The Guns America Used in the Gulf War

Known as “The First Space War,” Operation Desert Storm, which began in 1991, saw a surge in the use of satellite-based technologies like Satcom (satellite communication) and GPS. Despite reliance on these advanced tools, not all confrontations could be carried out remotely, necessitating ground troop maneuvers. Ultimately, it was soldiers with guns who won the war.

Lasting roughly seven months, the conflict resulted in nearly 300 in-theater fatalities for U.S., per Department of Defense records. This figure paled in comparison to the losses sustained by Iraqi forces. From missiles to small arms, Saddam Hussein’s military found itself severly outmatched.

To determine what small arms were used by the U.S. military in Operation Desert Storm, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed various historical and military sources. The arms are listed alphabetically. We included supplemental information from Military Factory regarding the country of origin, manufacturer, year introduced, maximum effective range, firing action, caliber, and feed.

The majority of guns listed can be traced back to the Vietnam War era, with a few even dating back to World War I. This is not to say that these are “old” guns, rather that these models have retained their basic design over time, but have been some upgraded and improved along the way.

One of the most iconic guns from Operation Desert Storm is the M16A2. It was first introduced in 1983 and played a significant role throughout the conflict. It is chambered for 5.56x45mm NATO rounds, coming in 30-round detachable clips. This gun was an improvement over the original M16 used in the Vietnam War. The main improvements were the updated rifling patterns, reinforced barrels, and a more ergonomic style beginning with the pistol grip. The M16A2 is also more modular than its predecessor.

The Remington M24, introduced several years before the Gulf War, has since been deployed around the world during the Global War on Terror. Chambered for the standard 7.62x51mm NATO round, it also has the capability to fire the .338 Lapua Magnum and .308 Winchester Magnum. Originally based on Remington Model 700, some consider this gun to be the greatest bolt-action rifle of the last century.

These are the guns used by the US military in Operation Desert Storm:

Barrett M82

Source: Zachi Evenor / Wikimedia Commons

• Year introduced: 1982
• Type: 1982
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Barrett Firearms
• Firing action: Semi-automatic; recoil-operated; rotating bolt
• Caliber and feed: 12.7x99mm NATO, 10-round detachable box magazine
• Maximum effective range: 1,850 ft.

Beretta M9

Source: Tivoly / iStock via Getty Images

• Year introduced: 1990
• Type: 1990
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Beretta
• Firing action: Semi-automatic; single-action / double-action
• Caliber and feed: 9x19mm Parabellum, 15-round detachable box magazine
• Maximum effective range: 164 ft.

BGM-71 TOW

Source: Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images via Getty Images

• Year introduced: 1970
• Type: 1970
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Hughes Aircraft / Raytheon
• Firing action: Tube-launched; optically-tracked; wire-guided
• Caliber and feed: 127mm / 152mm, Single shot; reusable
• Maximum effective range: 12,303 ft.

Browning M1919

Source: MCCallumPhoto / iStock via Getty Images

• Year introduced: 1919
• Type: 1919
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: General Motors / Rock Island Arsenal
• Firing action: Gas-operated; belt-fed; air-cooled
• Caliber and feed: 7.92x57mm Mauser, 30-06 Springfield, 7.62x51mm NATO, .303 British, 250-round fabric belt
• Maximum effective range: 4,500 ft.

Carl-Gustav M3

Source: Jorchr / Wikimedia Commons

• Year introduced: 1948
• Type: 1948
• Country of origin: Sweden
• Manufacturer: Bofors / Saab
• Firing action: Hinged breech; percussion firing mechanism
• Caliber and feed: 84x246mm, Single-shot; reusable launch tube
• Maximum effective range: 6,600 ft.

Colt CAR-15 Commando

Source: Boksi / Wikimedia Commons

• Year introduced: 1966
• Type: 1966
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Colt Firearms
• Firing action: Semi/full auto; gas-operated; locking bolt
• Caliber and feed: 5.56x45mm M193, 20- or 30-round detachable box
• Maximum effective range: 1,320 ft.

Colt M16A2

Source: Armémuseum (The Swedish Army Museum) / Wikimedia Commons

• Year introduced: 1983
• Type: 1983
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Colt Firearms
• Firing action: Gas-operated; semi-automatic; select fire
• Caliber and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO, 30-round detachable magazine
• Maximum effective range: 1,969 ft.

Colt M1911

Source: falcon_33 / Flickr

• Year introduced: 1911
• Type: 1911
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Colt Firearms
• Firing action: Single-action; short recoil-operated
• Caliber and feed: .45 ACP, 7-round detachable box magazine
• Maximum effective range: 82 ft.

