Even 4.5 Miles Away, This Military Gun Never Misses Its Targets

By the end of fiscal 2025, the United States Army plans to field a long-range hypersonic weapon that is capable of flying faster than Mach 5 (approximately 3,836 mph). While this is an exciting development, it comes about two years after originally expected. This is because it took extra time to test the weapon’s safety […] The post Even 4.5 Miles Away, This Military Gun Never Misses Its Targets appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..

Mar 24, 2025 - 18:11

Even 4.5 Miles Away, This Military Gun Never Misses Its Targets

By the end of fiscal 2025, the United States Army plans to field a long-range hypersonic weapon that is capable of flying faster than Mach 5 (approximately 3,836 mph). While this is an exciting development, it comes about two years after originally expected. This is because it took extra time to test the weapon’s safety and efficacy, according to then-Army acquisition chief Doug Bush. Two versions of this long-range weapon will be made. The Army’s version is deemed the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) and will be launched from a mobile ground platform. Alternately, the Navy’s version is deemed the Conventional Prompt Strike and will be launched — as you might expect — from naval vessels. Despite the development of the LRHW running behind schedule, Army officials have stated that this type of weapons development usually lasts around 10 years — and therefore, we could theoretically consider the LRHW ahead of schedule. (These countries have deployed cutting-edge hypersonic missiles.)

Weapons development does require a lengthy and costly process — so, in the meantime, the U.S. military must depend on its tried-and-true weapons that can be used in multiple combat scenarios. Small arms and light weapons are more readily available, easily deployable, and can often be used to fire at long ranges. This allows soldiers to engage with enemy combatants without having to be up-close, potentially preserving their health and safey. But with the military deploying so many weapons, which can shoot the longest ranges and confer the most benefits to soldiers? Here, 24/7 Wall St. set out to identify the longest-range guns that the American military uses in combat. We sourced this information from several places, including firearms publications, military guidelines, government websites, and Military Factory’s Infantry Small Arms section. Additional data, including where the gun originated, its caliber, and its service year were also sourced from Military Factory. The long-range guns below are listed in ascending order, from shortest range to longest range.

This previously published article was updated on March 24, 2025 to reflect the constantly changing geopolitical relationships of the United States and why the guns we use might soon be important to our defense efforts.

Why This Is Important Now

Veterans Day. US soldier. US Army. The United States Armed Forces. American Military

Following Donald Trump winning the presidential election for the second time, America’s connection with the rest of the world has faltered. Trump’s time in office thus far has caused significant tensions with countries around the globe, including (but not limited to) several American military allies. These conflicts include:

Threatening to take over Greenland, a territory currently belonging to NATO ally Denmark
Starting a trade war with Canada (and threatening to turn Canada into the 51st state)
Launching air strikes against Yemeni Houthi rebels
Preparing for a potential war with China

While this is not an exhaustive list, it does highlight how the Trump administration has unsettled the global power structure. The United States could be on the path to start a war — if not with China, there are still numerous possibilities. Should a war arise, the U.S. military would need to rely on the trusted weapons and guns in its arsenal, including many of the long-range weapons on this list.

Here are 37 of the small arms and light weapons with the longest range used by the American military:

37. SIG-Sauer P320

Maximum range: 165 ft
Caliber: 9 mm, .357 SIG, and .40 S&W
Type: Semi-automatic pistol
Country of origin: Switzerland
Military branches used: All branches
Year entered service: 2014

36. Brugger & Thomet APC9 (series)

Maximum range: 330 ft
Caliber: 9 mm
Type: Modular personal defense weapon
Country of origin: Switzerland
Military branches used: Army, Air Force
Year entered service: 2011

35. Heckler & Koch HK MP7

Maximum range: 656 ft
Caliber: 4.6 mm x 30 mm
Type: Submachine gun/machine pistol
Country of origin: Germany
Military branches used: Army, Navy, Coast Guard
Year entered service: 2001

