The Barrett Firearms Company was founded in 1980 by Ronald Barrett. The company's main product is the Barrett M82A1 sniper rifle. Barrett introduced the M82 in 1982 but did not make any significant sales until 1989 to Sweden. Soon after, the enormously powerful rifle attracted the attention of the US military, and it was deployed in the Gulf War. Today the company has contracts with dozens of countries to supply sniper rifles.

The success of the M82A1 has led the company to develop several other models of .50 caliber rifles, including the M95, M99, and M99-1. These are lighter bolt-action rifles, which are somewhat less advanced but more affordable to civilians and law enforcement agencies.

In current military use, the M82A1 is designated as the M107, and is labeled as an anti-materiel rifle. While the M107 is highly effective against soft targets, and is also used in by explosive ordenance disposal (EOD) teams, its large recoil and heavy weight make it somewhat less effective in use against individuals.

Barrett Firearms currently working on two projects for the military. One is the M468 assault rifle. This is essentially a modification of the M16/AR15 system, but chambered in the 6.8mm Remington SPC round. This provides more punch than the 5.56mm NATO standard round used in most current U.S. issue assault rifles. Early testing among special forces units have met with approval. The second new product is the XM109. This is essential a conversion of the M107/M82A1 designed to fire a 25mm payload.