Inside America's Arsenal: The American Guns of the Global War on Terror

24/7 Wall St. Insights

24/7 Wall St. has reviewed multiple sources from Military Factory to compile a list of the American guns used to fight the Global War on Terrorism.
The Remington M2010 ESR (Enhanced Sniper Rifle) was used as a standard tactical sniper rifle.
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The war on terror began after the attacks on September 11, 2001. Today, the U.S. military has withdrawn from Afghanistan, but troops are still located in some Middle Eastern countries such as Iraq and Syria where they fight against the terrorist group, ISIS. The U.S. military today works with local security forces to train and assist them in fighting terrorist groups.

24/7 Wall St. reviewed multiple catalogs of modern American firearms from Military Factory, an online database of arms, aircraft, and vehicles, used in militaries worldwide to compile a list of the American guns used to fight the Global War on Terrorism. We’ve also included information on the type of weapon, manufacturer, maximum effective range, caliber, and year introduced.

During the past 20 years of global conflict, the U.S. has utilized many valuable assets including armored vehicles, aircraft, and naval ships. Additionally, infantry troops equipped with American-made guns have been critical to keeping the peace. These guns include battle rifles, shotguns, sniper rifles, and more, and they range from older models to new technology. (Here are the 50 most popular guns of all time.)

In 2011, the Remington M2010 ESR (Enhanced Sniper Rifle) was deployed as a standard tactical sniper rifle. It’s a modern version of the Remington Model 700. The Remington has long been celebrated for its accuracy and consistency. The M2010 ESR is chambered for the Winchester 300 magnum round with a 5-round magazine, comes standard with the Leupold Mk IV tactical scope, and has a maximum effective range of 3,935 ft. (These are the classic long-range sniper rifles of World War II.)

Sniper rifles were not the only guns issued to troops during this conflict. Shotguns like the Mossberg Model 590 or carbines like the Colt M4 came standard issue. So did sidearms like the Colt M1911. All of these guns and more added to the combat effectiveness of American troops in the fight against terrorism.

Here are the American guns used to fight the Global War on Terrorism:

Why Are We Covering This?

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The tragic terror attack on America that occurred on September 11, 2001, forever changed the world that we know today. America’s response and continued battle against terrorism have influenced many geopolitical and military relationships around the globe. The effectiveness and reliability of the weapons used to fight the war have had a major impact on the success of the US’s counterterrorism campaign.

Remington M2010 ESR

Type and Manufacturer: Bolt-action sniper rifle (Remington Arms)
Caliber: .300 Winchester Magnum
Maximum effective range: 3,935
When introduced: 2011

Remington M24 SWS

Type and Manufacturer: Bolt-action sniper rifle (Remington Arms)
Caliber: .338 Lapua Magnum, .308 Winchester Magnum, 7.62x51mm NATO
Maximum effective range: 2,624
When introduced: 1987

Remington M40

Type and Manufacturer: Bolt-action sniper rifle (Remington Arms)
Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO
Maximum effective range: 3,280
When introduced: 1966

Remington M870

Type and Manufacturer: Pump-action shotgun (Remington Arms)
Caliber: 12-, 16-, 20- or 28-gauge
Maximum effective range: 120
When introduced: 1950

Remington MSR

Type and Manufacturer: Bolt-action sniper rifle (Remington Arms)
Caliber: .338 Lapua Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum, 7.62x51mm NATO
Maximum effective range: 4,920
When introduced: 2013

Barrett M82

Type and Manufacturer: Anti-tank / anti-material rifle (Barrett Firearms)
Caliber: 12.7x99mm NATO
Maximum effective range: 1,850
When introduced: 1982

Beretta M9

Type and Manufacturer: Semi-automatic service pistol (Beretta)
Caliber: 9×19 parabellum
Maximum effective range: 164
When introduced: 1990

Fabrique Nationale M240

> Type: General purpose machine gun
> Year introduced: 1977
> Manufacturer: FN Manufacturing
> Maximum effective range: 5,905
> Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO

Fabrique Nationale M249 SAW / LMG

> Type: Light machine gun
> Year introduced: 1984
> Manufacturer: FN Manufacturing
> Maximum effective range: 2,600
> Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x51mm NATO

FGM-148 Javelin

> Type: Anti-tank guided missile launcher
> Year introduced: 1996
> Manufacturer: Raytheon / Lockheed Martin
> Maximum effective range: 8,202
> Caliber: 127mm

