The Navy SEALs Frequently Use These Weapons for Defense

The U.S. Navy SEALs work in some of the most dangerous and unpredictable environments on Earth. While these ambitious men and women are operating, split-second decisions and absolute reliability can mean the difference between life and death. As an elite special operations force, SEAL teams need weapons that are proven to perform consistently, even under extreme conditions. These weapons need to remain reliable in a range of situations, including close-quarters combat, maritime engagements, or covert missions deep behind enemy lines. Every piece of gear they carry is chosen carefully, often for its durability, precision, and adaptability.

Defense is a top priority for SEALs, even during offensive operations. The weapons they frequently use are designed with multiple capabilities in mind, namely, to protect troops while being mobile and allowing for situational awareness. These top-of-the-line weapons range from compact firearms created for tight spaces to versatile tools capable of swift configuration changes. This article takes a closer look at the defensive weapons most commonly used by Navy SEALs and why they’re trusted in high-risk missions.

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 used also came from MilitaryFactory.

This post was updated on December 30, 2025 to provide an overview of the Navy SEALS and their weapons usage through the years.

Why We Are Talking About This

Knowing which weapons and strategies are used by elite forces like the Navy SEALs gives the common citizen insight into how defense and protection have evolved over the years. As symbols of military power, these weapons are the products of years of real-world testing, technological innovation, and hard lessons learned in dangerous environments. Understanding these specific tools helps give us a clearer picture of how defense decisions are made when lives are on the line.

Here are the 32 weapons that see everyday use in the Navy SEALS:

Barrett M82

• Year entered service: 1982
• Type: anti-material rifle
• Maximum effective range: 1,850 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: 12.7x99mm

General Electric GAU-17/A Minigun

• Year entered service: 1965
• Type: six-barrel gatling gun
• Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x51mm

Mossberg Model 590

• Year entered service: 1975
• Type: pump-action shotgun
• Maximum effective range: 130 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: 12-gauge

Hawk MM-1 MGL

• Year entered service: 1980
• Type: automatic grenade launcher
• Maximum effective range: 740 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: 40x46mm

ST Kinetics Ultimax 100

Cis-ultimax-100 (CC BY-SA 4.0) by Dracardo

• Year entered service: 1982
• Type: light machine gun
• Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: 5.56x45mm

Smith & Wesson Model 686

• Year entered service: 1981
• Type: six-shot revolver
• Maximum effective range: 300 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: .357 Magnum

Navy Mark 12 Special Purpose Rifle

• Year entered service: 2002
• Type: designated marksman rifle 
• Maximum effective range: 1,800 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: 5.56x45mm

M136 Light Anti-Armor Weapon (AT4)

• Year entered service: 1987
• Type: anti-armor rocket launcher
• Maximum effective range: 985 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: 84mm

M72 LAW

• Year entered service: 1963
• Type: anti-tank rocket launcher
• Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: 66mm 

Kalashnikov AKSU-74

• Year entered service: 1983
• Type: Soviet submachine gun
• Maximum effective range: 656 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: 5.45x39mm 

Accuracy International AW50

Rifle de precisiu00c3u0083u00c2u00b3n Accuracy I... (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Contando Estrelas

• Year entered service: 1999
• Type: anti-materiel rifle
• Maximum effective range: 4,921 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: 12.7x99mm

Colt M45 MEU

• Year entered service: 1986
• Type: ACP semi-automatic pistol
• Maximum effective range: 165 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: .45 ACP

Saco M60E3

• Year entered service: 1986
• Type: light machine gun
• Maximum effective range: 3,600 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x51mm 

FIM-92 Stinger

• Year entered service: 1981
• Type: air defense missile system
• Maximum effective range: 15,750 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: 70mm 

Remington M24 SWS

• Year entered service: 1987
• Type: bolt-action sniper rifle
• Maximum effective range: 2,624 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x51mm 

Heckler & Koch HK MP5K

• Year entered service: 1991
• Type: parabellum submachine gun
• Maximum effective range: 656 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: 9x19mm

SIG-Sauer P228

• Year entered service: 1988
• Type: parabellum semi-automatic pistol
• Maximum effective range: 165 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: 9x19mm 

Beretta M9

• Year entered service: 1990
• Type: parabellum semi-automatic pistol
• Maximum effective range: 164 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: 9x19mm 

Colt M16A4

• Year entered service: 1990
• Type: assault rifle
• Maximum effective range: 1,968 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: 5.56x45mm

Colt M4

• Year entered service: 1994
• Type: assault carbine
• Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: 5.56x45mm

FGM-148 Javelin

• Year entered service: 1996
• Type: anti-tank guided missile launcher
• Maximum effective range: 8,202 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: 127mm

Heckler & Koch HK GMG

• Year entered service: 1996
• Type: automatic grenade launcher
• Maximum effective range: 5,000 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: 40x53mm

Heckler & Koch Mk23 Mod 0

Mark23SuppressedLeft (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Joe Loong

• Year entered service: 1996
• Type: ACP semi-automatic pistol
• Maximum effective range: 82 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: .45 ACP

Accuracy International Mk13

• Year entered service: 2017
• Type: .300 Winchester magnum bolt-action sniper rifle
• Maximum effective range: 3,940 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: .300 Winchester magnum

M32 MGL

• Year entered service: 2006
• Type: six-shot grenade launcher
• Maximum effective range: 1,315 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: 40x46mm

Benelli M4 Super 90

• Year entered service: 1999
• Type:  semi-automatic shotgun
• Maximum effective range: 164 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: 12-gauge

McMillan TAC-50

• Year entered service: 2000
• Type: anti-materiel rifle
• Maximum effective range: 6,561 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: 12.7x99mm

Fabrique National Mk 48 LWMG

• Year entered service: 2003
• Type: light weight machine gun
• Maximum effective range: 2,624 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x51mm

Mk 14 Mod 0 EBR

• Year entered service: 2004
• Type: designated marksman rifle
• Maximum effective range: 1,500 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x51mm

Barrett M107

• Year entered service: 2008
• Type: anti-personnel sniper rifle
• Maximum effective range: 1,850 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: 12.7x99mm

M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle

• Year entered service: 2008
• Type: designated marksman rifle
• Maximum effective range: 2,550 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x51mm

AirTronic PSRL-1

PSRL-1 (CC BY-SA 4.0) by SU1677

• Year entered service: 2009
• Type: anti-personnel shoulder-fired rocket launcher
• Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.
• Caliber/ammunition: 40mm