The modern Designated Marksman (DM) operates as part of the infantry squad and lays down precision, ranged firepower for allied units. As such, his weapon must be reliable and robust for frontline service while also having the man-stopping capabilities required for the sniping role. The MSSR fulfills these requirements and comes in several other flavors - the suppressed "Night-Fighting Weapon System" (NFWS), the "Special Purpose Rifle" (SPR) and the "Squad Designated Marksman Rifle' (SDMR).
The NFWS is of particular note for it is specially-arranged for low-level light fighting and comes equipped with a night vision scope and integral suppressor assembly, the latter over the barrel. Perfect for clandestine operations requiring stealth and ambush.
The Special Purpose Rifle has an 18" free-floating barrel (the assembly does not touch the stock at any point along its length) to increase accuracy and is capped by a flash suppressor. A section of Picatinny rail is seated over the receiver to accept various optics fits and a folding bipod is fitted for forward support under the barrel. The trigger group sports a selective-fire option as well.
The Squad Designated Marksman Rifle is of carbine length (and therefore made much more compact) and also has a Picatinny rail section over its receiver for optics. A robust 16" cold-hammer-forged barrel is used instead.
The MSSR weapon is issued to elements of the Philippine Marine Scout detachment. Introduced in 1996, the system has had over two decades of proven service and its use has grown beyond that of the DMR role - it is also fielded in the traditional sniper role to two-man teams in-the-field. The type succeeded the aging lines of World War 1-era Springfield M1903 bolt-action rifles and the World War 2-era M1 "Garand" and Vietnam War-era M14 self-loading rifles then in Philippine Marine service.
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