The famed 1980s action film, “The Delta Force,” was inspired by the June 1985 hijacking of a TWA airplane and hostage crisis in Beirut. It showcases a harrowing rescue by a crack U.S. commando unit of the same name, with the leader played by Chuck Norris. Although this film is incredibly fictionalized, it is rooted in some of the exploits of the Delta Force elite special operations unit.
Formally established in 1977, the Delta Force operates within the United States Army. Its roles include counterterrorism and hostage-rescue missions. However, many of its missions remain highly classified. To effectively accomplish these tasks, the force uses a wide range of specifically tailored weaponry. (See also, the 35 guns used by Russian special forces.)
To determine the guns used by Delta Force, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a catalog of weapons used by the special missions unit produced by Military Factory, an online database of military vehicles, aircraft, and arms. We removed similar guns and guns that are believed to no longer be in use by the Delta Force and ranked the rest according to when they entered service. Supplemental data on the type of weapon, maximum effective range, and the caliber of each gun also came from Military Factory.
The primary firearms of choice for Delta Force include assault rifles, sniper rifles, and submachine guns. The HK 416, developed by German firm Heckler & Koch, is one such firearm. It is a significant upgrade on the traditional M4 Carbine, adding technological improvements that increase efficiency and flexibility. The HK 416 allows for customized configuration for different operational requirements. It uses the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge, known for its versatility and effectiveness in various combat scenarios.
The Remington MSR (Modular Sniper Rifle) is another gun in the Delta Force arsenal. It is an adaptable marksman weapon developed by Remington Arms in 2009. The MSR is renowned for its modularity, allowing for caliber changes and barrel length changes and customizable configurations. The MSR also has an effective firing range of roughly 5,000 feet, depending on the ammunition. As such, the MSR can be used for diverse mission requirements and is versatile enough for urban warfare as well as long-range engagements. (And these are the guns used by the U.S. Green Berets.)
Although the specific firearms may vary depending on mission parameters, these weapons act as the offensive backbone of Delta Force. These weapons, each unique in its purpose and ability, contribute to the high level of operational efficiency and effectiveness expected from the Delta Force.
Click here to see the guns used by delta force.
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
30. General Electric M134 Minigun
> Year entered service: 1963
> Type: Six-barrel gatling gun
> Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
29. M72 LAW
> Year entered service: 1963
> Type: Anti-tank rocket launcher
> Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: 66mm
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
28. General Electric GAU-17/A Minigun
> Year entered service: 1965
> Type: Six-barrel gatling gun
> Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
27. Saco Mk 19
> Year entered service: 1967
> Type: Automatic grenade launcher
> Maximum effective range: 4,500 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: 40x53mm
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
26. Mossberg Model 590
> Year entered service: 1975
> Type: Pump-action shotgun
> Maximum effective range: 130 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: 12-gauge
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
25. Fabrique Nationale M240
> Year entered service: 1977
> Type: General purpose machine gun
> Maximum effective range: 5,905 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
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24. Barrett M82
> Year entered service: 1982
> Type: Anti-materiel rifle
> Maximum effective range: 1,850 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: .50 BMG (12.7x99mm NATO)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
23. Fabrique Nationale M249 SAW / LMG
> Year entered service: 1984
> Type: Light machine gun
> Maximum effective range: 2,600 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x51mm NATO
22. Colt M45 MEU (SOC)
> Year entered service: 1986
> Type: Special forces semi-automatic service pistol
> Maximum effective range: 165 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: .45 ACP
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21. Saco M60E3
> Year entered service: 1986
> Type: Light machine gun
> Maximum effective range: 3,600 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
Source: usairforce / Flickr
20. M136 Light Anti-Armor Weapon (AT4)
> Year entered service: 1987
> Type: Anti-armor rocket launcher
> Maximum effective range: 985 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: 84mm
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
19. SIG-Sauer P228
> Year entered service: 1988
> Type: Semi-automatic pistol
> Maximum effective range: 165 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: 9x19mm parabellum
Source: Tivoly / iStock via Getty Images
18. Beretta M9
> Year entered service: 1990
> Type: Semi-automatic service pistol
> Maximum effective range: 164 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: 9×19 parabellum
Source: zim286 / iStock via Getty Images
17. Colt M16A4
> Year entered service: 1990
> Type: Automatic rifle
> Maximum effective range: 1,968 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: 5.56x45mm NATO
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16. Stoner SR-25
> Year entered service: 1990
> Type: Designated marksman rifle
> Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
15. Heckler & Koch HK MP5K
> Year entered service: 1991
> Type: Submachine gun
> Maximum effective range: 656 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: 9×19 parabellum
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14. Heckler & Koch HK G36
> Year entered service: 1996
> Type: Assault rifle
> Maximum effective range: 2,853 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: 5.56x45mm NATO
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
13. FGM-148 Javelin
> Year entered service: 1996
> Type: Anti-tank guided missile launcher
> Maximum effective range: 8,202 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: 127mm
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
12. Benelli M4 Super 90 (M1014 JSCS)
> Year entered service: 1999
> Type: Semi-automatic combat shotgun
> Maximum effective range: 164 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: 12-gauge
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
11. Navy Mark 12 Special Purpose Rifle
> Year entered service: 2002
> Type: Designated marksman rifle
> Maximum effective range: 1,800 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: 5.56x45mm NATO
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
10. Fabrique Nationale Mk 48 LWMG
> Year entered service: 2003
> Type: Light weight machine gun
> Maximum effective range: 2,624 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
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Source: usairforce / Flickr
9. Mk 14 Mod 0 EBR (Enhanced Battle Rifle)
> Year entered service: 2004
> Type: Designated marksman rifle
> Maximum effective range: 1,500 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
24/7 Wall St.
8. Heckler & Koch HK 416
> Year entered service: 2005
> Type: Assault rifle
> Maximum effective range: 985 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: 5.56x45mm NATO
Source: Courtesy of The Overwatch ELR via Facebook
7. McMillan TAC-338
> Year entered service: 2005
> Type: Sniper rifle
> Maximum effective range: 5,250 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: .338 Lapua Magnum, .338 Norma Magnum
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
6. M32 MGL
> Year entered service: 2006
> Type: Six-shot grenade launcher
> Maximum effective range: 1,315 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: 40x46mm grenade
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
5. M110 SASS
> Year entered service: 2007
> Type: Designated marksman rifle
> Maximum effective range: 2,624 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
4. M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle (EMR)
> Year entered service: 2008
> Type: Designated marksman rifle
> Maximum effective range: 2,550 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: 7.62x51mm NATO
3. AirTronic PSRL-1 (RPG-7USA)
> Year entered service: 2009
> Type: Anti-armor / anti-personnel shoulder-fired rocket launcher
> Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: 40mm Rocket
2. Fabrique Nationale FN SCAR (Mk 16 / Mk 17)
> Year entered service: 2009
> Type: Automatic assault rifle
> Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x51mm NATO
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
1. Remington MSR (Modular Sniper Rifle)
> Year entered service: 2013
> Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
> Maximum effective range: 4,920 ft.
> Caliber/ammunition: .338 Lapua Magnum, .338 Norma Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum, 7.62x51mm NATO
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