Military
All 44 Guns In Service With the US Military Today
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With over 3.4 million citizens in 2023, the defense of the United States is one that the military must take very seriously. Founded in 1775, Americans have leaned on the Armed Forces of the United States throughout many conflicts. Additionally, with 4,800 U.S. military sites worldwide, the Department of Defense offers security to 160 other countries as well. (See the countries where America has the most soldiers stationed.)
In order to provide the military with tools needed to deter war and ensure security, the firearms issued to American troops must be put through rigorous testing. To provide every possible advantage on the battlefield, they also must meet stringent specifications, often related to weight and effective range. (Here are the oldest weapons the US Military still uses.)
24/7 Wall St. identified the small arms and light weapons currently used by the U.S. military by using data from a range of sources, including military handbooks, government press releases, and firearms publications. The 44 weapons on this list range from standard-issue sidearms and assault rifles to rocket launchers and mounted machine guns.
Several firearms on this list are modified versions of guns available to civilians. Among them is the Army’s M2010 sniper rifle, which is based on the popular Remington 700 hunting rifle. Additionally, the Mossberg 590A1 is a variation of Mossberg’s 500 series shotguns, a popular hunting and home defense weapon in the United States.
In order to maintain its status as the world’s preeminent military superpower, the United States must lead in military technology, materials, finances, and resources. In fiscal year 2022, the U.S. defense budget totaled $877 billion. 24/7 is covering the firearms used by United States Armed Forces to help readers better understand the weapons that much of the Department of Defense’ annual spending goes towards.
Here is each firearm currently used by the US military.
The APC9 Pro-K SCW is a 9mm submachine gun. It’s primarily used by military police that protect executive-level military personnel in the Protective Services Battalion (PSB).
The U.S. Army is reported to have procured 315 APC9s, and the Air Force announced plans to purchase 65.
The Barrett M107A1 is a semi-automatic .50 caliber sniper rifle with a range of 2,000 meters. It is an anti-materiel weapon designed for use against military equipment, structures, and vehicles.
The Benelli M1014 is a 12 gauge semi-automatic shotgun that has the capacity to hold eight shells. The M1014 was introduced to the Marine Corps in 1999. It is also used by U.S. Special Operations Forces and the British SAS.
The Colt M1911 is a .45 ACP caliber handgun. The U.S. military adopted the M1911 as the official service pistol from 1911 to 1985.
Although it has been replaced as the official pistol, the Marine Corps ordered 12,000 M45A1s – a variation of the M1911 – to use for close-quarter combat.
The FGM-148 Javelin is a 127mm anti-tank missile system with an effective range of 2.5 km. It is typically fired from the shoulder and can be used against helicopters and fortifications. They were introduced into service in 1996 and are manufactured by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.
The FIM-92 Stinger is a man-portable air-defense system that is typically fired at the shoulder. It is effective against helicopters and transport aircraft. It was introduced into service in 1981 and has reportedly taken down over 270 aircraft in combat.
The GAU-19 is a .50 BMG caliber Gatling gun usually found mounted on helicopters, jets, land vehicles, and naval vessels. It’s capable of firing 1,300 rounds per minute.
The Glock 19 is a 9mm handgun. In 2015, the Navy SEALs opted to use it as a replacement for the Sig Sauer P226. The Glock is 7 ounces lighter and is more corrosion resistant.
The Heckler & Koch MP5 is a 9mm submachine gun. It can fire 800 rounds per minute when used in the fully-automatic mode. A special forces favorite, MP5s are used in a range of situations, from counterterrorism to hostage rescue and personal protection.
The Heckler & Koch MP7 is a submachine gun chambered for 4.6x30mm ammunition, capable of firing 950 rounds per minute. It can be equipped with a suppressor, optics, and laser aiming units. It is popular with Navy SEALs and is most commonly used for boarding ships and clearing tunnels.
The M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle is chambered for 5.56x45mm ammunition and is generally equipped with a bipod and scope. It is the current standard issued Marine rifle. It replaced the M249 SAW and the M4.
The HK45C is a .45 caliber pistol. It has been used by the Navy SEALs and is manufactured by Heckler & Koch. It features an extended threaded barrel that can be used to attach suppressors.
The HK416 is a 5.56x45mm caliber assault rifle. Developed by German gunmaker Heckler & Koch, the HK416 is based on the popular M4. It comes in four barrel lengths ranging from 10.4 to 20 inches and can be fired in both semi- and fully-automatic modes.
The HK417 is a 7.62x51mm caliber assault rifle. It has an effective range of 600 meters, and is capable of firing 600 rounds per minute. It has the capability to be outfitted with a mounted grenade launcher.
