Military

80 Football Fields Away and This Military Gun Still Hits the Target Every Time

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

Throughout history, military power and force was relatively simple. While different armies fought with different weaponry, it typically came down to the size of the military — and the biggest army was usually the one who won (though, of course, exceptions exist). The development of long-range weapons changed the playing field. Modern armies can now focus less on troop numbers and more on their ability to hit targets at extremely far distances. The military that can shoot first — or shoot farthest — often controls the battlefield. Long-range weapons are also great for troop protection and stealth. Troops no longer have to sneak close to attack. With some of the weapons on our list, including one that can shoot and hit targets precisely nearly 80 football fields away, troops can remain shielded from harm. As technology advances, these distances will only continue to grow. This is why many military forces are now adding increasing numbers of long-range weapons, including guns, to their arsenals. (Outside of guns, this U.S. Army artillery weapon can strike targets 310 miles away.)

Long-range guns are essential to warfare today. To determine the longest-range guns used by the United States military, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a range of sources, including military handbooks, government press releases, and firearms publications about small arms and light weapons currently used by the U.S. military. Data on the type of weapon, caliber, country of origin, and year entered service is from Military Factory, an online database of military vehicles, aircraft, arms, and more used by militaries across the world. We listed the guns in order from shortest to longest range.

Why Is This Important?

Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images via Getty Images

The U.S. military uses various small arms that are capable of doing damage at a variety of ranges — some even at much greater ranges than conventional sniper rifles. Long-range weapons like the guns on this list have forever changed the nature of today’s warfare. American military forces can now strike with precision from distances they only once dreamed of. As military technologies continue to advance, knowing where we’re prioritizing our military firepower and how it has evolved gives us a good idea of what future conflict might look like.

Are you ready? Take a look at the longest-range guns used by the U.S. military:

42. Colt M1911

Mishella / iStock via Getty Images
  • Maximum range: 82 ft
  • Caliber: .45 ACP
  • Type: Semi-automatic service pistol
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Marine Corps, U.S. Army Special Operations
  • Year entered service: 1911

41. Mossberg Model 590

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 130 ft
  • Caliber: 12 gauge
  • Type: Pump-action shotgun
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines
  • Year entered service: 1975

40. M26 (MASS)

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 135 ft
  • Caliber: 12 gauge
  • Type: Modular accessory shotgun system
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Army
  • Year entered service: 2003

39. Remington Model 870

simonov / Flickr
  • Maximum range: 140 ft
  • Caliber: 12 gauge
  • Type: Pump-action shotgun
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard
  • Year entered service: 1950

38. Benelli M4 Super 90 (M1014 JSCS)

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 164 ft
  • Caliber: 12 gauge
  • Type: Semi-automatic combat shotgun
  • Country of origin: Italy
  • Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps
  • Year entered service: 1999

37. SIG-Sauer P320

Digitallymade / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 165 ft
  • Caliber: 9 mm, .357 SIG, and .40 S&W
  • Type: Semi-automatic pistol
  • Country of origin: Switzerland
  • Military branches used: All branches
  • Year entered service: 2014

36. Brugger & Thomet APC9 (series)

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 330 ft
  • Caliber: 9 mm
  • Type: Modular personal defense weapon
  • Country of origin: Switzerland
  • Military branches used: Army, Air Force
  • Year entered service: 2011

35. Heckler & Koch HK MP7

KrisfromGermany / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 656 ft
  • Caliber: 4.6 mm x 30 mm
  • Type: Submachine gun/machine pistol
  • Country of origin: Germany
  • Military branches used: Army, Navy, Coast Guard
  • Year entered service: 2001

34. Heckler & Koch HK MP5

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 660 ft
  • Caliber: 9 mm
  • Type: Submachine gun/machine pistol
  • Country of origin: Germany
  • Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, USSOCOM
  • Year entered service: 1966

