Accuracy International Arctic Warfare

Lore & Background

The origin of the design ideas goes back to Olympic shooting gold medalist Malcolm Cooper, and technical specialists Dave Walls and David Caig, operating from a modestly equipped shed, predating the foundation of Accuracy International. The earlier Accuracy International PM (Precision Marksman) rifle was entered into a British competition after the Falklands War as a replacement for Lee–Enfield derived sniper rifles. The PM was selected over the Parker Hale M85, Heckler & Koch PSG1, SIG Sauer SSG 2000, and Remington 700, and was adopted by the British Army in 1984 as the L96A1, fitted with Schmidt & Bender 6×42 telescopic sights designated L13A1. In this configuration the rifle is capable of first shot hits with a cold, warm or fouled barrel, and tests with 10.89 g ammunition provided sub 0.5 MOA ten-shot groups at 91 m.

In the early 1990s, Accuracy International introduced an upgraded version of the PM: the AW (Arctic Warfare), after the Swedish military wanted to replace the 6.5×55mm chambered m/1941B rifle. The AW featured special de-icing features for use at temperatures as low as -40 °C, a modified bolt with milled slots to prevent binding from ice or debris, enlarged thumb-hole, bolt handle, magazine release, and trigger guard for use with heavy Arctic mittens, sturdier polymer stock panels, and a 3-position safety. The Swedish Army accepted it in 1991 as the Prickskyttegevär 90 (Psg 90) with a Hensoldt ZF 500 telescopic sight. The British Army adopted the modifications as the L115A1 (fixed stock) and L115A2 (folding stock), fitted with Schmidt & Bender PM II 3-12×50 sights. In 2011 some Swedish Psg 90 rifles were modernized to Psg 90B standard with folding stocks, Spuhr mounts, and Schmidt & Bender PM II 3-12×50 sights.

The AW system is almost unique in being a purpose-designed military sniper rifle, rather than an accurised version of an existing general-purpose rifle. Its modular design uses an aluminium chassis (the Accuracy International Chassis System) extending the full length of the stock, with all components bolted directly to it. The receiver is bolted with four screws and permanently bonded with epoxy to the chassis, and is machined from a solid piece of forged carbon steel. The bolt has six lugs engaging a heat-treated steel locking ring insert, gas relief holes, and a non-rotating external extractor and internal ejector. The bolt handle is bent to the rear, and the action cocks on opening with a 60-degree bolt throw.

Reader's Guide

The Arctic Warfare rifle family has been adopted by numerous countries including Australia, Belgium, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Latvia, Malaysia, Norway, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Its complete parts interchangeability and reliability in adverse weather conditions have made it a popular, if expensive, weapon. The rifle offers good accuracy, with a capable marksman expecting ≤ 0.5 MOA consistent accuracy with appropriate ammunition. The AW system spawned an entire family of sniper rifles using the Arctic Warfare name, including the AWM (Arctic Warfare Magnum) chambered in .300 Winchester Magnum or .338 Lapua Magnum, and the AW50 chambered for .50 BMG. Other AI rifles descended from the L96A1 include the AI AE and the AI AS50. The German Bundeswehr adopted the first folding-stock Arctic Warfare Magnum (AWM-F) in .300 Winchester Magnum with Zeiss optics as the Scharfschützengewehr 22 (G22). The Swedish Psg 90 uses a Hensoldt (Zeiss) scope and can also use sabot rounds. Accuracy International actively promotes fitting the German-made Schmidt & Bender PM II product line as sighting components, which is rare for a rifle manufacturer, though German and Russian forces preferred a telescopic sight made by Zeiss over Accuracy International's recommendation.

Did You Know?

• The Arctic Warfare name originated from an upgraded version of the PM rifle introduced in the early 1990s for the Swedish military.
• Special de-icing features allow the AW to be used effectively at temperatures as low as -40 °C.
• The rifle's bolt has milled slots at the rear to prevent binding problems caused by penetrating water, ice, dirt, or similar debris.
• The British Army adopted the AW modifications as the L115A1 (fixed stock) and L115A2 (folding stock).