The Barrett M107 semi- automatic Long Range Sniper Rifle or ‘Light Fifty’ was designated one of the top military inventions by the U.S. Army in 2005. Why? Well, for a start it has a maximum effective range of 2000 yards, while its absolute maximum range is 4,400 yards. Its 50 caliber rounds can travel enormous distances if the rifle is fired like an artillery piece. Its users have to be very careful indeed and take safety precautions. The rifle weighs 32.5 pounds and is 55.5 inches long. The magazine can hold 11 rounds which weigh 4.5 pounds.
The Barrett has a large muzzle brake and this, together with the rifle’s overall heaviness, assists in reducing recoil. The rifle barrel itself helps too, as it absorbs force when the weapon is fired. The barrel moves inward toward the receiver, against large springs.
The Barrett M107 is a development of the M82A1 rifle. New features were added to create the new rifle, like a lengthened accessory rail, a monopod (one footed) socket and a rear grip. The M82A1 was designed by Ronnie Barrett and developed by the American Barrett Firearms Manufacturing Company. It is used by U.S troops and by thirty other military forces in the world, including those of the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, China, Israel, Malaysia, Thailand and Turkey.
The first working rifles were ready for use in 2002 and have been used in a number of recent conflicts – the Invasion of Iraq, the Afghanistan War, the Persian Gulf War, the Yemeni Civil War, the war in the Ukraine, Operation Protective Edge, the Mexican Drug Wars, and others.