U.S. Army Rangers specialize in special operations raids, forcible entry operations and special reconnaissance. Their motto “Rangers lead the way” was established during World War II’s Invasion of Normandy and that responsibility holds up to this day. Army Rangers have been part of major military operations, including Grenada, Afghanistan, and Iraq. (Find out how the Army Rangers train. Here are the U.S. military special forces with the most brutal training.)
Rangers must execute high stakes mission with both precision and fire power, so their arsenal must be tailored to suit their operational needs. Their primary assault rifle is the Fabrique Nationale FN SCAR, whose design is focused on modularity and durability in harsh combat environments. The SCAR was chosen by Special Operations Command to replace the Colt M4A1 modular automatic rifle, which had been a long-standing staple of the U.S. Armed Forces. (Here are some of the 35 guns used by Russian Special Forces.)
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 Special Forces. Guns that are similar to each other and guns that are believed to no longer be in use by the SEALs were removed from this list. We ranked the guns according to 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.
Here are 30 weapons that see everyday use by the US Army Rangers:
30. M72 LAW
Source: nukeit1 / Flickr
The M72 LAW is a 66mm Anti-tank rocket launcher. It has a maximum range of 1,640 feet and entered service in 1963.
29. Remington M40
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Remington M40 is a 7.62x51mm NATO bolt-action sniper rifle. It has a maximum range of 3,280 feet and entered service in 1966.
28. Saco Mk 19
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Saco Mk 19 is a 40x53mm automatic grenade launcher. It has a maximum range of 4,500 feet and entered service in 1967.
27. Steyr GB
The Steyr GB is a 9×19 parabellum semi-automatic pistol. It has a maximum range of 147 feet and entered service in 1974.
26. Mossberg Model 590
Source: Public Domain / marine_corps / Flickr
The Mossberg Model 590 is a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun. It has a maximum range of 130 feet and entered service in 1975.
25. FIM-92 Stinger
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The FIM-92 Stinger is a 70mm air defense missile system. It has a maximum range of 15,750 feet and entered service in 1981.
24. ST Kinetics Ultimax 100
The ST Kinetics Ultimax 100 is a 5.56x45mm NATO light machine gun. It has a maximum range of 3,280 feet and entered service in 1982.
23. RAI Model 300 / Model 500
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The RAI Model 300 / Model 500 is a 12.7x99mm NATO, 7.62x51mm NATO bolt-action sniper rifle. It has a maximum range of 4,265 feet and entered service in 1983.
22. Fabrique Nationale M249 SAW
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Fabrique Nationale M249 SAW is a 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x51mm NATO squad support weapon. It has a maximum range of 2,600 feet and entered service in 1984.
21. Colt M45 MEU
Source: Coati077 / Wikimedia Commons
The Colt M45 MEU is a .45 ACP semi-automatic pistol. It has a maximum range of 165 feet and entered service in 1986.
20. Saco M60E3
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Saco M60E3 is a 7.62x51mm NATO light machine gun. It has a maximum range of 3,600 feet and entered service in 1986.
19. M136 Light Anti-Armor Weapon (AT4)
Source: Swadim / Wikimedia Commons
The M136 Light Anti-Armor Weapon (AT4) is an 84mm anti-armor rocket launcher. It has a maximum range of 985 feet and entered service in <1987.
18. Remington M24 SWS
Source: zachievenor / Flickr
The Remington M24 SWS is a 7.62x51mm NATO bolt-action sniper rifle It has a maximum range of 2,624 feet and entered service in 1987.
17. SIG-Sauer P228
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The SIG-Sauer P228 is a 9x19mm parabellum semi-automatic pistol. It has a maximum range of 165 feet and entered service in 1988.
16. Beretta M9
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Beretta M9 is a 9x19mm parabellum semi-automatic pistol. It has a maximum range of 164 feet and entered service in 1990.
15. Colt M16A4
Source: Program Executive Office Soldier / Wikimedia Commons
The Colt M16A4 is a 5.56x45mm NATO assault rifle. It has a maximum range of 1,968 feet and entered service in 1990.
14. Stoner SR-25
Source: MathKnight / Wikimedia Commons
The Stoner SR-25 is a 7.62x51mm NATO designated marksman rifle. It has a maximum range of 2,625 feet and entered service in 1990.
13. Colt M4
Source: Bulgac / iStock via Getty Images
The Colt M4 is a 5.56x45mm NATO assault carbine. It has a maximum range of 1,640 feet and entered service in 1994.
12. FGM-148 Javelin
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The FGM-148 Javelin is a 127mm anti-tank guided missile launcher. It has a maximum range of 8,202 feet and entered service in 1996.
11. Navy Mark 12 Special Purpose Rifle
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Navy Mark 12 Special Purpose Rifle is a 5.56x45mm NATO designated marksman rifle. It has a maximum range of 1,800 feet and entered service in 2002.
10. Fabrique Nationale Mk 48 LWMG
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Fabrique Nationale Mk 48 LWMG is a 7.62x51mm NATO lightweight machine gun. It has a maximum range of 2,624 feet and entered service in 2003.
9. Mk 14 Mod 0 EBR
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Mk 14 Mod 0 EBR is a 7.62x51mm NATO designated marksman rifle. It has a maximum range of 1,500 feet and entered service in 2004.
8. McMillan TAC-338
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The McMillan TAC-338 is a .338 Lapua Magnum, .338 Norma Magnum Sniper rifle. It has a maximum range of 5,250 feet and entered service in 2005.
7. General Dynamics Mk 47 Striker AGL
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The General Dynamics Mk 47 Striker AGL is a 40x53mm automatic grenade launcher. It has a maximum range of 5,600 feet and entered service in 2006.
6. Heckler & Koch HK G28
The Heckler & Koch HK G28 is a 7.62x51mm NATO designated marksman rifle. It has a maximum range of 2,000 feet and entered service in 2006.
5. M32 MGL
Source: MarcusBurns1977 / Wikimedia Commons
The M32 MGL is a six-shot grenade(40x46mm grenade) launcher. It has a maximum range of 1,315 feet and entered service in 2006.
4. M110 SASS
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The M110 SASS is a 7.62x51mm NATO designated marksman rifle. It has a maximum range of 2,624 feet and entered service in 2007.
3. Barrett M107
Source: 玄史生 / Wikimedia Commons
The Barrett M107 is a .50 BMG (12.7x99mm NATO) anti-personnel sniper rifle. It has a maximum range of 1,850 feet and entered service in 2008.
2. AirTronic PSRL-1
The AirTronic PSRL-1 is a anti-personnel shoulder-fired rocket launcher capable of firing a 40mm rocket. It has a maximum range of 2,625 feet and entered service in 2009.
1. Fabrique Nationale FN SCAR (Mk 16 / Mk 17)
Source: Bulgac / iStock via Getty Images
The Fabrique Nationale FN SCAR (Mk 16 / Mk 17) is a 5.56x45mm NATO/7.62x51mm NATO automatic assault rifle. It has a maximum range of 1,640 feet and entered service in 2009.
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