Editing SEAL Recon Rifle

{{Short description|Designated marksman rifle}}
{{refimprove|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name               = SEAL Recon Rifle
| image              = [[Image:SEAL recon rifle.jpg|300px]]
| caption            = A SEAL Recon Rifle featuring an AN/PVS-22 [[night-vision device]] held by Navy SEAL [[Matthew Axelson]]
| type               = * [[Designated marksman rifle]]
* [[Assault rifle]]
| origin             = [[United States]]
| is_ranged          = Yes
| used_by            = [[United States Navy SEALs]]
| part_length        = 16 inch (406 mm)
| designer           = * U.S. Navy SEAL armorers
* [[Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division]]
| cartridge          = * [[5.56×45mm NATO]]
* [[Mk 262|Mk 262 Mod 0]]
| action             = [[Gas-operated]], [[rotating bolt]]
| feed               = 30-round detachable [[STANAG magazine]]
| sights             = * Variable-power optic (<sup>i.e.</sup>2.5–10)
* Back-up [[iron sights]]
| rate               = 700–950 rounds/min
| service            = 1993–present<ref name="EDM">{{Cite web | url=https://www.everydaymarksman.co/equipment/recce-rifle/ | title=The Recce Rifle: Builder's Guide to Modern Classic | date=28 April 2020 }}</ref>
}}

The '''SEAL Recon Rifle''' (nicknamed the "'''Sniper M4'''"<ref name="AFO">{{Cite web | url=https://www.americanfirearms.org/recce-rifle-ultimate-guide/ | title=The Recce Rifle: Complete Guide to Recon Rifles }}</ref> and "'''Recce'''"<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.pewpewtactical.com/best-recce-rifles/ | title=Best Recce (Recon) Rifles | date=23 January 2018 }}</ref>) is an American [[designated marksman rifle]] and [[assault rifle]] used by the [[United States Navy SEALs]]. Essentially a heavily modified [[M16 rifle]], it is intended to provide SEAL [[sniper]]s and [[designated marksmen]] with a versatile, accurate, lightweight, and relatively compact weapon chambered in [[5.56×45mm NATO]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The RECCE Rifle: Originally Developed for the SEAL Teams |url=https://sofrep.com/gear/the-recce-rifle-originally-developed-for-the-seal-teams/ |access-date=2022-06-26 |website=SOFREP |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://swiftsilentdeadly.com/recce-patrolling-iii-recce-rifle-weapons/ | title=Recce Patrolling III: The Recce Rifle & Weapons | date=7 March 2022 }}</ref>

==History==
The concept of an [[accurized]] rifle based on the 5.56 NATO cartridge was first observed in 1993 during the [[Battle of Mogadishu (1993)|Battle of Mogadishu]].<ref name="AFO"/> This led to the development of various options for improving accuracy in the field, including improved ammunition and triggers, a range of optics, free-floating handguards, and rail systems.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://soldiersystems.net/2015/09/12/gunfighter-moment-daryl-holland-10/ | title=Gunfighter Moment - Daryl Holland - Soldier Systems Daily | date=12 September 2015 }}</ref>

Developed in-house by SEAL team armorers,<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.recoilweb.com/cmmgs-new-mk4-recce-rifle-for-2014-37423.html | title=CMMG's new MK4 RECCE Rifle for 2014 | newspaper=Recoil | date=9 January 2014 | last1=Lewis | first1=Jody }}</ref> the rifle was centered less around a rigid specification and more around the concept of an accurized rifle that could share the duties and ammunition of fielded [[M4 carbine]]s, whilst also being able to engage targets beyond the carbines' range.<ref name="SOFREP">{{Cite web | url=https://sofrep.com/gear/the-recce-rifle-originally-developed-for-the-seal-teams/ | title=The RECCE Rifle: Originally Developed for the SEAL Teams }}</ref>

When further development was handed over to [[Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division]],<ref name="AFO"/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pewpewtactical.com/best-recce-rifles/ | title=Best Recce (Recon) Rifles | date=23 January 2018 }}</ref> the [[United States Army]] incorporated their own concepts and funding into the joint program, resulting in the [[Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle]] which many SEALs were disappointed with.<ref name="Rottman2011" /> 

