The Marine Corps have played a critical role in the defense of the United States ever since the American Revolutionary War. Marines are tasked with the responsibility of making strategic, on the spot decisions in any environment. This attitude, emphasized in a statement by USMC General David Berger, “As good as we are today, we will need to be even better tomorrow to maintain our warfighting overmatch. We will achieve this through the strength of our innovation, ingenuity, and willingness to continually adapt to and initiate changes in the operating environment to affect the behavior of real-world pacing threats,” has led the Marines through a multitude of varied conflicts.
In order to show up battle ready, a marine must be outfitted with a diverse range of tools. The United States Marine Corps Rifle Creed highlights this significance, stating, “My rifle, without me, is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless.” From rifles to sidearms to sniper rifles, each weapon contributes to the Marines fighting force’s effectiveness. (Interested in learning more about the tools Marines use? Check out every US Marines Aircraft.)
The majority of the guns listed here are rifles, consistent with the historical connection to this branch of the military, emphasizing the principal that “Every Marine is a rifleman” regardless of their occupational specialty. Another notable feature of this arsenal is the interchangeable ammunition across many of these guns, especially the 5.56x45mm NATO and 7.62x51mm NATO rounds, which can be used in multiple firearms. (Here are the American Firearms Used to Combat the Global War on Terror)
To determine the standard-issue guns of the U.S. Marine Corps, 24/7 Wall St. referenced a catalog of Marine firearms from Military Factory. We organized these guns based on their entry into service and provided details such as firearm type, range, caliber, and manufacturer, all sourced from Military Factory.
Why This Matters
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
24/7 is covering the United States military so that you can understand how the defense industry affects the economy. This list is an overview of the guns used by the U.S. Marine Corps. Billions of dollars go towards keeping each marine outfitted with the tools necessary to defend our nation. New weapons systems usually take well over a decade of research, development, testing, manufacturing, and training before they can be added to the arsenal. These military contracts are funded by taxpayers, affecting your pocketbook.
Scroll below to see every gun used by the US Marines:
27. M72 LAW
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The M72 LAW is a 66mm anti-tank rocket launcher with a range of 1,640 ft. It entered service in 1963 and is manufactured by Talley Industries.
26. Heckler & Koch HK MP5
The Heckler & Koch HK MP5 is a 9×19 parabellum submachine gun with a range of 660 ft. It entered service in 1966.
25. Remington M40
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Remington M40 is a 7.62x51mm NATO bolt-action sniper rifle with a range of 3,280 ft. It entered service in 1966 and is manufactured by Remington Arms.
24. Saco Mk 19
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Saco Mk 19 is a 40x53mm automatic grenade launcher with a range of 4,500 ft. It entered service in 1967 and is manufactured by Saco Defense Industries.
23. M21 Sniper Weapon System
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The M21 sniper weapon system is a 7.62x51mm NATO semi-automatic sniper rifle with a range of 2,263 ft. It entered service in 1969 and is manufactured by Rock Island Arsenal.
22. Mossberg Model 590
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Mossberg Model 590 is a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun with a range of 130 ft. It entered service in 1975 and is manufactured by O.S. Mossberg & Sons.
21. Fabrique Nationale M240
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Fabrique Nationale M240 is a 7.62x51mm NATO general purpose machine gun with a range of 5,905 ft. It entered service in 1977 and is manufactured by FN Manufacturing.
20. M202 Flash
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The M202 Flash is a 66mm shoulder-fired incendiary rocket launcher with a range of 66 ft. It entered service in 1978 and is manufactured by State Factories.
19. FIM-92 Stinger
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The FIM-92 Stinger is a 70mm air defense missile system with a range of 15,750 ft. It entered service in 1981 and is manufactured by General Dynamics/Raytheon.
18. Fabrique Nationale M249 SAW / LMG
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Fabrique Nationale M249 SAW / LMG is a light machine gun with a range of 2,600 ft. It is available in 5.56x45mm NATO or 7.62x51mm NATO caliber. It entered service in 1984 and is manufactured by FN Manufacturing.
17. Colt M45 MEU (SOC)
The Colt M45 MEU (SOC) is a .45 ACP special forces semi-automatic service pistol with a range of 165 ft. It entered service in 1986 and is manufactured by Colt Manufacturing.
16. M136 Light Anti-Armor Weapon (AT4)
Source: Swadim / Wikimedia Commons
The M136 Light Anti-Armor Weapon (AT4) is an 84mm anti-armor rocket launcher with a range of 985 ft. It entered service in 1987 and is manufactured by Alliant TechSystems.
15. SIG-Sauer P228
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The SIG-Sauer P228 is a 9x19mm parabellum semi-automatic pistol with a range of 165 ft. It entered service in 1988 and is manufactured by SIG-Sauer.
14. Beretta M9
Source: Tivoly / iStock via Getty Images
The Beretta M9 is a 9×19 parabellum semi-automatic service pistol with a range of 164 ft. It entered service in 1990.
13. Colt M16A4
Source: zim286 / iStock via Getty Images
The Colt M16A4 is a 5.56x45mm NATO automatic rifle with a range of 1,968 ft. It entered service in 1990 and is manufactured by Colt Manufacturing.
12. M4 Carbine
Source: Bulgac / iStock via Getty Images
The M4 Carbine is a 5.56x45mm NATO assault carbine with a range of 1,640 ft. It entered service in 1994 and is manufactured by Colt Manufacturing/Remington Arms.
11. FGM-148 Javelin
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The FGM-148 Javelin is a 127mm anti-tank guided missile launcher with a range of 8,202 ft. It entered service in 1996 and is manufactured by Raytheon/Lockheed Martin.
10. Benelli M4 Super 90 (M1014 JSCS)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Benelli M4 Super 90 (M1014 JSCS) is a 12-gauge semi-automatic combat shotgun with a range of 164 ft. It entered service in 1999 and is manufactured by Benelli Armi.
9. 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 with a range of 1,640 ft. It entered service in 2002 and is manufactured by Colt Manufacturing/Knights Armament Company.
8. Fabrique National Mk 48 LWMG
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Fabrique National Mk 48 is a 7.62x51mm NATO light weight machine gun with a range of 2,624 ft. It entered service in 2003 and is manufactured by Fabrique Nationale.
7. M32 MGL
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The M32 MGL is a six-shot grenade launcher. It can launch 40x46mm grenades as far as 1,315 feet. It entered service in 2006 and is manufactured by Milkor USA.
6. M110 SASS
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The M110 SASS is a 7.62x51mm NATO designated marksman rifle with a range of 2,624 ft. It entered service in 2007 and is manufactured by Knight’s Armament.
5. M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle is a 7.62x51mm NATO designated marksman rifle with a range of 2,550 ft. It entered service in 2008 and is manufactured by USMC Armorers.
4. Fabrique Nationale FN SCAR (Mk 16 / Mk 17)
The Fabrique Nationale FN SCAR (Mk 16 / Mk 17) is an automatic assault rifle with a range of 1,640 ft. It entered service in 2009.
3. M320 GLM
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The M320 GLM is a 40x46mm SR grenade launcher with a range of 492 ft. It entered service in 2010 and is manufactured by Heckler & Koch.
2. HK M27 IAR
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The HK M27 IAR is a 5.56x45mm NATO designated marksman rifle with a range of 1,800 ft. It entered service in 2011 and is manufactured by Heckler & Koch.
1. Accuracy International Mk 13
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
The Accuracy International Mk 13 is a .300 Winchester Magnum bolt-action sniper rifle with a range of 3,940 ft. It entered service in 2017 and is manufactured by Accuracy International.
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