Redhawk Firearms M-3 Precision Rifle
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| Redhawk Firearms M-3 Precession Rifle | |
|---|---|
 Infantry with the 30th Special Forces Company, 1st Brigade training at Fort Bell | |
| Type | Designated marksman rifle |
| Place of origin |  Shenandoah |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1973 – present |
| Used by | See Operators |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1959 - 1970 |
| Manufacturer | Redhawk Firearms |
| Produced | 2012 – present |
| Variants | See Varaints |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 10.75 lb (4.88 kg) |
| Length | 1,118 mm (44.0 in) |
| Barrel length | 24 in (610 mm) |
| Cartridge | .260 Grady |
| Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
| Feed system | 10 or 20-round detachable box magazine |
The Redhawk Firearms M-3 Precession Rifle is a semiautomatic designated marksman rifle designed by Earl Black and Redhawk Firearms for the Shenandoahan Army National Guard to replace a variety of non-standardized Redhawk M-2 Rifles remaining in service as marksman's rifles following the adoption of the Redhawk Firearms M-3 Assault Rifle by the Army National Guard in 1967. Chambered in the larger .260 Grady round, the M-3 Precession Rifle in intended to fill the engagement range gap between a standard service rifle and a dedicated sniper rifle, at around 330 to 660 yards. The rifle is desirable to marksman over the Grady Repeating Arms M-2 Precession Rifle due to tis semi-automatic operation allowing for a higher rate of fire, and larger magazine capacities, both of which allow rapid engagement of multiple targets.
Design
History
Variants
- M-3: The first production version of the M-3 Precession Rifle, entered service in 1973 and was almost indistinguishable from the M-2 Rifle in external appearance. All M-3 Precession Rifles were issued with a Silverman 3.6x25 optic which was only able to be mounted on the M-2 Rifles due to the specific set of cuts made to the carrying handle of the M-3 Precession Rifle. In addition, M-3 Precession Rifles were issued with a detachable bipod.
- M-3A1: First improvement made to the M-3 Precession Rifle, bringing it more in line to the design of the M-3 Assault Rifle. Redesigns to the rifle allow up to 60% parts interchangeability between the M-3 Precession Rifle and the M-3A2 Assault Rifle. All parts except the upper and lower receivers, hammer, barrel assembly and the bolt carrier group are interchangeable between the two weapons.
- M-3A2: Second upgrade to the M-3 Precession Rifle completed in the 1990's allowing for a removeable carry handle and addition of accssory rails to mount a varietyofotpics and other accessories to the rifle. In addition, the barrel was replaced with a free-floating model for improved accuracy. Modernly, accuracy of the M-3 Precession Rifle is guaranteed at or under 1 minute of angle.