These Innovative Light Weapons of the US Military Don’t Get Enough Attention

Here at 24/7 Wall St., we are taking a closer look at some of the newest guns used by the U.S. military.

To determine the most recent small arms to enter U.S. military service, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a range of sources, including military handbooks, government press releases, and firearms publications on small arms and light weapons currently used by the U.S. military. Small arms are ranked according to the year they entered the service, excluding weapons before 2000. This information is based on reports from Military Factory, an online database of military vehicles, aircraft, arms, and more. Data on the type of weapon, caliber, feed, and manufacturer also came from the Military Factory.

Why We’re Covering This

Understanding the military’s capabilities provides insights into the nation’s preparedness for threats. It can also show how the military may approach modern and future conflicts.

Here is a look at the newest guns currently in use by the U.S. military:

18. Mk 12 SPR

• Year entered service: 2002
• Type: Designated marksman rifle / sniper rifle
• Manufacturer: ArmaLite / Colt / Knight’s Armament Company
• Caliber and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO; 20- or 30-round detachable box magazine

17. M26 (MASS)

• Year entered service: 2003
• Type: Modular accessory shotgun system
• Manufacturer: C-More Systems
• Caliber and feed: 12-gauge; 3- or 5-round detachable box magazine

16. Mk 14 Mod 0 EBR

• Year entered service: 2004
• Type: Designated marksman rifle
• Manufacturer: Smith Enterprises
• Caliber and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO; 20-round detachable box magazine

15. HK 416

• Year entered service: 2005
• Type: Assault rifle
• Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
• Caliber and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO; 20- or 30-round detachable magazine

14. M32 MGL

• Year entered service: 2006
• Type: Six-shot grenade launcher
• Manufacturer: Milkor
• Caliber and feed: 40x46mm; Six-shot rotating cylinder

13. M110 SASS

• Year entered service: 2007
• Type: Designated marksman rifle / sniper rifle
• Manufacturer: Knight’s Armament Company
• Caliber and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO; 10- or 20-round detachable box magazine

12. M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle

• Year entered service: 2008
• Type: Designated marksman rifle / sniper rifle
• Manufacturer: USMC Armorers
• Caliber and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO; 20-round detachable box magazine

11. Barrett M107

• Year entered service: 2008
• Type: Anti-materiel / anti-personnel sniper rifle
• Manufacturer: Barrett Firearms Company
• Caliber and feed: 12.7x99mm NATO (.50 BMG); 10-round detachable box magazine

10. FN SCAR (MK 16 / MK 17)

• Year entered service: 2009
• Type: Modular automatic assault rifle
• Manufacturer: Fabrique Nationale
• Caliber and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x51mm NATO; 20- or 30-round box magazine

9. M320 GLM

• Year entered service: 2010
• Type: Grenade launcher
• Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
• Caliber and feed: 40x46mm SR; Single-shot

8. HK M27 IAR

• Year entered service: 2011
• Type: Designated marksman rifle
• Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
• Caliber and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO; 30-round detachable box magazine

7. APC9

• Year entered service: 2011
• Type: Modular personal defense weapon
• Manufacturer: Brugger and Thomet
• Caliber and feed: 9x19mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP; 15-, 20-, 25- or 30-round detachable box magazine

6. Kel-Tec KSG

• Year entered service: 2011
• Type: Pump-action bullpup shotgun
• Manufacturer: Kel-Tec CNC Industries
• Caliber and feed: 12-gauge; twin 6-shot internal tube magazine

5. M2010 ESR

• Year entered service: 2011
• Type: Sniper rifle
• Manufacturer: Remington Arms
• Caliber and feed: .300 Winchester Magnum; 5-round detachable box magazine

4. Remington MSR

• Year entered service: 2013
• Type: Sniper rifle
• Manufacturer: Remington Arms
• Caliber and feed: .338 Lapua Magnum, .338 Norma Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum, 7.62x51mm NATO; 5-, 7- or 10-round detachable box magazine

3. Carl-Gustav M4 (CGM4)

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• Year entered service: 2014
• Type: Man-portable shoulder-fired multi-role weapon
• Manufacturer: Saab Technologies
• Caliber and feed: 70mm; Single-shot

2. P320

• Year entered service: 2014
• Type: Semi-automatic pistol
• Manufacturer: SIG-Sauer
• Caliber and feed: 9x19mm Parabellum, .357 SIG, .40 S&W, .45 ACP; 10-, 14- or 17-round detachable box magazine

1. Dronekiller

• Year entered service: 2020
• Type: Man-portable counter-unmanned air systems technology
• Manufacturer: IXI-EW
• Caliber and feed: N/A