The Battle-Tested Guns Army Rangers Still Trust From Vietnam to Today

Army Rangers are among the most elite forces in the U.S. military, and the weapons they rely on reflect that level of performance. From Vietnam to modern special operations, their firearms have evolved to meet changing battlefield demands, combining proven reliability with advanced capabilities.

These are weapons built for real combat, chosen for their accuracy, durability, and effectiveness in high-risk missions. From rifles and machine guns to specialized platforms, each one plays a role in maintaining the Rangers’ edge in the field. Here’s a look at the guns Army Rangers have trusted from Vietnam to today.

• Weapon type: Anti-armor / anti-personnel should-fired rocket launcher
• Year entered service: 2009
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: AirTronic
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 40mm, Single-shot; reusable launch tube
• Firing action: Single-shot
• Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.

• Weapon type: Anti-materiel / anti-personnel sniper rifle
• Year entered service: 2008
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Barrett Firearms Company
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: .50 BMG (12.7x99mm NATO), 10-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Recoil operated, rotating bolt, semi-automatic
• Maximum effective range: 1,850 ft.

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

• Weapon type: Heavy machine gun
• Year entered service: 1921
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Saco Defense Industries
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: .50 BMG, 12.7x99mm NATO, 110-round metallic link belt
• Firing action: automatic short recoil-operated, air-cooled
• Maximum effective range: 6,560 ft.

• Weapon type: Man-portable, shoulder-fired multirole weapon
• Year entered service: 2014
• Country of origin: Sweden
• Manufacturer: Saab Technologies
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 70mm, Single-shot
• Firing action: Trigger-actuated
• Maximum effective range: 1,600 ft.

• Weapon type: Breech-loading under-barrel grenade launcher
• Year entered service: 1969
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Colf Defense; AAI Corporation; Airtronic
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 40x46mm grenade, Single-shot
• Firing action: Single-shot
• Maximum effective range: 480 ft.

• Weapon type: Assault rifle
• Year entered service: 1983
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Colt Defense
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO, 30-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Gas-operated; semi-automatic; select-fire
• Maximum effective range: 1,969 ft.

• Weapon type: Automatic assault rifle
• Year entered service: 1990
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Colt Manufacturing
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 5.56×45 NATO, 30-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Gas-operated, semi-automatic, select fire
• Maximum effective range: 1,968 ft.

• Weapon type: Semi-automatic service pistol
• Year entered service: 1911
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Colt Firearms
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: .45 ACP, 7-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Single-action; short recoil-operated
• Maximum effective range: 82 ft.

• Weapon type: Assault carbine
• Year entered service: 1994
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Colt Manufacturing / Remington Arms
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO, 20- or 30-round detachable box
• Firing action: Gas-operated; semi/full-automatic; locking bolt
• Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.

• Weapon type: Special forces semi-automatic service pistol
• Year entered service: 1986
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Colt Manufacturing
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: .45 ACP, 7-round box magazine
• Firing action: Semi-automatic; recoil-operated
• Maximum effective range: 165 ft.

• Weapon type: Carbine rifle with special forces modification kit
• Year entered service: 1993
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Colt Firearms / Knights Armament
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO, 30-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Gas-operated; rotating bolt
• Maximum effective range: 1,968 ft.

• Weapon type: Automatic assault rifle
• Year entered service: 2009
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Fabrique Nationale
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x51mm NATO, 20-(mk 17) or 30-round (mk 16) box magazine
• Firing action: Gas-operated; rotating bolt
• Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.

• Weapon type: General purpose machine gun
• Year entered service: 1977
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: FN Manufacturing
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, Disintegrating metal link feed of various counts
• Firing action: Gas-operated; open-bolt; belt-fed; full-automatic
• Maximum effective range: 5,905 ft.

• Weapon type: Light machine gun
• Year entered service: 1984
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: FN Manufacturing
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x51mm NATO, 30-round detachable box; 200-round metal link belt
• Firing action: Gas-operated; open bolt
• Maximum effective range: 2,600 ft.

• Weapon type: Light weight machine gun
• Year entered service: 2003
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Fabrique Nationale
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO, Disintegrating Belt Feed
• Firing action: Gas-operated; open bolt; full-automatic
• Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.

• Weapon type: Light weight machine gun
• Year entered service: 2003
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Fabrique Nationale
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, Disintegrating belt
• Firing action: Gas-operated; open bolt; belt-fed
• Maximum effective range: 2,624 ft.

• Weapon type: Anti-tank guided missile launcher
• Year entered service: 1996
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Raytheon / Lockheed Martin
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 127mm, Single-shot, reusable launcher
• Firing action: Imaging infrared, impact force solid fuel rocket
• Maximum effective range: 8,202 ft.

• Weapon type: Man-portable air defense missile system
• Year entered service: 1981
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: General Dynamics / Raytheon
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 70mm, Single-shot
• Firing action: Shoulder-launcheed, infrared homing portable surface-to-air missile system
• Maximum effective range: 15,750 ft.

• Weapon type: Automatic grenade launcher
• Year entered service: 2006
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: General Dynamics
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 40x53mm, Belt-fed
• Firing action: Short-recoil; belt-fed
• Maximum effective range: 5,600 ft.

• Weapon type: Semi-automatic service pistol
• Year entered service: 1988
• Country of origin: Austria
• Manufacturer: Glock
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 9×19 parabellum, 15-round detachable box
• Firing action: Short-recoil / double-action
• Maximum effective range: 165 ft.

