XM-3 Sniper Rifle S6534014

Up for auction is a DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECT AGENCY (DARPA) XM-3 Sniper Rifle used by the United States Marine Corps. In mid-2005, DARPA worked with Lt. Col. Norm Chandler’s Iron Brigade Armory (IBA) to field items to expeditionary units in Afghanistan.  Since they already had a great working relationship, DARPA contracted IBA to build and test lightweight sniper rifles that incorporated the improvements the snipers desired in combat.  The mission was to be lighter and smaller than the existing M40s, while having better accuracy, clip-on night vision that did not require re-zero, better optics, and better stock, and it had to be suppressed. The barrel had to be short enough to allow maneuverability yet long enough to deliver a 10” group at 1,000 yards. If the barrel was too heavy, maneuverability would decrease, yet if the barrel was too light it would only be able to shoot a few rounds before the groups started to shift due to barrel temperature. IBA tested a number of barrel lengths, ranging from 16 to 20 inches and in different contours. Each rifle with a different length was assigned an XM designator starting with XM1 through XM3. In each case, everything on the prototype rifles was kept the same except the barrel. During the final phases of testing it was found that the 18” barrels had no issues keeping up with their longer 20” brethren. The final barrel length was set at 18.5”, and the contour was a modified #7. The straight taper on the barrel was only 2” vs. 4” and the overall diameter at the muzzle was .85” vs. .980”. This helped reduce a lot of the rifle’s weight while not negatively affecting accuracy or effective range. A number of the groups at 1,000 yards were <1 MOA.

The Marines of I-MEF were the first to field test the rifles at Camp Pendleton. Shortly after I-MEF took receipt of the XM-3s, the first units in II-MEF took receipt of theirs.  By mid-2006 there were dozens of XM-3s in Iraq.  There were 52 XM-3s made.

Rifle serial number S6534014 has a desert camo print with usual wear and tear that comes with a rifle that has been fired. 

Also included: Nightforce NXS 3.5-15x50 Scope SN: Q04999; bipod; cleaning tool kit; sling; suppressor wrap; SUPPRESSOR NOT INCLUDED; iM3200 Storm case; 

 All photos can be viewed here.

This rifle is being SOLD AS IS and may or may not have defects or other issues.

Look at all images carefully before bidding!!!

Please pay close attention to the allotted payment time in the “payment instructions” box. Once an item has been won, the highest bidder will receive a generated email from the auction site. This email will state that there are 30 days to mail in paperwork - this is no longer the case. CMP allows 10 days for paperwork to be mailed in.