M25 Sniper Weapon System
Springfield Armory (US Government) · Sniper Rifle · In Service · 1991
Also known as: M25 SWS, XM25, M25 White Feather
Overview
The M25 Sniper Weapon System is an accurized, M14-based semi-automatic sniper rifle developed by U.S. Army 10th Special Forces Group armorers in the late 1980s as a product-improved successor to the M21 SWS. Chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO, it pairs a National Match M14 barrel and tuned two-stage match trigger with a glass-bedded McMillan fiberglass stock, a Brookfield Precision Tool steel stock liner, and the BPT Advanced Scope Mounting System.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4900 g (172.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1125 mm (44.29") |
| Barrel Length | 560 mm (22.05") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Two Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 20 N (4.5 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 20 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 850 m/s (2789 fps) |
| Effective Range | 900 m (984 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 279 mm (10.98") |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Carbon Fiber |
Calibers
- 7.62x51mm NATO · primary · 7.62x51mm NATO — also known as .308 Winchester, 7.62mm NATO, 7.62x51mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Rotary Trigger Guard Safety
- Features: Mcmillan Fiberglass Stock, Brookfield Precision Tool Steel Stock Liner, National Match Barrel, National Match Spring Guide, Special Gas Piston, Tuned Two Stage Match Trigger, Bpt Advanced Scope Mounting System
Variants
- Springfield Armory M25 White Feather — Civilian
Service history
Operators
- United States Army Special Forces · adopted 1991 · as M25 SWS
- United States Navy SEALs
Conflicts
- Gulf War (1990-1991)
Production
Production years: 1991-present
Limited-issue Special Forces sniper system; built by Army armorers on Springfield M14/M1A actions
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Notes
Designated M25 in 1991 (earlier XM25, 1988). Over the M21 it adds the McMillan fiberglass stock with BPT steel liner, an improved durable scope mount, a special gas piston, and a National Match spring guide for greater repeatability. Empty weight ~4.9 kg; loaded-with-scope figures (~5.4 kg) are unconfirmed. Optics were typically Bausch & Lomb 10x40 Tactical or Leupold Mark 4. A civilian version is sold by Springfield Armory as the M25 White Feather.
Background
The M25 was born from 10th Special Forces Group's 1986-1988 development effort at Fort Devens, Massachusetts; its civilian commercial twin, the Springfield Armory M25 White Feather, is named after legendary Marine sniper Carlos 'White Feather' Hathcock.