The U.S. Army takes great pride in outfitting its soldiers with the best arms and equipment to make them one of the strongest fighting forces in the world. These small arms act as a force multiplier, making the output of one soldier much greater than it normally would be. The 1990s was a great decade for innovation in the U.S. military in terms of small arms with many anti-materiel and sniper rifles coming into service. (These are the 16 sniper rifles used by the U.S. military.)
To identify American military guns introduced in the 1990s, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a catalog of small arms from Military Factory, an online database of military vehicles, arms and aircraft. We ordered these guns alphabetically. We included supplemental information regarding type of small arm, year introduced, manufacturer, firing action, caliber and feed.
Harris Gunworks had a series of anti-materiel and sniper rifles during this decade including the M92, M93, and M96. Like other anti-materiel rifles, these were meant to penetrate light armor vehicles or fortified targets. The Barrett M95 is another anti-materiel rifle that rose to prominence in this time as well.
The FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank weapon system was introduced to service in 1996 to replace the M47 Dragon from the Cold War era. It saw extensive use throughout the Middle East in the United States’ Global War on Terrorism. This weapons system is still employed by the U.S. Army as it has undergone continuous upgrades since its inception.
Many of the small arms mentioned in this list are still in active use in the U.S. Army, although others have been replaced by newer models as the U.S. military continues to improve on its arsenal. (These are the future military guns of the world.)
Here is a look at the American-made military guns of the 1990 decade:
AR-50
Source: JohnC76 / Wikimedia Commons
- Type: Anti-tank / anti-materiel rifle
- Year introduced: 1999
- Manufacturer: ArmaLite
- Firing action: Manually-actuated bolt-action system
- Caliber and feed 12.7x99mm NATO, .50 BMG, .416 Barrett; 10-round detachable box magazine
Barrett M90
Source: Outisnn / Wikimedia Commons
- Type: Bullpup anti-materiel rifle
- Year introduced: 1990
- Manufacturer: Barrett Firearms
- Firing action: Manually-actuated bolt-action system
- Caliber and feed .50 BMG; 5-round detachable box magazine
Barrett M95
Source: John Torch II / Wikimedia Commons
- Type: Anti-materiel rifle
- Year introduced: 1995
- Manufacturer: Barrett Firearms
- Firing action: Manually-actuated bolt-action system
- Caliber and feed .50 BMG; 5-round detachable box magazine
Beretta M9
Source: Tivoly / iStock via Getty Images
- Type: Semi-automatic pistol
- Year introduced: 1990
- Manufacturer: Beretta
- Firing action: Semi-automatic, single / double-action pistol
- Caliber and feed 9x19mm Parabellum; 15-round detachable box magazine
Calico M960
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Type: Submachine gun
- Year introduced: 1990
- Manufacturer: Calico Light Weapons Systems
- Firing action: Roller-delayed blowback, semi / full-automatic
- Caliber and feed 9x19mm Parabellum; 50- or 100-round helical magazine
Colt Anaconda
Source: Courtesy of Colt
- Type: Six-shot revolver
- Year introduced: 1990
- Manufacturer: Colt Manufacturing
- Firing action: Double-action, repeating
- Caliber and feed .44 Special, .44 Magnum, .45 Colt; 6-shot rotating cylinder
Colt M16A4
Source: zim286 / iStock via Getty Images
- Type: Automatic assault rifle
- Year introduced: 1990
- Manufacturer: Colt Manufacturing
- Firing action: Gas-operated, semi-automatic, select fire
- Caliber and feed 5.56×45 NATO; 30-round detachable box magazine
Colt M4
Source: Courtesy of Colt
- Type: Assault carbine
- Year introduced: 1994
- Manufacturer: Colt Manufacturing
- Firing action: Gas-operated, semi / full-automatic, locking bolt
- Caliber and feed 5.56x45mm NATO; 20- or 30-round detachable box magazine
Colt M4A1 SOPMOD
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Type: Carbine rifle
- Year introduced: 1993
- Manufacturer: Colt Manufacturing / Knight’s Armament
- Firing action: Gas-operated, rotating bolt
- Caliber and feed 5.56x45mm NATO; 30-round detachable box magazine
FGM-148 Javelin
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Type: Anti-tank guided missile launcher
- Year introduced: 1996
- Manufacturer: Raytheon / Lockheed Martin
- Firing action: Imaging infrared, impact force solid fuel rocket
- Caliber and feed 127mm; Single-shot, reusable launcher
Harris M92
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Type: Anti-materiel rifle
- Year introduced: 1992
- Manufacturer: Harris Gunworks
- Firing action: Manually-actuated bolt-action system
- Caliber and feed .50 BMG; 5-round detachable box magazine
Harris M93
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Type: Anti-materiel / sniper rifle
- Year introduced: 1993
- Manufacturer: Harris Gunworks
- Firing action: Manually-actuated bolt-action system
- Caliber and feed 12.7x99mm NATO (.50 BMG); 5- or 10-round detachable box magazine
Harris M96
Source: Kistara / Wikimedia Commons
- Type: Anti-materiel / sniper rifle
- Year introduced: 1996
- Manufacturer: Harris Gunworks
- Firing action: Gas-operated, rotating bolt, semi-automatic
- Caliber and feed 12.7x99mm NATO (.50 BMG); 5-round detachable box magazine
Kimber Custom
Source: ranna / Flickr
- Type: Semi-automatic pistol
- Year introduced: 1997
- Manufacturer: Kimber Manufacturing
- Firing action: Semi-automatic, single-action
- Caliber and feed .45 ACP; 7-, 8- or 10-round detachable box magazine
McMillan TAC-308
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Type: Sniper rifle
- Year introduced: 1995
- Manufacturer: McMillan Tactical Products
- Firing action: Manually-operated bolt-action system
- Caliber and feed .308 Winchester; 5- or 10-round detachable box magazine
Mk 23 Mod 0 (SOCOM Pistol)
- Type: Semi-automatic pistol
- Year introduced: 1996
- Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
- Firing action: Semi-automatic, single / double-action pistol
- Caliber and feed .45 ACP; 10- or 12-round detachable box magazine
Smith & Wesson Sigma
- Type: Semi-automatic pistol
- Year introduced: 1993
- Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson
- Firing action: Semi-automatic, short recoil
- Caliber and feed .40 S&W, 9x19mm Parabellum; 14-, 16- or 17-round detachable box magazines
Stoner SR-25
Source: zachievenor / Flickr
- Type: Designated marksman rifle
- Year introduced: 1990
- Manufacturer: Knight’s Armament
- Firing action: Gas-operated, rotating bolt, semi-automatic
- Caliber and feed 7.62x51mm NATO; 10- or 20-round detachable box magazine
Essential Tips for Investing: Sponsored
A financial advisor can help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of investment properties. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Investing in real estate can diversify your portfolio. But expanding your horizons may add additional costs. If you’re an investor looking to minimize expenses, consider checking out online brokerages. They often offer low investment fees, helping you maximize your profit.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.