The Powerful Weapons That Give U.S. Marines Their Battlefield Edge

The United States Marine Corps has built its reputation on speed, toughness, and the ability to respond quickly in some of the world’s most difficult combat environments. Training is a major part of that reputation, but Marines also rely on a wide range of weapons systems designed to help them fight across land, sea, and air.

From infantry rifles and machine guns to artillery, armored vehicles, aircraft, missiles, and advanced support systems, Marine Corps firepower is built around mobility and force projection. These weapons help Marines strike fast, support ground units, defend positions, and overwhelm enemy forces when the mission demands it. This list looks at the hard-hitting weapons that help explain why the Marines remain one of America’s most recognizable fighting forces.

The Remington M40 is a bolt-action sniper rifle with an effective range of 3,000 feet and is a staple of the Marine Corps arsenal. First launched in 1966, this weapon has been around for so long, a testament to its accuracy.

Entering service in 1967, the Saco MK19 can hit a target up to 4,900 feet away. This automatic grenade launcher is a feared Marine weapon manufactured by Saco Defense Industries.

The M21 sniper weapon system is a 7.62x51mm NATO semi-automatic sniper rifle with a range of approximately 2,625 ft. It entered service in 1969 and is manufactured by Rock Island Arsenal.

The Mossberg Model 590 is a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun with a range of 130 ft. It entered service in 1975 and is manufactured by O.S. Mossberg & Sons.

The Fabrique Nationale M240 is a 7.62x51mm NATO general-purpose machine gun with a range of 5,905 ft. It entered service in 1977 and is manufactured by FN Manufacturing.

The M202 Flash is a 66mm shoulder-fired incendiary rocket launcher with a range of 66 ft. It entered service in 1978 and is manufactured by State Factories.

The FIM-92 Stinger is an air defense missile system with a range of 15,750 ft. It entered service in 1981 and is manufactured by General Dynamics/Raytheon.

The Fabrique Nationale M249 SAW / LMG is a light machine gun with a range of 2,600 ft. It is available in 5.56x45mm NATO or 7.62x51mm NATO caliber. FN Manufacturing manufactured it, and it entered service in 1984.

The Colt M45 MEU (SOC) is a .45 ACP special forces semi-automatic service pistol with a range of 165 ft. It entered service in 1986 and is manufactured by Colt Manufacturing.

The M136 Light Anti-Armor Weapon (AT4) is an 84mm anti-armor rocket launcher with a range of 985 ft. It entered service in 1987 and is manufactured by Alliant Techsystems.

The SIG-Sauer P228 is a 9x19mm parabellum semi-automatic pistol with a range of 165 ft. It entered service in 1988 and is manufactured by SIG-Sauer.

The Beretta M9 is a 9×19 Parabellum semi-automatic service pistol with a range of 164 ft. It entered service in 1990.

The Colt M16A4 is a 5.56x45mm NATO automatic rifle with a range of 1,968 ft. It entered service in 1990 and is manufactured by Colt Manufacturing.

The M4 Carbine is a 5.56x45mm NATO assault carbine with a range of 1,640 ft. It entered service in 1994 and is manufactured by Colt Manufacturing/Remington Arms.

The FGM-148 Javelin is a 127mm anti-tank guided missile launcher with a range of 8,202 ft. It entered service in 1996 and is manufactured by Raytheon/Lockheed Martin.

The Benelli M4 Super 90 (M1014 JSCS) is a 12-gauge semi-automatic combat shotgun with a range of 164 ft. It entered service in 1999 and is manufactured by Benelli Armi.

The Navy Mark 12 Special Purpose Rifle is a 5.56x45mm NATO designated marksman rifle with a range of 1,640 ft. It entered service in 2002 and is manufactured by Colt Manufacturing/Knights Armament Company.

The Fabrique National Mk 48 is a 7.62x51mm NATO light weight machine gun with a range of 2,624 ft. It entered service in 2003 and is manufactured by Fabrique Nationale.

The M32 MGL is a six-shot grenade launcher. It can launch 40x46mm grenades as far as 1,315 feet. It entered service in 2006 and is manufactured by Milkor USA.

The M110 SASS is a 7.62x51mm NATO designated marksman rifle with a range of 2,624 ft. It entered service in 2007 and is manufactured by Knight's Armament.

The M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle is a 7.62x51mm NATO designated marksman rifle with a range of 2,550 ft. It entered service in 2008 and is manufactured by USMC Armorers.

The Fabrique Nationale FN SCAR (Mk 16 / Mk 17) is an automatic assault rifle with a range of 1,640 ft. It entered service in 2009.

The M320 GLM is a 40x46mm SR grenade launcher with a range of 492 ft. It entered service in 2010 and is manufactured by Heckler & Koch.

The HK M27 IAR is a 5.56x45mm NATO designated marksman rifle with a range of 1,800 ft. It entered service in 2011 and is manufactured by Heckler & Koch.

The Accuracy International Mk 13 is a .300 Winchester Magnum bolt-action sniper rifle with a range of 3,940 ft. This weapon entered service in 2017 and is manufactured by Accuracy International.