Barrett REC7

Barrett Firearms Manufacturing · Rifle · In Production · 2007

Also known as: Barrett M468, Reliability-Enhanced Carbine 2007

Overview

The Barrett REC7 (Reliability-Enhanced Carbine 2007) is an AR-15-pattern carbine chambered in 6.8mm Remington SPC, developed from the earlier Barrett M468. Its defining feature is a Barrett-designed short-stroke gas piston operating system with a tool-less-removable 17-4 stainless piston, paired with a chrome-lined barrel, forged 7075-T6 aluminum receivers, and an A.R.M.S. SIR free-float modular rail. The 6.8 SPC chambering was developed with U.S. Army marksmanship input to improve terminal performance over 5.56mm.

Specifications

Weight (empty)3400 g (119.9 oz)
Overall Length927 mm (36.50")
Folded Length832 mm (32.76")
Barrel Length406 mm (15.98")
Action TypeGas Operated Short Stroke Piston
Firing MechanismHammer Fired
Trigger TypeSingle Stage
Trigger Pull29 N (6.5 lbf)
Magazine Capacity28 rounds
Magazine TypeDetachable Box
Muzzle Velocity810 m/s (2657 fps)
Effective Range600 m (656 yd)
Maximum Range800 m (875 yd)
Barrel RiflingRight Hand
Rifling Twist254 mm (10.00")
Number of Grooves4
Frame MaterialAluminum
Barrel MaterialSteel
Stock MaterialPolymer
FinishHard Anodized

Calibers

Features

Variants

Production

Production years: 2007-present

M468 predecessor produced 2004-2010

Origin

Country of origin: United States

Notes

The original M468 used direct gas impingement; the piston is the REC7's key upgrade. A later REC7 DI / Gen 2 variant returned to direct impingement (cataloged separately as barrett-rec7-di-dmr). Muzzle velocity and empty weight are carried from M468/6.8 SPC 16-inch-barrel figures.

Background

The REC7 grew out of the Barrett M468 ('M4 in 6.8 SPC'), built around the 6.8mm Remington SPC cartridge that SOCOM-linked marksmanship units developed to hit harder than 5.56; Barrett demonstrated the rifle to U.S. Army officials in 2008, but it was evaluated and never adopted for general service.