Introduction:

M82A1 Barrett is recoil operated, semi-automatic anti-materiel rifle developed by Barrett Firearms Manufacturing. Nicknamed the “Light Fifty”, the M82A1 chambers powerful .50BMG ammunition originally developed for Browning M2HB heavy machine guns, offering greater destructive force than any other US sniper system. The long effective range along with high energy and availability of highly effective ammunition such as API and Raufoss M213 allows for effective operations against targets like radar cabins, trucks, parked aircrafts, etc. M82 also can be used to defeat enemy snipers or criminals from standoff range or when targets are behind the cover, but the anti-personnel work is not a major application for Barrett M82. The gun is fed from the large detachable box magazines, which hold 10 rounds. M82A1 rifles are often equipped with Leupold M series 10X telescope sights and fitted with folding carrying handle and a folding bipod.

Review:

The Barrett M82A1 .50 Caliber Long Range Sniper Rifle (LRSR) and M82A1 CQB (LRE35133) is packed in a zip-lock bag safely secured between firm cardboard. The box art on the front usually shows the parts supplied in this kit, however the part breakdown in this particular kit is slightly different than the box art suggests. The box art image on the back displays the weapon in more detail and lists Live Resin offerings which could be combined with Barrett weapon set: US Army scope sets (LRE-35007, LRE-35008 and LRE-35028) and Barrett M82A1/107A1 .50 caliber (LRSR) spare magazines, cartridges and spent shells (LRE-35139).

The kit consists of 21 parts for assembling three M82A1 rifles. The parts are molded in grey resin without any casting imperfections, just tiny bits of flash to clean. The casting blocks are pretty big and although the carrier stubs are thin, be careful while removing extremely delicate M82A1 pieces from the carriers.

Each weapon in this kit consists of 7 parts:

- Weapon body
- Barrel
- Ammo magazine
- Carrying handle
- Bipod (open)
- Bipod (closed)
- Monopod

The kit includes two slightly different M82A1 versions; two M82A1s are supplied in a basic weapon configuration, while the third weapon features CQB (Close Quarter Battle) setup. CQB is designed for tactical situations where the firepower of a .50 caliber rifle is required, but the bulk of the weapon prevents it from being used (in helicopters,force protection watercraft, tactical scout land vehicles, and as an urban soldier's combat multiplier for close quarter battles). The M82A1 CQB is 9" shorter in overall length (all in the barrel) and 5 pounds lighter than the M82A1.

Both M82A1 versions feature main weapon body with long accessory rail on upper receiver and folded rear sight, fluted barrel with dual chamber muzzle brake, 10-round magazine, detachable carrying handle, folding bipod (in both open and closed position) and monopod. The details on this 1/35 scale kit are really impressive… digitally sculpted and developed using high-resolution 3D printing technology, these weapons are in fact perfectly authentic miniature copies of the real M82A1 rifles. However, please note that this kit provides a good base for M82A1, but it needs to be upgraded with magnifying scopes from Live Resin range. I would suggest Leupold Mark 4 from US Army Scope Set 1 (LRE35007), Sniper Night Sight AN/PVS-10 from US Army Scope Set 2 (LRE35008), or Schmidt Bender with Barrett BORS Barrett Optical Ranging System Ballistic Computer from US Army Scope Set 3 (LRE35028)… these scopes will make M82A1 Barrett come to life.

Assembly:

Due to the amount of pieces required to assemble the complete weapon system, building Live Resin’s M82A1 might seem intimidating to average modelers. I assembled one of the rifles from this sample set and my impressions are twofold. As with all Live Resin offerings, the fit of the pieces is really good. However, handling the weapon during assembly is pretty awkward as the pieces are extremely delicate… I broke two bipods in the process.

Conclusion:

The Barrett M82A1 .50 Caliber Long Range Sniper Rifle (LRSR) and M82A1 CQB (LRE35133) features one of the deadliest personal weapons in US Army arsenal. The kit includes 3 M82A1 rifles, one of them in CQB setup. The resin cast in perfect with extremely well defined details. Each rifle in this kit consists of 7 pieces which fit nicely but require some patience during the assembly. As with many other Live Resin weapon offerings, these weapons should be upgraded with magnifying scopes available separately from the company.

Thanks to Yaroslav from Live Resin for this review sample.

References:

Global Security

World Guns