Accuracy International

Accuracy International Limited is a British firearms manufacturer based in Portsmouth, England. The company specializes in sniper rifles and anti-materiel rifles.

Accuracy International Limited
TypeLimited company
Founded1978
FounderMalcolm Cooper, Sarah Cooper, Martin Kay, Dave Walls, David Caig
HeadquartersPortsmouth, Hampshire, England
ProductsAnti-materiel rifles, sniper rifles
OwnerDave Walls, Tom Irwin, Paul Bagshaw
Number of employees
92 (2022)[1]
Websitewww.accuracyinternational.com

The company was founded in 1978 by a group of individuals including British Olympic shooting gold medalist Malcolm Cooper, Sarah Cooper, and Martin Kay, along with the firearms designers Dave Walls and David Caig. The company's origins are rooted in the expertise of professional international and national sport shooters.

Accuracy International's sniper rifles have found utility in a multitude of military units and police departments across the globe. Their reputation for reliability and accuracy has solidified their place as a trusted choice for precision shooting applications.[2]

Following a period of financial hardship, Accuracy International faced liquidation in 2005. Nevertheless, a British consortium, helmed by the initial design duo of Dave Walls and David Caig, intervened to ensure the company's continuity. This move marked a significant turning point in the company's history, ensuring the continuation of their legacy in crafting top-tier precision firearms.

Management

As of 2014, the company was equally owned by two directors, Dave Walls and Tom Irwin, along with Paul Bagshaw. David Caig remains in the business as a consultant.[3]

Production

Accuracy International introduced their new AS50 .50 BMG caliber semi-automatic rifle at the 2005 SHOT Show in Las Vegas and their new AX Series at the 2010 Shot Show in Las Vegas.

The UK government announced in March 2008 the award of a £11 million contract to produce rifles for the British Army.[4]

Distribution

Accuracy International's distribution in the United States is managed by the American division of AI, Accuracy International USA. There are only two distributors of Accuracy International in the United States: Eurooptic and Mile High Shooting.

Magazine types

Different Accuracy International rifle models come with a variety of proprietary magazines.[5]

Model Caliber Stacking and feeding
AICS (short action) .223
.308		 Double stack, single feed
AICS (long action) .300 Win Mag Single stack, single feed
.338 Lapua Mag Single stack, single feed
AX AICS .308 Double stack, single feed
.300 Win Mag Single stack, single feed
.338 Lapua Mag Single stack, single feed
AE MkI (pre 2009) .308 Single stack, single feed
AE MkII/ MkIII .308 Double stack, single feed
AX rifle .308 Double stack, staggered feed
.300 Win Mag Double stack, staggered feed
.338 Lapua Mag Double stack, staggered feed
AW rifle .308 Double stack, staggered feed
.300 Win Mag Single stack, single feed
.338 Lapua Mag Single stack, single feed
AW50, AX50 .50 BMG Single stack, single feed

AICS-style magazine

The "AICS-style" short action box magazine was originally manufactured for the Accuracy International Chassis System but can now be found on several production rifles, such as the SIG Sauer CROSS,[6] the Ruger Gunsite Scout,[7] Ruger Precision Rifle,[8] some Ruger American Rifle models, and some new production models by Remington (Model 700 PCR,[9] 700 Tactical Chassis,[10] 700 Magpul,[11] and 700 Magpul Enhanced[12]). AICS-style magazines can also be found on many custom rifles, and aftermarket conversion kits (known as "bottom metals") are available for several different rifle models and are made by several different manufacturers.[13][14] Many conversion kits require fitting ("inletting") by a gunsmith.

References
  1. "ACCURACY INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Director's report and consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 DECEMBER 2022". Companies House. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  2. D'Costa, Ian (6 February 2019). "This multi-caliber rifle from Accuracy International could be a game-changer for snipers worldwide". Military Times. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  3. "No place for second best". Accuracy International. Archived from the original on 3 June 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
  4. Meade, Geoff (7 March 2008). "British Rifle Can Hit Target A Mile Away". Sky News. Archived from the original on 27 September 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
  5. Accuracy International Magazines and compability - Vertebrae helpdesk
  6. The Sig CROSS: Has Sig Sauer Built the World's Best Bolt-Action Rifle? | The National Interest
  7. Top 10 Detachable Box Magazine Platforms
  8. New Ruger AI Style Magazines For Precision Rifle And Gunsite Scout - The Firearm BlogThe Firearm Blog
  9. Testing Remington's New Affordable Chassis Rifle - The R700 PCR - GunsAmerica Digest "the PCR uses the AICS mag footprint and there are lots of aftermarket mag options."
  10. Shooting Illustrated | Remington Model 700 Tactical Chassis "a single-column/single-position five-shot Accuracy International magazine is retained by an ambidextrous catch"
  11. Remington Model 700 MAGPUL review – rifleshooter.com "This is the first [Remington] production model M700 to use an AICS magazine"
  12. Remington's new Precision Chassis Rifle - The Model 700 PCR - The Firearm BlogThe Firearm Blog
  13. Add a detachable magazine to your Remington 700 by installing Surgeon bottom metal – rifleshooter.com
  14. Bottom Metals – Accurate-Mag
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