The United States Army Rangers are highly specialized soldiers who make up one of the most elite forces in the U.S. military. Army Rangers must pass a grueling selection process and are trained to handle unconventional warfare. (These are the U.S. Military special forces with the most brutal training.)
24/7 Wall St. reviewed the online database Military Factory’s catalog of Army Ranger Weapons to determine the guns used by U.S. Army Rangers. Guns that are overly similar to one another and guns that are believed to no longer be in use were removed from this list. We ranked the guns based on when they entered service. Supplemental data on the type of weapon, maximum effective range, and the caliber of ammunition each gun uses also came from Military Factory. (These are America’s most elite special forces.)
Why We’re Writing About U.S. Army Ranger Weapons
The U.S. Army Rangers are one of the country’s most premier military forces. Because of this, the Army Rangers often use cutting-edge equipment that you might not see in other units. Learning about the Army Rangers’ arsenal provides an overview of modern military technology and tactics that allow the group to be so successful in missions.
These are the weapons used by the U.S. Army Rangers:
30. M72 LAW
- Year entered service: 1963
- Type: Anti-tank rocket launcher
- Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: 66mm
29. Remington M40
- Year entered service: 1966
- Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
- Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
28. Saco Mk 19
- Year entered service: 1967
- Type: Automatic grenade launcher
- Maximum effective range: 4,500 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: 40x53mm
27. Steyr GB
- Year entered service: 1974
- Type: Semi-automatic pistol
- Maximum effective range: 147 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: 9×19 parabellum
26. Mossberg Model 590
- Year entered service: 1975
- Type: Pump-action shotgun
- Maximum effective range: 130 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: 12-gauge
25. FIM-92 Stinger
- Year entered service: 1981
- Type: Air defense missile system
- Maximum effective range: 15,750 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: 70mm
24. ST Kinetics Ultimax 100
- Year entered service: 1982
- Type: Light machine gun
- Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: 5.56x45mm NATO
23. RAI Model 300 / Model 500
- Year entered service: 1983
- Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
- Maximum effective range: 4,265 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: 12.7x99mm NATO, 7.62x51mm NATO
22. Fabrique Nationale M249 SAW
- Year entered service: 1984
- Type: Squad support weapon
- Maximum effective range: 2,600 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x51mm NATO
21. Colt M45 MEU
- Year entered service: 1986
- Type: Semi-automatic pistol
- Maximum effective range: 165 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: .45 ACP
20. Saco M60E3
- Year entered service: 1986
- Type: Light machine gun
- Maximum effective range: 3,600 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
19. M136 Light Anti-Armor Weapon (AT4)
- Year entered service: 1987
- Type: Anti-armor rocket launcher
- Maximum effective range: 985 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: 84mm
18. Remington M24 SWS
- Year entered service: 1987
- Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
- Maximum effective range: 2,624 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
17. SIG-Sauer P228
- Year entered service: 1988
- Type: Semi-automatic pistol
- Maximum effective range: 165 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: 9x19mm parabellum
16. Beretta M9
- Year entered service: 1990
- Type: Semi-automatic pistol
- Maximum effective range: 164 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: 9x19mm parabellum
15. Colt M16A4
- Year entered service: 1990
- Type: Assault rifle
- Maximum effective range: 1,968 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: 5.56x45mm NATO
14. Stoner SR-25
- Year entered service: 1990
- Type: Designated marksman rifle
- Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
13. Colt M4
- Year entered service: 1994
- Type: Assault carbine
- Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: 5.56x45mm NATO
12. FGM-148 Javelin
- Year entered service: 1996
- Type: Anti-tank guided missile launcher
- Maximum effective range: 8,202 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: 127mm
11. Navy Mark 12 Special Purpose Rifle
- Year entered service: 2002
- Type: Designated marksman rifle
- Maximum effective range: 1,800 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: 5.56x45mm NATO
10. Fabrique Nationale Mk 48 LWMG
- Year entered service: 2003
- Type: Lightweight machine gun
- Maximum effective range: 2,624 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
9. Mk 14 Mod 0 EBR
- Year entered service: 2004
- Type: Designated marksman rifle
- Maximum effective range: 1,500 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
8. McMillan TAC-338
- Year entered service: 2005
- Type: Sniper rifle
- Maximum effective range: 5,250 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: .338 Lapua Magnum, .338 Norma Magnum
7. General Dynamics Mk 47 Striker AGL
- Year entered service: 2006
- Type: Automatic grenade launcher
- Maximum effective range: 5,600 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: 40x53mm
6. Heckler & Koch HK G28
- Year entered service: 2006
- Type: Designated marksman rifle
- Maximum effective range: 2,000 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
5. M32 MGL
- Year entered service: 2006
- Type: Six-shot grenade launcher
- Maximum effective range: 1,315 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: 40x46mm grenade
4. M110 SASS
- Year entered service: 2007
- Type: Designated marksman rifle
- Maximum effective range: 2,624 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
3. Barrett M107
- Year entered service: 2008
- Type: Anti-personnel sniper rifle
- Maximum effective range: 1,850 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: .50 BMG (12.7x99mm NATO)
2. AirTronic PSRL-1
- Year entered service: 2009
- Type: Anti-personnel shoulder-fired rocket launcher
- Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: 40mm Rocket
1. Fabrique Nationale FN SCAR (Mk 16 / Mk 17)
- Year entered service: 2009
- Type: Automatic assault rifle
- Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.
- Caliber/Ammunition: 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x51mm NATO
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