Heavy-duty small arms are high-powered military weapons mainly used on larger targets. They are capable of effectively destroying vehicles and aircraft and can be crucial in conflicts involving high-stakes targets. These reliable and potent U.S. military weapons increase the power and capability of individual soldiers, making them an important part of the U.S. military arsenal.
In identifying the most substantial small arms in use by the U.S. military, 24/7 Wall St. consulted various sources that included military manuals, government releases, and firearms publications that focus on small arms and light weapons currently used by the U.S. military. The weight of each small arm was based on its empty weight in pounds. These numbers were based on information sourced from Military factory, an online database of global military equipment. Additional details such as weapon type and year of deployment were also sourced from Military Factory.
While not all the weapons listed may technically be considered heavy, they each play a powerful and unique role within the military. Some of the weapons ranked have been in active service since World War II, while others were just introduced within the past decade.
These are the US military’s 20 heaviest guns:
20. (Semi-Automatic Sniper System)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Empty weight: 15.30 lb
- Type: Designated marksman rifle / sniper rifle
- Year entered service: 2007
- Military branches used: Amy, Marines, SOCOM
19. Remington MSR (Modular Sniper Rifle)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Empty weight: 15.43 lbs
- Type: Remington MSR (modular sniper rifle)
- Year entered service: 2013
- Military branches used: Army, SOCOM
18. IMI M141 Bunker Defeat Munition (BDM) / SMAW-D
Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
- Empty weight: 15.70 lbs
- Type: Shoulder-launched multi-purpose assault weapon
- Year entered service: 1984
- Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps
17. M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle (EMR)
Source: aUTHOR / Wikimedia Commons
- Empty weight: 16.53 lbs
- Type: Designated marksman rifle / sniper rifle
- Year entered service: 2008
- Military branches used: Marines
16. Fabrique National M249 SAW / LMG
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Empty weight: 16.53 lbs
- Type: Light machine gun / squad support weapon
- Year entered service: 1984
- Military branches used: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines
15. Carl-Gustav M3 (M1948)
Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
- Empty weight: 18.74 lbs
- Type: Multirole, shoulder-fired recoilless rifle
- Year entered service: 1948
- Military branches used: Army, SOCOM, Marine Corps
14. Saco M60
Source: MarcusBurns / Wikimedia Commons
- Empty weight: 23.17 lbs
- Type: General purpose machine gun
- Year entered service: 1957
- Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard,USSOCOM
13. Fabrique Nationale M240
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Empty weight: 27.56 lbs
- Type: General purpose machine gun / medium machine gun
- Year entered service: 1977
- Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard
12. Barrett M107
Source: Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images via Getty Images
- Empty weight: 29.98 lbs
- Type: Anti-material / anti-personnel sniper rifle
- Year entered service: 2008
- Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard,USSOCOM
11. General Dynamics / Raytheon FIM-92 Stinger
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Empty weight: 33.51 lbs
- Type: Man-portable, air defense missile system
- Year entered service: 1981
- Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps
10. General Electric GAU-17/A Minigun
Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
- Empty weight: 35.27 lbs
- Type: Six barrel gatling gun
- Year entered service: 1965
- Military branches used: Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy
9. General Dynamics Mk 47 Striker AGL (Mk 47 Mod 0)
Source: Jasonkwe / Wikimedia Commons
- Empty weight: 39.68 lbs
- Type: 40mm automatic grenade launcher
- Year entered service: 2006
- Military branches used: SOCOM
8. Raytheon & Lockheed Martin FGM-148 Javelin
Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
- Empty weight: 40.12 lbs
- Type: Anti-tank guided missile launcher
- Year entered service: 1996
- Military branches used: Army, Marines
7. M224, 60mm Mortar
Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
- Empty weight: 46.54 lbs
- Type: 60mm lightweight mortar
- Year entered service: 1978
- Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps
6. Saco Mk19
Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
- Empty weight: 72.53 lbs
- Type: 40mm automatic grenade launcher
- Year entered service: 1967
- Military branches used: Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy
5. Browning M2
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Empty weight: 84.11 lbs
- Type: Multi-role heavy machine gun
- Year entered service: 1921
- Military branches used: Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard
4. M252, 81 Mortar
Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
- Empty weight: 90.83 lbs
- Type: Medium weight extended range mortar
- Year entered service: 1987
- Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps
3. GAU-19
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Empty weight: 106.00 lbs
- Type: Gatling gun
- Year entered service: 1983
- Military branches used: Army, Navy
2. M120, 120mm Mortar
Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
- Empty weight: 319.67 lbs
- Type: Towed heavy field mortar
- Year entered service: 1991
- Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps
1. M167 Vulcan
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Empty weight: 3,968.00 lbs
- Type: Towed / static air defense system
- Year entered service: 1967
- Military branches used: Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard
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