33. Heckler & Koch HK 416

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 985 ft
  • Caliber: 5.56×45 mm
  • Type: Assault rifle / tactical carbine weapon
  • Country of origin: Germany
  • Military branches used: Marine Corps, Army Delta Force, Naval Special Warfare Development Group (SEAL Team 6)
  • Year entered service: 2005

32. M136 Light Anti-Armor Weapon (AT4)

Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images via Getty Images
  • Maximum range: 985 ft
  • Caliber: 84mm
  • Type: Man-portable, disposable anti-armor rocket launcher
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Army, Air Force
  • Year entered service: 1987

31. Mk14 Mod 0 EBR (Enhanced Battle Rifle)

US Air Force / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 1,500 ft
  • Caliber: 7.62x51mm
  • Type: Battle rifle / designated marksman rifle
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Army, Navy, Coast Guard
  • Year entered service: 2004

30. Colt M4

zim286 / iStock via Getty Images
  • Maximum range: 1,640 ft
  • Caliber: 5.56×45 mm
  • Type: Assault carbine
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: All branches
  • Year entered service: 1994

29. IMI M141 Bunker Defeat Munition (BDM) / SMAW-D

АрміяInform / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 1,640 ft
  • Caliber: 83.5mm
  • Type: Shoulder-launched multi-purpose assault weapon
  • Country of origin: Israel
  • Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps
  • Year entered service: 1984

28. Colt M16 (Series)

Vadimborkin / iStock via Getty Images
  • Maximum range: 1,800 ft
  • Caliber: 5.56×45 mm
  • Type: Infantry assault rifle/assault carbine
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Marine Corps, U.S. Navy SEALs
  • Year entered service: 1963

27. Heckler & Koch HK M27 IAR (Infantry Automatic Rifle)

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 1,800 ft
  • Caliber: 5.56×45 mm
  • Type: Squad support / designated marksman weapon
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Marine Corps
  • Year entered service: 2011

26. Barrett M107

Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images via Getty Images
  • Maximum range: 1,850 ft
  • Caliber: .50 BMG
  • Type: Anti-material / anti-personnel sniper rifle
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, USSOCOM
  • Year entered service: 2008

25. Fabrique Nationale FN SCAR (Mk 16 / Mk 17)

simonov / Flickr
  • Maximum range: 1,980 ft
  • Caliber: 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm
  • Type: Modular automatic assault rifle
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)
  • Year entered service: 2009

24. MK 20 Mod 0 Sniper Support Rifle

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 1,980 ft
  • Caliber: 7.62x51mm
  • Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Army
  • Year entered service: 2004

23. M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle (EMR)

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 2,550 ft
  • Caliber: 7.62x51mm
  • Type: Designated marksman rifle/sniper rifle
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Marines
  • Year entered service: 2008

22. Fabrique National M249 SAW / LMG

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 2,600 ft
  • Caliber: 5.56×45 mm
  • Type: Light machine gun/squad support weapon
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines
  • Year entered service: 1984

21. M110 SASS (Semi-Automatic Sniper System)

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 2,624 ft
  • Caliber: 7.62x51mm
  • Type: Designated marksman rifle/sniper rifle
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Amy, Marines, SOCOM
  • Year entered service: 2007

20. Remington M24 SWS (Sniper Weapon System)

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 2,624 ft
  • Caliber: 7.62x51mm
  • Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Army, Air Force, USSOCOM
  • Year entered service: 1987

19. Heckler & Koch HK 417

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 2,625 ft
  • Caliber: 7.62x51mm
  • Type: Battle rifle / designated marksman rifle
  • Country of origin: Germany
  • Military branches used: Joint Special Operations Command, Army, and Navy
  • Year entered service: 2006

18. General Electric GAU-17/A Minigun

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 3,280 ft
  • Caliber: 7.62mm x 51mm
  • Type: Six-barrel Gatling gun
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy
  • Year entered service: 1965

