However, many M14 and M21 variants came back into favor in the Iraq and Afghan wars in the 2000s. The XM21 served from 1969 to 1975, and the M21 officially served as the main Army sniper rifle from 1975 to 1988 until the introduction of the M24, which had supplanted the M21 in Ranger Battalions by 1990. There are limited numbers in some Army National Guard units and in a few specialized active units such as the OPFOR units of the Joint Readiness Training Center. Army Rangers during the Invasion of Grenada in 1983.

Army in the Vietnam War, and the M21 saw limited action in military conflicts and operations in the late 1960s until the late 1980s. The XM21 Sniper Weapon System was used by the U.S. military never officially authorized or purchased magazines in any other capacity, although 5- and 10-round magazines are available. In standard military use, the M21 uses a 20-round box magazine as the other members of the M14 family and weighs 11 pounds (5.27В kg) without the scope. The M21 remained the ArmyвЂ™s primary sniper rifle until 1988, when it was replaced by the M24 Sniper Weapon System some M21s were later re-issued and used in the Iraq War. An improved version with a fiberglass stock was designated the M21 in 1975. This version, called the XM21, had a specially selected walnut stock and was first fielded in the second half of 1969. As a result, in 1969, the Rock Island Arsenal converted 1,435 National Match (target grade) M14s by adding a Redfield ART Adjustable Ranging Telescope 3вЂ“9Г— and providing National Match grade ammunition (7.62 Lake City Long Range XM-118). The M14 was selected because of its accuracy, reliability, and the ability for a quick follow up shot. The United States Army wanted an accurate sniper rifle during the Vietnam War.

Rifle Type:В Semi-automatic Sniper Rifle.

M21 Sniper Weapon System M21 Sniper Weapon System Overview

Lrb m14 magazines