Omark Model 44

{{Infobox weapon |is_ranged=yes| |name= Omark Model 44 |image= |caption= |origin= Australia |type= Target Rifle  |service= |used_by= |wars=  |designer= |design_date= 1968 |manufacturer= Sportco, Omark, MAB |unit_cost= |production_date= * 1968- |number= |variants= * Target Rifle, * Silhouette Rifle * Pistol  |spec_label= |weight= 8+ lbs |length= |part_length= * 26 inch |width= |height= |diameter= |crew=  |cartridge= 7.62×51mm, 5.56×45mm |caliber= |barrels= |action= bolt |rate= |velocity= |range= |max_range= |feed= single shot |sights= * Tunnel front * Aperture rear  |breech= |recoil= |carriage= |elevation= |traverse=  |blade_type= |hilt_type= |sheath_type= |head_type= |haft_type=  |filling= |filling_weight= |detonation= |yield=  |armour= |primary_armament= |secondary_armament= |engine= |engine_power= |pw_ratio= |transmission= |payload_capacity= |suspension= |clearance= |wingspan= |propellant= |fuel_capacity= |vehicle_range= |ceiling= |altitude= |boost= |speed= |guidance= |steering= |accuracy= |launch_platform= |transport= }}

The '''Omark Model 44''' is a bolt-action single-shot target rifle made in Australia. First released in 1968 as the Sportco Model 44 produced in Sportco's Adelaide factory, production was taken over by Omark in the 1970s, then by MAB Engineering in Brisbane in 1984.<ref>{{cite web|author=Custom Barrel Profile |url=http://www.tsengineering.com.au/index.php?page_id=24 |title=TSE |publisher=Tsengineering.com.au |accessdate=2014-01-18 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213104746/http://www.tsengineering.com.au/index.php?page_id=24 |archivedate=2012-02-13 }}</ref>

The rifle was the mainstay of Australian full bore target shooting for many years replacing the .303in. Lee–Enfield.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportco.org.au/gallery2/omark-44-1967.jpg |title=Sportco |accessdate=2014-01-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140213030941/http://www.sportco.org.au/gallery2/omark-44-1967.jpg |archive-date=2014-02-13 |url-status=live }}</ref> Being a purpose-built target rifle it soon showed its superiority against rebarrelled surplus rifles.<ref>Guns Australia December 2007 p.49</ref> It was also popular in Canadian competitions. Omark Model 44 rifles have also been used as a hunting arm. In this capacity however, they must be treated with special care — like any precision rifle, the fine mechanism is vulnerable to jamming when exposed to mud or dirt.

The Omark Model 44 was tested as a sniper rifle by the Australian Defence Force but not adopted, as it is single shot only and the design could not easily be changed to a repeater.<ref>[http://cas.awm.gov.au/TST2/cst.acct_master?surl=60610071ZZZZLJDQKBCSVG52842&stype=3&simplesearch=&v_umo=&v_product_id=&screen_name=&screen_parms=&screen_type=RIGHT&bvers=4&bplatform=Microsoft%20Internet%20Explorer&bos=Win32 AWM]{{dead link|date=January 2014}}</ref>

Originally just produced in 7.62×51mm it was later available in 5.56×45mm and others.<ref>[http://www.tsengineering.com.au/index.php?page_id=31 Total Solutions Engineering] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719115231/http://www.tsengineering.com.au/index.php?page_id=31 |date=July 19, 2008 }}</ref> MAB Engineering also produced a pistol version.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mab.com.au/products/firearms/pistol.htm |title=MAB |access-date=2008-06-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719161813/http://www.mab.com.au/products/firearms/pistol.htm |archive-date=2008-07-19 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== See also== * Swing rifle - an early British target rifle also designed to supersede the Lee-Enfield

==References== <references/>

==External links== * [http://www.sportco.org.au/ sportco.org.au] * [http://www.mab.com.au/ MAB Engineering ]

Category:5.56 mm firearms Category:7.62×51mm NATO rifles Category:Single-shot bolt-action rifles Category:Hunting rifles Category:Rifles of Australia