These Long-Range Guns Are Essential to the US Military

Long range guns come in handy for a variety of situations. Many hunters, not able to quietly approach game, must shoot from a several yards away to reach their target. Additionally, during war and other intense conflicts, our military personnel need the ability to accurately shoot from a mix of different ranges, depending on their position in the moment. And perhaps no one relies on long range shooting as much as snipers, some of our military’s most important infantry.

Long range rifles, as their name entails, are specifically designed to fire accurately from distances of up to 500 yards. To serve the shooter, these precision rifles usually feature enhanced accessories, like optics. These allow marksmen to zero in on their target and aim quite well. The particular ammunition in these guns is designed to fire in such a way that direction and velocity is maintained. For the U.S. military, these guns are essential for our nation’s defense.

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.

Why Is This Important?

The U.S. military uses other small arms capable of doing damage in a variety of ranges — some at even much greater ranges than conventional sniper rifles. Although not all the weapons on this list are meant to be used at great range, each serves a distinct purpose within the military. Some of these weapons can be effective over 4 miles away, while others have a maximum range of under 100 feet.

These are the longest-range guns in the US 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)
Year entered service: 2005

32. M136 Light Anti-Armor Weapon (AT4)

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)

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

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

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)

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)

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

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)

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

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)

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

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)

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)

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

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

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

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