Naval Surface Warfare Center looking to buy M110K1 6.5CM Upper Receivers from Knight’s Armament Co -The Firearm Blog

Six Point Five Creedmoor – it’s not new, but expect to hear and read more about this caliber as the “Department of the Navy Office: Naval Sea Systems Command” is looking to buy MK110K1 uppers from Knight’s Armament Co.

The upper is supposed to fit the M110K1 Semi-Automatic Sniper System (SASS), which can be seen in the picture above.

Photo: KAC. Uppers in 260 Rem and 6.5 Creedmoor.

I quote from the Presolicitation (Source):

Knights Armament Company has offered to the Government an improved, capability upgrade to the upper receiver assembly for the M110K1 Semi-Automatic Sniper System (SASS). The new upper receiver is 6.5mm Creedmoor (versus 7.62mm, CLIN 0001 on current contract) and provides longer distance shots and increased range.

Read those last words again: “provide longer distance shots and increased range“. I find them pretty funny, as there are no facts or specifications attached. I don’t doubt that the 6.5CM is overall better than the 308 Win, but still. You can compare it to the fairly demanding requirements in Sweden’s procurement of a new Multi-Caliber Sniper Weapon System.

The current M110K1 has a 20” (50.8cm) 1:11 тwist barrel. I cannot find any information about which barrel length the new KAC 6.5 Creedmoor has, but I would expect 22″ to get as much (or more) out of the caliber as possible.

There are no details about which handguard is to be used, or which attachment interface that will be offered. Possibly M-LОК, instead of Picatinny.

A cost-reducing fact is that the new replacement upper can use the existing M110 suppressors. I use a 308 Win suppressor (made by ASE Utra with Quick-Detach) for my 6.5 Creedmoor system, and it works really well.

Photo: Thomas Alvarez, Idaho Army National Guard.

From the Synopsis:

Issue Date: 28 October 2019 – Closing Date: 12 November 2019 – Time 2:00 PM EST.

Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane has a requirement for M110K1 new upper receiver (6.5mm Creedmoor conversion kit) assembly (Technology Improvement). NSWC, Crane Division, Crane, IN intends to modify the existing sole-source, Firm-Fixed Price (FFP), Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract (N00164-18-D-JN50) for technology improvements with Knights Armament Company, 701 Columbia BLVD, Titusville, FL 32780-7902.

This modification will be conducted on a sole-source basis in accordance with the statutory authority 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

It is anticipated that the modification will increase the contract ceiling by $15,000,000.00 from $5,000,000.00 to $20,000,000.00.

The end date for the contract ordering period remains 01 February 2023. The delivery location remains NSWC Crane, Crane, Indiana.

Knights Armament Company has offered to the Government an improved, capability upgrade to the upper receiver assembly for the M110K1 Semi-Automatic Sniper System (SASS). The new upper receiver is 6.5mm Creedmoor (versus 7.62mm, CLIN 0001 on current contract) and provides longer distance shots and increased range.

The proposed contract action is for supplies for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the statutory authority 10 U.S.C. 2304 (c) (1) as implemented as FAR 6.302-1. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals.

However, a determination by the Government not to compete with this proposed contract based upon responses to this solicitation is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

Photo: KAC. M110 Capability Upgrade

From Knight’s Armament about their M110 Capability Upgrades:

The Knight’s Armament Company Intermediate Conversion kit will increase effective ranges while maintaining the combat proven durability. Knight’s Armament Company has always been a leader in precision semi-automatic rifles and continues this tradition with the ability to convert to intermediate calibers such as the 260 Remington and 6.5 Creedmoor.

KAC offers several different options to update M110/SR-25 platform to take advantage of the higher velocity and ballistic coefficient of these new calibers. The reduced recoil of the calibers combined with KAC’s unique operating systems result minimal wear on the system and the user. When it comes to real-world application of precision fire at long range, KAC is ready to provide the solution.

For users of the M110, KAC can provide a simple, low cost/high benefit conversion to intermediate caliber. A replacement barrel assembly, complete with E2 bolt and gas system, can be installed into the M110 at the 2nd echelon maintenance level, and requires no other parts conversion or alteration. The replacement barrel can reuse the existing M110 suppressor, aiding in system cost reduction. In-house function and precision testing ensures that the user is receiving the performance advantage of intermediate calibers. This conversion kit immediately improves the long-range capability of the user while maintaining the appearance of a standard issue M110.

The modular nature of the M110 and SR-25 series of rifles and carbines has always permitted mission-specific performance alteration by simply changing upper receiver assemblies. KAC can provide complete and tested drop-on intermediate caliber upper receiver kits with the ability to perfectly match performance to requirement. These kits provide optimal opportunity to upgrade existing platforms with a wide swath of other enhancers such as collapsible stock kits, improved BUIS, QDC and/or DSR suppressors, improved trigger options, enhanced modular selectors, and a full catalog of MIL-STD-1913 and M-LOK accessories.

Hopefully, in the long run, this will also mean lower prices for 6.5 Creedmoor for sports shooters and competitors.

For some excellent reference photos of the M110 SASS check here.

Sources: FBO.gov and Knights Armament Co.

Naval Surface Warfare Center looking to buy M110K1 6.5CM Upper Receivers from Knight’s Armament Co

Eric B