Accuracy International AWM
- Category
- Sniper Rifle
- Barrel
- 686 mm
- Weight, empty
- 6.50 kg
- Introduced
- 1996
About
What it is, and why it matters
The Accuracy International AWM is a bolt-action sniper rifle chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum, produced by Accuracy International since 1996. Featuring a 5-round magazine capacity, this sniper rifle offers compact firepower. The striker-fired action provides a consistent trigger pull for every shot, simplifying training and reducing the manual of arms - a design philosophy that has become the dominant paradigm in modern defensive handguns. The 27.0-inch barrel maximizes accuracy potential and ballistic performance, making this an excellent choice for target shooting, competition, or field use. At 6500g (229.3 oz), this is a substantial firearm whose weight contributes to reduced felt recoil and enhanced stability during precision shooting. The aluminum alloy frame achieves a notable weight reduction compared to all-steel construction while maintaining the structural rigidity required for safe, reliable operation. This firearm represents its manufacturer's commitment to delivering a well-engineered, reliable product that serves the needs of discerning shooters seeking quality, accuracy, and dependable performance from a proven platform.
In November 2009, British Army Corporal of Horse Craig Harrison used an L115A3 to achieve the longest confirmed sniper kill in history at 2,475 meters in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. The .338 Lapua Magnum rounds took approximately 5 seconds to reach the targets, which were 900 meters beyond the rifle's recommended effective range.
The AWM was phased out by Accuracy International in 2012 and replaced by the AXMC (Accuracy eXtreme Multi-Calibre) sniper rifle, though many military and law enforcement units continue to use the AWM. The rifle's 686mm barrel with an unconventional 279mm (1:11 inch) right-hand twist rate is specifically optimized for firing .338-calibre very-low-drag bullets up to 16.85g (260 grains). The AWM-F variant features a folding stock and was first adopted by the German Army in 1998. The rifle can maintain sub-minute-of-angle accuracy at distances up to 1,500-1,700 meters. Craig Harrison's record shot took approximately 5 seconds for the .338 Lapua Magnum rounds to reach the targets at 2,475 meters, which was 900 meters beyond the rifle's recommended effective range.
Specification
Everything measured
IdentityWhat it is, who built it and when.
- Manufacturer
- Accuracy International
- Category
- Sniper Rifle
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Status
- In production
- Produced
- 1996
DimensionsAs issued, without a magazine or an optic.
- Barrel
- 686 mm
- Overall length
- 1230 mm
- Weight, empty
- 6.50 kg
- Weight, loaded
- 6.90 kg
ActionHow it cycles, what trips it, and what feeds it.
- Action
- Bolt action
- Firing mechanism
- Striker fired
- Trigger
- Two stage
- Trigger pull
- 27.0 N
- Capacity
- 5
- Magazine
- Detachable single stack box
MaterialsEach swatch is the material itself, not a colour chosen to stand for it.
- Frame
- Aluminum alloy
- Barrel
- Stainless steel
- Stock
- Aluminum chassis polymer furniture
- Finish
- Matte black
BallisticsFrom the service cartridge, not a handload.
- Muzzle velocity
- 900 m/s
- Muzzle energy
- 6570 J
- Effective range
- 1500 m
- Maximum range
- 5000 m
Trajectory
What the round does downrange
Solved from the muzzle figures and the bullet. The dashed rule is the effective range on the record, and the crosses are the steps the solver returned.
Features
What it has
What the record lists as fitted, drawn from the catalogue.
Free floating barrel
Fluted barrel
Adjustable cheek piece
Folding stock
Integral bipod mount
Suppressor ready
Quick change barrel
Modular stock system
Accessory rail
Stainless steel construction
Standing
How it compares
Each figure against the firearms of the same type and cartridge that record it, or of the same type where that cartridge has too few. Positions are read to the nearest tenth.
| Measurement | This firearm | Median | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empty weightAmong 39 .338 Lapua Magnum sniper rifles | 6.50 kg | 6.53 kg | Near the median |
| Overall lengthAmong 37 .338 Lapua Magnum sniper rifles | 1230 mm | 1230 mm | Near the median |
| Barrel lengthAmong 39 .338 Lapua Magnum sniper rifles | 686 mm | 686 mm | Longer than about 60% |
| Magazine capacityAmong 39 .338 Lapua Magnum sniper rifles | 5 | 5 | Holds fewer rounds than about 60% |
Answers
Questions about the Accuracy International AWM
How much does the Accuracy International AWM weigh?
