you will struggle to get rapid, accurate rounds
down in an engagement.
If you don’t want any of the above, what
other choice is there? You may see many of
the longer-barrelled M4/M16 family billed as
‘marksman’ rifles on airsoft sites, but just taking
the carrying handle off and fitting an RIS rail
doesn’t really cut it. The US military suppliers
have spent a huge amount of research and
development money on providing specialised
variants. It isn’t uncommon for individual units
of the US military to have specially contracted
armourers designing special assault rifle
platforms; included among the M4/M16 family
you would find the likes of the MK12 SPR, the
M110 SASS and the SDM-R.
It isn’t just the US that uses the M4/M16
base either. In 2009 UK forces added the
L129A1 to their kit list. Based on the proven
Stoner Rifle design, it had a number of new
features including a one-piece upper receiver
and a completely free-floating barrel design
for improved accuracy. Fitted with a 6x ACOG
scope this has become the key to UK ISAF
troops winning many a long-range fire-fight.
Another package that comes set up ideal
from the box is the H&K G36; with its longer
barrel, built in 1.5x sight and bipod, there isn’t a
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February 2012
great deal you will need to add to this system
unless you want more high-powered optics.
Ah, scopes… these fall into two areas really:
true telescopic sights (and I’m including the
likes of ACOG and SUSAT scopes here) and
magnifying systems that work with a red dot.
This latter type can be flipped in and out of play.
You don’t need masses of magnification for an
SDM role (as I mentioned above, the L129A1
has a 6x scope fitted and is capable of firstround hits at 800m); a decent 3-9x40 telescopic
sight set on about 4x will give you both a good
field of view and a good idea where your shots
are going.
Try to learn to shoot with both eyes open.
It is a bit off-putting at first but you will soon
get the hang of it. If you don’t already have
a scope with a Mil-Dot reticule (fine crossed
lines with a number of horizontal and vertical
dots) then I would strongly advise investing
in one. They are much better than the duplex
(standard crosshair) scope that come s fitted to
many sniper/scope packages, as the Mil-Dot
allows you to quickly correct your aim without
adjusting the scope.
A couple of other additions to your set-up
would be a bipod or a vertical forward grip that
will allow for controlled shot placement. If you
want one, a silencer wouldn’t look out of place,
though we are talking about you supporting
your squad and not acting in a lone-wolf
capacity. The rest of your equipment will be
your standard load-out, as there’s nothing much
specialised about the SDM other than the rifle
he carries.
Tactics-wise, rule number one is: don’t
rush in. Stay at the rear of your squad and
watch them advance. When they go firm
communicate with your squad leader to allow
you to come forward and take up a stable firing
position before they advance again. Once under
fire, prioritise your targets by the threat they
pose to the squad and aim rapid single shots
back at them. Hopefully this will keep their
heads down while your squad begins to assault
the position. Once the objective is taken, look
for good firing positions that will cover any likely
counter-attack while your squad re-orgs.
In summary, the SDM role is similar to that
of a support gunner who ideally doesn’t charge
forward but can be an effective squad member
with a well placed burst of fire that keeps the
enemy busy. Airsoft is a team game, and the
SDM can be a vital member of that team. Better
leave those cheap second-hand bolt actions
where they are, eh? ■