The receiver is made from two parts (upper and lower), stamped from sheet steel and connected by cross-pins. The heavy barrel is fluted to improve heat dissipation and save weight, and fitted with a large and effective reactive muzzle brake. On the earlier models the muzzle brakes had a round cross-section; later M82 rifles are equipped with two-chamber brakes of rectangular cross-section.
M82A1 rifles are fitted with scope mount and folding backup iron sights, should the glass scope break. The U.S. military M82 rifles are often equipped with Leupold Mark 4 telescopic sights. The M82A1M (USMC M82A3) rifles have long Picatinny accessory rails mounted and US Optics telescopic sights. Every M82 rifle is equipped with a folding carrying handle and a folding bipod (both are detachable on the M82A3). The M82A3 is also fitted with a detachable rear monopod under the butt. The buttpad is fitted with a soft recoil pad to further decrease the felt recoil. M82A1 and M82A3 rifles could be mounted on the M3 or M122 infantry tripods (originally intended for machine guns) or on vehicles using the special Barrett soft-mount. The M82A1 can be fitted with a carry sling but according to those who carried it in the field, the M82 is too uncomfortable to be carried on a sling due to its excessive length and heavy weight. It is usually carried in a special carry soft or hard case.The M82A2 differed from M82A1 mostly in its configuration—that the pistol grip along with trigger had been placed ahead of the magazine, and the buttpad has been placed below the receiver, just after the magazine. An additional forward grip was added below the receiver, and the scope mount has been moved forward too.
The maximum range of this weapon (specifically the M107 variant) is 7,450 yards (6,812m). The maximum effective range of the M107 is 2,000 yards (1,829m). This is, in fact, the distance as quoted in the owner's manual that should be allowed downrange for bullet travel. Fifty caliber (and larger) rounds have the potential to travel great distances if fired in an artillery-like fashion, necessitating the observance of large safety margins when firing on a range.The Barret .50 Caliber rifle has revolutionized the world in many ways, mainly pertaining to the military world. With the versatility and mobility of this high powered rifle, it can be deployed almost anywhere and used by many. With it's high .50 caliber shot, it can carry a lethal shot ranging miles and miles long. The advantages of taking enemies out at long range is basically getting rid of the risk of taking them out without the chance of being shot back at in the process, or wasting resources for an air strike etc. If a soldier needs stop a car or a LAV, certain armor piercing rounds are capeable of stopping a car or LAV with very little shots, without risking the lives of soldiers. Also, if a high priority target is needed to be eliminated, a lethal shot from a Barret .50 Cal can travel from a long range. By firing from a long range, this eliminates many problems that infantry might encounter, or avoiding the high destruction of an air strike or mortar. Many of the advantages can be catagorized underneath the ability of s sniper, but with the Barret, you have greater distances, accuracy, and killing power.
The Barret .50 caliber rifle has many unique uses, and also many unique problems along with it. One of the problems many agencies face is a place to thoroughly learn the system and the cartridge. These systems truly are not like anything else, and many ranges in fact won’t allow them. Since many police agencies share with civilian ranges make sure this is not an issue before you get one. For those agencies that have ranges, many are limited to 400 yards or even less. Even if you do not intend to use a .50 BMG at extremely long ranges you still need a place to fire it enough to learn the ins and outs of the system and the cartridge. Since what this rifle does best is go through stuff, then quite frankly you need to shoot “stuff” with it. That means cars, busses, walls, trains, what ever it is you anticipate on using this on in the real world. Make certain you have some sort of paper target, or item that gives you an idea of the shrapnel that this round can create when going through a car, bus, or other metal object.
It does not always make one hole in and one out. Trust me: The hole on the other side of the block wall is bigger than the one at the front (if you can even find it). If it is being used in a hostage situation this is something you need to know before you use it. It does you know good to stop the car and kill the hostage at the same time. What is a really good backstop for a .308 does not really slow a .50 BMG down a whole lot. You really need to know how far down range this round can go AFTER it goes through the hardened target. Let’s go back to my energy analogy: A local agency here shot a hostage-taker with a 165-grain tactical round through a glass window. It went through the glass, him, two rows of Halloween costumes and lodged in a counter, intact. Now, consider that the 661-grain .50 BMG has almost twice that energy at 1000 yards with a bullet that is four times larger! You simply have to know what the round will do before you use it in the field.
Also, your really need to consider that this weapon system is under a ton of scrutiny right now. We still have states trying to ban it, and at least one already has. When you use this system, depending on where you are it is likely the world will know, and there will be someone (probably with J.D. after their name) looking at your training and policy with a microscope. You really need to have your training and policy squared away, and in writing. There are as many things that can go wrong with a deployment of this rifle that can go right, maybe more, and you had better have trained for these things. I would not suggest it be chosen lightly, taken for granted, or deployed without significant consideration.
Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrett_M82#Technical_description
http://www.tactical-life.com/online/exclusives/how-and-when-to-deploy-a-big-barrett/
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