FN M2HB

Source: Courtesy of FN HERSTAL

• Year introduced: 1933
• Type: 1933
• Country of origin: Germany
• Manufacturer: Fabrique Nationale
• Firing action: Recoil-operated; automatic fire only
• Caliber and feed: 12.7x99mm NATO, metal-linked belt fed
• Maximum effective range: 5,900 ft.

FN Minimi

Source: FN Herstal / Wikimedia Commons

• Year introduced: 1982
• Type: 1982
• Country of origin: Germany
• Manufacturer: Fabrique Nationale
• Firing action: Gas-operated; selective fire
• Caliber and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO, 200-round metal link belt, 30-round detachable box
• Maximum effective range: 2,624 ft.

HK MP5

Source: Dybdal / Wikimedia Commons

• Year introduced: 1966
• Type: 1966
• Country of origin: Germany
• Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
• Firing action: Roller-locked delayed blowback
• Caliber and feed: 9x19mm Parabellum, 15-, 30-, or 40-round detachable box, C-Mag 100-round support
• Maximum effective range: 660 ft.

M1 Carbine

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Year introduced: 1942
• Type: 1942
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Winchester / Inland Division
• Firing action: Gas-operated, short-stroke piston; semi-automatic
• Caliber and feed: 30 M1 Carbine, 15- or 30-round detachable box magazine
• Maximum effective range: 600 ft.

M1 Garand

Source: simonov / Flickr

• Year introduced: 1936
• Type: 1936
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Springfield Armory
• Firing action: Self-loading; gas-action piston
• Caliber and feed: 30-06 Springfield, 8-round internal clip
• Maximum effective range: 1,320 ft.

M134 Minigun

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Year introduced: 1963
• Type: 1963
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: General Electric
• Firing action: Electrically-driven; belt-fed
• Caliber and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, 4,000-round linked belt
• Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft.

M136 Light Anti-Armor Weapon (AT4)

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Year introduced: 1987
• Type: 1987
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Alliant TechSystems
• Firing action: Single-shot, self-contained recoilless rifle
• Caliber and feed: 84mm, Single shot
• Maximum effective range: 985 ft.

M14 Rifle

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Year introduced: 1959
• Type: 1959
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Springfield Armory
• Firing action: Gas-operated; rotating bolt, selective fire
• Caliber and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, 20-round detachable box magazine
• Maximum effective range: 1,509 ft.

M2 Browning

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Year introduced: 1921
• Type: 1921
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Saco Defense
• Firing action: Automatic short recoil-operated, air-cooled
• Caliber and feed: 12.7x99mm NATO, 110-round metalic link belt
• Maximum effective range: 6,550 ft.

M21 Sniper Weapon System

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Year introduced: 1969
• Type: 1969
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Rock Island Arsenal
• Firing action: Gas-operated; rotating bolt
• Caliber and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, 5-, 10-, or 20-round detachable box magazine
• Maximum effective range: 2,263 ft.

M240

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Year introduced: 1977
• Type: 1977
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Fabrique Nationale
• Firing action: Gas-operated; full-automatic; open bolt; belt-fed
• Caliber and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, Disintegrating link belt of various counts
• Maximum effective range: 5,905 ft.

M249 SAW

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Year introduced: 1984
• Type: 1984
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Fabrique Nationale
• Firing action: Gas-operated; open bolt
• Caliber and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x51mm NATO, 200-round metal link belt, 30-round detachable box
• Maximum effective range: 2,600 ft.

M3 (Grease Gun)

Source: Willard / iStock via Getty Images

• Year introduced: 1943
• Type: 1943
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Ithaca Gun Company
• Firing action: Open bolt; blowback
• Caliber and feed: .45 ACP, 9x19mm Parabellum, 30-round detachable magazine
• Maximum effective range: 300 ft.

M47 Dragon

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Year introduced: 1975
• Type: 1975
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Raytheon / McDonnell Douglas
• Firing action: Single-shot, line-of-sight, hollow charge
• Caliber and feed: 140mm, Single-shot, single use
• Maximum effective range: 246 ft.

M61 Vulcan

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Year introduced: 1959
• Type: 1959
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: General Dynamics
• Firing action: Hydraulically operated, electrically fired, rotary
• Caliber and feed: 20x102mm Vulcan, belt-fed
• Maximum effective range: 2,000 ft.

M72 LAW

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Year introduced: 1963
• Type: 1963
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Talley Industries
• Firing action: Single-shot; disposable tube
• Caliber and feed: 66mm, Single shot disposable tube
• Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.

