of repeating structural units, or monomers, connected by covalent chemical bonds. ... A stock or buttstock is present in many firearms and some crossbows to transfer the recoil from firing the weapon into the shooters shoulder. ...

The AW is usually equipped with an integrated bipod and it also has a monopod mounted on the buttstock. A bipod is a support device that is similar to a tripod or monopod, but with only two legs. ...

The AI receiver is bolted with 4 screws and permanently bonded with epoxy materiel to the aluminum chassis and was designed for ruggedness, simplicity and ease of operation. To this end, the heavy-walled, flat-bottomed, flat-sided receiver is a stressed part, machined in-house by AI from a solid piece of forged carbon steel. AW rifles are offered in two action lengths - standard AW (short) and long SM (magnum). The six bolt lugs, which are arranged in two rows of three lugs each, engage a heat-treated, steel locking ring insert pinned inside the front bridge of the action. The ring can be removed and replaced to refresh headspace control on older actions. The AW system cast steel bolt has a 0.75 inch (19.05 mm) Ø combined with gas relief holes in a 0.785 in (19.94 mm) Ø bolt body and front action bridge allowing high-pressure gases a channel of escape in the rare event of a cartridge case head failure. Against penetrating water or dirt the bolt has milled slots, which also prevent freezing or the occurrence of other disturbances. Contrary to conventional bolt-action rifles the bolt handle is bent to the rear, which eases the repeating procedure for the operator and reduces the contours of the weapon. The action cocks on opening with a short, 60 degree bolt throw and has a non-rotating (fixed) external extractor and an internal ejector. Firing pin travel is 0.26 in (6.6 mm) to keep lock times to a minimum. In firearms terminology, the receiver is the part of the firearm that houses the operating parts of the gun. ... Half opened bolt on a Winchester Model 70. ...

Cartridges are fed through the bottom of the receiver using a detachable, double-column, steel magazine.

A three-position, firing pin blocking safety lever on the bolt shroud allows the bolt to be manipulated with the safety on. If the weapon is decocked, the firing pin is tactile at the end of the bolt-action, making it possible to feel if the weapon is ready to fire or not in poor visibility. The safety of the weapon is also positioned at the rear. It carries two coloured markings: white point – safety on, red point – safety off. Close-up shot of a safety of an M16A2 rifle. ...

The free-floating, heavy, stainless steel barrels (stainless steel barrels resist throat erosion better than normal barrels) for the available cartridge chamberings all have a different length, groove cutting and rifling twist rate optimized for their respective chambering and intended ammunition. If the consistent accuracy requirement of an operator is no longer met the barrel can fairly easy be renewed. This is normal practice for active high performance precision rifle operators, who regard barrels as expendable items. A Free-floating barrel is a specific design technology used in highly accurate rifles, particularly match grade rifles, to increase the accuracy of the weapon. ... This article does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Rifling of a Canon de 75 modèle 1897 A 35 caliber Remington, with a microgroove rifled barrel with a right hand twist. ... Twist rate is a gun term that refers to the rate of twist of a gun barrels rifling grooves. ...

Most Arctic Warfare rifles are chambered for the 7.62 x 51 mm NATO cartridge, but can also be fitted for other cartridges. It is mounted with a standard scope and a muzzle brake to cut down on recoil. Currently it is in service with many countries, including Norway, United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium, Germany, The Netherlands, Latvia, Russia, Spain, Singapore, and Sweden. NATO 7. ... This article describes a type of political entity. ... Motto: Je Maintiendrai (Dutch: Ik zal handhaven, English: I Shall Uphold) Anthem: Wilhelmus van Nassouwe Capital Amsterdam1 Largest city Amsterdam Official language(s) Dutch2 Government Parliamentary democracy Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Beatrix  - Prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende Independence Eighty Years War   - Declared July 26, 1581   - Recognised January 30, 1648 (by Spain...

Each country's rifles differ slightly. The Swedish Psg 90 for example, uses a different scope to that of the L96A1, and also uses sabot rounds. The German Bundeswehr adopted a folding-stock Magnum version of the AW chambered in .300 Winchester Magnum (7.62 x 67 mm) and with optics made by the German company Zeiss as the Scharfschützengewehr 22 (G22). An APFSDS separating from its spindle sabot Anti-tank flechette round with its sabot A sabot refers to a device named for a shoe used in a firearm or cannon to fire a projectile or bullet that is smaller than the bore diameter. ... The Bundeswehr (German for Federal Defence Force;  ) is the name of the unified armed forces of Germany. ... .300 Winchester Magnum (known as . ... Carl Zeiss in middle age. ...

Variants

There are two main types of AW models. Models offered by AI, and type classified models in service with governments. AW models are related to, but not necessarily exactly synonymous with specific models adopted by countries. For further reading about AW variants the Accuracy International Precision Rifles for the 21st Century website is a quite elaborate source of information.

PM (Precision Marksman)

The rifle from which the Arctic Warfare family was developed. In this original form it entered service in the UK in the mid 1980s with the designation L96A1.

AW (Arctic Warfare)

The basic 'improved' version of the L96A1 (still chambered for 7.62 x 51 mm NATO.) The name stems from special features designed to enable operation in extreme cold climates. NATO 7. ...

Adopted as the following:

• L115A1 — version in British military service
• Psg 90 — version in Swedish military service. Psg is short for Prickskyttegevär ("Sniper Rifle").
• SR-98 — version in Australian military service (with a folding stock).

The AW is available in 7.62 x 51 mm NATO and 5.56 x 45 mm NATO chamberings. Prickskyttegevär 90 (PSG 90) (lit. ... NATO 7. ... U.S. Military 5. ...

AWF (Folding)

AW model with folding stock.

