Accuracy International AWP
Accuracy International · Sniper Rifle · Discontinued · 1990
Also known as: AWP, Arctic Warfare Police, AI AWP
Overview
The Accuracy International AWP (Arctic Warfare Police) is a British bolt-action sniper rifle, the law-enforcement-oriented member of the Arctic Warfare family. Chambered primarily in .308 Winchester (7.62x51mm NATO), with .243 Winchester also offered, it pairs the proven AW flat-bottom steel action and full-length aluminium chassis with a shorter 609 mm barrel tuned for the shorter engagement distances typical of police marksman work. Like the rest of the AW line it uses hollow polymer stock sides over an aluminium bedding block, a crisp two-stage trigger, backup iron sights, and delivers sub-minute-of-angle accuracy with match ammunition.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 6500 g (229.3 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 6900 g (243.4 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1270 mm (50.00") |
| Barrel Length | 609 mm (23.98") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Two Stage |
| Trigger Pull | 15 N (3.4 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 10 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 850 m/s (2789 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3441 J (2538 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3700 m (4046 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 305 mm (12.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum Alloy |
| Barrel Material | Stainless Steel |
| Stock Material | Aluminum Chassis Polymer Furniture |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- .308 Winchester · primary · 7.62x51mm NATO — also known as .308 Win, 308 Winchester, 7.62x51mm NATO
- .243 Winchester — also known as .243 Win
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Firing Pin Safety
- Features: Free Floating Barrel, Aluminum Bedding Block, Backup Iron Sights, Integral Bipod Mount, Adjustable Cheek Piece, Accessory Rail, Flat Bottom Action
Base model
Service history
Operators
- German Federal Police
- Belgian Federal Police
- New Zealand Police
Production
Production years: 1990s-2000s
Sold primarily to law enforcement and tactical units; superseded within the AI catalogue by the AT and AX series.
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Designer: Malcolm Cooper
Notes
The AWP shares the AW action and chassis but is fitted with a shorter barrel and a plain matte-black finish rather than the green military furniture, reflecting its police tactical role.
Background
Accuracy International was founded in 1978 by a group of British target shooters and engineers led by Olympic gold-medal smallbore shooter Malcolm Cooper. The Arctic Warfare family grew out of the L96A1 that won the British Army's sniper trials in the 1980s, and the AWP was spun off to give police and tactical teams the same accuracy in a shorter, handier package.