Ballistic Magazine
  • Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
    • Class III & More
  • Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Knives
    • Suppressors
  • News
  • Lifestyle
    • Culture
    • People
    • Podcasts
    • Rides
    • Survival
    • Tactics & Training
  • VIDEOS
  • Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
Ballistic Magazine
  • Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
    • Class III & More
  • Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Knives
    • Suppressors
  • News
  • Lifestyle
    • Culture
    • People
    • Podcasts
    • Rides
    • Survival
    • Tactics & Training
  • VIDEOS
  • Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
Ballistic Magazine
No Result
View All Result
 
New Year, New FREE GUN FRIDAY! Enter to WIN the Smith & Wesson and Black Hills package.

MRAD SMR: Barrett Cuts Back on Features, MSRP With New Rifle

Sean Utley by Sean Utley
March 11, 2022
in Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous, Guns, Rifles
0
Barrett MRAD SMR Rifle Review, right
0
SHARES
1.8k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Where does Barrett’s all-new MRAD SMR (Single Mission Rifle) fit in the realm of rifles? Let’s start with a point. You will never hear me lecture anyone on what they do or don’t need in a firearm. Ultimately, I don’t know what the individual will do with their guns, I don’t know how they’ll develop, the training and education they’ll seek, nor the practice they’ll put into it. That said, I will speak in general terms and say that often times people get more gun than they actually need, if not far more.

Barrett REC10 308 Win, REC10 review
RELATED STORY

How Far Does the Barrett REC10 Rifle Reach Out to in .308 Win?

I think that’s fine in certain cases, especially in a quality precision rifle. A rifle that is without a doubt far better than the shooter, and one that is durable with consistent repeatable performance, will never be a detriment as long as it’s used in the proper context. A rifle like this always pushes you to become—and hopefully allows you to become—a better shooter.

Getting What You Need With the Barrett MRAD SMR

The Barrett MRAD is one such rifle. I’ve had the pleasure of shooting several different models, in several different locations; every single one of them has been an absolute hammer. I’ve shot in ways that surprised even me with the MRAD. That said, with it’s removable and interchangeable barrels, folding stock, and other high level Mil-inspired components, it may be more rifle than you want—especially when you consider the final price tag of more than $6,000.

But with the release of the new SMR or Single Mission Rifle, fans of the MRAD can get a rifle with many of the same components, same internals and benchmark precision performance, for a reduced price. Think of it as getting less of what you don’t need, but more of what you want.

Low Price, Cheap Rifle?

Let’s address the cost difference and why it is what it is. I’m sure many of you reading such a statement came to the conclusion that there is something wrong with the SMR in order for it to cost so much less. But I assure you that is not the case.

Barrett single mission rifle review, left
(Photo by Sean Utley)

It comes down to simple production economics: It’s less expensive to make. Barrett designed the MRAD to fulfill a solicitation from the military. They have certain wants in their weapons and those wants mean higher costs. When you can shed some of those, you can get something less cost prohibitive.

Do you remember the Barrett 98B? The SMR is basically that rifle with different internals. In fact, it shares a 90-percent parts compatibility with the MRAD, which is basically a redesigned 98B for the military.

The Differences

I could go down a list of the similarities, but the with the extensive parts compatibility of the SRM it’s simpler to tell you the differences. The SMR lacks the interchangeable barrel capability. Many shooters are fine adapting one caliber—say the .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor—and running it in exclusivity with a particular rifle. We’ve done it for decades, before interchangeable calibers became more popular and practical in their application. Needless to say, designing such an option into a rifle means more expense.

The folding stock of the MRAD is absent as well. Folding stocks seems to be one of those things that are nice to have, but not necessary. In my experience, for the average shooter the folding stock is a factor of coolness as opposed to necessity. True, a folding stock helps with transport since it makes the weapon shorter, but unless you’re parachuting with it or in and out of vehicles with said rifle attached to you, then it’s really a moot point. Folders also mean more part to break or malfunction. I also can’t recall the last time I’ve actually folded my rifles with folding stocks.

The safety selector on the SMR is a non-ambidextrous version as well.

The Good Stuff

As far as goodies that stay in the SMR, Barrett kept the excellent fluted barrel. It helps keep the platform so ridiculously accurate. Adding to the excellent accuracy is the same fully adjustable match-grade trigger module of the MRAD.

Barrett MRAD SMR Rifle Review, test
(Photo by Sean Utley)

The bolt rides in the polymer guide, making the SMR super fast when it comes to bolt manipulation. And somehow it’s a true pleasure to run even from a southpaw’s perspective. Meanwhile, the sleeve helps keep things slick even in adverse shooting conditions. The SMR also features the tool less stock adjustability. It can be shooter customized for comb height. Also, a buttstock spacer kit is available..

The Barrett MRAD SMR Does It Right

After shooting the MRAD extensively over the past year or so, I wondered if the SMR would be any different. Well, it isn’t. It’s equally accurate and comfortable as the MRAD. A brief shooting session at the Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous in Idaho revealed the ease at which you could take the SMR to distance and further galvanized this platform’s capabilities. The 500-, 700-, and 1,500-yard shots were a breeze with the SMR, even from a modified prone position from a portable shooting bench.