Former SEAL sniper Kyle Defoor recounts:<ref name="EDM"/>

{{Blockquote|text=It went to 18" quite frankly because the big Army got involved. Most of us that have a lot of time on one (myself included) think that 16" is better for a number of reasons:
# 2" does make a difference, especially with a &#91;[[suppressor]]&#93;.
# Weight (it's not pounds at this stage it's ounces) and remember that balance has a factor here too.
# I've shot both together on the same range at the same time. I don't really care what charts and scientists say, me and [my fellow SEALs] can hit just as good with 16" as 18".
[...]
The MK12<ref>{{cite web |last1=Witner |first1=Scott |title=The Ultimate Guide to Recce Rifles: History, Build, and Tactical Advantage |url=https://blog.refactortactical.com/blog/recce-rifle/ |website=RE Factor Tactical |publisher=Scott Witner |access-date=13 December 2023}}</ref> is ok as it comes, but, me and majority of the guys that were around me immediately [replaced] the fixed stock. Some would go with a Geissele trigger too, and some would put a tube rail back on. All of these little touches were done in house at the shooters home team.}}

==Specifications==
Initially, SEAL Recon Rifles were built in-house with the only requirements being a 16" [[gun barrel|barrel]] (406mm), and the ability to shoot any [[5.56×45mm]] [[cartridge (firearms)|cartridge]] in inventory, including the first iterations of the 77-grain (5 gram) [[Mk 262|Mk262]] Mod0 cartridge.<ref name="SC">{{cite web | url=https://snipercentral.com/mk12-spr/ | title=Mk 12 SPR | date=3 April 2020 }}</ref><ref name="Rottman2011">{{cite book|last=Rottman|first=Gordon L.|url=https://ospreypublishing.com/the-m16|title=The M16|publisher=[[Osprey Publishing]]|isbn=978-1-84908-691-2|editor-last=Pegler|editor-first=Martin|series=Military History, Weapon series (WPN14)|publication-place=Great Britain|publication-date=20 December 2011|pages=46–47|language=en|chapter=Development|date=20 December 2011|type=Also available in paperback and ePub|format=PDF}}</ref> Otherwise, the rifle was individualized to the tastes of the user by the armorer or the SEAL themselves.

The stainless-steel barrels were sourced from Lilja Precision Rifle Barrels with a 1:8 (203mm) twist and a unique heavy profile, beginning at 0.980 inches (25mm) in diameter for the first 2.60 inches (66mm) of length, then narrowing down to 0.850 inches (22mm) in diameter, 0.750 inches (19mm) in diameter underneath the front sight block, and 0.725 inches (18mm) in diameter to the muzzle.<ref name="Neville2016"/> 

These barrels were mated to flat-top upper receivers featuring an M1913 rail, to which optics and back-up [[iron sights]] could be attached. Operators commonly chose to install back-up iron sights manufactured by [[Knight's Armament Company]], ARMS Inc, and Troy Industries with the rifles.<ref name="SOFREP" /> 

Recon rifles were reportedly fitted with free-float handguards, the most popular being the KAC M4 Match RAS and a longer-length LaRue free-float handguard, either of which provides plentiful rail space to mount accessories. KAC free-floated rails (P/N 20214) were part of the Mk12 Mod 1 package and were in common use during the [[war on terror]]. <ref name="Neville2016">{{cite book|last=Neville|first=Leigh|title=Guns of Special Forces 2001 – 2015|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v1yqCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA162|date=31 March 2016|publisher=Pen and Sword|isbn=978-1-4738-8102-0|page=162}}</ref> 

Barrels were sometimes fitted with Ops Inc. 12th model suppressors and their accompanying muzzle brakes.<ref name="SC"/>

==See also==
* [[Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle]]
* [[Squad Designated Marksman Rifle]]
* [[Squad Advanced Marksman Rifle]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://clonerifles.com/seal-recce/ SEAL Recon Rifle images and parts-list at CloneRifles.com.]

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{{ArmaLite AR-10 derivatives}}

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[[Category:5.56×45mm NATO firearms]]
[[Category:Rifles of the United States]]
[[Category:Designated marksman rifles]]
[[Category:ArmaLite AR-10 derivatives]]