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Harris M87R



Overview


M87R

Right side view of M87R with distinct thumbhole stock and pepperpot muzzle brake.
Source: www.weapon.at.ua - © copyright lies with original owner

Origin
United States
Type
Anti-materiel rifle
Entered service
Late 1980's
Status
Obsolete
Development
1980's
Developer
United States - McMillan
Production
Late 1980's - 1990's
Producer
United States - Harris Gun Works
Number produced
Produced in limited numbers
Notable users
United States
France

Description


Introduction

The M87R is an anti-materiel rifle of US origin. It was developed in the 1980's by McMillan and produced by Harris Gun Works. The M87R took part in the trails that led to the widespread adoption of anti-materiel rifles in US service. Although the M87R proved to be more accurate, the M82A1 was chosen since it was semi-automatic. For anti-materiel use a high rate of fire was deemed more useful than better accuracy.

Design

The M87R may be regarded as an upscaled version of the 7.62x51mm Harris M86 bolt action sniper rifle. The M87R uses a larger and reinforced fiberglass chassis which holds the very long and thick barrel and much larger bolt action mechanism. A large pepperpot muzzle brake is fitted and a bipod is standard. Besides the baseline M87R a folding stock model and a lightweight model were also developed.

Firepower

The M87R is a bolt action rifle that fires the 12.7x99mm NATO round from a 5 round detachable box magazine. Later on 10 round magazines were introduced and 20 round magazines are rumored to exist. The accuracy is very good and the effective range is over 1.5 km.

Users

The M87R and its variants were sold to US government agencies and exported to various nations, including France, Italy and Turkey. Since Harris Gun Works is no longer trading since the late 1990's the M87R is no longer available. An improved model is sold by McMillan as the TAC-50.

Variants


M95 Ultra Light

Right side view of M95 Ultra Light without scope.
Source: www.vpc.org - © copyright lies with original owner

List of M87 variants

M87
First production model anti-materiel rifle based on the earlier Harris M86 sniper rifle.
M87R
Slightly improved M87. The M87R model is th most common first generation McMillan / Harris 12.7mm anti-materiel rifle.
M93
The M93 is a folding stock model which several other improvements that include a 10 round double stack magazine, a monopod in the butt and a cheekpiece.
M95 Ultra Light
M93 derivative with a rigid stock and a much reduced weight.

Details


Facts M87R M93 M95 Ultra Light
General
Origin
United States
Type
Anti-materiel rifle
Caliber
Caliber
12.7x99mm NATO
Feed system
5 round detachable box
Barrel length
737 mm
Operation
Action
Bolt action
Locking
2 lug bolt
Fire selector
0 - 1
Rate of fire
Bolt action
Dimensions
Stock type
Fixed, non-adjustable
Length
1.346 mm
Weight
9.5 kg without optical sight
Sights
Optics
Optical sight
Mechanical
Used with optical sight, no backup iron sights available
Accessories
Bipod
Yes

Related articles


McMillan TAC-50

The present day production model McMillan TAC-50 anti-materiel rifle has its roots in the M87 and its derivatives.