MILSIM WEST How to Choose an Airsoft DMR vs a Sniper
Posted by mir tactical on Nov 13th 2020
DMR and Snipers in airsoft: 2 different things, 2 different roles.
“I want to be a sniper””I’m going to get a sniper rifle” “ I’m building a DMR” “ 10.5 inch with a suppressor and a scope is a DMR” – all things all airsofters have heard or said.
Let’s get the blunt harsh truth out there…. Most of the DMRs are not true DMRs. A long barrel and a scope is not a DMR. Yes I think the m27 (M38) should be allowed as a DMR. If you buy a sniper rifle out of the box, be prepared to be disappointed. Most M4s will out do it. Be prepared to tune, swap, and get mad at every part in your sniper rifle. They are not cheap… at all… to make combat effective. Having a bolt action rifle does not make you a sniper.
Now that the controversial stuff is out of the way…There is a huge difference between a DMR and sniper. Aside from the rules on Joules or FPS, they are two different play styles. DMRs are usually with a squad and serve as a support role. Snipers are normally off on their own and rarely in a group. They are not the same and should not be interchanged. The following pertains mostly to Milsim and some more advanced game play.
DMR: Designated Marksmen
A DMR should be attached to a squad and run with them. They serve a similar role as a support gunner but by providing accurate long rang fire vs accuracy through volume.The are an asset to the squad. A DMR should not be part of the stack for a breach. Their guns are normally not allowed indoors. The DMR could be used as rear guard or pulling overwatch. If needed they can be pulled up to the front Lines to shoot specific targets or see past the battle at hand and keep a visual on parts of the field.
DMR should be able to maneuver within the limits of the squad. You are not free to go roam or go off on your own. If your squad moves, you move with it, if they say hold a spot, you hold. You are an asset not a lone element. Yes you can move to flank or provide a different angle of fire but should always be in close proximity or contact to the squad.
If there are High value targets, usually the DMR will be given the task to take them out. Watch enemy movements and take out any support gunners, leadership or medics. Given the DMR range and optics it is important to pick higher value targets. The range should be used to engage targets from outside of the enemies effective range. This gives the DMR more freedom of movement. There should be few times where a DMR is upfront leading a push or charge. Like the support gunners, medics, and leadership, DMRs are force multipliers and should not be leading the charge.
Snipers:
I have not, probably will not, play as a sniper. This is the perspective of how I would play/ use a sniper.
Snipers are, and I’m sorry to say this, mostly ineffective in Airsoft. Can there be effective sniper? Yes. Are they hidden killing machines? Not really. All the YouTube videos make it look fun but it is nit easy and not cheap. There will many times where you will be outgunned and possibly out ranged with most out of the box snipers.
Sniper teams main goal is not to kill as many people as possible. The goal is take out High value Targets and relay information to command. An effective sniper team can relay troop movements, call in airstrikes, and eliminate key players. Providing information on enemy movements is one of the most important roles. A sniper team attached to a Company Level command element could provide information that would change the whole 100 man force in a different direction or not advance. The sniper team is key in scouting and keeping track of what’s going on in the battle space. As far as engaging the enemy, sniper teams should take out specific targets rather than anyone they can. Command elements, Medics, support gunners, and then anyone who is ring to sp up and lead should be at the top of the list. Those roles are force multipliers and need to be taken out.
Snipers should not be attached to a squad. They are at a minimum of a platoon level asset. The sniper should never be alone. They need to in a 2 or more man team. This give a second set of eyes and another gun. Plus it allows for medics at some games. It’s also harder to lose a 2 man element than a singular. The snipers who lone wolf may be helpful in some limited cases but they will not help sway the battle.
While they are two roles, most events lump them in together between DMR and Sniper. They ARE NOT the same. Thy are difference rules and different styles. Please know the difference. A DMR can be in a sniper team but there serving as a spotter or security. At Mir Tactical we have all your milsim needs.