Barrett M107

Type and Manufacturer: Anti-materiel / anti-personnel sniper rifle (Barrett Firearms)
Caliber: .50 BMG (12.7x99mm NATO)
Maximum effective range: 1,850
When introduced: 2008

FIM-92 Stinger

Type and Manufacturer: Air defense missile system (General Dynamics / Raytheon)
Caliber: 70mm
Maximum effective range: 15,750
When introduced: 1981

Browning M2

Type and Manufacturer: General purpose machine gun (Saco Defense Industries)
Caliber: .50 BMG (12.7x99mm NATO)
Maximum effective range: 6,550
When introduced: 1921

M21 Sniper Weapon System

Type and Manufacturer: Semi-automatic sniper rifle (Rock Island Arsenal)
Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO
Maximum effective range: 2,263
When introduced: 1969

BGM-71 TOW / TOW-2

Type and Manufacturer: Anti-tank guided-missile system (Hughes Aircraft / Raytheon)
Caliber: 127mm / 152mm
Maximum effective range: 12,303
When introduced: 1970

FN SCAR (Mk 16 / Mk 17)

Type and Manufacturer: Automatic assault rifle (FN Manufacturing)
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x51mm NATO
Maximum effective range: 1,640
When introduced: 2009

GAU-17/A Minigun

Type and Manufacturer: Six-barrel gatling gun (General Electric)
Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO
Maximum effective range: 3,280
When introduced: 1965

HK M27 IAR

Type and Manufacturer: Designated marksman rifle (Heckler & Koch)
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
Maximum effective range: 1,800
When introduced: 2011

HK XM25 CDTE

Type and Manufacturer: Smart grenade launcher (Heckler & Koch)
Caliber: 25x40mm grenade
Maximum effective range: 1,640
When introduced: 2015

Kel-Tec KSG

Type and Manufacturer: Pump-action bullpup shotgun (Kel-Tec CNC Industries)
Caliber: 12-gauge
Maximum effective range: 130
When introduced: 2011

Kimber Custom

Type and Manufacturer: Semi-automatic single-action pistol (Kimber Manufacturing)
Caliber: .45 ACP
Maximum effective range: 165
When introduced: 1997

M110 SASS

Type and Manufacturer: Designated marksman rifle (Knight’s Armament)
Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO
Maximum effective range: 2,624
When introduced: 2007

M136 Light Anti-Armor Weapon (AT4)

Type and Manufacturer: Man-portable, disposable anti-armor rocket launcher (Alliant TechSystems)
Caliber: 84mm
Maximum effective range: 985
When introduced: 1987

M231 FPW

Type and Manufacturer: Special vehicle carbine (Rock Island Arsenal)
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
Maximum effective range: 984
When introduced: 1980

M32 MGL

Type and Manufacturer: Six-shot grenade launcher (Milkor)
Caliber: 40x46mm grenade
Maximum effective range: 1,315
When introduced: 2006

M39 EMR

M39 EMR (CC BY 3.0 DEED) by aUTHOR

Type and Manufacturer: Designated marksman rifle (USMC Armorers)
Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO
Maximum effective range: 2,550
When introduced: 2008

M72 LAW

Type and Manufacturer: Disposable anti-tank rocket launcher (Talley Industries)
Caliber: 66mm
Maximum effective range: 1,640
When introduced: 1963

M79

Type and Manufacturer: Single-shot grenade launcher (Various contractors)
Caliber: 40x46mm
Maximum effective range: 1,150
When introduced: 1961

Mk 14 Mod 0 EBR

Type and Manufacturer: Designated marksman rifle (Smith Enterprises)
Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO
Maximum effective range: 1,500
When introduced: 2004

Saco Mk 19

Type and Manufacturer: Automatic grenade launcher (Saco Defense Industries)
Caliber: 40x53mm
Maximum effective range: 4,500
When introduced: 1967

M134 Minigun

Type and Manufacturer: Six-barrel gattling gun (General Electric)
Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO
Maximum effective range: 3,280
When introduced: 1963

Stoner SR-25

Type and Manufacturer: Designated marksman rifle (Knight’s Armament)
Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO
Maximum effective range: 2,625
When introduced: 1990

Colt / AAI M203

Type and Manufacturer: Single-shot breech-loading under-barrel grenade launcher (AAI Corporation / Colt Firearms / Airtronic)
Caliber: 40c46mm
Maximum effective range: 480
When introduced: 1969