The United States Navy SEALs were formally established on January 1st, 1962 to carry out high-stakes, highly classified operations. These covert missions generally occur in rugged environments – jungle, arctic, maritime – and must be carried out swiftly. To succeed, the SEALs employ a variety of firearms that are versatile for many tactical scenarios. (Check out SEAL Team 6 in 17 of America’s most elite special forces.)
These firearms are a significant part of the success of the Navy SEALS whose unofficial motto is, “On time, on target, never quit.” However, their effectiveness is ultimately decided by those behind the gun. (U.S. Special Forces such as the SEALs often fight in clandestine operations — the U.S. government is involved in secret wars in 15 countries.)
24/7 Wall St. reviewed the online database MilitaryFactory’s catalog of Navy SEALs Weapons to determine the guns used by U.S. Navy SEALs Special Forces. We removed guns that are similar to each other and guns that are believed to no longer be in use by the SEALs. Data on the type of weapon, maximum effective range, and the caliber of ammunition each gun uses also came from MilitaryFactory.
Here are the 32 weapons that see everyday use in the Navy SEALS:
Barrett M82
The Barrett M82 is a .50 BMG (12.7x99mm NATO) anti-material rifle that entered service in 1982 and has a range of 1,850 ft.
General Electric GAU-17/A Minigun
The General Electric GAU-17/A Minigun is a 7.62x51mm NATO six-barrel gatling gun that entered service in 1965 and has a range of 3,280 ft.
Mossberg Model 590
The Mossberg Model 590 is a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun that entered service in 1975 and has a range of 130 ft.
Hawk MM-1 MGL
The Hawk MM-1 MGL is a 40x46mm automatic grenade launcher that entered service in 1980 and has a range of 740 ft.
ST Kinetics Ultimax 100
The ST Kinetics Ultimax 100 is a 5.56x45mm NATO light machine gun that entered service in 1982 and has a range of 3,280 ft.
Smith & Wesson Model 686
The Smith & Wesson Model 686 is a .357 magnum six-shot revolver that entered service in 1981 and has a range of 300 ft.
Navy Mark 12 Special Purpose Rifle
The Navy Mark 12 Special Purpose Rifle is a 5.56x45mm NATO designated marksman rifle that entered service in 2002 and has a range of 1,800 ft.
M136 Light Anti-Armor Weapon (AT4)
The M136 Light Anti-Armor Weapon (AT4) is an 84mm anti-armor rocket launcher that entered service in 1987 and has a range of 985 ft.
M72 LAW
The M72 LAW is a 66mm anti-tank rocket launcher that entered service in 1963 and has a range of 1,640 ft.
Kalashnikov AKSU-74
The Kalashnikov AKSU-74 is a 5.45x39mm Soviet submachine gun that entered service in 1983 and has a range of 656 ft.
Accuracy International AW50
The Accuracy International AW50 is a 12.7x99mm NATO anti-materiel rifle that entered service in 1999 and has a range of 4,921 ft.
Colt M45 MEU
The Colt M45 MEU is a .45 ACP semi-automatic pistol that entered service in 1986 and has a range of 165 ft.
Saco M60E3
The Saco M60E3 is a 7.62x51mm NATO light machine gun that entered service in 1986 and has a range of 3,600 ft.
FIM-92 Stinger
The FIM-92 Stinger is a 70mm air defense missile system that entered service in 1981 and has a range of 15,750 ft.
Remington M24 SWS
The Remington M24 SWS is a 7.62x51mm NATO bolt-action sniper rifle that entered service in 1987 and has a range of 2,624 ft.
Heckler & Koch HK MP5K
The Heckler & Koch HK MP5K is a 9x19mm parabellum submachine gun that entered service in 1991 and has a range of 656 ft.
SIG-Sauer P228
The SIG-Sauer P228 is a 9x19mm parabellum semi-automatic pistol that entered service in 1988 and has a range of 165 ft.
Beretta M9
The Beretta M9 is a 9x19mm parabellum semi-automatic pistol that entered service in 1990 and has a range of 164 ft.
Colt M16A4
The Colt M16A4 is a 5.56x45mm NATO assault rifle that entered service in 1990 and has a range of 1,968 ft.
Colt M4
The Colt M4 is a 5.56x45mm NATO assault carbine that entered service in 1994 and has a range of 1,640 ft.
FGM-148 Javelin
The FGM-148 Javelin is a 127mm anti-tank guided missile launcher that entered service in 1996 and has a range of 8,202 ft.
Heckler & Koch HK GMG
The Heckler & Koch HK GMG is a 40x53mm automatic grenade launcher that entered service in 1996 and has a range of 5,000 ft.
Heckler & Koch Mk23 Mod 0
The Heckler & Koch Mk23 Mod 0 is a .45 ACP semi-automatic pistol that entered service in 1996 and has a range of 82 ft.
Accuracy International Mk13
The Accuracy International Mk13 is a .300 Winchester magnum bolt-action sniper rifle that entered service in 2017 and has a range of 3,940 ft.
M32 MGL
The M32 MGL is a 40x46mm grenade six-shot grenade launcher that entered service in 2006 and has a range of 1,315 ft.
Benelli M4 Super 90
The Benelli M4 Super 90 is a 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun that entered service in 1999 and has a range of 164 ft.
McMillan TAC-50
The McMillan TAC-50 is a 12.7x99mm anti-materiel rifle that entered service in 2000 and has a range of 6,561 ft.
Fabrique National Mk 48 LWMG
The Fabrique National Mk 48 LWMG is a 7.62x51mm NATO light weight machine gun that entered service in 2003 and has a range of 2,624 ft.
Mk 14 Mod 0 EBR
The Mk 14 Mod 0 EBR is a 7.62x51mm NATO designated marksman rifle that entered service in 2004 and has a range of 1,500 ft.
Barrett M107
The Barrett M107 is a .50 BMG (12.7x99mm NATO) anti-personnel sniper rifle that entered service in 2008 and has a range of 1,850 ft.
M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle
The M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle is a 7.62x51mm NATO designated marksman rifle that entered service in 2008 and has a range of 2,550 ft.
AirTronic PSRL-1
The AirTronic PSRL-1 is a 40mm anti-personnel shoulder-fired rocket launcher that entered service in 2009 and has a range of 2,625 ft.
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