AWP (Police)

The AWP is a version for use by law enforcement as opposed to military. Accuracy International AWP, with AWP standing for Arctic Warfare Police. ... For the band, see The Police. ...

AWS (Suppressed)

The AWS is specifically designed for use with subsonic ammunition which, depending on the target, gives an effective maximum range of around 300 m. Its noise levels are similar to those that are generated by .22 LR match ammunition. The weapon is fitted with a special barrel and an integral suppressor which keeps the weapon's overall length within normal limits. The user can remove the barrel/suppressor combination and replace it with a standard AW or AWP barrel in about three minutes. As with all such systems, the sight will need re-zeroing after a barrel change.

AWS Covert

The Covert system is essentially an AWS with a folding stock. It is supplied in a small suitcase which houses the rifle with the stock folded and the barrel/suppressor combination detached. The polymer suitcase is lined with closed-cell foam featuring cutouts for the stock/action/optics/bipod combination, the bolt, the suppressor, a magazine and a box of ammunition. While the Covert system's compacted size is considerably smaller than that of any conventional system, its special barrel and integral suppressor keep the weapon's overall length within normal limits when deployed.

It is notably used by the US 1st SOCOM Delta Force and British 22nd SAS. United States may refer to: Places: United States of America SS United States, the fastest ocean liner ever built. ... Emblem of the United States Special Operations Command. ... The 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D) — commonly known as Delta in the U.S. Army, Delta Force by civilians, and Combat Applications Group by the Department of Defense — is a Special Operations Force (SOF) and an integral element of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). ... See also Australian Special Air Service Regiment and New Zealand Special Air Service: The Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) is the principal special forces unit of the British Army. ...

AWM (Magnum)

The (AWM) (Magnum)or AWSM (Super Magnum) are chambered for more powerful cartridges specifically 7 mm Remington Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum and .338 Lapua Magnum. It has been adopted by several armies: The AWM (Arctic Warfare Magnum) is a sniper rifle manufactured by Accuracy International. ... The 7 mm Remington Magnum rifle cartridge was introduced as a commercially available round in 1962, [2] along with the new Remington Model 700 bolt action rifle. ... .300 Winchester Magnum (known as . ... The . ...

• G22 (Gewehr 22 or Scharfschützengewehr 22) by German Army, it features a folding stock and is chambered for the .300 Winchester Magnum round (designated 7.62 x 67 mm).

The Bundeswehr (German for Federal Defence Force;  ) is the name of the unified armed forces of Germany. ... .300 Winchester Magnum (known as . ...

AWSM (Super Magnum)

Royal Marines snipers displaying their L115A1 rifles

The Accuracy International AWSM is an AWM variant chambered for the .338 Lapua Magnum round. It has been adopted by several armies: Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 583 pixelsFull resolution (1152 × 839 pixels, file size: 288 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) (All user names refer to en. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 583 pixelsFull resolution (1152 × 839 pixels, file size: 288 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) (All user names refer to en. ... The Royal Marines (RM) are the marines and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service [2]. They are also the United Kingdoms amphibious force and specialists in mountain and Arctic warfare. ...

• L115A1; UK designation of AWSM chambered for .338 Lapua Magnum.

The Super Magnum(L115A1) is a precision rifle or sniper rifle produced by the British firm Accuracy International. ... The . ...

AW50 (.50 caliber)

The AW50 is a AW rifle re-engineered and chambered for .50 BMG. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... .50 BMG rounds and 20MM Vulcan round, with a golf ball and a stick of RAM posed to provide scale. ...

AW50F (Australian Army)

The AW50F is a variant of the AW50 adopted by the Australian military. It differs from the standard AW50 in that it is fitted with a folding stock (hence the F) and Madco barrel. The AW50F is a . ... The Australian Defence Force tri-service badge The Australian Defence Force currently numbers about 51,000 full-time active duty personnel and 19,400 reservists. ...

AS50 (Semi-automatic .50 caliber)

The Accuracy International AS50 is a semi-automatic .50 BMG rifle developed by AI and NSWC-Crane (Naval Surface Warfare Center) primarily for US Navy SEALs. Accuracy International is a specialist British firearms manufacturer based in Portsmouth, Hampshire, United Kingdom, and best known for producing the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare series of precision sniper rifles. ... It has been suggested that AS-50 be merged into this article or section. ... The Naval Surface Warfare Center is a U.S. Naval organization under the oversight of NAVSEA. NSWC consists of 6 divisions: Dahlgren, Crane, Carderock, Indian Head, Port Hueneme and Corona. ... SEALs in from the water. ...

AE

The AI AE is a cheaper, less sturdy version of the L96/AW series intended for law enforcement. It is not to be confused with the more expensive AWP or AWS. The AE is fitted in 7.62 x 51 mm NATO calibre and its barrel is 610 mm (24 in) long.

AICS

The Accuracy International Chassis System can be configured for various actions, triggers, and other items. Available in olive drab, black or grey.

See also

• Sniper rifle
• Accuracy International AWM, the Arctic Warfare Magnum, variant in larger caliber.
• Psg 90, AW variant as adopted by the Swedish Army

The M40, United States Army standard-issue sniper rifle. ... The AWM (Arctic Warfare Magnum) is a sniper rifle manufactured by Accuracy International. ... Prickskyttegevär 90 (PSG 90) (lit. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

References

1. ^ Schmidt & Bender PM II
2. ^ Zeiss: Telescopic sights for handheld weapons

• Accuracy International AW Brochure 2005

External links

• http://www.accuracyinternational.com/
• http://www.sportingservices.co.uk/accuracy.asp
• Information about Accuracy International and their product line
• Accuracy International AW (Arctic Warfare) sniper rifle (British designation: L96A1)
• Modern Firearms
• About AWM
• Accuracy International AW Youtube presentation