A recent flood of images from the excellent Turkish defense armaments based Twitter account Aybars have revealed that Turkish infantrymen are receiving the latest variant of the 7.62x51mm NATO MPT76 as a Designated Marksman’s Rifle. To be clear, this isn’t the first time that the new Turkish service rifle has been configured and issued in the DM role to frontline units, but it is certainly the most advanced attempt by incorporating a new scope, dedicated bipod, Turkish made 3E EOS LIRIL 300 laser designator, and possibly match ammunition. One of the scopes that have been in use for some time was a variable power Schmidt & Bender, however, in these new photographs, it appears that a Bushnell LRS 4.5-30x 50mm has been mounted in place of the previous optics in use. Gone is the Grippod that is still prevalent on numerous MPT76s in service today.

Image from Bushnell-http://www.bushnell.com/tactical/riflescopes/elite-tactical/xrs-4-5-30x-50mm-mil-dot

Previous versions of the MPT76 DMR have simply been the addition of a variable power Schmidt & Bender scope, maybe the addition of a set of simple bipods. Some have even been observed with the standard Grippod attached to the rail, which is far from ideal as a bipod.

A good example of an early DMR example, taken in 2015. https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2017/04/21/aselsan-van-kedisi-dual-thermalir-sight/
Used under terms- Photo © Aftermath Gun Club

There was a more dedicated DMR variant of the MPT76 that was unveiled in 2015, with a longer barrel and Magpul PRS stock mounted in place of the MKEK telescoping stock. It would appear that this was a prototype or an exposition display piece that didn’t generate much interest at MKEK or with the Army. Possibly due to price because this prototype would certainly have costed more than simply equipping a standard rifle with a Schmidt & Bender scope and supplying the marksman with precision ammunition.

Image from- https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1183928-2015-Shot-Show-MKEK-MPT-76-The-new-Turkish-Military-Battle-Rifle/page5

Image from- https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1183928-2015-Shot-Show-MKEK-MPT-76-The-new-Turkish-Military-Battle-Rifle/page5

Image from- https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1183928-2015-Shot-Show-MKEK-MPT-76-The-new-Turkish-Military-Battle-Rifle/page5

Of course, before the MPT76, there was the G3 and HK33 DMR variants, both locally produced in Turkey by MKEK. These have also been paired with Aselsan thermal and night vision standalone or clip on scopes.