Barrett M82A1

While often colloquially called a sniper rifle, the Barrett M82A1 is officially classified as an anti-materiel rifle. Its primary military purpose is not necessarily engaging personnel, but rather destroying or disabling enemy equipment, light armor, radar cabins, and unexploded ordnance from extreme distances.

Due to its massive size and the need to absorb the immense recoil of the .50 BMG cartridge, the Barrett M82A1 is a very heavy weapon. Empty, the rifle weighs approximately 30 pounds (14 kg), making it highly impractical for standard infantry carry and better suited for mounted or stationary use.

To make the massive .50 caliber cartridge manageable for a single shooter, the Barrett M82A1 utilizes a short-recoil, semi-automatic operating system. The barrel and bolt move backward together upon firing, absorbing energy before rotating to eject the spent casing and load the next round.

In the United States, civilians can legally purchase a Barrett M82A1 in jurisdictions that do not specifically ban .50 caliber rifles. However, the rifle is incredibly expensive, often costing upward of $10,000, and requires compliance with strict federal regulations regarding heavy firearms.