17. Saco M60

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 3,280 ft
  • Caliber: 7.62mm x 51mm
  • Type: General purpose machine gun
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, USSOCOM
  • Year entered service: 1957

16. GA MSSR (Marine Scout Sniper Rifle)

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 3,610 ft
  • Caliber: 7.62x51mm
  • Type: Semi-automatic sniper rifle / designated marksman rifle
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Army
  • Year entered service: 1996

15. Remington M2010 ESR (Enhanced Sniper Rifle)

MathKnight / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 3,935 ft
  • Caliber: .300 Win Mag
  • Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: N/A
  • Year entered service: 2011

14. Accuracy International Mk 13 (SOCOM)

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 3,940 ft
  • Caliber: .300 Win Mag
  • Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Navy, Marines
  • Year entered service: 2017

13. Saco Mk19

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 4,500 ft
  • Caliber: 40 mm grenades
  • Type: 40mm automatic grenade launcher
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy
  • Year entered service: 1967

12. Remington MSR (Modular Sniper Rifle)

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 4,920 ft
  • Caliber: 7.6×51 mm, .300 Norma Magnum, and .338 Norma Magnum
  • Type: Remington MSR (modular sniper rifle)
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Army, SOCOM
  • Year entered service: 2013

11. General Dynamics Mk 47 Striker AGL (Mk 47 Mod 0)

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 5,600 ft
  • Caliber: 40 mm grenades
  • Type: 40mm automatic grenade launcher
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: SOCOM
  • Year entered service: 2006

10. Fabrique Nationale M240

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 5,905 ft
  • Caliber: 7.62mm x 51mm
  • Type: General purpose machine gun / medium machine gun
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard
  • Year entered service: 1977

9. Carl-Gustav M3 (M1948)

Jorchr / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 6,000 ft
  • Caliber: 84mm
  • Type: Multirole, shoulder-fired recoilless rifle
  • Country of origin: Sweden
  • Military branches used: Army, SOCOM, Marine Corps
  • Year entered service: 1948

8. Browning M2

Maia Coimbra / CC BY 2.0 / Flickr
  • Maximum range: 6,550 ft
  • Caliber: .50 BMG
  • Type: Multi-role heavy machine gun
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard
  • Year entered service: 1921

7. Raytheon & Lockheed Martin FGM-148 Javelin

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 8,202 ft
  • Caliber: 127mm explosive
  • Type: Anti-tank guided missile launcher
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Army, Marines
  • Year entered service: 1996

6. M224, 60mm Mortar

7armyjmtc / Flickr
  • Maximum range: 11,447 ft
  • Caliber: 60mm
  • Type: 60mm lightweight mortar
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps
  • Year entered service: 1978

5. M167 Vulcan

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 14,763 ft
  • Caliber: 20mm
  • Type: Towed / static air defense system
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard
  • Year entered service: 1967

4. General Dynamics / Raytheon FIM-92 Stinger

soldiersmediacenter / Flickr
  • Maximum range: 15,750 ft
  • Caliber: Varied
  • Type: Man-portable, air defense missile system
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps
  • Year entered service: 1981

3. M252, 81 Mortar

Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 18,618 ft
  • Caliber: 81mm
  • Type: Medium weight extended range mortar
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps
  • Year entered service: 1987

2. GAU-19

Zajje / Wikimedia Commons
  • Maximum range: 19,685 ft
  • Caliber: .50 BMG
  • Type: Gatling gun
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Army, Navy
  • Year entered service: 1983

1. M120, 120mm Mortar

April 25, 2009 - U.S. soldiers fire the M120 Mortar system out of a M113 Armored Personal Carrier on Forward Operating Base Taji, Baghdad, Iraq.
Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images via Getty Images
  • Maximum range: 23,750 ft
  • Caliber: 120mm
  • Type: Towed heavy field mortar
  • Country of origin: United States
  • Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps
  • Year entered service: 1991

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