Anti-Terrorism unit evaluates rifle
Marine Corps News
Release Date: 4/8/2004
Story by Cpl. Sharon E. Fox
STONE BAY, N.C.(April 8, 2004) -- "'One shot. One Kill.' That's what this weapon is going allow us to do," said Maj. Gen Douglas V. O'Dell after firing a 7.62mm Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle.
The 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (Anti-Terrorism) is evaluating the weapon to confirm what many Marine and Army combat after action reports, Marine Corps Warfighting Lab experiments, assessments and evaluations have concluded - that the SAM-R provides excellent, precision-firing capability in a more reliable, durable and supportable platform than the M-14 DMR (current designated marksman rifle).
O'Dell, the Commanding General for the 4th MEB (AT) had the opportunity to fire the SAM-R March 30, during a demonstration of the SAM-R's capabilities.
"We're having reliability and supportability problems with the M-14 DMR," said Capt. Charles E. Hawthorne, training officer, 4th MEB (AT).
The M-14 was first fielded in 1957 as a service rifle and was replaced by the M-16 in 1963. To create an M-14 DMR, stock M-14 service rifles are extensively modified by specially trained armorers at the Precision Weapons Section in Quantico, Va.
"Not only do designated marksmen have to learn a completely new weapon system, but if the weapon requires maintenance beyond the operator, only specially trained armorers are able to fix it," said Hawthorne.
Because of parts commonality with the M-16 A-2/A-4, a basically trained armorer can fix the SAM-R with only a few days of additional training. Only after an additional required year of specialized training is an armorer able to work on the existing M-14 DMR.
The SAM-R already has a recognized national stock number, so parts are easily obtained, whether in the states or deployed. The M-14 is no longer manufactured, so the only way to fix it is to send it back to the states.
"A weapon is not combat effective if we are unable to service it quickly when it goes down," said Hawthorne. "In our fight against terrorism, one shot, one kill is exactly what we want; if we can get a more reliable weapon, this increases the chances that our enemies are on the receiving end of that one shot."
Cpl. Charles C. Charlson, a Great Falls, Mont., native, and 4th MEB (AT) designated marksman instructor feels the SAM-R is one of the most solid weapons he has ever shot. "My shot groups are extremely tight with this weapon, even at great distances."
The maximum effective range of the SAM-R is 1000 meters; much further than many other weapon systems. The range of fire also increases with a night vision detection scope.
"If you aren't able to see your target, the scope clears up a lot of distortion so you are able to see your target more clearly," said Cpl. Robert C. Johncox, also a 4th MEB (AT) DM instructor and Milwaukee, Wisc., native.
A NVD scope, as well as other rifle aids are easily attached to the SAM-R without having to change the zero on the rifle because it uses a modular rail system and a free floating barrel.
There are many advantages to this weapons system, said Charlson. The scope on the rifle also allows the SAM-R to aid in the adjustment of supporting arms like the 81-mm mortar.
"Getting this weapon into the hands of our Marines makes sense," said O'Dell.
The SAM-R is simply a more accurate M-16. Because of it's floated barrel and variable power optic [scope], it is a valuable capability when fighting insurgents in rural and urban environments.
"The ability to shoot this weapon accurately is simple, and that is what we need for our Marines," said O'Dell.
Additionally, because all Marines are already trained with the M-16, riflemen equipped with the SAM-R only need some additional training on the optics and marksmanship in order to be an effective DM.
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