NCJ Number
202414
Journal
Police: The Law Enforcement Magazine Volume: 27 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2003 Pages: 26-28,30,32
Date Published
August 2003
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article explains why a .50 caliber sniper rifle is needed in a police agency's arsenal of weapons, discusses the features to be considered in selecting and purchasing such a rifle, and then describes the characteristics and specifications of seven such rifles.
Abstract
There may be incidents and occasions when a shot needed to disable a vehicle or person cannot be achieved with typical law enforcement calibers. The .50 has the power to send a bullet a half-mile and still hit hard. It is a specialized law enforcement tool that may be needed on certain occasions when time does not permit waiting for military equipment and personnel. The cost of such a rifle ranges from $3,000 to $10,000, not including the optics. They weigh between 30 and 45 pounds and are thus not suitable for cross-country treks over difficult terrain. Since the .50 caliber rifle is easily capable of reaching a target 1,000 yards away, with some described in this article capable of reaching 2,000 yards, the optics used with the gun are crucial for accuracy. It is important that various types of .50 caliber rifles be tested by operators on appropriate and safe ranges with a minimum distance of 450 yards and out to 1,600 yards. Ammunition costs must be considered as a training investment at $3.00 a bullet for practice ammo and $5.00 for field ammo. The .50 caliber rifles described are the Armalite, Barrett, FN, EDM Arms, L.A.R. Grizzly, Robar, and Serbu.