The United States military is renowned worldwide not only for its size but for having the largest defense budget of any nation on the planet. They come in at number one in many areas of Global Firepower’s ranking and resume their top position of the most powerful militaries in the world. According to the Office of Management and Budget, in 2022, the Department of Defense (DOD) spent $766 billion, which is not even at the top of previous expenditures. As a result, a domestic military-industrial complex has grown into a burgeoning industry.
Many of the aircraft, vehicles, and small arms that are used in the U.S. armed forces are produced domestically for a number of reasons. The prime one is quality control. (See every combat drone used by the U.S. military.) The Buy American Act of 1933 requires that small arms for the military, as well as other weapons, vessels, and aircraft among others, be produced within the U.S. While there are some weapons that originated outside of the U.S., they are still mostly produced here.
A significant amount of small arms produced by the United States are some of the most recognized weapons within the U.S. military. As a result of their longevity, or popularity within U.S. gun culture, many of these weapons have become household names. Accordingly, guns made by Remington or Colt have a place in American military history, and iterations still continue in active service. (Here is every standard issue U.S. military rifle since the American Revolution.)
To identify which small arms used by the U.S. military are made in the United States, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a range of sources, including military handbooks, government press releases, and firearms publications. Data from Military Factory, an online database of military vehicles, aircraft, arms, and more used by militaries across the world, is included on the type of weapon, caliber, maximum range, and year entered service.
The list of these American-made weapons ranges from sniper rifles, shotguns, battle rifles, and even mortars. Some of these active-service small arms even reach as far back as the Korean War era.
Here’s a look at U.S. military small arms made in the United States:
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Accuracy International Mk 13 (SOCOM)
> Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
> Caliber: .300 Win Mag
> Length: 47.4 in
> Maximum range: 3,940 ft
> Military branches used: Navy, Marines
> Year entered service: 2017
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Barrett M107
> Type: Anti-material / anti-personnel sniper rifle
> Caliber: .50 BMG
> Length: 57.1 in
> Maximum range: 1,850 ft
> Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard,USSOCOM
> Year entered service: 2008
Browning M2
> Type: Multi-role heavy machine gun
> Caliber: .50 BMG
> Length: 61.4 in
> Maximum range: 6,550 ft
> Military branches used: Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard
> Year entered service: 1921
Source: blackwaterimages / E+ via Getty Images
Colt M16 (Series)
> Type: Infantry assault rifle / assault carbine
> Caliber: 5.56×45 mm
> Length: 39.5 in
> Maximum range: 1,800 ft
> Military branches used: Marine Corps, U.S. Navy SEALs
> Year entered service: 1963
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Source: Mishella / iStock via Getty Images
Colt M1911
> Type: Semi-automatic service pistol
> Caliber: .45 ACP
> Length: 8.3 in
> Maximum range: 82 ft
> Military branches used: Marine Corps, U.S. Army Special Operations
> Year entered service: 1911
Source: zim286 / iStock via Getty Images
Colt M4
> Type: Assault carbine
> Caliber: 5.56×45 mm
> Length: 33.0 in
> Maximum range: 1,640 ft
> Military branches used: All branches
> Year entered service: 1994
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Fabrique Nationale M249 SAW / LMG
> Type: Light machine gun / squad support weapon
> Caliber: 5.56×45 mm
> Length: 40.8 in
> Maximum range: 2,600 ft
> Military branches used: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines
> Year entered service: 1984
Fabrique Nationale FN SCAR (Mk 16 / Mk 17)
> Type: Modular automatic assault rifle
> Caliber: 5.56Ã45 mm and 7.62Ã51mm
> Length: 13.8 in
> Maximum range: 1,980 ft
> Military branches used: United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)
> Year entered service: 2009
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Fabrique Nationale M240
> Type: General purpose machine gun / medium machine gun
> Caliber: 7.62mm x 51mm
> Length: 49.0 in
> Maximum range: 5,905 ft
> Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard
> Year entered service: 1977
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
GA MSSR (Marine Scout Sniper Rifle)
> Type: Semi-automatic sniper rifle / designated marksman rifle
> Caliber: 7.62x51mm
> Length: 42.3 in
> Maximum range: 3,610 ft
> Military branches used: Army
> Year entered service: 1996
GAU-19
> Type: Gatling gun
> Caliber: .50 BMG
> Length: 53.9 in
> Maximum range: 19,685 ft
> Military branches used: Army, Navy
> Year entered service: 1983
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General Dynamics / Raytheon FIM-92 Stinger
> Type: Man-portable, air defense missile system
> Caliber: Varied
> Length: 59.8 in
> Maximum range: 15,750 ft
> Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps
> Year entered service: 1981
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
General Dynamics Mk 47 Striker AGL (Mk 47 Mod 0)
> Type: 40mm automatic grenade launcher