The M110A1 is a 7.62x51mm caliber semi-automatic sniper rifle. It has a maximum effective range of 800 meters. It was issued into service in 2005. It was first used in combat in Afghanistan by the U.S. Army’s Task Force Fury.
In 2016, the M110A1 variation was manufactured by Heckler & Koch. This variant includes improved reliability and has an effective range of up to 600 meters. In 2019, H&K announced plans to produce between 5,000 and 6,000 units for the U.S. Army.
The M120 is a 120mm caliber mortar system that offers indirect fire support. It consists of a launch tube, optics, a base plate, and a bipod. It has a range of 7,900 yards and can fire up to 16 rounds per minute. It takes a crew of 5 to operate.
In 2017, the Marine Corps announced plans to ditch the M120 and invest in other resources, including higher-precision artillery weapons.
The M134 Minigun is a 7.62mm x 51mm caliber six-barrel Gatling gun. Its’ multi-barrel design allows it to fire up to 6,000 rounds per minute without overheating. It was initially used in the Vietnam War, and still sees use today by the Army and Marine Corps.
M136 AT4 is an 84mm caliber anti-tank rocket system. It can penetrate 17.5 inches of armor plating and can be fired as far as 2,100 meters. It requires minimal training to operate. The Marine Corps and the Army use this one-shot disposable rocket launcher, and the U.S. military is reported to have procured nearly 600,000 AT4 units to date.
The M16A4 is a 5.56x45mm caliber assault rifle. It was replaced as the standard service rifle of the Marine Corps in 2015 as it is reportedly susceptible to rust, difficult to clean, and prone to jamming.
However, the M16A4 remains in limited use by some support and non-infantry Marines and non-combat Army units.
The M2 is a .50 caliber machine gun that is effective against infantry and lightly armored vehicles, helicopters, and boats. Initially developed during World War I, the M2 was widely used in the Second World War and has been in service ever since.
The M2010 is a sniper rifle chambered for .300 Win Mag rounds, which gives the gun an effective range of 1,200 meters. It is manufactured by Remington Arms, and modeled after the M24 sniper rifle. The M2010 was used by the Army in Afghanistan as early as 2011.
The M224 is a 60mm mortar system with a maximum range of 3,489 meters. Mortar systems are commonly used in the U.S. Army and Marine Corps’ combat strategy. The M224 can fire a range of ammunition types to suit a variety of purposes, including high explosive, infrared, visible light, and smoke.
The M24 is a 7.62x51mm caliber bolt-action sniper rifle that has been in use for decades. However, in recent years these sniper rifles have begun to be phased out in favor of semi-automatic and more versatile sniper weapons.
The M240 is a 7.62mm x 51mm caliber medium machine gun that has a maximum range of 3,725 meters and a fire rate of 650 rounds per minute. It was issued into service by the Army in 1977, and is currently used throughout the U.S. military, including by the weapons platoon of every rifle company of the Marine Corps.
The M240 is often mounted on a tripod or on land vehicles, helicopters, and boats. While not a state-of-the-art weapon, it is favored for its reliability.
The M249 SAW, or Squad Automatic Weapon, is a 5.56x45mm caliber light machine gun that weighs 18 pounds. It has a maximum range of 3,600 meters and maximum firing rate of 800 rounds per minute.
Developed in 1974 and then adopted by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps, the M249 first saw combat in the 1991 Gulf War.
The M252 is an 81mm medium-weight mortar that weighs roughly 90 pounds. It can be loaded with a range of ammunition types to suit a variety of purposes, including high explosive, infrared, visible light, and smoke. Utilized by both the Army and the Marine Corps, the M252 has a maximum range of 5,935 meters or 3.7 miles.
The M26 MASS is a modular accessory 12 gauge shotgun. It can be mounted under the barrel of an M4 Carbine, eliminating the need for soldiers to carry two separate firearms.
The M26 can use non-lethal shotgun ammunition for purposes such as crowd control and door breaching.
The M3 MAAWS (Multi-purpose Anti-armor Anti-personnel Weapon System) is an 84mm anti-tank recoilless rifle that requires two operators to fire and load. It is effective against lightly armored targets up to 500 meters and soft targets up to 800 meters. The weapon is capable of hitting both static and moving targets, day or night, and is submersible in salt water.
Currently in use by the Army, the weapon is expected to be distributed to active-duty marines by 2024.
The M4/M4A1 carbine is a 5.56x45mm caliber assault rifle that can can have a maximum effective range of up to 656 yards and can fire up to 950 rounds per minute. It’s the primary weapon used by Navy SEALs – but also sees use as the standard issue firearm for many others in the U.S. military.
