Redhawk Firearms M-3 Precision Rifle
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| Redhawk Firearms M-3 Precision 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 – 2024 |
| Used by | See Operators |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1959 - 1970 |
| Manufacturer | Redhawk Firearms |
| Produced | 1970 – 2010 |
| 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 | .244 Blackrock .243 GSM |
| Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
| Feed system | 10 round detachable box magazine |
The Redhawk Firearms M-3 Precision 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-3 Rifles remaining in service as marksman's rifles following the adoption of the Redhawk Firearms M-4 Assault Rifle by the Army National Guard in 1967. Chambered in the larger .244 Blackrock round, the M-3 Precision 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 Precision 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.
Entering service in 1970, the rifle has seen extensive use in combat operations in Shenandoah and abroad. In 2016, as part of a modernization program, the M-3 Precision Rifle began being replaced by the newer Redhawk Firearms M-5 Precision Rifle, a further development of the M-4 Assault Rifle series utilizing a short-stroke gas piston system that is also used by the Redhawk Firearms M-4 Carbine and Redhawk Firearms M-2 Automatic Rifle. The M-3 Precision Rifle is being phased out of service and is expected to be eliminated from all three branches of the Shenandoahan National Guard by 2024.
Design
Since its inception, the M-3 Precision Rifle design focused on accuracy and rapid target acquisition for the operator. In its modern configuration, the rifle was designed to a precision of 0.5 minutes of angle, which corresponds to 0.5-inch (13 mm) groups at 100 yards (91 m) and is guaranteed at or under 1 minute of angle under all conditions. The rifle is chambered for the .244 Blackrock Match round, designed and manufactured to have a relatively narrow tolerance and high level of accuracy. The rifle can accept either 10 or 20 round box magazines, with the 20 round magazines being far more common in service. Initially, standard M-2 Rifle type 20-round magazines were used, but they were later replaced by steel 20-round magazines resembling those used by the M-4 Assault Rifle.
For sighting, the original M-3 Precision Rifle utilized a Silverman 3.6x25 optic which was issued with the rifle. These optics could only be mounted to the M-3 Precision Rifle as they required specific cuts to have been made in the rifle's carry handle. This same mounting system was carried over to the M-3A1, though the carry handle mounting system was standardized between the M-3 Precision Rifle, the M-4 Assault Rifle and later, the initial versions of the M-3 Carbine. With the introduction of the M-3A1E1, the receiver and handguards featured a rail attachment system which allowed for a wider array of optics and accessories to be mounted. Traditionally, operators of the rifle would utilize some form of variable power optic, and thus were provided with quick-detach scope mounts for use with the rifle. Starting with the M-3A1E1, flip-up front sights and adjustable back-up iron sights became standard on the rifle.
The M-3A2 is equipped with a heavy free-floating 24 in (610 mm) match grade barrel, though it is also available with a 20 in (510 mm) barrel as well.
History
Variants
- M-3: The first production version of the M-3 Precision Rifle, entered service in 1973 and was almost indistinguishable from the M-2 Rifle in external appearance. All M-3 Precision 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 Precision Rifle. In addition, M-3 Precision Rifles were issued with a detachable bipod.
- M-3A1: First improvement made to the M-3 Precision Rifle, bringing it more in line to the design of the M-4 Assault Rifle. Redesigns to the rifle allow up to 60% parts interchangeability between the M-3 Precision Rifle and the M-4A2 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-3A1E1: First upgrade to include an accssory rail system to mount a variety of optics and other accessories to the rifle.
- M-3A2: Second upgrade to the M-3 Precision Rifle completed in the 2001 which saw a different accssory rail system installed. In addition, the barrel was replaced with a heavy free-floating 24 in (610 mm) match grade barrel with a fiberglass handguard.
- M-3A2/243: Rechambering of the M-3 Precision Rifle to utilize the .243 GSM developed for the M-4 Precision Rifle. Has a reduced capacity 10 or 15 round magazine. This rifle was never accepted into service by the Shenandoahan National Guard but has been seen in use by special forces units in the Shenandoahan Army National Guard.
Operators
- Shenandoah
- Shenandoahan National Guard - All three branches of the Shenandoahan National Guard currently utilize the M-3 Precision Rifle. It is expected to be replaced in service my the M-5 Precision Rifle by 2024.
