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?
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
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
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)
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
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)
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
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)
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
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
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
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)
Military branches used: Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy
Year entered service: 1967
12. Remington MSR (Modular Sniper Rifle)
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)
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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