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| # L129A1
The **L129A1**, also known as the **L129A1 Sharpshooter Rifle**, is a [designated marksman rifle](/Designated_marksman_rifle) chambered in [7.62×51mm NATO](/7.62%C3%9751mm_NATO) and manufactured by the [Lewis Machine & Tool Company](/Lewis_Machine_%26_Tool_Company) (LMT) for the [British Armed Forces](/British_Armed_Forces). It is part of LMT's Modular Weapon System (MWS) small arms family, designed to provide enhanced accuracy and range over standard-issue assault rifles in combat scenarios.
## History
In 2009, the [British Ministry of Defence](/British_Ministry_of_Defence) (MOD) contracted [Lewis Machine & Tool Company](/Lewis_Machine_%26_Tool_Company) to supply 440 **LM308MWS** rifles chambered in [7.62×51mm NATO](/7.62%C3%9751mm_NATO), designated as the **L129A1**. The rifle's [NATO Stock Number](/NATO_Stock_Number) (NSN) is **1005-99-226-6708**. By December 2014, over **3,000 units** had been delivered to UK forces.
### Operational Need
During the [War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)](/War_in_Afghanistan_(2001%E2%80%932021)), British light infantry units frequently encountered situations where enemy forces engaged them beyond the effective range of their standard-issue [5.56×45mm NATO](/5.56%C3%9745mm_NATO) assault rifles and light machine guns. The gap in effective engagement—typically between **400 and 800 meters (437–875 yards)**—left British sections vulnerable, as the only available weapons capable of returning fire at those distances were general-purpose machine guns and bolt-action sniper rifles, both of which were ill-suited for rapid, semi-automatic engagement.
### Selection and Deployment
The **LM308MWS** was submitted as part of the British MOD's **Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR)** for a semi-automatic [7.62×51mm NATO](/7.62%C3%9751mm_NATO) sharpshooter rifle. Competing designs included the [FN Herstal SCAR-H](/SCAR-H), [Heckler & Koch HK417](/HK417), and [Sabre Defence XR-10](/Sabre_Defence). The LMT rifle was selected, receiving the **L129A1** designation, and entered service in **April 2010** in Afghanistan.
Each British rifle section—typically consisting of eight soldiers—was issued one **L129A1**, assigned to a designated "sharpshooter." The standard optic for the rifle is the **TA648-308 6×48 Trijicon ACOG**, which provides an **8 mm exit pupil** for improved light gathering and a wide field of view. Additionally, a **Trijicon RM01 1× Ruggedized Miniature Reflex (RMR)** sight is mounted for close-quarters combat (CQB) use.
The rifle features a **user-removable barrel** secured by two locking bolts accessible from the right side of the receiver, allowing for quick barrel changes with a return-to-zero capability. The **16-inch (406 mm) barrel** has an **11.25-inch (285.8 mm) twist rate**, optimized for firing standard **144-grain 7.62mm ball ammunition** up to **168-grain BTHP (Boat-Tail Hollow Point) rounds**. The official issue ammunition includes **155-grain L42A1-A3 sniper rounds** and **L59A1 "High Performance" ball ammunition**.
### Sniper Support Weapon (SSW) Variant
A specialized **Sniper Support Weapon (SSW)** variant of the **L129A1** was adopted for use by the second member of sniper teams. This version is fitted with a **Schmidt & Bender 3-12×50 telescopic sight** and a **Surefire suppressor**, enhancing its long-range precision capabilities.
### L129A2 Upgrade
In **2023**, the [Royal Marines](/Royal_Marines) adopted an upgraded variant, the **L129A2**, based on LMT's **Modular Ambidextrous Rifle System (MARS-H)**. Chambered in **[6.5mm Creedmoor](/6.5mm_Creedmoor)**, the **L129A2** features:
- An **18-inch (457 mm) barrel** for improved ballistic performance.
- A **Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18×44 M5C3 Desert IR telescopic sight** with a **TREMOR3 reticle**.
- A **HuxWrx suppressor** for reduced muzzle signature.
- An **Envision Technology ballistic calculator** for enhanced long-range accuracy.
