US M21 7.62mm Sniper Rifle

By Crusader1307

The standard ''Sniper's'' Rifle developed in 1969 for use in Vietnam, The US M21 Rifle was a modified (National Match) M14 7.62mm Rifle. The M14 had been the standard Battle Rifle deployed with US Forces from 1959 to 1968. A superior Infantry Rifle using the 7.62mm round, it was replaced as a General weapon with The M16 5.56mm Rifle (and later variants). However, the dependability of The M14 Rifle did not fade. Heavily modified with hand tooled components as well as modifying the barrel, would create a true ''Sharpshooter's Rifle''. Although other Models are used today, The M21 can still found in used by some Military Special Operations Personnel. Initially, ''Sniper Training'' was held for ''gifted'' Marksmen (Army and Marine), within The Republic of South Vietnam. These Military Personnel would be trained in general use, targeting and covert deployment tactics. Similar training was provided to ''Spotters'' (assigned Personnel to help position, identify, and confirm target assessment). Teams would be deployed (and worked) in remote areas to eliminate ''high value'' targets. Although The War ended in 1975, The M21 would see service in The Granada Invasion of 1983. Officially, The M21 was ''replaced'' with The M25 Rifle (using the same 7.62mm round). The M14 weighed 11-lbs (with attachments such as Scopes for Range). Overall length is 44-inches. Muzzle velocity is rated at 2,800-fps. Maximum Range (under optimum conditions was close to 4,000-yards).