February 15, 201610 yr This is rich. An ISIS instructor was teaching erstwhile recruits in the desert how to behead people. Unfortunately, in the middle of his lecture, his head was blown off by a Dan .338 sniper rifle in the hands of an Special Air Service warrior. I wonder if the ISIS academy gives tuition refunds?
February 15, 201610 yr I'll gladly pay the match entry fee for this SAS sniper if he comes to a Cumberland Riflemen match! Good shot, sir.
February 15, 201610 yr I wonder who the source was because they are clueless. Im pretty well versed in precision rifles and I have no idea what a Dan rifle is. I'm not aware of ANY 338 round designed to tumble its way to a 1300+ yd headshot!!!
February 15, 201610 yr I wonder who the source was because they are clueless. Im pretty well versed in precision rifles and I have no idea what a Dan rifle is. I'm not aware of ANY 338 round designed to tumble its way to a 1300+ yd headshot!!! DAN 338 is a bolt action made by Israeli Weapons Industries.
February 15, 201610 yr http://www.tactical-life.com/firearms/israel-weapon-industries-dan-338-bolt-action-sniper-rifle/
February 15, 201610 yr I assure you the SAS doesn't use a DAN Why? Not trying to sharpshoot you trying to learn.
February 15, 201610 yr Being curious, I found a Daily Mail a article dated 3 August 2014 that says the SAS were getting the DAN. I guess it fills a gap between 7.62 NATO and 50 cal rifles.
February 15, 201610 yr I assure you the SAS doesn't use a DAN Here us an article from a UK paper: http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/392376/EXCLUSIVE-SAS-snipers-to-get-world-s-best-rifle
February 15, 201610 yr Because they are issued one of the finest SWS from their own country. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accuracy_International
February 15, 201610 yr Being curious, I found a Daily Mail a article dated 3 August 2014 that says the SAS were getting the DAN. I guess it fills a gap between 7.62 NATO and 50 cal rifles. I just cant see it. It makes no sense. Maybe the British are going broke and cant afford their own rifle?????
February 15, 201610 yr The current iteration is the AI AXMC. It is a switch barrel and can go from 308 short action to 338LM.
February 15, 201610 yr I just cant see it. It makes no sense. Maybe the British are going broke and cant afford their own rifle????? The SAS, like every other special operations outfit, gets a lot of things not in the general inventory because they found it meets their needs better. Doesn't make a difference who uses it or where it's from. That goes from everything from rucksacks to sniper rifles.
February 15, 201610 yr Author Well, regardless of the weapon-of-choice, you gotta love these SAS guys. Their response to the Iranian embassy seizure in London and SCUD hunting in the western Iraq desert during Gulf 1 was artful. Now their insertion into ISIS' back yard will spook them the way we spooked the Toyota truck guys in Somalia. Hail Britannia. (Or what's left of it.)
February 15, 201610 yr The SAS, like every other special operations outfit, gets a lot of things not in the general inventory because they found it meets their needs better. Doesn't make a difference who uses it or where it's from. That goes from everything from rucksacks to sniper rifles. I understand what your saying but..... I seriously doubt, even with operational latitude, that they are just going to start fielding an unproven rifle over one that is world renowned for its accuracy and combat reliability, in use as the SWS of choice of over 74 countries, and the rifle that is responsible for their own world record shots and fully integrated into their own support, armory and supply lines. I wonder if Craig Harrison is unhappy with his current record holding shot of 2707 yards with his Accuracy International 338LM
February 16, 201610 yr I understand what your saying but..... I seriously doubt, even with operational latitude, that they are just going to start fielding an unproven rifle over one that is world renowned for its accuracy and combat reliability, in use as the SWS of choice of over 74 countries, and the rifle that is responsible for their own world record shots and fully integrated into their own support, armory and supply lines. I wonder if Craig Harrison is unhappy with his current record holding shot of 2707 yards with his Accuracy International 338LM I'm sure they tested it to their satisfaction before fielding. I'm also certain it's been used in the field before this. This is the first publicized. Everybody's definition of best is different.
February 16, 201610 yr Griz, look at what goes into a selection process for a SWS. Look what it took for them to select the LMT as their DMR rifle. Do you think that a dramatic change like that would go down with no one knowing about it? I cant find anything on the SAS fielding this rifle other than the mention posted which doesn't exactly strike me as a reliable resource. I cant find references to anyone adopting it. Honestly it would be like Ferrari said yeah for our race team we are going to run a Hyundai Genesis this year.
