WEAPONS Research Notes & MARKETS NUMBER 7 • JUNE 2011 times being used in a counter-sniper role role counter-sniper a in used being times some service, limited in remained rifle tank World anti- War. the time, by this Obsolescent Second of the at start vehicles the armoured rifletank posedlittle threat to better-protected man-portable, single-shot or magazine fed anti- However, irrespective of the chosen calibre, the velocity. muzzle but amuch increased with calibre, others opting for smaller, rifle calibres, toalarger stay with choosing countries some two the Worldbetween continued rifle’ Wars, ‘anti-tank the as of what known become had the much smaller Mauser rifle. The development bolt-action the on of design was based design Man-portabletank. for use in the trenches, the to defeat the relatively armour thin of the early of around 2 of around range effective an has typically rifle materiel riflefired a 1917 in tank of the introduction Allied to the response World First the War. Developed aquick as The effective range for range 12 effective The of up to 20 mm. cartridges but tion, fire some chambered for purposes. Most of the weapons class in this are are rifles materiel also used foranti-personnel to pierce anti- aircraft, many light and armour ammunition enables specialized the weapon While amile). (or half beyond akilometre A Anti its ability to engage the target. to engage the its ability and range the extend ofbut amount can use 7 ofrange apurpose-built effective the times three least at threshold, anti-materiel rifles is Anti-materiel rifles owe their origins to origins owetheir rifles Anti-materiel variety of targets at distances well atvariety distances of targets marily to engage and neutralize a nti-materielare rifles designed pri 13 , , the early ‘T’ Gewehr anti-tank early ‘T’, the anti-tank Gewehr - m(Jane’s,000 2007 mm cartridge that was designed Materiel Rifles 12 . mm (. 7 mm 1 , 000 calibre) ammuni 50 calibre) - . mm and 14 and 7 mm 2 . mm sniper rifle), rifle), sniper 62 mm , 000 1 , pp. 287 m (at the upper mm anti- A20 mm . – mm 5 mm 296
- ). ). - - Small Arms Survey Research Notes Notes Research Survey Arms Small M including Switzerland and the United Kingdom. countries, other well as United States as the in sport recognized a become has rifles these States to possess this weapon and because using United the in for it legal civilians is because in part arises of firearm type this in Interest Table 12 manufacture 20 companies fications.Inthe United Statesalone, more than speci to military weapons designed the than to fitted most and models) mercially ‘civilian’ com obtained be can devices electronic and scopes more (although enablers sophisticated fewer capable and less devices with optical generally heavier, less robust, and are equipped versions are civilian The demand. this meet produced to being versions are non-military numerous and several countries in civilians them. more havedozens procured and produce rifles, anti-materiel countries weapon Today, systems. adozen more than lateral damage than larger and more destructive col less significantly with of targets a variety portable weapon engaging capable of directly more much a in resulted bullets effective weight, and to reduce moredesign recoil and weapons’ the in improvements ballistics, in advances no to longerengage tanks, designed Although bodies. law and enforcement taries mili of weapon countries’ to many attractive rifles (Boatman, 2004 (Boatman, rifles ‘anti-tank’ rifle. ‘anti-tank’ 1945 of the disappearance largelysaw the in of hostilities ideal cessation choice. The made an rifle it infantry over standard the abilities defeating where barrier its greater 82 12 of the Barrett 1982 in Barrett of the introduction The The 12 The 1 for a sampling of producers and prices). . mm self-loading rifle made this type type this made rifle self-loading 7 mm . mm rifle is also popular with with popular also is rifle 7 mm 2
, pp. 51 • Number 7 7 Number - 52 . mm calibre calibre 7 mm , 56 , 58 • June 2011 2011 June , 61 Barrett M82 Barrett ; see ; see - - - -
3 1 Table 1 Examples of 12.7 mm (.50 calibre) anti-materiel rifle prices from US companies (USD)*
Company Prices Company Prices Company Prices A.L.S 1,900 Christensen 5,500 Robar 7,000 About the Arms Small Arms Survey Armalite Inc. 3,000 East Ridge Gun 1,900-3,600 Safety Harbor 1,850-2,450 The Small Arms Survey serves as Company Inc. Firearms Inc. the principal international source Barrett 3,000-8,050 E.D.M. Arms 2,250-8,500 Serbu 2,200-2,450 of public information on all aspects Firearms of small arms and armed violence, and as a resource centre for govern- Bluegrass 3,100 Ferret 50 3,300-4,000 Watson 2,150 Armory Weapons ments, policy-makers, researchers, and activists. The Survey distributes * Prices are rounded to nearest USD 50. its findings through Occasional Source: Leff, 2007 Papers, Issue Briefs, Working Papers, Special Reports, Books, and Non-state armed groups have References its annual flagship publication, the also shown an interest in acquiring Small Arms Survey. Boatman, Robert H. 2004. Living with the BIG The project has an international this weapon. They have succeeded in .50. Boulder (CO): Paladin Press. staff with expertise in security stud- obtaining them on several occasions FCSA (Fifty Caliber Shooters Association). ies, political science, international from civilian customers who have 2011. ‘Fifty Caliber Shooters Association, public policy, law, economics, transferred them (illegally). Examples Inc. Fact Sheet.’ Accessed May 2011.
2 Small Arms Survey Research Notes • Number 7 • June 2011