Weapons like the Colt M4 carbine (issued to security forces, Seabees, and Navy special operations) are particularly effective in close-quarters and boarding operations. Another of the Navy’s sidearms is the Beretta M9. This semi-automatic pistol’s range and large ammunition capacity make it an effective weapon. The Accuracy International Mk 13, a bolt-action sniper rifle that can shoot more than half a mile, is critical for special operations teams like the US Navy SEALS.
24/7 Wall St. referenced a catalog of U.S. small arms from a Military Factory to identify the firearms used by the U.S. Navy. We ranked these guns according to the timeframe they entered the service. We also included supplemental information regarding the type of firearm, range, caliber, and manufacturer from the Military Factory.
This post was updated on September 13, 2025 to clarify weapons used by SOCOM (SEALs, SWCC, EOD) vs. general Navy service and the use of the Colt M4 Carbine, as well as to remove outdated firearms.
Why This Matters
The defense industry in the United States dramatically impacts the nation’s economy. To arm military personnel with the tools they need, the Department of Defense spends a sizable portion of its budget on arms and research and development. Companies like General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin have made millions from military contracts.
These are the firearms used by the U.S. Navy:
23. Browning M2
- Type: Heavy machine gun
- Year entered service: 1921
- Maximum effective range: 6,550 ft.
- Caliber: 12.7x99mm NATO (.50 BMG)
- Manufacturer: Saco Defense Industries, General Dynamics
22. Saco Mk 19
- Type: Automatic grenade launcher
- Year entered service: 1967
- Maximum effective range: 4,500 ft.
- Caliber: 40x53mm
- Manufacturer: Saco Defense Industries, General Dynamics, FN Herstal
21. Fabrique Nationale M240
- Type: General purpose machine gun
- Year entered service: late 1970s/early 1980s
- Maximum effective range: 5,905 ft.
- Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO
- Manufacturer: FN Manufacturing
20. Barrett M82
- Type: Anti-materiel rifle
- Year entered service: 1982
- Maximum effective range: 1,850 ft
- Caliber: 12.7x99mm NATO (.50 BMG)
- Manufacturer: Barrett Firearms
19. SIG-Sauer P226
- Type: Semi-automatic handgun
- Year entered service: 1984
- Maximum effective range: 165 ft.
- Caliber: 9×19 parabellum
- Manufacturer: SIG-Sauer
18. Fabrique Nationale M249 SAW / LMG
- Type: Light machine gun
- Year entered service: 1984
- Maximum effective range: 2,600 ft.
- Caliber: 15.56x45mm NATO
- Manufacturer: FN Manufacturing
17. M136 Light Anti-Armor Weapon (AT4)
- Type: Anti-armor rocket launcher
- Year entered service: 1987
- Maximum effective range: 985 ft.
- Caliber: 84mm
- Manufacturer: Alliant TechSystems
16. Glock 19
- Type: Semi-automatic service pistol (Some Navy special operations units use Glock pistols, but it’s not a Navy-wide standard weapon)
- Year entered service: 1988
- Maximum effective range: 165 ft.
- Caliber: 9×19 parabellum
- Manufacturer: Glock
15. Beretta M9
- Type: Semi-automatic service pistol
- Year entered service: 1990
- Maximum effective range:
- Caliber: 9×19 parabellum
- Manufacturer: Beretta
14. Colt M16A4
- Type: Automatic rifle
- Year entered service: late 1990s
- Maximum effective range: 1,968 ft.
- Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
- Manufacturer: Colt Manufacturing
13. Stoner SR-25
- Type: Sniper rifle (Primarily a SOCOM weapon)
- Year entered service: 1990
- Maximum effective range: 4,500 ft.
- Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO
- Manufacturer: Knights Armament
12. M4 Carbine
- Type: Assault carbine
- Year entered service: 1994
- Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.
- Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
- Manufacturer: Colt Manufacturing and Remington Arms
11. Benelli M4 Super 90 (M1014 JSCS)
- Type: Semi-automatic combat shotgun
- Year entered service: 1999
- Maximum effective range: 164 ft.
- Caliber: 12-gauge
- Manufacturer: Benelli Armi
10. Heckler & Koch HK MP7
- Type: Submachine gun
- Year entered service: 2001
- Maximum effective range: 656 ft.
- Caliber: HK 4.6x30mm
- Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
9. Fabrique Nationale Mk 48 LWMG
- Type: Lightweight machine gun
- Year entered service: 2003
- Maximum effective range: 2,624 ft.
- Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO
- Manufacturer: Fabrique Nationale
8. Mk 14
- Type: Designated marksman rifle
- Year entered service: 2004
- Maximum effective range: 1,500 ft.
- Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO
- Manufacturer: Smith Enterprises
7. Heckler & Koch HK 416
- Type: Assault rifle (Now widely used by SEALs, though not a Navy general-issue rifle)
- Year entered service: 2005
- Maximum effective range: 985 ft.
- Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
- Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
6. McMillan TAC-338
- Type: Sniper rifle
- Year entered service: 2005
- Maximum effective range: 5,250 ft.
- Caliber: .338 Lapua Magnum, .338 Norma Magnum
- Manufacturer: McMillan Tactical Products
5. Heckler & Koch HK 417
- Type: Designated marksman rifle (used by SOCOM, not broadly across the Navy)
- Year entered service: 2006
- Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.
- Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO
- Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
4. General Dynamics Mk 47 Striker AGL
- Type: Automatic grenade launcher
- Year entered service: 2006
- Maximum effective range: 5,600 ft.
- Caliber: 40x53mm grenades
- Manufacturer: General Dynamics
3. Fabrique Nationale FN SCAR (Mk 16 / Mk 17)
- Type: Automatic assault rifle (the U.S. Navy has largely abandoned the SCAR-L, while keeping the SCAR-H in limited use)
- Year entered service: 2009
- Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.
- Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO
- Manufacturer: Fabrique Nationale
2. HK 45
- Type: Semi-automatic service pistol
- Year entered service: 2013
- Maximum effective range: 165 ft.
- Caliber: .45 ACP
- Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
1. Accuracy International Mk 13
- Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
- Year entered service: 2017
- Maximum effective range: 3,940 ft.
- Caliber: .300 Winchester Magnum
- Manufacturer: Accuracy International
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