The Model REC7 automatic rifle is the latest development of the Barrett Firearms Company. This small American company has gained worldwide fame for its large-caliber sniper rifles, the most famous of which is the M82A1, the "legendary" "Light Fifty". The accumulated experience and knowledge have found their full application in the "assault rifles" sector of the arms industry, which is new for the company. So in 2004, the first assault rifle appeared, which received the designation Barrett M468.
Caliber, mm: 6.8
Cartridge: 6.8 mm Remington SPC (6.8x43mm)
Length, mm: 823
Barrel length, mm: 406
Weight without cartridges, g: 3500
Rate of fire, w / m: 750
Sighting range, m: 800
Bullet muzzle velocity, m / s: 810
Magazine capacity, rounds: 30
Based on the latest trends, Ronnie Barrett chose the 6.8 mm Remington SPC as the main ammunition for the new weapon. Developed by Remington, together with the US military, this cartridge is considered as a replacement for the standard army 5.56x45 mm. The use of an army-approved cartridge, as well as the immediately recognizable design of the M16, is not accidental - the rifle was positioned as "a potential replacement for the M16 / M4 series and a weapon of the future for the US Armed Forces." Later, a modified version of this weapon appeared - the M468 A1, and after another series of changes, the third generation of this weapon appeared, which received the designation Barrett REC7. Which is currently being produced, while the release of the previous versions has been discontinued.
The Barrett REC7 (M468) assault rifle is a lightweight and reliable 6.8 mm Remington SPC weapon based on the familiar AR-15 design by Eugene Stoner. However, a number of innovations made it possible, according to the manufacturers, to significantly increase the reliability of the weapon. First of all, the REC7 has received a new gas outlet system with a short gas piston stroke and a regulator. The piston is made of stainless steel, the gas outlet is chrome-plated. The gas block is equipped with a regulator that allows you to adjust the pressure in the gas outlet system depending on the shooting conditions. In addition, the gas block is threaded to accommodate a Barrett-designed muffler. Barrel 16 "(40.6 cm) long steel, rifling in 10" increments. To increase "survivability" the barrel bore is chrome-plated. The Barrett REC7 receiver consists of two parts, an upper and a lower one. Both parts are made of anodized aluminum. The lower part, the so-called "lower receiver", in addition to the receiver itself, includes a magazine receiver, a trigger, a fire control handle, a four-position adjustable buttstock. In fact, all parts of the lower receiver are identical to those of the M4 / M16 series rifles, moreover, if necessary, it is possible to replace the lower receiver with a receiver from a standard army rifle. The upper part of the receiver includes a barrel, a bolt carrier with a bolt and a gas vent mechanism. In addition, a system of universal guides 50 M-CV manufactured by ARMS Inc is installed on the upper receiver, which allows the installation of various additional accessories (optical sights of various magnifications, bipods, flashlights, etc.). Sights (rear sight and front sight) are foldable and actually perform the function of auxiliary ones. The T-shaped bolt handle, double-sided translator fuse, button for releasing the bolt are completely identical to the corresponding parts of rifles and carbines of the M16 / M4 series.
To supply weapons with cartridges, standard NATO magazines of various capacities are used. Despite the difference in caliber, 5.56 mm NATO and 6.8 mm Remington SPC ammunition have almost the same dimensions, which allows the use of the same magazines. As already mentioned, the 6.8 mm Remington SPC was developed by Remington engineers in conjunction with the US Armed Forces. It was required to develop ammunition that would not exceed the size of a standard NATO cartridge, would provide a longer range and better penetration. The new cartridge, at a lower bullet speed, has more kinetic energy. It is stated that the stopping effect of the 6.8 mm bullet is 50% higher than that of the 5.56.
Barrett currently produces two REC7 variants, differing only in barrel lengths: 16 and 12 inches. The sixteen-inch model is also available in a self-loading version and is sold on the civilian market. Given the possibility of compatibility of the REC7 top receiver with standard army rifles, it is possible that variants of this weapon will appear with various USM options, butts, etc. In 2008, the Barrett REC7 was entered in the New Defense Weapons (PDW) competition for the US Army.
