Founded on June 14, 1775, the army is not only the largest branch of service in the U.S. military but one of the oldest as well (the Army National Guard is older – this component of the army was founded in December 1636.) Originally known as the Continental Army, it was established before the founding of the country, when most soldiers were equipped with muskets and swords. Now, almost 250 years later, the modern-day Army soldier has access to a range of small arms that play an important role in soldiers’ operational capabilities on the battlefield. These weapons are chosen on their ability to provide reliability, versatility, and firepower.
24/7 Wall St. referenced data from a range of sources, including military handbooks, government press releases, and firearms publications, including the Army’s Weapon Systems Handbook to identify every standard-issue gun in the U.S. Army. These guns were ranked on when they entered the service and included supplemental information regarding the type of firearm, range, caliber, and manufacturer from Military Factory.
The weapons on this list are used in a variety of operational capacities, ranging from pinning down enemy combatants to destroying vehicles and other assets. The list includes shotguns, side arms, machine guns, designated marksman rifles, sniper rifles, and more. (Also see, these are the 50 most popular guns of all time.)
The M4 carbine is one of the most common guns in the U.S. Army’s arsenal. The M4 is a lightweight, gas-operated, air-cooled, magazine-fed firearm that evolved from the M16. Due to its shorter barrel length, it offers soldiers increased maneuverability and adaptability in urban and close-quarters combat. The M4 is fairly modular and can be equipped with various attachments, including optics, laser sights, and under-barrel grenade launchers.
The U.S. Army employs the M240 machine gun for more specialized roles. This firearm is chambered for the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge and serves as a medium machine gun. The M240 is designed for providing accurate and sustained fire, intended for suppressing enemy positions and engaging light armored vehicles.
These standard-issue small arms are being continuously improved, allowing U.S. Army soldiers to deal with a range of combat scenarios. However, it ultimately comes down to the soldiers’ training, not just equipment. Here are 21 bases where the U.S. military trains its combat forces.
Here is a look at 26 guns in the Arsenal of the U.S. Army.
26. Colt M1911
- Type: Semi-automatic service pistol
- Year: 1911
- Maximum effective range: 82 ft.
- Caliber: .45 ACP
- Manufacturer: Colt Manufacturing
25. M2 Browning
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Type: General purpose machine gun
- Year: 1921
- Maximum effective range: 6,550 ft.
- Caliber: .50 BMG (12.7x99mm NATO)
- Manufacturer: Saco Defense Industries
24. Mossberg Model 500
- Type: Pump-action shotgun
- Year: 1961
- Maximum effective range: 130 ft.
- Caliber: 12-gauge
- Manufacturer: O.S. Mossberg & Sons
23. Heckler & Koch HK MP5
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Type: Submachine gun
- Year: 1966
- Maximum effective range: 660 ft.
- Caliber: 9×19 parabellum
- Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
22. Saco Mk 19
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Type: Automatic grenade launcher
- Year: 1967
- Maximum effective range: 4,500 ft.
- Caliber: 40x53mm
- Manufacturer: Saco Defense Industries
21. Mossberg Model 590
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Type: Pump-action shotgun
- Year: 1975
- Maximum effective range: 130 ft.
- Caliber: 12-gauge
- Manufacturer: O.S. Mossberg & Sons
20. Fabrique Nationale M240
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Type: General purpose machine gun
- Year: 1977
- Maximum effective range: 5,905 ft.
- Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO
- Manufacturer: FN Manufacturing
19. FIM-92 Stinger
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Type: Air defense missile system
- Year: 1981
- Maximum effective range: 15,750 ft.
- Caliber: 70mm
- Manufacturer: General Dynamics / Raytheon
18. Fabrique Nationale M249 SAW / LMG
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Type: Light machine gun
- Year: 1984
- Maximum effective range: 2,600 ft.
- Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x51mm NATO
- Manufacturer: FN Manufacturing
17. Remington M24 SWS
- Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
- Year: 1987
- Maximum effective range: 2,624 ft.
- Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO
- Manufacturer: Remington Arms
16. SIG-Sauer P228
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Type: Semi-automatic service pistol
- Year: 1988
- Maximum effective range: 165 ft.
- Caliber: 9×19 parabellum
- Manufacturer: SIG-Sauer
15. Colt M16A4
Source: zim286 / iStock via Getty Images
- Type: Automatic rifle
- Year: 1990
- Maximum effective range: 1,968 ft.
- Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
- Manufacturer: Colt Manufacturing
14. Beretta M9
Source: Tivoly / iStock via Getty Images
- Type: Semi-automatic service pistol
- Year: 1990
- Maximum effective range: 164 ft.
- Caliber: 9×19 parabellum
- Manufacturer: Beretta
13. M4 Carbine
Source: Bulgac / iStock via Getty Images
- Type: Assault carbine
- Year: 1994
- Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.
- Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
- Manufacturer: Colt Manufacturing / Remington Arms
12. FGM-148 Javelin
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Type: Anti-tank guided missile launcher
- Year: 1996
- Maximum effective range: 8,202 ft.
- Caliber: 127mm
- Manufacturer: Raytheon / Lockheed Martin
11. Heckler & Koch HK MP7
- Type: Submachine gun
- Year: 2001
- Maximum effective range: 656 ft.
- Caliber: HK 4.6x30mm
- Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
10. Mk 14
Source: usairforce / Flickr
- Type: Designated marksman rifle
- Year: 2004
- Maximum effective range: 1,500 ft.
- Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO
- Manufacturer: Smith Enterprises
9. Heckler & Koch HK 416
- Type: Assault rifle
- Year: 2005
- Maximum effective range: 985 ft.
- Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
- Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
8. Heckler & Koch HK 417
- Type: Designated marksman rifle
- Year: 2006
- Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.
- Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO
- Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
7. M110 SASS
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Type: Designated marksman rifle
- Year: 2007
- Maximum effective range: 2,624 ft.
- Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO
- Manufacturer: Knight’s Armament
6. Barrett M107
Source: Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images via Getty Images
- Type: Anti-materiel / anti-personnel sniper rifle
- Year: 2008
- Maximum effective range: 1,850 ft.
- Caliber: .50 BMG (12.7x99mm NATO)
- Manufacturer: Barrett Firearms
5. Heckler & Koch M320 GLM
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Type: Single-shot under-barrel grenade launcher
- Year: 2010
- Maximum effective range: 492 ft.
- Caliber: 40x46mm SR
- Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
4. Remington M2010 ESR
- Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
- Year: 2011
- Maximum effective range: 3,935 ft.
- Caliber: .300 Winchester Magnum
- Manufacturer: Remington Arms
3. Heckler & Koch HK M27
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Type: Designated marksman rifle
- Year: 2011
- Maximum effective range: 1,800 ft.
- Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
- Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
2. Heckler & Koch HK 45
- Type: Semi-automatic service pistol
- Year: 2013
- Maximum effective range: 165 ft.
- Caliber: .45 ACP
- Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
1. SIG-Sauer P320
- Type: Semi-automatic service pistol
- Year: 2014
- Maximum effective range: 165 ft.
- Caliber: 9×19 parabellum
- Manufacturer: SIG-Sauer
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