> Caliber: 40 mm grenades
> Length: 37.0 in
> Maximum range: 5,600 ft
> Military branches used: SOCOM
> Year entered service: 2006
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
General Electric GAU-17/A Minigun
> Type: Six barrel gatling gun
> Caliber: 7.62mm x 51mm
> Length: 31.5 in
> Maximum range: 3,280 ft
> Military branches used: Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy
> Year entered service: 1965
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Heckler & Koch HK M27 IAR (Infantry Automatic Rifle)
> Type: Squad support / designated marksman weapon
> Caliber: 5.56×45 mm
> Length: 37.0 in
> Maximum range: 1,800 ft
> Military branches used: Marine Corps
> Year entered service: 2011
M110 SASS (Semi-Automatic Sniper System)
> Type: Designated marksman rifle / sniper rifle
> Caliber: 7.62x51mm
> Length: 40.5 in
> Maximum range: 2,624 ft
> Military branches used: Amy, Marines, SOCOM
> Year entered service: 2007
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M120, 120mm Mortar
> Type: Towed heavy field mortar
> Caliber: 120mm
> Length: N/A
> Maximum range: 23,750 ft
> Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps
> Year entered service: 1991
Source: Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images via Getty Images
M136 Light Anti-Armor Weapon (AT4)
> Type: Man-portable, disposable anti-armor rocket launcher
> Caliber: 84mm
> Length: 40.2 in
> Maximum range: 985 ft
> Military branches used: Army, Air Force
> Year entered service: 1987
Source: 101561334@N08 / Flickr
M167 Vulcan
> Type: Towed / static air defense system
> Caliber: 20Ã102mm
> Length: 186 in
> Maximum range: 14,763 ft
> Military branches used: Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard
> Year entered service: 1967
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M224, 60mm Mortar
> Type: 60mm lightweight mortar
> Caliber: 60mm
> Length: 41.7 in
> Maximum range: 11,447 ft
> Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps
> Year entered service: 1978
Source: 39955793@N07 / Flickr
M252, 81 Mortar
> Type: Medium weight extended range mortar
> Caliber: 81mm
> Length: 50.0 in
> Maximum range: 18,618 ft
> Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps
> Year entered service: 1987
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Source: drum10thmountain / Flickr
M26 (MASS)
> Type: Modular accessory shotgun system
> Caliber: 12 gauge
> Length: 19.7 in
> Maximum range: 130 ft
> Military branches used: Army
> Year entered service: 2003
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle (EMR)
> Type: Designated marksman rifle / sniper rifle
> Caliber: 7.62x51mm
> Length: 44.2 in
> Maximum range: 2,550 ft
> Military branches used: Marines
> Year entered service: 2008
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
MK 20 Mod 0 Sniper Support Rifle
> Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
> Caliber: 7.62x51mm
> Length: 40.5 in
> Maximum range: 1,980 ft
> Military branches used: Army
> Year entered service: 2004
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Source: usairforce / Flickr
Mk14 Mod 0 EBR (Enhanced Battle Rifle)
> Type: Battle rifle / designated marksman rifle
> Caliber: 7.62x51mm
> Length: 35.0 in
> Maximum range: 1,500 ft
> Military branches used: Army, Navy, Coast Guard
> Year entered service: 2004
Source: Public Domain / marine_corps / Flickr
Mossberg Model 590
> Type: Pump-action shotgun
> Caliber: 12 gauge
> Length: 18.5 in
> Maximum range: 130 ft
> Military branches used: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines
> Year entered service: 1975
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Raytheon . Lockheed Martin FGM-148 Javelin
> Type: Anti-tank guided missile launcher
> Caliber: 127mm explosive
> Length: 47.0 in
> Maximum range: 8,202 ft
> Military branches used: Army, Marines
> Year entered service: 1996
Remington M2010 ESR (Enhanced Sniper Rifle)
> Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
> Caliber: .300 Win Mag
> Length: 46.5 in
> Maximum range: 3,935 ft
> Military branches used: N/A
> Year entered service: 2011
Remington M24 SWS (Sniper Weapon System)
> Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
> Caliber: 7.62x51mm
> Length: 43.0 in
> Maximum range: 2,624 ft
> Military branches used: Army, Air Force, USSOCOM
> Year entered service: 1987
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Remington Model 870
> Type: Pump-action shotgun
> Caliber: 12 gauge
> Length: 50.4 in
> Maximum range: 140 ft
> Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard
> Year entered service: 1950
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Remington MSR (Modular Sniper Rifle)
> Type: Remington MSR (modular sniper rifle)
> Caliber: 7.62Ã51 mm, .300 Norma Magnum, and .338 Norma Magnum
> Length: 47.2 in
> Maximum range: 4,920 ft
> Military branches used: Army, SOCOM
> Year entered service: 2013
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Saco M60
> Type: General purpose machine gun
> Caliber: 7.62mm x 51mm
> Length: 43.5 in
> Maximum range: 3,280 ft
> Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, USSOCOM
> Year entered service: 1957
24/7 Wall St.
Source: 39955793@N07 / Flickr / Public Domain
Saco Mk19
> Type: 40mm automatic grenade launcher
> Caliber: 40 mm grenades
> Length: 43.1 in
> Maximum range: 4,500 ft
> Military branches used: Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy
> Year entered service: 1967
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