M24 Sniper Rifle Modified For Use In Afghanistan

The tactical situation in Afghanistan has resulted in the US Army modifying its M24 sniper rifle.

In 1988 the Army adopted this bolt-action rifle, shown here without modifications, for use by its snipers. This fall, soldiers in Afghanistan will receive an upgrade to their bolt-action rifles. The Remington M24 will have a modified barrel to shoot larger .300 Winchester Magnum rounds, it will shoot nearly 35 percent farther and will carry a new, more accurate sight. Here’s a look at the tech behind the new rifle.

1. Signature Suppressor
The military will, for the first time, fit the M24 with a suppressor, which reduces the rifle's noise and distorts the telltale sound (called the signature) that enemies use to identify a shooter. The mod will allow snipers to stay in their hiding positions longer after they fire.

2. Chassis
The M24 customized for use in Afghanistan will have a rail chassis that provides space for more accessories, including night-vision gear, which will clip to the rail in front of the scope.

3. Optic Scope
The rifle will be modified with a variable power scope that can reach as high as 25x magnification. Snipers can also utilize a rangefinder so that they no longer have to perform distance calculations.

4. Ergonomic Stock
The M24's new stock features an adjustable butt plate so that snipers wearing body armor can use it easily. A collapsible stock will make it more compact.

By: Shelldrake