The Accuracy International AWM weighs 6.50 kg (14.33 lb) empty and 6.90 kg (15.21 lb) loaded.
What caliber is the Accuracy International AWM?
The Accuracy International AWM is chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum.
How many rounds does the Accuracy International AWM hold?
The Accuracy International AWM holds 5 rounds, fed from a detachable single stack box magazine.
How long is the Accuracy International AWM?
The Accuracy International AWM is 1230 mm (48.4 in) long overall, with a 686 mm (27.0 in) barrel.
Who makes the Accuracy International AWM?
The Accuracy International AWM is made by Accuracy International (United Kingdom). It was designed by Dave Walls.
When was the Accuracy International AWM introduced?
The Accuracy International AWM was introduced in 1996.
How does the Accuracy International AWM operate?
The Accuracy International AWM uses a bolt action, and its firing mechanism is striker fired.
Compatibility
Which parts fit this firearm
Studio
Every part that mounts on this, resolved
Not a list the maker typed out: the answer comes from the mounts this firearm exposes and the interface each part needs, so it stays right when either one changes.
- Every part that mounts on any firearm in the catalogue
- Interface standards, platforms and fit overrides
- The same answers through the API and the MCP server
Requires a signed-in GunSpec account on the Studio plan. The answer is computed per part, so it is not part of the public record.
Provenance
What the record holds
Every figure above was taken from one of these pages. The confidence reflects how much of the record came from a page a claim can be checked against.
In service
- British Armed Forces
- 2007
- Australian Defence Force
- 1998
- German Kommando Spezialkräfte
- 1998
- Royal Netherlands Army
- 1996
- Norwegian Armed Forces
- Norway
- Swedish Armed Forces
- 1988
- Irish Defence Forces
- Ireland
- Belgian Armed Forces
- Belgium
- Italian Armed Forces
- Italy
- Spanish Armed Forces
- Spain
Provenance
Stockists
Where to buy
Offers link straight to the shop. GunSpec never takes the order.
No shop has listed this firearm yet
Stock and prices come from the shops themselves. If you sell this firearm, you can list it and it appears here.
List a firearmMCP
Ask an assistant about it
The same record, reached the way a person asks for it rather than the way a program does.
Ask GunSpec
Works with
Point an MCP client at GunSpec and it answers from the catalogue rather than from memory. A free key covers the read tools.
API
The call that returns this record
The same fields, in the same units, from the same endpoint the page reads.
curl --request GET \ --url 'https://api.gunspec.io/v1/firearms/accuracy-international-awm' \ --header 'X-API-Key: your_key'{ "id": "accuracy-international-awm", "name": "Accuracy International AWM", "manufacturer": { "id": "accuracy-international", "name": "Accuracy International", "countryCode": "GB", "foundedYear": 1978, "website": "https://www.accuracyinternational.com", "logoUrl": null, "description": null, "status": null, "defunctYear": null, "stateOwned": null, "makesFirearms": null, "parentId": null, "predecessorId": null, "createdAt": "2026-02-11 23:44:38", "updatedAt": "2026-02-18 03:43:34", "version": "866df02489fa366bae9eb49362c9e929d73f7a1c5456d99b5727d9c049063c47" }, "category": { "id": "sniper-rifle", "name": "Sniper Rifle", "description": "Precision rifles optimized for long-range accuracy" }, "country_of_origin": "GB", "year_introduced": 1996, "barrel_length_mm": 686, "weight_empty_g": 6500, "action_type": "bolt_action"}