South Korea to adopt K14 Sniper Rifle-video
South Korean media is reporting
that the Republic of Korea Armed Forces have awarded a 3.2 billion wong contract
to S&T Motiv (formerly Daewoo), for procurement of new K14 sniper rifles.
3.2 billion wong translates to roughly $3 million U.S. dollars, and there is no
indication yet of just how many rifles are to be delivered.
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According to the poorly translated
source, the specifications of the rifle seem somewhat underwhelming compared to
current international standards. Chambered in 7.62×51 NATO, the source claims an
effective range of 800 yards and an accuracy guarantee of 1 minute of angle, or
one inch groupings at 100 yards. The rifle has been in development for two years
and underwent a one year evaluation by the ROK military before
adoption.
I can only find a single photo of
the K14 and it does not show the action itself. A chassis system, similar to
the Remington XM2010 or JP Enterprises Remington 700 chassis, sports a monopod
out back and tall bipod up front. The thumbhole stock features an
adjustable cheek piece and adjustable length of pull. Up front a detachable box
magazine leads to about a foot of 1913 Picatinny rail before a heavy profile,
fluted barrel ends in a Vortex-style flash hider. Optic and mount are unknown at
this time.
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Well trained military snipers can
achieve quite a bit with a 1 MOA rifle out to 800 yards, and the South Koreans
are understandably proud to be manufacturing their own military hardware
domestically. However, if these initial numbers are correct, it seems doubtful
that the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit will be looking over their shoulders at
Camp Perry anytime soon.