- A **Pixels-on-Target thermal sight** for low-light and adverse conditions.
The transition to **6.5mm Creedmoor** was driven by its superior ballistic performance at ranges around and beyond **800 meters (875 yards)**, though it introduced logistical challenges due to the new caliber and a potential reduction in barrel life due to higher chamber pressures.
## Design and Features
### Specifications
| **Specification** | **L129A1** | **L129A2** |
|----------------------------------|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|
| **Caliber** | [7.62×51mm NATO](/7.62%C3%9751mm_NATO) | [6.5mm Creedmoor](/6.5mm_Creedmoor) |
| **Barrel Length** | 16 in (406 mm) | 18 in (457 mm) |
| **Overall Length** | 927 mm (36.5 in) (stock collapsed) | 990 mm (39 in) (stock extended) |
| **Weight** | 4.4 kg (9.7 lb) | 4.4 kg (9.7 lb) |
| **Action** | Gas-operated, rotating bolt | Gas-operated, rotating bolt |
| **Effective Range** | 800 m (875 yd) | 800+ m (875+ yd) |
| **Maximum Range** | 1,000 m (1,094 yd) | 1,000+ m (1,094+ yd) |
| **Feed System** | 20-round SR-25 pattern magazine | 20-round SR-25 pattern magazine |
| **Optics** | Trijicon ACOG 6×48 + RMR | Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18×44 + Thermal |
### Key Features
- **Modular Design**: The **L129A1** and **L129A2** are part of LMT's **Modular Weapon System (MWS)**, allowing for extensive customization.
- **Barrel Swap Capability**: The barrel can be removed and reinstalled without losing zero, a critical feature for field maintenance.
- **Suppressed Operation**: Both variants support suppressors, reducing muzzle flash and noise signature.
- **Advanced Optics**: The **L129A2** incorporates a **thermal sight** and **ballistic calculator**, significantly enhancing target acquisition and engagement at extended ranges.
## Variants
### L129A1
The original variant, chambered in **[7.62×51mm NATO](/7.62%C3%9751mm_NATO)**, features a **16-inch (406 mm) barrel** and is equipped with a **Trijicon ACOG 6×48** scope. It was adopted in **2009** and entered service in **May 2010**.
### L129A2
The upgraded **MARS-H** variant, introduced in **2023**, is chambered in **[6.5mm Creedmoor](/6.5mm_Creedmoor)** and includes:
- An **18-inch (457 mm) barrel** for improved velocity and accuracy.
- A **Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18×44** scope with **TREMOR3 reticle**.
- A **HuxWrx suppressor** for reduced muzzle blast.
- An **Envision Technology ballistic calculator** for precise long-range shooting.
- A **Pixels-on-Target thermal sight** for enhanced visibility in low-light conditions.
The **L129A2** retains the **gas-operated, rotating bolt** system of its predecessor but features **M-LOK compatible handguard attachment points** for accessory mounting.
## Civilian Variants
A civilian version of the **L129A1**, known as the **L129A1 Reference Rifle**, is marketed by LMT in the **U.S.** without optics. Additionally, a **straight-pull** variant was produced for the **UK market**, complying with local firearm regulations.
## Operational Use
The **L129A1** has seen extensive use in the **[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)](/War_in_Afghanistan_(2001%E2%80%932021))**, where its **7.62×51mm NATO** chambering provided British forces with a critical advantage in engagements beyond the effective range of standard **5.56×45mm NATO** weapons. The **L129A2**, with its **6.5mm Creedmoor** chambering, further extends this capability, offering improved ballistic performance at extended ranges.
## See Also
- [Designated marksman rifle](/Designated_marksman_rifle)
- [Lewis Machine & Tool Company](/Lewis_Machine_%26_Tool_Company)
- [British Armed Forces](/British_Armed_Forces)
- [War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)](/War_in_Afghanistan_(2001%E2%80%932021))
- [7.62×51mm NATO](/7.62%C3%9751mm_NATO)
- [6.5mm Creedmoor](/6.5mm_Creedmoor)
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