How strong is a Barret 50 cal?

Answer 1

The M82 (also sometimes designated by the military as the M107) is a recoil-operated, semi-automatic anti-materiel rifle developed by the American Barrett Firearms Manufacturing.

Weight loaded: 31Lb. Magazine Capacity: 10 rounds. Magazine weight loaded: 4.12Lb. Length: 57 Inches (4foot 7 in) Barrel length: 29inches (2foot 3in) Muzzle velocity: 2850 fps (853 M/s) with 600 grain bullet. Maximum range: 6,800 meters. Maximum effective accurate range 2000 meters.

The very first Barrett 50 was designated the M82 or Model of 1982 when it was first created. Its development continued until 1986 where an improved model the M82A1 came onto the scene. It was in 1990 that the US army adopted this rifle and it is still with them today.

The Barrett Light 50 as it is more commonly called, is a semi-automatic and recoil operated rifle, with unique recoil absorption systems incorporated that allow the barrel to slide back much the same as a Howitzer cannon. This system is to save damage to the rifle and indeed the the person firing it.

There is also a muzzle brake fitted that allows the gases to vent sideways and this also helps to keep the recoil down to a minimum.

The Governor of California, USA, Arnold Schwarzenegger decided that the Barrett .50 caliber was too dangerous to be owned by civilians and he promptly banned its sale for private ownership.

The Barrett M82A1 and M107 fires the US Military's standard issue .50 Caliber (½ inch diameter) bullet which incidentally is four times heavier than the US Army's standard .30 Caliber rifle bullet, and a massive ten times more heavy than the 5.56mm bullet fired from the M16 assault rifle.

A recent report stated that the bullet fired from the Barrett M82A1 hits a target 1½ miles away with more energy and force than Clint Eastwood's "Dirty Harry" .44 Magnum, fired at point blank range.

The .50 caliber bullet fired form a Barrett M83A1 or M-107 can easily penetrate 1½inches of solid steel armor plate, which is the normal amount of "protection" offered by most of the worlds Armored Personnel Carriers (APC's), Armored cars, trucks and other "light" vehicles. Generally speaking, as long as its not a main battle tank, the .50 caliber round fired from the Barrett at moderate ranges will penetrate it.