The M1C sniper rifle with M82
sight was reasonably effective from 400-600 yards,
but not beyond. With most of the Korean peninsula
covered by a complicated array of hills and ridges,
much of the action necessarily took place between
those ridges, especially after the war had settled
into a static defense of fortified positions. Using
the M1903A4/Unertl combination, Marine snipers
registered a number of 1,000 yard kills, a very
impressive improvement. Nevertheless, in late 1951,
the weapon was declared "Limited
Standard" and replaced with the M1C, for many
of the reasons the M1903A3 had been replaced with
the M1.
Another difference in sniper action
between the USMC and the Army was that Marine
scout-sniper teams often had a BAR for a support
weapon. In street fighting, the BAR automatic fire
would flush the enemy out, and the sniper would
finish him off.
Right: 5th Marine Sniper, Punchbowl, 1951.
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