Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
Designed to be adaptable to various mission requirements, the Barrett MRAD (Multi-Role Adaptive Design) can be easily reconfigured for different calibers, barrel lengths, and stock configurations. The MRAD features a folding stock, a free-floating barrel, an adjustable trigger, and a quick-change barrel system.
It features an integrated 10 MIL Picatinny rail system for attaching optics and other accessories. Recently winning the USSOCOM for the MK22 variant of the MRAD, this rifle is known around the world for its accuracy, reliability, and versatility.
The MRAD is available in three finishes – Black, Tungsten Grey, or Flat Dark Earth. It is chambered in 338 Lapua Mag, 338 Norma Mag, 300 Norma Mag, 300 PRC, 300 Win Mag, 308 Winchester, and 6.5 Creedmoor.
Additionally, the MRAD is offered in the SMR configuration with a fixed stock, and the MK22 variant with a coyote finish and chambered in 338 Norma Mag, 300 Norma Mag, and 7.62 x 51 NATO. For this review, I tested out the Tungsten Grey MRAD chambered in 308.
Table of contents
308 Winchester MRAD Specifications:
- Caliber: 308 Winchester
- Operation: Bolt Action Repeater
- Barrel Length: 17″ / 24″
- Twist Rate: 1:8″
- Overall Length: 40.4″ / 47.4″
- Weight: 11.9 lbs / 13.3 lbs
- Mag. Capacity: 10
- Rail Length/MOA: 21.75”/ 10 MIL
- Adjustable Stock: Folding
Out of the Box
Recently I was given the opportunity to test out the Barrett MRAD during a two-day range trip out to my parent’s farm. From the factory, the Barrett MRAD comes with two 10-round magazines, two sling swivels, three accessory rails, and a hard carrying case.
While I did not purchase this rifle, or get to spend as much time with it as I would like when giving a firearm review, we still put it through its paces.
Receiver/Handguard
One of the coolest features of this rifle in my opinion is the monolithic upper receiver. Machined down from a single piece of 7000-series aluminum, the upper and handguard provide an extremely rigid interface for the attachment of electro-optics and other accessories.
Knowing end users need their equipment to maintain zero, utilizing a monolithic upper receiver is essential. As a guy who was concerned about IR laser shift on AR15 rails, I worked on a whole test to show how well different rails performed, and a monolithic upper conquered all two-piece designs which can be read HERE.
The receiver and handguard are equipped with a full-length Picatinny top rail featuring a 10 Mils taper (previously 30 MOA). This design enables scopes to utilize a greater portion of their built-in adjustment range, specifically beneficial for long-range shooting.
Furthermore, the handguard is equipped with convenient mounting slots positioned at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. This provides the flexibility to mount accessories in any desired position.
Moreover, the full-length rail provides ample space for mounting clip-on NV (Night Vision) and thermal systems. This enables users to enhance their shooting capabilities by incorporating additional night vision or thermal imaging technologies seamlessly into their existing day setup.
Stock
Another unique feature of the MRAD lineup (excluding SMR) is the incorporation of a folding stock. The ability to fold rifles for easier transport has become a big selling point in recent years and for good reason. Hiking and traveling are both much easier when the overall length of a rifle is shortened by about a foot.
The folding stock incorporates a robust hinge that can be easily activated with a simple push of a button. It has successfully passed military drop tests, ensuring its durability and reliability. After getting hands-on, the folding mechanism feels more rugged than other folding systems I have seen.
The lightweight folding stock has a tooless push button to adjust the length of pull and recoil pad height. It also features a reversible polymer cheekpiece that is easily adjusted. The cheekpiece felt good, and the rubber recoil pad helped absorb what little recoil this rifle produced when shooting suppressed.
Trigger
The MRAD is equipped with a two-stage trigger set from the factory to a weight of 3 ± 0.5 lbs. It can be easily removed from the lower receiver of the rifle without the need for any tools. This feature enhances the rifle’s modularity and facilitates field serviceability, allowing for quick and convenient maintenance. The trigger is also user adjustable for overtravel and pull weight. The lower also features an oversized trigger guard which allows easy access even with gloves.
