Parker-Hale M82
Military version of the Parker-Hale 1200TX target rifle.
The Parker-Hale Model 82 (M82) is the military variant of the Parker-Hale 1200TX target rifle, adopted by several countries for military and police use. Its design is a conventional sniper weapon, featuring a manual bolt action derived from the classic Mauser 98, paired with a heavy free-floating barrel chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO round. The barrel, made from chrome molybdenum steel, weighs 1.98 kg. The rifle uses an integral four-round magazine and a fully self-contained trigger unit that can be adjusted as needed.
The M82 was offered in multiple configurations to meet customer demands. Options included an adjustable cheek pad and butt lengths modified by adding or removing butt spacers. The rifle is essentially a standard heavy-barreled Mauser 98 in 7.62×51mm NATO, fitted with a wide beavertail target walnut stock (with an inset handstop rail) and a Parker Hale trigger with a side safety mechanism. Sights varied, but the standard M82 typically came with removable match-type iron sight blocks. When an optical sight was mounted, the rear sight was removed and the front sight slid off, though the front block/post remained. Two mounting blocks on the receiver accepted optical sight mounts, supplied with parkerized aluminium scope rings. Rifles used by the Australian and New Zealand armies employed the Austrian Kahles Wien ZF-69 6×42 (26mm tube) drop-compensation telescopic sight, calibrated in 100m increments out to 800m with a fine crosshair. Some refurbishment attempts involved one-piece scope mounts, but this proved unsatisfactory. The action and barrel were originally parkerized, then finished with a black rubberised non-reflecting coating.
The Canadian C3A1 variant uses a heavy, fully free-floating barrel chambered for 7.62×51mm NATO, weighing 2.04 kg (4.5 lbs) and measuring 60 cm in length. Rifling follows a 1:12 twist ratio with four right-hand grooves. The action is a Mauser-style rotating bolt with three stainless steel locking lugs at the front and rear. The C3 safety is a thumb-activated lever above the magazine that locks the trigger, bolt, and sear to prevent accidental discharge. The standard sight on the C3A1 is an Unertl 10× zoom scope, limited to daytime use as it lacks night vision capabilities. It features a duplex crosshair with a mil-dot style scale in 200m increments up to 1000m. The rifle can also use default iron sights.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Is Ranged
- "yes"
- Service
- 1972–Present
- Wars
- War in Afghanistan
- Design Date
- 1960s
- Manufacturer
- Parker Hale
- Spec Label
- Canada C3A1
- Weight
- 7.2 kg (15.9 lbs)
- Length
- 127–132.1cm
- Part Length
- 711.2 mm (28 in)
- Cartridge
- 7.62×51mm NATO
- Action
- M98 Bolt action
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The M82 was available in a number of forms to suit any customer requirements. An adjustable cheek pad could be provided if wanted, and butt lengths could be altered by adding or removing butt spacers of various thicknesses. The rifle was basically a standard target 7.62×51mm NATO heavy-barreled Mauser 98 with a wide beavertail target walnut stock and a Parker Hale trigger with its side safety mechanism. Sights varied, but the standard Model 82 was normally supplied with removable 'iron' match-type sight blocks. If an optical sight was fitted the rear-sight was removed and the front sight slid off, though the front block/post remained. Two mounting blocks were fitted to the receiver for optical sight mounts, supplied with the Parker Hale parkerized aluminium scope rings. Rifles in Australian and New Zealand armies used the Austrian Kahles Wien ZF-69 6×42 (26mm tube) drop compensation telescopic sight set in 100m increments out to 800m, with fine crosshair. Some attempts at refurbishing and rebarrelling resulted in usage of one-piece scope mounts, but this proved unsatisfactory. The action and barrel were originally finished by parkerizing then completed with a black rubberised style non-reflecting coating.
Reader's Guide
The Parker-Hale M82 served as the basis for several national variants, including the Canadian C3 and C3A1, the British L81A1 and L81A2 cadet rifles, and the civilian M85 kit. Its design—a conventional Mauser 98 action with a heavy free-floating barrel—made it a reliable platform for military and police sniping. The rifle's integral four-round magazine and adjustable trigger unit were notable features. The M82's legacy includes its use by Australian and New Zealand forces with Kahles scopes, and its evolution into the C3A1, which saw combat during Operation APOLLO where Canadian sniper Master Corporal Graham Ragsdale recorded 20 confirmed kills. The C3A1 was later withdrawn from Canadian service due to a lack of parts after Parker Hale ceased firearms production in 2000, and C3A1 production ended in 1984. The M82 itself was not fitted with detachable magazines or enlarged bolt knobs, a point of common confusion with the M85 civilian kit.
Did You Know?
- The barrel weighs 1.98 kg and is made from chrome molybdenum steel.
- The M82 has an integral four-round magazine and an entirely self-contained adjustable trigger unit.
- Australian and New Zealand army M82s used the Austrian Kahles Wien ZF-69 6×42 drop compensation scope.
- The action and barrel were finished with parkerizing and a black rubberised non-reflecting coating.
More in Bolt-Action Rifles, Part 4 1-24
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