Accuracy International L96 A1 / Arctic Warfare Sniper Rifle (UK)
Sniper rifle Accuracy International Arctic Warfare (AI AW 7,62) caliber 7.62x51 mm
At the start of 1980, the British Army announced a competition to replace the aging Enfield L42 sniper rifles. The main participants of the competition were the British companies Parker-Hale with a rifle "model 82", and Accuracy International with a rifle "model RM".
Accuracy International Arctic Warfare Police sniper rifle (AI AWP 7,62) 7.62x51
The RM rifle was the winner in this competition, and in the middle of the 1980x it was adopted by the British Army under the designation L96. The main distinctive feature of this rifle was the bed of an unusual type and design: the base of the box is an aluminum beam passing through the entire length of the box, to which the barrel with the receiver box, the trigger mechanism and all other parts of the rifle, including the box itself, consisting of 2x, are attached halves - left and right. In addition, L96 rifles are equipped with open sights in addition to the mandatory riflescope.
Accuracy International Arctic Warfare Magnum Folding sniper rifle (AI AWM F 300WM) .300 Winchester Magnum caliber
In the mid-1980s, the Swedish army also began searching for a new sniper rifle suitable for use in harsh northern weather. Accuracy International offers the Swedes a modified version of the L96 rifle called Arctic Warfare, and in 1988 the Swedish army takes it into service under the designation PSG.90. The British Army, in turn, is also adopting Arctic Warfare rifles (new designation L96A1).
Accuracy International Arctic Warfare Folding sniper rifle (AI AWF 7,62) 7.62x51 with folded butt
The main model of the series - AW developed as an army weapons, besides it, four more basic models are produced: Police (AWP), Suppressed (AWS), Folding (AWF) and Super Magnum (AW SM). The name of the series (Arctic Warfare = Arctic warfare) comes from the fact that rifles have special design features that allow them to be used in the Arctic (at temperatures down to -40 degrees Celsius). The AW, AWP and AWS models are available only for the 7,62mm NATO cartridge, while the SM model is available for .338 Lapua Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum and 7mm Remington Magnum cartridges. The barrel of the AW model is 660mm long, the AWP model is 609mm. The barrels of the AW SM model are available in lengths from 609mm to 686mm. The AWS model is equipped for use with a silencer and subsonic ammunition. The accuracy of the basic AW model is such that at a distance of 550 meters, a series of 5 shots fits into a circle less than 50mm in diameter! The rifles are equipped with Smidt & Bender 3-12X variable magnification or Leupold Mark 4 fixed 10X scopes, as well as a folding removable bipod.
Устройство
Arctic Warfare is a non-automatic longitudinal sliding rifle. Locking is provided by turning the bolt, the angle of rotation is reduced and is 60 degrees, as, indeed, many other modern rifles of similar design. The bolt has three lugs in the front, the fourth stop is the handle for turning, which is included in the cut-out of the receiver. The handle has a massive spherical knob at the end and is controlled quite easily, due to its large size - to the touch. The stroke of the shutter is slightly more than 100 mm, with that the 2 / 3 of the cock cocking occur when opening, and the rest when the shutter is closed. The stroke of the striker to the cartridge cap of the entire 6 mm, which ensures a very short response time of the mechanism. The anti-icing design of the valve - with longitudinal grooves - allows it to work reliably at low temperatures under difficult conditions.
Accuracy International Arctic Warfare Police (AI AWP)
A characteristic feature of rifles is the attachment of all parts to a rigid frame (the so-called chassis) of aluminum alloy. This design contributes to increased stiffness, which, in turn, has a positive effect on accuracy. Many manufacturers paid attention to this after the appearance of Accuracy International rifles. The chassis facilitates maintenance and repair of the rifle, the shooter may no longer think about the accuracy of fitting parts that are loose with wear. Shooting is possible even with a missing bed.
Arctic Warfare AWM50
AW heavy match barrels can have different lengths and, as a rule, are made of stainless steel (with the exception of short barrels). The barrel is freely oscillating, screwed into the thread in the receiver, giving it additional rigidity. The locking ring with grooves for the entrance of the lugs is screwed onto the barrel and with wear it is possible to install a new ring in a matter of seconds. Some variants of rifles can be equipped with a flame arrester, a muzzle brake, a silencer of the sound of shots.
There are also options with an integrated silencer.
Accuracy International Arctic Warfare Covert Sniper (AI AWS)
with integrated silencer
Receiver at manufacture is first glued, and then screwed to the frame. Glue, which is used as an epoxy resin, provides a uniform distribution of effort, which is very important for reducing vibrations. Both the receiver and the barrel have a coating on an epoxy base - black, green or camouflage.
The box consists of two halves, attached to the chassis, which are made of high-strength polymer (nylon with filler). Different colors can be - in most cases olive green. Butt has a hole for the thumb and height-adjustable cheek support. The kit comes with several interchangeable back plates for a different thickness of the butt - to fit a particular shooter or his clothes. The base, to which the back plate is attached, can be adjusted vertically and horizontally in the transverse direction, for convenience when shooting from different positions - often bizarre when shooting in cramped conditions in the forest or in the city.
AW in container
The pull force is adjustable from 1.6 to 2 kg. The trigger mechanism maintains performance even with severe pollution or frosting. The fuse blocks the trigger, the hammer and locks the bolt handle, preventing any chance of an accidental shot.
Rifles Accuracy International can be equipped with various optical sights - the seat is the Weaver rail, which allows you to install the appropriate (and, if adapters are available, almost any other) sights without zeroing or adjusting in seconds. The company offered Schmidt & Bender 6CH42, 10x42 or 2.5-10x56 sights. AW for Sweden had Hensoldt 10X42 sights, the Super Magnum model is usually equipped with Bausch & Lomb Tactical 10x optics. For short-barreled variants, the Schmidt & Bender 3-12x50 telescopic sight is recommended.
L96A1 also had a mechanical sight for a distance of up to 800 meters. In most cases, the Arctic Warfare is also equipped with a spare mechanical sight, consisting of a front sight, which is based on the muzzle brake and rear sight. Fly can be adjusted in height and has a protective lining.
There are two types of pillars - the "Swedish" and "Belgian" variants, created on the orders of the armies of the respective countries. The “Swedish” version is a dioptric drum with the 200-600 meter range adjustable horizontally. "Belgian" - folding diopter, without adjustments, for shooting at a distance of up to 400 meters.
Shops - box-shaped steel for 10 cartridges for rifles calibers. 223,. 243 and. 308, or on 5 cartridges for others.
Folding height-adjustable removable bipods, a type of Parker-Hale bipod, are also standard equipment. It is possible to mount the thrust belt for supporting hand. The carrying strap can be mounted on either side or bottom of the box, offering an arrow of any possible way of wearing. An aluminum carrying case with soft upholstery or a strong field container can also be used for carrying. The first option has space for a set of accessories, two spare shops and a sight, the other for accessories, four shops, a rifle case and other trifles.
Caliber: L96, Arctic Warfare, Police, Folding: 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 Win); Super Magnum: .338 Lapua (8.60x70mm), .300 Win Mag, 7mm Rem Mag
mechanism: manual reloading, longitudinal sliding shutter
Length: 1270 mm
Barrel length: 660 mm
Weight: 6.8kg without cartridges and optics
Shop: detachable box, 5 cartridges
Max. eff. range: up to 800 meters for options under NATO 7.62mm, up to 1100 + meters for Super Magnum options
Information