• Weapon type: Designated marksman rifle
• Year entered service: 2006
• Country of origin: Germany
• Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, 10- or 20-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Gas-operated; semi-automatic
• Maximum effective range: 2,000 ft.

• Weapon type: Squad support weapon
• Year entered service: 1941
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Cranston Arms Company
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 30-06 Springfield, 25-round detachable box
• Firing action: Short recoil operated, single-shot, full-automatic
• Maximum effective range: 2,300 ft.

• Weapon type: Designated marksman rifle
• Year entered service: 2007
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Knight's Armament
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, 10- or 20-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Gas-operated, rotating bolt
• Maximum effective range: 2,624 ft.

• Weapon type: Man-portable disposable anti-armor rocket launcher
• Year entered service: 1987
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Alliant TechSystems
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 84mm, Single-shot
• Firing action: Self-contained recoilless rifle
• Maximum effective range: 985 ft.

• Weapon type: Six-shot grenade launcher
• Year entered service: 2006
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Milkor
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 40x46mm, Six-shot non-removable rotating cylinder
• Firing action: Spring-driven rotating cylinder
• Maximum effective range: 1,315 ft.

• Weapon type: Portable anti-infantry / anti-armor weapon
• Year entered service: 1963
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: State Factories
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 90mm, Single-shot
• Firing action: Recoilless, reusable launch tube
• Maximum effective range: 5,576 ft.

• Weapon type: Disposable anti-tank rocket launcher
• Year entered service: 1963
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Talley Industries
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 66mm, Single shot disposable tube
• Firing action: Single-shot; disposable tube
• Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.

• Weapon type: Single-shot grenade launcher
• Year entered service: 1961
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Various contractors
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 40x46mm, Single shot
• Firing action: Single-shot, breech-loaded; reusable
• Maximum effective range: 1,150 ft.

• Weapon type: Sniper rifle
• Year entered service: 2005
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: McMillan Tactical Products
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: .338 Lapua Magnum, .338 Norma Magnum, 5-round magazine
• Firing action: Manually-actuated bolt action
• Maximum effective range: 5,250 ft.

• Weapon type: Designated marksman rifle
• Year entered service: 2004
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Smith Enterprises
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, 20-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Gas-operated, rotating bolt, semi-automatic
• Maximum effective range: 1,500 ft.

• Weapon type: Pump-action shotgun
• Year entered service: 1975
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: O.S. Mossberg & Sons
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 12-gauge, 6-, 8-, or 9-round tubular magazine
• Firing action: Pump-action slide
• Maximum effective range: 130 ft.

• Weapon type: Sniper rifle / designated marksman rifle
• Year entered service: 2002
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Colt Firearms
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO, 20- or 30-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Gas-operated, rotating bolt
• Maximum effective range: 1,800 ft.

• Weapon type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
• Year entered service: 1983
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Jerry Haskins / Research Armament
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 12.7x99mm NATO, 7.62x51mm NATO, 8.58x71mm, 4- or 5-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Manually-actuated bolt-action system
• Maximum effective range: 4,265 ft.

• Weapon type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
• Year entered service: 1987
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Remington Arms
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO; .338 Lapua Magnum, 5-round internal magazine / 5- or 10-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Manually-operated bolt-action
• Maximum effective range: 2,624 ft.

• Weapon type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
• Year entered service: 1966
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Remington Arms
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, .308 Winchester, 5-round integral box magazine, 5-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Bolt-action, rotating bolt
• Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft.

• Weapon type: General purpose machine gun
• Year entered service: 1957
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Saco Defense
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, Disintegrating link belt of various counts
• Firing action: Gas-operated open bolt
• Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft.

• Weapon type: Light machine gun
• Year entered service: 1986
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Saco Defense
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, 100-round disintegrating link belt
• Firing action: Air-cooled, gas-operated, disintegrating metallic link-belt
• Maximum effective range: 3,600 ft.

• Weapon type: 40mm automatic grenade launcher
• Year entered service: 1967
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Saco Defense Industries
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 40x53mm, Belt-fed
• Firing action: Self-powered, air-cooled, belt-fed, blowback-operated
• Maximum effective range: 4,500 ft.

• Weapon type: Semi-automatic handgun
• Year entered service: 1984
• Country of origin: Switzerland
• Manufacturer: SIG-Sauer
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 9×19 parabellum, 12-, 13-, 15-, 17-, 18-, or 20-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Semi-automatic; short-recoil; double-action
• Maximum effective range: 165 ft.

• Weapon type: Semi-automatic service pistol
• Year entered service: 1988
• Country of origin: Switzerland
• Manufacturer: SIG-Sauer
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 9×19 parabellum, 13-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Semi-automatic; recoil-operated
• Maximum effective range: 165 ft.

• Weapon type: Light machine gun
• Year entered service: 1982
• Country of origin: Singapore
• Manufacturer: Chartered Industries of Singapore
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 5.56x45mm NATO, 20- or 30-round box magazine or 100-round drum
• Firing action: Gas-operated; rotating bolt
• Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft.

• Weapon type: Semi-automatic pistol
• Year entered service: 1974
• Country of origin: Austria
• Manufacturer: Steyr-Daimler-Puch
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 9×19 parabellum, 18-round box
• Firing action: Delayed-blowback
• Maximum effective range: 147 ft.

• Weapon type: Designated marksman rifle
• Year entered service: 1990
• Country of origin: United States
• Manufacturer: Knights Armament
• Caliber of ammunition and feed: 7.62x51mm NATO, 10- or 20-round detachable box magazine
• Firing action: Gas-operated; rotating bolt; semi-automatic
• Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.