Written by Samantha Franco and Clare Fitzgerald
The Snipex Alligator is an impressive anti-materiel rifle (AMR) produced by XADO-Holding, Ltd. Recently introduced, it is currently in service exclusively by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who have used it extensively in the Russo-Ukrainian War. Over the course of the conflict, this weapon has demonstrated a high degree of effectiveness on the battlefield, potentially sparking interest from other nations for future use.
‘Enormous’ doesn’t even begin to describe the Snipex Alligator
The Snipex Alligator is a bolt-action, magazine-fed repeating rifle that stands out because of its truly impressive size. When fully assembled, it measures 79 inches in length, with the majority of that length attributed to its barrel. For comparison, the average hunting rifle barrel is around 22 inches, while the Alligator’s barrel stretches an impressive 47 – more than double.
In addition to its length, the Snipex Alligator is also heavy, weighing a hefty 25 kg. To make it practical for use in the field, several modifications were made. A foldable four-position bipod and rear support help balance its size, and a carrying handle at the midpoint allows for (somewhat) easier transport by a single operator. It can also be adjusted to maintain balance when a silencer is added.
Massive ammunition for an equally massive rifle
Considering the massive size of the Snipex Alligator, it’s no surprise that its ammunition is equally huge. Using a traditional rifle setup, its chamber can hold up to five 14.5 x 114 mm cartridges at once, each weighing approximately 2.2 ounces.
These cartridges, notable for their size, were originally developed as anti-tank rounds for the Soviet-designed KPV heavy machine gun. They carry projectiles weighing between 59 and 66 grams, capable of achieving speeds of up to 3,300 feet per second when fired.
Reports indicate that the Snipex Alligator is designed to target enemy personnel, lightly armored vehicles, and storage sites for ammunition and fuel. According to the manufacturer, it can penetrate up to 10 mm of steel armor at distances ranging from 2,000 to 7,000 meters. However, it should be noted that the rifle has yet to undergo extensive combat testing to verify these specifications.
Issues with recoil
A key effect of using the 14.5 x 114 mm cartridge is the substantial recoil. Although the Snipex Alligator has modifications that partially address this, they don’t fully eliminate the effect kickback.
The rifle’s large size and weight allow much of the recoil to be absorbed rather than transferred to the shooter, keeping the Snipex Alligator relatively stable after firing. Furthermore, it features a recoil-isolating buttstock that, combined with the four- or five-baffle muzzle brake and a padded shoulder stock, greatly reduces the impact of the recoil.
Use of the Snipex Alligator in the Russo-Ukrainian War
As aforementioned, the Snipex Alligator has seen use throughout the Russo-Ukrainian War, joining its smaller counterpart, the Snipex T-Rex. While the exact number currently in service is unknown, it’s presumed that the majority of Ukrainian Special Forces units and other frontline divisions have it in their arsenal.
There have been two incidents of note that possibly show the strength of the Snipex Alligator. The first was a possible hit by a Ukrainian sniper on a Russian soldier who was 1.68 miles away, making it the second-longest distance sniper kill in military history. The second was the taking down of five Russian soldiers in as many minutes by a single sniper. Two of those hit in the incident were struck by the same bullet.
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While these two instances have yet to be independently verified, they possibly prove the power and ability of the Snipex Alligator, if it’s determined the weapon was the one to achieve the legendary hits. As of publishing, the Ukrainian military has yet to release details as to the exact rifle(s) used to secure the kills.