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At a glance
M21 Sniper Weapon Systemlarger figure on 3 of 3
Measured figures
Length
Single source1118 mm (44 in)[source]
vz. 58 P
Single sourceConfiguration
| Specification | M21 Sniper Weapon System | Vz. 58 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Designated marksman rifle Sniper rifle[source] | Assault rifle[source] |
| Place of origin | United States[source] | Czechoslovakia[source] |
| In service | 1968–present[source] | 1959–present[source] |
| Used by | See Users[source] |
Vz. 58larger figure on 0 of 3
Counts only measures both sources give with the same scope. A larger figure is not a better system.
vz. 58 V stock extended /
Single sourcevz. 58 V stock folded
Single sourcevz. 58 V with bayonet fixed
Single sourcevz. 58 P: 845 mm (33.3 in) vz. 58 V 845 mm (33.3 in) stock extended / 636 mm (25.0 in) stock folded 1,000 mm (39.4 in) with bayonet fixed[source]
stock extended
Single sourcestock folded
Single source57 mm (2.2 in) stock extended 72 mm (2.8 in) stock folded[source]
Maximum; Maximum firing range
Single sourceEffective; Effective firing range
Single sourceEffective; with 3–9× scope
Single source460 m (500 yd) 900 m (980 yd) (with 3–9× scope)[source]
3,725 m (4,074 yd)[source]
Maximum; Maximum firing range
Single sourceEffective; sight adjustments
Single sourceRate of fire
Single source800 rounds/min[source]
Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.
See Users[source] |
| Wars | Vietnam War Laotian Civil War Cambodian Civil War 1982 Lebanon War Lebanese Civil War Salvadoran Civil War Iraq War War in Afghanistan[source] | Vietnam War Laotian Civil War Cambodian Civil War Nigerian Civil War Communist rebellion in the Philippines Cyprus conflicts Lebanese Civil War Cambodian-Vietnamese War Kurdish–Turkish conflict (1978–present) The Troubles South African Border War Eritrean War of Independence Gulf War Burundian Civil War Kosovo War War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Iraq War Kivu Conflict First Libyan Civil War Syrian Civil War War in Iraq (2013–2017) Russian invasion of Ukraine[source] |
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| Designer | Marines Weapons Command Combat Development Command Limited Warfare Agency[source] | Jiří Čermák[source] |
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| Designed | 1968[source] | 1956–1958[source] |
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| Manufacturer | Rock Island Arsenal Springfield Armory Smith Enterprise, Inc.[source] | Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod[source] |
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| Variants | M25[source] | See Variants[source] |
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| Cartridge | 7.62×51mm NATO[source] | 7.62×39mm[source] |
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| Action | Gas-operated , rotating bolt[source] | Gas-operated , hinged locking piece assisted breechblock[source] |
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| Feed system | 5-, 10-, or 20-round detachable box magazine[source] | Staggered 30-round detachable box magazine , weight 0.19 kg (0.42 lb) unloaded[source] |
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| Sights | Front: National Match front blade. Rear: Match-grade hooded aperture with one-half minute adjustments for both windage and elevation 26 + 3 ⁄ 4 in sight radius.[source] | Open-type iron sights with sliding rear tangent and shrouded front post 353 mm (13.9 in) sight radius[source] |
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| Former operator · Panama | Panama[source] | — |
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| Source measurement | The M21 Sniper Weapon System (SWS) in the US Army is a national match grade M14 rifle , selected for accuracy, and renamed the M21 rifle. The M21 uses a commercially procured 3–9× variable power telescopic sight, modified for use with the sniper rifle. It is chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge .[source]M21 Sniper Weapon System · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage In standard military use, the M21 uses a 20-round box magazine as the other members of the M14 family and weighs 11 pounds (5.27 kg ) without the scope. The U.S. military never officially authorized or purchased magazines in any other capacity, although 5- and 10-round magazines are available.[source]M21 Sniper Weapon System · Overview; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage | — |
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| Country of origin | United States[source]Inventory Origin column; table 8, row 23, cell 3; revision 1377789308; retrieved 2026-10-01 | — |
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| Produced | — | 1959–1982[source] |
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| No. built | — | Approx. 920,000[source] |
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| Reported operators |
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