The Army version of the M4A1 is equipped with a collapsible stock, a rail system for sights, and a backup iron sight. It is fully automatic and can be outfitted with a grenade launcher and a modular accessory shotgun.
The M60 is a 7.62mm x 51mm caliber machine gun that can be fired from the shoulder or a tripod. It can fire 550 rounds per minute and has an effective range of 1,200 yards and a maximum range of 4,074 yards.
Introduced in 1957, the M60 was used in the Vietnam War. Although it was replaced, it is still used to some extent by all branches of the military. Notably, the Navy SEALs use two variants of the M60.
The M61 Vulcan is a 20x102mm Six-barrel gatling gun capable of firing 6,000 rounds per minute. First developed by General Electric in the 1940s, it is currently produced by General Dynamics. The Vulcan was first widely used in the Vietnam War mounted on fighter jets and gunships.
The Mk13 is a .300 Win Mag bolt-action sniper rifle with a a maximum effective range of 1,300 meters. It recently replaced the Marine Corps’ M40 sniper rifle as it has a higher maximum range. The Mk13 is equipped with a suppressor to reduce muzzle flash and the acoustic signature when fired.
The MK16 SCAR (Special Forces Combat Assault Rifle) is a 5.56x45mm assault rifle. It features a box magazine with a 30-round capacity, an adjustable stock, and a rail system that can be used to attach accessories like sights or a grenade launcher. Navy SEALs have been known to use this weapon.
The MK17 SCAR (Special Forces Combat Assault Rifle) is a 7.62x51mm caliber assault rifle. It touts a 20-round box magazine and comes equipped with a rail system. The MK17 SCAR can be fitted with three barrels, that allow its’ maximum range to vary between 300 meters and 800 meters.
The Mk18 Close Quarter Battle Receiver (QCBR) is a 5.56x45mm caliber assault rifle. These rifles are often used by Navy SEALs in hostage rescue and VIP protection missions. The shorter barrel allows the gun to be easily maneuverable, and relatively light.
The Mk19 is a fully automatic grenade launcher that fires 40mm grenades. It has a maximum effective range of 1,400 meters and can be fired at a sustained rate of 40 rounds per minute. It can be used against personnel, lightly armored vehicles, and helicopters and is fired from a tripod.
The MK22 MRAD (Multi-Role Adaptive Design Rifle) is a sniper rifle that will be chambered for 7.62x51mm, .300 Norma Magnum, and .338 Norma Magnum ammunition. It’s relatively lightweight and highly adjustable and is fed with a 10-round box magazine.
This new rifle is expected to replace existing sniper rifle systems in both the Army and Marine Corps.
The Mk47 Striker is an automatic grenade launcher that fires 40mm grenades that are programmable and airburst capable of improved efficacy against enemies behind cover. An advanced sighting system and video screen improve the system’s ability to engage with targets obscured by distance, cover, and terrain.
The Mk20 SSR (Sniper Support Rifle) is a 7.62x51mm caliber sniper rifle that can maintain accuracy out to 1,000 yards. It was designed as a sniper version of the Mk17 assault rifle. The rifle is semi-automatic with a 20-round detachable box magazine.
The Mossberg 590A1 is a 12 gauge shotgun. It’s the standard issue pump shotgun for most of the U.S. military. They are effective in situations that involve close-quarters combat, and can be utilized as non-lethal crowd control if loaded with rubber slugs or beanbags.
The Remington M870A is a 12 gauge shotgun. It can be loaded with special breaching rounds designed to shoot away door hinges and locks. Smaller versions are carried on Navy warships and submarines.
The Sig Sauer M17 and M18 handguns, are the standard service pistol of the U.S. military. The pistol replaced the Beretta M9 in service, and can be chambered in 9mm, .357 SIG, and .40 S&W ammunition.
In early 2017, the U.S. Army awarded Sig Sauer a $580 million contract to make the pistols, choosing the company over competitors Glock and Beretta.
The SMAW (Shoulder-Launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon) is an 83.5mm anti-tank rocket system. It is most effective out to 300 meters but can also be effective out to 500 meters. It is able to penetrate up to 8 inches of concrete, 12 inches of brick, and over 6 and a half feet of sandbags
The SMAW can be outfitted with thermal imaging for nighttime use and loaded with rockets specially designed for anti-personnel and anti-tank purposes, as well as thermobaric warheads that can be used in caves.
The TAC-338 is a 338 Lapua Magnum sniper rifle that boasts a range of nearly 1-mile.
Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle, who logged over 150 confirmed kills, used this rifle when he famously fired the longest shot taken by a sniper.
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