The US Army's M24 Sniper Weapon System has served militaries globally since 1988, a testament to its robust design, yet one that has become increasingly dated over three and a half decades. While the US Army made several attempts to update the M24, including cartridge upgrades to .300 Winchester Magnum and .338 Lapua Magnum, and the M24E1’s integration of a suppressor and chassis, most efforts prioritized caliber changes over a comprehensive system modernization. In 2019, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) pursued a different path, collaborating with MDT to develop an upgraded chassis solution as the core of their Modernized M24 SWS.
The IDF's approach was direct: replace the original fiberglass stock with an MDT chassis, upgrade the optic and mount, and add a muzzle brake. These modifications were intended to revitalize the legacy system. While specific details on the Leupold scope and muzzle brake were not available, a picture of an actual service rifle (less bolt), taken by Zach Evenor, offers insight into the system. Close inspection of caliber markings on the right side of the barrel, which appear upside down, suggests that the barrel has been reset and chambered as part of this modernization process.
The rationale behind upgrading the rifle’s fiberglass stock goes beyond static range performance, where the original M24 remains capable. For modern operational requirements, particularly night operations and improvised field positions, the new chassis provides significant advantages. The MDT chassis allows for full integration of night vision optics, lasers, and illuminators, alongside the critical addition of a detachable magazine. Furthermore, it incorporates a heavy-duty folding stock and comprehensive adjustability to accommodate shooters of various sizes and gear configurations.
The MDT chassis selected for the IDF Modernization Program stands out for its robust construction, designed for rough duty applications. While it shares some visual characteristics with the LSS-XL chassis, this variant incorporates specific improvements for demanding environments. The night vision rail and fore-end are notably robust, with the rail attaching to the fore-end via four substantial screws. The sides of the rail feature MLOK slots for mounting accessory rails. Two pins at the front of the fore-end ensure secure alignment of the night vision rail.
Ergonomically, the chassis is well-appointed. A removable ambidextrous thumb shelf near the pistol grip supports varied shooting styles. The trigger guard is generously wide, allowing easy access even with gloved hands, and includes a slot at the bottom to facilitate drainage of water and debris. The hinged folding mechanism is designed to fold the stock against the bolt handle side of the rifle, an intentional feature that prevents excessive width when the rifle is folded. Unfolded, the stock offers extensive adjustability, including length-of-pull, cheekpiece height, and butt plate position. The cheekpiece also slides side-to-side, crucial for maintaining a consistent stock weld as optics become larger or as a shooter adapts to different positions.
Functionally, the modernized M24 benefits significantly from feeding via AICS-style box magazines, a notable improvement over the internal box magazine of the original Remington M24. The oversized rubber pistol grip provided by MDT fills the hand well, contributing to shooter comfort and control. With the rifle properly adjusted, settling into a stable firing position is enhanced. Observed accuracy from the modernized rifle is notable: a 5-round group fired at 100 yards with Federal Gold Medal Ammunition measured 0.497 inches (0.475 MOA). Further development with 175-grain SMK handloads produced a best group of 0.209 inches (0.200 MOA) at 100 yards.
The IDF Modernized M24 is characterized as a successful effort, effectively bringing the M24 platform into the modern era. The integration of the MDT chassis system delivers crucial enhancements such as night vision compatibility, improved ergonomics, expanded optic compatibility, and increased accuracy, all without necessitating a complete replacement of the core weapon system. This approach provides a blueprint for leveraging proven actions within contemporary precision rifle frameworks.
