The story
Founded by Ronnie Barrett in 1982.1
Barrett introduced the M82 in 1982 but did not have significant sales until 1989. These first large sales were to Sweden. Soon afterward, the M82 was purchased by the United States Armed Forces, and it was deployed in the Gulf War. The company has since gained contracts with dozens of countries to supply sniper rifles.
The success of the M82A1 led the company to develop several other models of.50 BMG rifles, including the M95, M99, and M99-1. These are lighter and lower cost bolt-action and single-shot rifles.
An early customer of the M82 (or "Barrett Light Fifty") was the IRA, which conducted a sniper campaign against the British Armed Forces in Northern Ireland in the 1990s. An unidentified IRA volunteer, quoted by author Toby Harnden, said that:
What's special about the Barrett is the huge kinetic energy... The bullet can just walk through a flak jacket. South Armagh was the prime place to use such weapon because of the availability of Brits. They came to dread it and that was part of its effectiveness.
The US military uses the M82A3 and a newer version, the M107, as an anti-materiel rifle. It is used by explosive ordnance disposal teams with special military HEIAP ammunition.
Barrett also manufactured the REC7 upper receiver for the AR-15 style rifle, chambered in 6.8 mm Remington SPC, which was one of the weapons the US Army reviewed in 2008 while drafting requirements for a potential M4 carbine replacement.
In response to California's ban of civilian ownership of.50 BMG rifles, Barrett suspended sales and service to all law enforcement agencies in California. In October 2008, Barrett introduced the new M98B. The M98B was a bolt-action rifle chambered in.338 Lapua Magnum, which went on sale in 2009. On February 26, 2016, Tennessee named the Barrett M82 the official rifle of the State of Tennessee.
In 2021, Barrett secured a $50 million contract for the United States Army Precision Sniper Rifle initiative.
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In January 2023, Barrett was acquired by Australian defense contractor NIOA. Long-serving Barrett Chief Operating Officer Bryan James became president. Barrett founder Ronnie Barrett said: "Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in the Barrett story. Rob and the NIOA team have great respect for the legacy Barrett has created as the leader in long range precision rifles. It's reassuring to know Barrett will be in good hands with a family-owned company that is focused on manufacturing and delivering world-class firearms and munitions to a global network."
From Wikipedia’s article on Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4