Introduction

The M24 Sniper Weapon System is a 7.62mm, bolt-action, 6-shot repeating rifle (one round in the chamber and 5 rounds in the magazine). Fielded in 1988, the M24 was referred to as a "weapon system" because it consists of not only a rifle, but also a detachable telescopic sight and various other accessories. The weapon's maximum effective range is set at 800 meters, but it can fire a round up to about 1,200 meters away, and hit the target depending on the skill of the shooter.

The US Army put out a request for proposals for a Semi-Automatic Sniper System (SASS) in 2004, to replace the M24 Sniper Weapons System. The weapon would supplement the sniper's role to support combat operations with greater firepower and greater possible standoff ranges to improve sniper survivability. In late 2005, the contract for the SASS was awarded to Knights Armament Company, with the weapon being designated as the M110. However, the US Army still continued to acquire M24s from Remington until 2010. The M24 is currently being upgraded to the M24E1/XM2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle standard, and the rifle keeps on serving in Middle Eastern theaters of operations.

This review covers US Army M24 7.62mm Sniper Weapon System (LRE-35037), a new addition to 1/35 scale weapon sets from Live Resin.

Review

The set is packed in a zip-lock bag, additionally secured between standard Live Resin cardboard backings. The box art on the front shows all the kit parts, while the one on the back lists the accessories which could be combined with this kit: US Army scope sets (LRE-35007, LRE-35008 and LRE-35028), Insight's Technology AN/PEQ-2, AN/PEQ-15 (LRE-35010) and Harris bipod set/Surefire tactical Weapon Lights set (LRE-35012).

The kit consists of 6 M24 SWSs, each rifle on its own casting block. The weapons are molded in grey resin with details really nicely rendered and with no casting imperfections whatsoever. Although casting blocks are pretty big, all the carrier stubs are thin and one should have no problems cleaning the pieces.

The kit includes two slightly different M24 SWS versions: one in its basic M24 configuration while the other setup features McCann Industries Integrated Rail System (MIRS) mount. The MIRS provides a rail attachment point in front of, and to the side of the rifle scope. The M24 stock features an adjustable cheek pad and an extension that pulls out of the butt allowing a 2-inch adjustment to length of pull. A bipod can be attached to the stock's fore end. The rifle is usually used with Leupold Ultra M3A or Leupold Mk 4 LR/T M3 fixed power scopes and various night vision optic systems can also be fitted, such as the AN/PVS-10 Sniper Night Sight.

All the M24 SWS features are clearly identifiable and well rendered in this 1/35 scale kit. The level of details is absolutely amazing… digitally sculpted and developed using high-resolution 3D printing technology, these weapons are in fact perfectly authentic miniature copies of the real M24 rifles. However, please note that this kit provides a good base for M24 SWS, but it needs to be upgraded with some accessories from Live Resin range… magnifying scopes, laser designators and Harris bipods will make these weapons come to life.

Conclusion

This 1/35 scale weapon set includes 6 US Army M24 Sniper Weapon Systems in two slightly different configurations. The cast is absolutely perfect and features incredibly well defined details. With some optical sights, laser designators and Harris bipods which are all available separately from Live Resin, these M24s can be turned into an eye-catching 1/35 scale sniper systems.

Thanks to Yaroslav from Live Resin for this review sample.

References

World Guns
Global Security
McCann Industries