February 16, 201610 yr "Everybody's definition of best is different." In this case, not really. The criteria for selection of a SWS all seem to center around common operational requirements. Here are the solicitation requirements for the PSR solicitation from a while back as an example. https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&tab=core&id=3ccd2299344355c0c55149b2637158d1&_cview=0 But in the interest of discussion, I haven't uncovered yet what the IWI offering brings to the table that is an advantage? It seems behind the curve of where current SWS systems have in terms of capability. The FN Ballista, Accuracy International AXMC, DTA SRS, Remington MSR all bring to the table the ability for quick barrel changes to include being able to go from short action to long action. I cant find any mention of this capability for the DAN. If it doesn't it would not even have been able to submit for any of the recent US solicitations.
February 16, 201610 yr I assure you the SAS doesn't use a DAN http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/392376/EXCLUSIVE-SAS-snipers-to-get-world-s-best-rifle I guess some of them decided to keep it after taking it for a test drive.
February 16, 201610 yr "Everybody's definition of best is different." In this case, not really. The criteria for selection of a SWS all seem to center around common operational requirements. Here are the solicitation requirements for the PSR solicitation from a while back as an example. https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&tab=core&id=3ccd2299344355c0c55149b2637158d1&_cview=0 But in the interest of discussion, I haven't uncovered yet what the IWI offering brings to the table that is an advantage? It seems behind the curve of where current SWS systems have in terms of capability. The FN Ballista, Accuracy International AXMC, DTA SRS, Remington MSR all bring to the table the ability for quick barrel changes to include being able to go from short action to long action. I cant find any mention of this capability for the DAN. If it doesn't it would not even have been able to submit for any of the recent US solicitations. Shane, you're confusing normal acquisition and testing procedures to what Special Operations do. Special Ops types find some thing they could use, see how it's fills a niche for them, and buy it. No specs writing, bidding etc. You can't see what IWI brings to the table but you aren't a Special Ops trooper. Neither am I. The SAS saw something they liked and bought it.
February 17, 201610 yr I don't know about the SAS, but our guys do a lot of COTS (Commercial, Off The Shelf) purchases for weapons and gear that fit their needs, even if it isn't standard gear. Even unit to unit you can find a different variety of weapons to fill the same role. That being said, those newpaper articles don't inspire confidence and frankly, don't hold a lot of water in my mind. I can find articles that state US SOF is definitely switching to the SCAR platform for all their rifle needs - and we all know how that went.
February 17, 201610 yr Griz, find me 1, just 1 reputable article stating SAS is officially deploying with this SWS. Additionally we aren't talking about a common use item here. We are talking about a very specialized tool that the individual spends a ton of time on. Add to that they are already issued a rifle where the performance overlay is pretty much identical(assuming the DAN can pass on accuracy req's) but the AI is extremely battle proven. It just doesn't make sense. Your correct, I am no operator. But my business affiliations and some of the projects I have had a front row seat to have given me exceptional access into that community. Additionally, being a long time study on the topic and having owned most of the current crop of Sniper weapons systems gives me a pretty educated position on the topic.
February 17, 201610 yr Shane you are asking the impossible. The SAS, Delta, or any other Special Ops outfit makes press releases on what are deploying with. Moreso if it's a limited use item. This could be part of the SAS's "field trials". AFAIC, if that's what the SAS is using they must have found a use for it. If not the press got it wrong.
February 17, 201610 yr Griz, I'm not trying to be contentious with you but I think if you take a step back and look objectively, this don't pass the smell test. Use the Brit adoption of the LMT MWS as a sample. It was all over legitimate press and in the community. But a bolt gun is a giant secret that only the "whose boob flopped out" tabloid got the scoop on? Furthermore, consider how much else in the article posted was just plain fantasy. The story its self wreaks. No 338 round is made to tumble in flight, let alone make a 1400 yd headshot while tumbling. Complete decapitation? Even the 338 is a little light on energy to pull that off at that distance. Yes I agree units test stuff. All kinds of stuff. Even stuff they aren't interested in because its free. My optics mount was on rifles tested on the IAR project by the Marine Corp. You don't see me running around spouting how its being tested by the Marines because it don't mean a damn thing. Frankly I think its a contrived article to create buzz on the DAN....
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