MAS FR F1

Source: Quickload / Wikimedia Commons

• Year introduced: 1966
• Type: 1966
• Country of origin: France
• Manufacturer: Manufacture d’Armes St. Etienne / GIAT Industries
• Firing action: Manually-operated bolt-action
• Caliber and feed: 7.5x54mm French; 7.62x51mm NATO, 10-detachable box magazine
• Maximum effective range: 2,630 ft.

McMillian M87

Source: cryogenic666 / Flickr

• Year introduced: 1987
• Type: 1987
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Harris Gunworks / McMillan
• Firing action: Manually-actuated bolt action
• Caliber and feed: 12.7x99mm NATO, 1-, 5-, or 10-round magazine
• Maximum effective range: 4,920 ft.

Remington M24

Source: zachievenor / Flickr

• Year introduced: 1987
• Type: 1987
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Remington Arms
• Firing action: Manually-operated bolt-action
• Caliber and feed: .338 Lapua Magnum, .308 Winchester Magnum, 7.62x51mm NATO, 5-round internal magazine / 5- or 10-round detachable box magazine
• Maximum effective range: 2,624 ft.

Remington M40

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Year introduced: 1966
• Type: 1966
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Remington Arms
• Firing action: Bolt-action; rotating bolt
• Caliber and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, 5-round detachable box magazine
• Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft.

Remington M870

Source: Burnyburnout / CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED via Wikimedia Commons

• Year introduced: 1950
• Type: 1950
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Remington Arms
• Firing action: Pump-action repeating
• Caliber and feed: 12-, 16-, 20- or 28-gauge, 4- or 7-round tubular magazine
• Maximum effective range: 120 ft.

SA80

Source: Graeme Main / Wikimedia Commons

• Year introduced: 1985
• Type: 1985
• Country of origin: United Kingdom
• Manufacturer: Royal Small Arms Factory / BAE Systems / Heckler & Koch
• Firing action: Gas-operated; rotating bolt
• Caliber and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO, 30-round detachable magazine
• Maximum effective range: 1,300 ft.

Saco M60

Source: MarcusBurns / Wikimedia Commons

• Year introduced: 1957
• Type: 1957
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Saco Defense / Inland Division
• Firing action: Gas-operated; open bolt
• Caliber and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, Disintegrating link belt of various counts
• Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft.

Saco Mk 19

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Year introduced: 1967
• Type: 1967
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Saco Defense Industries
• Firing action: Self-powered, air-cooled, belt-fed, blowback-operated
• Caliber and feed: 40x53mm, Belt-fed
• Maximum effective range: 4,500 ft.

SIG-Sauer P226

Source: xelp / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Flickr

• Year introduced: 1984
• Type: 1984
• Country of origin: Switzerland
• Manufacturer: SIG-Sauer
• Firing action: Semi-automatic; short-recoil; double-action
• Caliber and feed: 9x19mm Parabellum, 12-, 13-, 15-, 17-, 18-, or 20-round detachable box magazine
• Maximum effective range: 165 ft.

SNT Motiv K1

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

• Year introduced: 1981
• Type: 1981
• Country of origin: South Korea
• Manufacturer: ST Motiv (Daewoo Precision)
• Firing action: Gas-operated; rotating bolt with direct impingement system
• Caliber and feed: .223 Remington, 30-round detachable magazine
• Maximum effective range: 820 ft.

SNT Motiv K2

Source: Shotgunlee / Wikimedia Commons

• Year introduced: 1987
• Type: 1987
• Country of origin: South Korea
• Manufacturer: ST Motiv (Daewoo Precision)
• Firing action: Gas-operated; rotating bolt
• Caliber and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO, .223 Remington, 20- or 30-round detachable box
• Maximum effective range: 1,968 ft.

SNT Motiv K3

Source: Shotgunlee / Wikimedia Commons

• Year introduced: 1991
• Type: 1991
• Country of origin: South Korea
• Manufacturer: ST Motiv (Daewoo Precision)
• Firing action: Gas-operated; rotating bolt
• Caliber and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO, 200-round metal link belt, 30-round detachable box
• Maximum effective range: 2,624 ft.

Walther PP

Source: handvapensamlingen / Flickr

• Year introduced: 1929
• Type: 1929
• Country of origin: Germany
• Manufacturer: Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen
• Firing action: Semi-automatic; straight blowback; double-action
• Caliber and feed: 7.65x15mm Browning SR, 9x19mm Short; 6.35x15mm Browning SR, 9-round detachable box magazine
• Maximum effective range: 164 ft.