In addition to its easy removal, the trigger is also user adjustable. Shooters have the ability to customize the trigger’s overtravel and pull weight according to their preferences and shooting style. Moreover, the lower receiver of the MRAD rifle includes an oversized trigger guard. This enables easy access to the trigger, even when wearing gloves.
Magazines
The MRAD rifle utilizes its own proprietary 10-round magazines. However, due to Barrett’s complete design control, they have achieved compatibility with multiple calibers. This means that magazines designed for 338 Lapua Mag, 338 Norma Mag, 300 Norma Mag, 300 PRC, 300 Win Mag, 308 Winchester, and 6.5 Creedmoor can all fit in the same lower receiver.
During testing, the 308 magazines reliably fed without any problems, demonstrating the seamless interchangeability of the MRAD platform. The lower receiver also features a relief cut to aid in quick reloads.
Controls
Barrett includes a reversible 45° safety that is large enough to work as the perfect thumb rest. I found this to be comfortable and it helped with getting the steady hand position needed for precise shots.
Barrel
Barrett’s MRAD lineup showcases a match-grade, fluted stainless steel barrel, which enables 5-shot, sub-MOA performance when using premium ammunition. Based on my testing, I can confirm that this rifle lives up to its impressive claim.
Also, the MRAD features a quick-change barrel system that allows for easy and rapid barrel configuration changes using just one tool. Additionally, when purchasing the MK22 as a kit, it is guaranteed to maintain less than a 6 MOA shift between the three different barrels (338 Norma Magnum, .300 Norma Magnum, and .308).
This assurance means that when swapping between these barrels, users can expect their rifles to remain “on paper” with no need for boresighting.
Suppressor
For the entirety of this review, I was using the Barrett AM 30 suppressor. While shooting suppressed is always the polite thing to do, this also slightly increases the velocity of the rounds and decreases the muzzle flash.
The AM 30 has a signature reduction of between -25-30 dB, mounts with the Barrett® Muzzle Brake Adaptor, and is 8.3″ long. This suppressor never worked itself loose while running around shooting, and provided great recoil reduction as well.
SEE MORE: New SOCOM Sniper Rifle – Barrett MRAD Advanced Sniper System – SHOT 2020
Accuracy
As previously stated, Barrett offers a 5-shot, sub-MOA guarantee with premium ammunition and I am happy to report I was able to achieve this. I shot groups from 100 yards using Hornady, Federal, and Magtech ammunition and was able to get sub-MOA 5-shot groups with three of the different types of ammo. The table and picture below show how tight my 5-round groups were:
| Ammo Type | 5-Round Group Size in MOA |
| Federal Premium 168gr BTHP | 0.818 |
| Hornady Whitetail 150gr InterLock | 0.955 |
| Hornady Precision Hunter 178gr ELD-X | 0.981 |
| Hornady Superformance 168gr ELD Match | 1.599 |
| Magtech 147gr FMJ | 2.363 |
Performance
Although the folding stock and monolithic upper receiver caught my attention with their appealing aesthetics and functionality, the standout performance feature of the MRAD was its remarkably soft shooting experience. The combination of the suppressor, rubber butt pad, and the rifle’s weight exceeding 13 lbs (including the mounted scope) contributed to its exceptionally light recoil.
Shooting from a tripod, I consistently hit a C-zone-sized steel silhouette at 500 yards, and even achieved successful hits on a 5″ hostage steel swinger at the same distance while shooting prone, despite challenging gusty winds. The bolt operated smoothly, and I encountered no issues with rounds binding up while working the action.
Summary
After my review, I can understand how the MRAD from Barrett has earned its position as the winner of the USSOCOM contract. With its rugged construction, the rifle proves its durability, while the monolithic upper receiver serves as an ideal platform for attaching NV (Night Vision) and thermal clip-on devices.
The inclusion of a folding stock adds to its versatility, and the option for easy barrel and caliber swaps enhances its adaptability. Maintaining 5-round sub-MOA performance with multiple types of factory ammunition, the MRAD proved its exceptional precision. Considering all its features and capabilities, the MRAD proves to be an enticing investment with an MSRP of $6,650.
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I also shot one of these at the range with my buddy. He owns it. I watched him swap out barrels, dial the scope for the zero of the new barrel, and shoot dead nuts accurate on target. The process took maybe a minute, and if I hadn’t seen it myself I would not have believed it. Super impressive system.