The SMR absolutely loved 140 gr 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition from Berger and somehow made sub-1,000-yard engagements boring. It’s safe to say that you won’t miss what may be missing from the SMR. And you’re gong to love the price at just more than $4,995; it’s a fair ask for such a capable rifle.

If you were looking to buy an MRAD, but found a roadblock in the pricing, then the SMR may be what you’ve been waiting for. For even more info, please visit Barrett.net.

Didn't find what you were looking for?

CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS

RELATED POSTS

The new Burris Veracity PH brings serious innovation.

New Tech: Burris Veracity PH Riflescope Digital Turrets, Heads-Up Display

The Matrix Dual-Pump Cage forend.

SHOT Show 2023: The 8 Most Interesting New Guns Released at SHOT!

7 new products announced ahead of shot show 2023.

New Guns & Gear Launched at SHOT Show 2023

Our author tested the SIG Sauer Cross hunting deer in rough country.

Testing the SIG Sauer Cross in the Wilds of the Appalachian Mountains

Load More

WATCH NOW: Night Shooter | Season 2

Discussion about this post

FEATURED POST

Ballistic's Best Reader's Choice Winners

Winners Announced: Ballistic’s Best Readers’ Choice 2022

The votes are in! We've counted the ballots, and we're excited and impressed by you, the...

Read more

TRENDING

7 new products announced ahead of shot show 2023.

New Guns & Gear Launched at SHOT Show 2023

A top-quality chassis gives you adjustability and other features you need to make your long-range shooting more accurate and fun. These 7 top rifle chassis do it with class.

7 Top Rifle Chassis That Add Class & Accuracy to Your Long-Range Shoot

We tested 12 compact and micro compact pistols to determine the best carry gun.

Best Concealed Carry Pistols 2022: Compacts & Micros Dominate

Affordable Precision Rifles 2018

19 Affordable Precision Rifles That Won’t Break the Bank

PICK A CATEGORY

TRAINING & TACTICS SPOTLIGHT

The SecureIt Retrofit Kit helps organize gun safe storage.

DIY Upgrade With the SecureIt Gun Storage Steel 6 Gun Safe Retrofit Kit

Like many of you, my gun collection consists of more than one gun. In fact, it is significantly more than...

SHOWCASE: TRAINING AND TACTICS

Clearing Corners Gunsite Academy lead

10 Key Tips to Clearing Corners That May Save Your Ass

Chris Hemsworth learns box breathing and other challenges in Limitless.

Use Box Breathing Like Chris Hemsworth to Calm Down & Make The Shot

zeroing in rifles and pistols

Zeroing Rifles & Pistols: Getting to & Maintaining Zeroed Sights

European Mount, DIY Euro Mount, Hunting, lead

How to Make a European Mount in 6 Steps

Team SIG Sauer's Lena Miculek fires a P365 and debates .380 vs 9mm.

VIDEO: SIG Sauer’s Lena Miculek Debates .380 Vs 9mm for Defense

Cross-Eye Dominant Shooting, pistol

The Guide to Cross-Eye Dominant Shooting

Follow this guide to better shooting on the move.

SHOOTING 101: 3 Keys to Getting Hits While Shooting on the Move

Understanding eye dominance and both eyes open shooting will help you get on target.

VIDEO: Understanding Eye Dominance for Better Accuracy & Speed

AMMO SPOTLIGHT

Hornady Subsonic 7.62x39 launches a 255-grain bullet.

Hornady Subsonic 7.62×39 Ammunition Launches 255-grain Bullet, Quietly!

Hornady just announced the release of a very interesting new load, one we think hunters will jump all over....

site logo
The Premier Firearms & Survival Magazine

Tactical

  • tactical-life.com

Magazines

  • Tactical Life
  • The Complete Book of Reloading
  • Guns of the Old West

Facebook

  • Tactical-Life Facebook
  • Guns of the Old West Facebook

Twitter

  • Tactical-Life Twitter

Self Defense

  • PersonalDefenseWorld.com

Magazines

  • Personal Defense World
  • Combat Handguns

Facebook

  • Personal Defense World Facebook
  • Combat Handguns

Twitter

  • Personal Defense World Twitter

Shooting Lifestyle

  • BallisticMag.com

Magazines

  • Ballistic Magazine

Facebook

  • Ballistic Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Ballistic Magazine Twitter

Alpha Lifestyle

  • SkillsetMag.com

Magazines

  • Skillset

Facebook

  • Skillset Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Skillset Magazine Twitter

Instagram

  • Skillset Magazine Instagram
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Terms Of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Notice
  • Cookie Policy
© Athlon Outdoors, All Rights Reserved.
You use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and awareness of the California Privacy Rights. Pursuant to U.S. Copyright law, as well as other applicable federal and state laws, the content on this website may not be reproduced, distributed, displayed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, without the prior, express, and written permission of Athlon Outdoors.

Manage your GDPR consents by clicking here. Manage your CCPA consents by clicking here.
No Result
View All Result
  • Guns
    • View All Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
    • Class III & More
    • Sponsored
      • SIG Sauer
  • Gear
    • View All Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Knives
    • Suppressors
  • Videos
  • More
    • Free Gun Friday Sweeps
    • Sweepstakes
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
  • News
  • Lifestyle
    • View All Lifestyle
    • Tactics & Training
    • Survival
    • People
    • Podcasts
    • Rides

© 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.