Ohio Ordnance Works’ .338 Machine Gun -The Firearm Blog

Ohio Ordnance REAPR (Matthew Moss/TFB)

At SHOT Present 2024, Ohio Ordnance Works unveiled the REAPR light-weight medium machine gun. The REAPR or Recoil Enhanced Computerized Rifle is chambered in .338 Norma Magnum and may also be calibre transformed to 7.62x51mm.

Ohio Ordnance Works @ TFB:

The gun was developed by Ohio Ordnance Works (OOW) in response to solicitations from the US SOCOM and US Marine Corps for a Light-weight Medium Machine Gun in .338NM. The area of interest requirement for a .338 gun dates again to at the least 2012 with the primary Sources Sought Solicitation being launched in Could 2017.

Ohio Ordnance REAPR (Matthew Moss/TFB)

Basic Dynamics initially entered the sphere growing their .338 machine gun however this design was later divested to True Velocity and since then SIG Sauer have additionally developed their MG338/SL MAG. The 2017 solicitation is now inactive, nevertheless, in 2021 SOCOM (through PEO SOF Warrior, PM Lethality) started searching for an ‘LMG-M’. LMG-M undertaking seeks a gun that may have interaction targets out to 2,500m and has an identical weight and type issue to an M240B. A contract had been hoped to be awarded by the tip of 2022, nevertheless, this slipped again to 2025 and now seemingly 2026.

The goal of .338 machine weapons is to fill the hole between the 7.62mm GPMG and the .50 HMG whereas offering a dismounted, lighter-weight platform that can provide the efficiency of a .50 calibre machine gun.

Ohio Ordnance REAPR with feed tray open (Matthew Moss/TFB)

OOW started work on their gun in 2020 with quite a few patents granted on its options. The REAPR is a select-fire weapon with ambidextrous controls on both facet of the pistol grip meeting in addition to a standard cross-bolt security. The pistol grip itself may be swapped out for any AR-15/M16 suitable grip. Robert W. Landies, OOW’s president and one of many designers of the gun, advised TFB that with REAPR they addressed loads of the pet peeves they’d with legacy machine gun designs and that they “took loads of options and amalgamated the most effective of them” when designing the weapon.

Intriguingly, the gun makes use of a roller-delayed working system, much like that of the MG45, this implies the opening of the motion is slowed by rollers however doesn’t totally lock. Submit-Second World Struggle Two this technique had some affect on a spread of designs together with the SIG MG 710-3 and a number of Heckler & Koch weapons. The gun makes use of a pair of springs on twin information rods and has a 600 rpm fee of fireplace. The weapon may be subject stripped with out instruments. To take away the motion a pin on the rear is eliminated which permits the butt inventory and rear of the receiver to be eliminated with the springs, information rods and bolt sliding out of the receiver.

Twin-mount Ohio Ordnance REAPR (Matthew Moss/TFB)

It has a facet folding inventory, designed in home with B5, with a shoulder relaxation and an adjustable cheek riser. B5 additionally supplied the REAPR’s P23 Grip and M-LOK rail covers. In accordance with OOW the REAPR weighs in at 26.8lbs and has an general size of 51.7in (131cm) when the inventory is collapsed, 54.5in (138cm) when deployed and 44in (112cm) when folded (it might probably fold both to the left or proper). To be used when mounted on autos or plane, the inventory may be eliminated and a spade grip equipment may be fitted. There may be additionally a rail-mounted detachable carrying deal with.

A key characteristic is the gun’s barrel quick-change system, this may be completed with one hand by the operator. The change may also be completed with the bolt both within the ahead or rear place. The patented system makes use of 2 opposing teams of 5 interrupted threads, this permits the barrel to be launched with only a 90-degree flip. To take away the barrel, the operator grasps the barrel cowl, pushes the barrel rearward in the direction of the receiver, after which turns the barrel 90 levels to disengage it. The REAPR may be mounted with a suppressor, it has been seen paired with cans from quite a lot of totally different producers.

.338 REAPR in a backpack (Ohio Ordnance Works)

One other characteristic is that your complete system may be damaged down into 3 items inside 10-20 seconds. It may be packed away with the barrel at 24.5in (61cm) being the longest part. The REAPR has a one-piece metal receiver and an aluminium hand guard with M-LOK slots, which may be eliminated through a pair of catches. The gun additionally has MIL-standard mounting factors for both tripod or pintle mounting. One other key, patented, characteristic is the gun’s feed tray which might slide out to the facet of the gun for loading and clearing, this permits the operator to make use of optics with a bigger steady footprint. SIG Sauer addressed this difficulty by having a canopy which hinges to the facet. The REAPR’s route of feed may be flipped both left or proper and ejection is thru the underside of the receiver. OOW notice that the gun has a mounting interface for an ammunition pouch on the left facet of the receiver however are contemplating including one to the correct facet however are ready on suggestions from customers.

Helicopter-mounted Ohio Ordnance REAPR (Matthew Moss/TFB)

OOW say that the REAPR is at the moment accessible for ordering in take a look at portions however full quantity manufacturing is about to start in April 2024. It will likely be fascinating to see how the LMG-M programme progresses.