Unlike possible replacements for the M16/M4 such as the now canceled XM8, the Barrett REC7 is not an entirely new rifle, instead it is made up of an upper receiver that is attached to a M16/M4 lower receiver and is compatible with many accessories intended for the M16/M4 family. It can also be mated to M16/M4 lower receivers currently in the possession of the US military. The rifle uses a short stroke piston mechanism, unlike the M16 or M4 which use direct impingement.
In addition, the Barrett REC7 uses the new 6.8 mm Remington SPC (6.8 × 43 mm) cartridge, a round that is of roughly equivalent length to 5.56 mm ammunition, so it is compatible with a standard-size lower receiver currently in use by the United States military. According to Barrett, the new 6.8 mm round boasts 44% more stopping power than the 5.56 mm round and a longer effective range. The round has a slightly lower velocity than the 5.56 mm round, however Barrett claims it has 1.5 times the kinetic energy of the 5.56 mm round. The company claims that it is effective at five hundred meters and has a muzzle velocity of 2650 feet per second when fired from a 16 inch barrel.
The Barrett REC7 uses a short-stroke gas piston designed by Barrett. It rides above the barrel and is housed inside the fore-end. The spring-loaded piston is a one-piece 17-4 stainless steel rod. The forward and rearward movement of the piston is approximately one inch.
Like many AR-15 type rifles, such as the M16/M4, the barrel is threaded to allow muzzle attachments such as a suppressor; it can also use M16/M4 bayonets on its muzzle, such as the M9 Bayonet or OKC-3S Bayonet. The REC7 employs a free-floated Daniel Defense rail system, which allows many military accessories such as a bipod, night vision devices, and combat optics to be placed on the rifle. The REC7 features forged 7075 aluminum upper and lower receivers that are hard-coat anodized a deep black. The lower receiver has a single-stage trigger, a Magpul enhanced trigger guard for firing with gloves, and a beveled magazine well for rapid magazine changes. The upper receiver is flat-top with a Picatinny rail. The barrel is chrome-lined and is fitted with a M16A2-style birdcage muzzle brake and pistol grip. The stock is a six-position Magpul MOE.
The 6.8 SPC cartridge was designed to be used in standard AR lowers but 5.56 mm AR magazines cannot be used with the 6.8 mm round. Barrett has developed a magazine for its 6.8 SPC rifles that differs from the standard AR-pattern magazines. They are manufactured from steel and have a steel follower. The REC7’s 30-round magazine is about one-inch longer overall and weighs 5 ounces more than a standard AR magazine. Barrett also sell 10-round 6.8 mm magazines.
The Barrett REC7 outfitted in a shortened barrel PDW configuration was one of the weapons displayed to U.S. Army officials during an invitation-only Industry Day on November 13, 2008. The goal of the Industry Day was to review current carbine technology prior to writing formal requirements for a future replacement for the M4 carbine.| Barrett REC7 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin |  United States |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2007 |
| Manufacturer | Barrett Firearms Manufacturing |
| Unit cost | $2,520 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 3.5 kg (7.62 lbs) with 16" Barrel |
| Length | 84.77 cm (33.375") with 16" Barrel |
| Barrel length | 8.0 inches (200 mm)—16.0 inches (410 mm) |
| | |
| Cartridge | 5.56x45mm NATO and 6.8 SPC |
| Action | Piston-Operated |
| Effective range | 600 m (point), 800 m (area) |
| Feed system | 30-round magazines |
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