34. Heckler & Koch HK MP5

Maximum range: 660 ft
Caliber: 9 mm
Type: Submachine gun/machine pistol
Country of origin: Germany
Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, USSOCOM
Year entered service: 1966

33. Heckler & Koch HK 416

Maximum range: 985 ft
Caliber: 5.56×45 mm
Type: Assault rifle / tactical carbine weapon
Country of origin: Germany
Military branches used: Marine Corps, Army Delta Force, Naval Special Warfare Development Group (SEAL Team 6)
Year entered service: 2005

32. M136 Light Anti-Armor Weapon (AT4)

Maximum range: 985 ft
Caliber: 84mm
Type: Man-portable, disposable anti-armor rocket launcher
Country of origin: United States
Military branches used: Army, Air Force
Year entered service: 1987

31. Mk14 Mod 0 EBR (Enhanced Battle Rifle)

Maximum range: 1,500 ft
Caliber: 7.62x51mm
Type: Battle rifle / designated marksman rifle
Country of origin: United States
Military branches used: Army, Navy, Coast Guard
Year entered service: 2004

30. Colt M4

Maximum range: 1,640 ft
Caliber: 5.56×45 mm
Type: Assault carbine
Country of origin: United States
Military branches used: All branches
Year entered service: 1994

29. IMI M141 Bunker Defeat Munition (BDM) / SMAW-D

Maximum range: 1,640 ft
Caliber: 83.5mm
Type: Shoulder-launched multi-purpose assault weapon
Country of origin: Israel
Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps
Year entered service: 1984

28. Colt M16 (Series)

Maximum range: 1,800 ft
Caliber: 5.56×45 mm
Type: Infantry assault rifle/assault carbine
Country of origin: United States
Military branches used: Marine Corps, U.S. Navy SEALs
Year entered service: 1963

27. Heckler & Koch HK M27 IAR (Infantry Automatic Rifle)

Maximum range: 1,800 ft
Caliber: 5.56×45 mm
Type: Squad support / designated marksman weapon
Country of origin: United States
Military branches used: Marine Corps
Year entered service: 2011

26. Barrett M107

Maximum range: 1,850 ft
Caliber: .50 BMG
Type: Anti-material / anti-personnel sniper rifle
Country of origin: United States
Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, USSOCOM
Year entered service: 2008

25. Fabrique Nationale FN SCAR (Mk 16 / Mk 17)

Maximum range: 1,980 ft
Caliber: 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm
Type: Modular automatic assault rifle
Country of origin: United States
Military branches used: United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)
Year entered service: 2009

24. MK 20 Mod 0 Sniper Support Rifle

Maximum range: 1,980 ft
Caliber: 7.62x51mm
Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
Country of origin: United States
Military branches used: Army
Year entered service: 2004

23. M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle (EMR)

Maximum range: 2,550 ft
Caliber: 7.62x51mm
Type: Designated marksman rifle/sniper rifle
Country of origin: United States
Military branches used: Marines
Year entered service: 2008

22. Fabrique Nationale M249 SAW / LMG

Maximum range: 2,600 ft
Caliber: 5.56×45 mm
Type: Light machine gun/squad support weapon
Country of origin: United States
Military branches used: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines
Year entered service: 1984

21. M110 SASS (Semi-Automatic Sniper System)

Maximum range: 2,624 ft
Caliber: 7.62x51mm
Type: Designated marksman rifle/sniper rifle
Country of origin: United States
Military branches used: Amy, Marines, SOCOM
Year entered service: 2007

20. Remington M24 SWS (Sniper Weapon System)

Maximum range: 2,624 ft
Caliber: 7.62x51mm
Type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
Country of origin: United States
Military branches used: Army, Air Force, USSOCOM
Year entered service: 1987

19. Heckler & Koch HK 417

Maximum range: 2,625 ft
Caliber: 7.62x51mm
Type: Battle rifle / designated marksman rifle
Country of origin: Germany
Military branches used: Joint Special Operations Command, