You'd Have to Be a Weightlifter to Hold This Massive Gun

In early 2024, Colt’s Manufacturing Company was awarded a $57 million extension to a military rifle contract. The contract centered around the development of military-approved weaponry — in this case, Colt’s M4 and M4A1 carbines. Colt has also been approached by the U.S. government on a $26 million contract to provide Colt M4s to Israel. For some, this choice is disastrous considering Israel’s ongoing war. For others, Colt’s military contracts highlight its advanced guns that the military trusts in combat situations. But while the Colt is a sturdy weapon, many U.S. military operations also use heavier weapons to make an impact. Heavier guns offer stronger hits — and some can even take down tanks!

To identify the most substantial small arms used by the U.S. military, 24/7 Wall St. consulted various sources, including military manuals, government releases, and firearms publications focusing on small arms and light weapons currently used by the military. The weight of each small arm was based on its empty weight in pounds. These numbers were based on information sourced from the Military Factory, an online database of global military equipment. Additional details, such as weapon type and year of deployment, were also sourced from the Military Factory. Each of these guns 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 only introduced within the past decade. (These guns were introduced to the U.S. military in the 1960s.)

Why You Should Know About Military Weapons

Maintaining a well-established arsenal is one of many ways America deters potential adversaries from attacking the United States and its allies. The high-quality materials used to create these weapons, and the advanced technology employed allow for a long-lasting and effective military force. Ultimately, these guns play an important role in enabling the U.S. to maintain its standing as a worldwide superpower.

Check out the U.S. military’s 20 heaviest guns:

20. M110 (Semi-Automatic Sniper System)

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)

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

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)

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

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)

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

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

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

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