They say that all the grandiose inventions and discoveries of mankind have received thanks to lovers. Where the professional will say: “Impossible,” the amateur will try to bring the idea to life. Once a simple photographer Ronnie Barrett walked along the promenade and looked at the bay ... It so happened that not only the sun rolling over the horizon fell into the lens of his camera, but also the Browning machine gun mounted on a moored patrol boat. We can say that at that moment the era of Barrett, the era of high-precision large-caliber rifles, began to emerge.
The beginning of the way
Ronnie returned home and began to show the film. And then an idea came into his head. Barrett immediately grabbed a pencil and began to draw. Soon in front of him lay a schematic representation of a cross-section sniper rifle. According to his idea, she was supposed to use the then-alternative army large-caliber ammunition of the caliber .50BMG.
In the 82nd year, this sketch was actually sensational. Firstly, competition in this area both in the USA and around the world was completely absent. However, the implementation of the idea was not simple. Ronnie sweated over the blueprints for several days. After completing the work, he went to the local factory floors in the hope of agreeing on the manufacture of a prototype of a new rifle. However, distrust and rejection awaited him everywhere.
But Ronnie did not give up. And in the city of Smyrna, fate brought him to the train driver, and part-time craftsman-fan Bob Mitchell. He listened to the young inventor, examined his drawings and agreed to help realize the idea.
The birth of the first rifle took place in Barrett's garage. In the hands of enthusiasts was only a lathe and a set of tools. Later, Ronnie's friend, also a photographer, Harry Watson joined the young team.
As a result of hard work, four months later the prototype of the rifle was ready. The first tests helped to find a number of shortcomings. First of all, it was about recoil - it was so powerful that it reduced the accuracy of the shot to nothing. The developers returned to the garage and continued to work. The second prototype was more successful. Photographer Ronnie shot a promotional video about him, packed his rifle, and drove him to an arms show in Texas. How could he have imagined that this particular rifle, having undergone only minor modifications, would become truly legendary?
At GunShow, Barrett’s invention interested several collectors. They became the first customers. Barrett was licensed and set to work. But a real triumph happened in 1985, when the development interested the CIA.
Mass production
Soon the whole world heard a new word in the arms business - "Barrett". The rifle got exactly that name. The first samples went to Afghanistan and entered service with American intelligence groups. Having shown themselves to be the best in battle, the rifles almost instantly gained the trust of the US Department of Defense, after which their serial production began. Barrett sniper rifle has become the standard of reliable large-caliber weapons, not only at home, but also in the world.
Barrett Firearms Manufacturing has quickly turned into one of the most successful and respected private arms companies in the world. Its headquarters is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Today, Barrett is a rifle that is in service in the armies of 45 countries, including the USA, Belgium, Ukraine, Australia, India, Austria, Bahrain, France, Brazil, Georgia, Denmark, Salvador, Kuwait, Sweden , Turkey, Mexico, Egypt, UAE, Norway, Portugal, Lebanon, Singapore, Holland, Spain.
The company did not stop exclusively on rifles. Today, small arms, optical systems, and weapon kit are coming off its conveyors.
Barrett M82 and M82A1
Barrett M82 sniper rifle became the prototype for the new model - M82A1. Today, it is precisely on this modification that the main stake of the manufacturer is made.
The purpose of this weapon is to defeat and inflict damage on lightly armored and armored enemy vehicles, radar equipment, helicopters and airplanes on the ground.
Self-loading weapons, the principle of operation is based on automation with a short stroke of the barrel. Barrett M82A1 sniper rifle is available in three versions: standard M82A1; with a shortened barrel - M82A1 CQ; chambered .416 - M82A1 .416.
Barrett M82A1: device and performance characteristics
The upper part of the barrel is made of sheet steel. A handle for carrying and a rail for attaching optics is attached to it. The aiming strip is folding, marked from 100 to 1500 meters. The system is thought out in such a way as to give the shooter the opportunity for open aiming with a front sight, and for installing any modern optical sights, including night and collimator sights. The muzzle brake compensator, consisting of three chambers, is designed to absorb about 70% of the recoil. On a massive trunk are longitudinal lobes that contribute to cooling and can significantly reduce the weight of the weapon. The fastening mechanism of the bipod allows you to fold and remove them very quickly with a minimum of manipulations. Bipod attached to the bottom of the receiver. Of particular note is the butt. It is equipped with an amotrizing pillow and the so-called "third leg" - a retractable additional support.
Optics
At the request of the buyer, the rifle is equipped with a regular sight with a variable magnification Leupold Mark 4M1. The manufacturer has developed and launches the Barrett Optical Ranging System (BORS) ballistic computer. The software allows you to integrate a computer with an optical sight. A special ballistic program calculates and displays the most optimal aiming settings, taking into account amendments. The program analyzes many factors, including the distance to the target, air temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction. Large-caliber Barrett rifle using a USB cable can be connected to any mobile device on which Windows XP or Mac OS is installed.
Barrett M107 and M107A1
It would seem that the level of perfection has been achieved. But the manufacturer did not stop at the upgraded version of the "eighty-second." On the basis of it, the Barrett M107 sniper rifle first appeared, and then the even more advanced version, the Barrett M107A1, appeared.
When creating this model, the manufacturer reacted with special attention to the reviews of those who happened to be in battles with this rifle. Almost every detail was redesigned, refined, improved and executed in the best traditions of Barrett. The rifle exceeded the expectations of developers, confidently taking its rightful place in the tops.
Firstly, the improvements concerned the materials of which the barrel, butt, forend and other details are made. In the new rifle, you can find spare parts made of titanium, polymers, aluminum alloy or other innovative materials.
The new Barrett sniper rifle weighs less than the prototype. For obvious reasons, this had a positive effect on the performance characteristics.
In addition, it became possible to fire using an integrated tactical muffler, which significantly reduces the sound of a shot. Designers also did not go unnoticed by such a detail as a handle for carrying weapons.
Hundred and seventh "Barrett" - a rifle, released in two versions: standard - M107A1 and with a shortened barrel - M107A1 CQ.
Device and performance characteristics of the Barrett M107 rifle
To the upper part of the receiver, made of aluminum, is attached a rail guide for optics, rear sight, front sight, barrel. It is connected to the bottom by transverse pins, as in the previous model. The sighting bar is folding, as before. Marked for shooting from 100 to 1500 meters. The front sight can also be folded along the axis of the rails. The muzzle brake compensator deserves special attention. It consists of four cameras, and its design makes it possible to use an additional tactical silencer QDL Suppressor. Both of these details are Barrett's own development. The lower part of the receiver is made of a single piece of sheet metal. On the butt is a special pad for the sniper cheek. As in the previous model, there is a "third leg".
On the trunk are longitudinal lobes. The shutter is covered with a special patented nickel-teflon coating, which provides better sliding, protects against corrosion and external influences, accelerates the assembly, disassembly and cleaning of the bolt group.
The cartridge that this Barrett rifle fires is .50 BMG.
The bipods are folding, they can be adjusted depending on the needs, easy to remove.
Ammunition
It is noteworthy that the case of Ronnie Barrett interested in his son. Chris Barrett works in the company of his father. His own development is the .416 Barrett cartridge, based on the .50BMG. This ammunition is intended for use in smaller caliber rifles. In addition, it is used in those US states and foreign states where civilians are forbidden to own large-caliber weapons.
Prices
This is not to say that the Barrett is an affordable rifle. The cost of initially expensive weapons is influenced by many factors, including equipment, year of manufacture, and even color performance. Today, the Barrett rifle, the price of which can reach 12 thousand dollars, confidently holds a position in the top ten best sniper rifles in the world.