M89SR sniper rifle is a gas operated semi-automatic sniper rifle, currently produced by Technical Equipment International (TEI), an Israeli company based in Tel Aviv.
The M89SR was first introduced as the Sardius M36 Sniper Weapon System (SWS) in the 1980s. The rifle is based on the American M14 rifle in bullpup configuration, and uses the same 7.62×51mm NATO ammunition. It was intended to replace the M14, though Sardius were unable to secure financing. When Sardius went out of business, Technical Consulting International (TCI) obtained the licence to produce the M36. They made some adjustments, such as adding a new carbon fiber stock, and it was renamed the M89SR (Model 89 Sniper Rifle).
It is used by the Israel Defense Forces, and can be used both in urban warfare and on the battlefield. The rifle is much shorter than an assault rifle even with a sound suppressor attached; making it easy to conceal. It is also relatively light, and is more accurate than other sniper rifles.
Despite being one of the better sniper rifles available to IDF, only a small number are used, with the undercover unit Sayeret Duvdevan using most of them. It is more successful abroad, and is sold to numerous special forces units.
Famous quotes containing the word rifle:
“Truth is his inspirer, and earnestness the polisher of his sentences. He could afford to lose his Sharp’s rifles, while he retained his faculty of speech,—a Sharp’s rifle of infinitely surer and longer range.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)