U.S. Marine Corps Designated Marksman Rifle
US Marine Corps Designated Marksman Rifle
Technical Summary | A DMR fitted with an OPS Inc. 12th Model 7.62x51 mm muzzle brake suppressor |
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| Lance Cpl. Jeremy R. Riddle, designated marksman for Task Force Kabul, looks through his scope of his designated marksman rifle for any threats on and outside the U.S. Embassy compound in Kabul, Afghanistan |
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| Caliber: | 7.62 mm NATO (.308 caliber) |
| Firearm action: | Rotating bolt with gas operation |
| Designed by: | Derived from M1 Garand design. Modified by US Marine Corps Rifle Team Equipment Shop. |
| Weight (unloaded): | 10-11 lb. (4.5-5.0 kg) |
| Maximum effective range: | 650-875 yards (600-800 m) |
| Unit replacement cost: | Information not available. |
The
United States Marine Corps Designated Marksman Rifle (
DMR,
NSN 1005-01-458-6235) is a
semi-automatic gas-operated rifle chambered for the
7.62 × 51 mm NATO cartridge. It is a modified and accurized variant of the
M14 built and utilized solely by the
United States Marine Corps.
The rifle is currently issued with
M118LR 175-grain ammunition. The "basic" DMR (i.e. without secondary sight, magazine, sling, basic issue items, cleaning gear, suppressor, and bipod) weighs 11 pounds or less. The DMR design allows the sight mount, barrel, bolt, and other key assemblies to be repaired/replaced at the third echelon maintenance level. All DMRs are built at the Precision Weapons Shop at
Quantico, Virginia.
The most notable difference between the traditional M14 pattern rifle and the DMR is the addition of an olive drab McMillan Tactical M2A fiberglass
riflestock on the DMR. This particular stock features a pistol grip and a buttstock with adjustable saddle cheekpeice. The DMR also features a 22
inch (~56 cm) match grade stainless steel barrel, which, in profile, is noticeably wider than the original GI-spec barrel. These barrels are supplied by two major contractors, Kreiger Barrels, Inc. and Mike Rock Rifle Barrels, Inc. The rifle is also equipped with a simple
MIL-STD-1913 rail mounting system built by GG&G Armament Arizona which allows for the attachment of any optic system compatible with the MIL-STD-1913 rail (this would include a huge variety of military riflescopes and imaging devices, most notably the TS-30.xx series dayscope and the AN/PVS-10 or AN/PVS-17 night vision riflescopes; DMRs have been used in combination with Leupold Mark 4 10x scopes, along with Unertl 10x M40 scopes). DMRs utilize the traditional M14 muzzle device; however, since deployment in Afghanistan in 2001, some DMRs have also been equipped with OPS, Inc. 2-port muzzle brake, threaded and collared to accept an OPS, Inc. 12th model muzzle brake suppressor sound attenuation device.
The DMR, as its name suggests, is primarily used by a
designated marksman. The DMR fills the need for a lightweight, accurate weapons system utilizing a cartridge more powerful than the
M16A4's standard
5.56 × 45mm NATO,
7.62 × 51 mm NATO . The DMR also sees use from Marine
Scout Sniper when the mission calls requires rapid accurate fire. The DMR is also used by the Marine Corps Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams.
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M14*
M21*
United States Army Squad Designated Marksman Rifle*
Designated marksman
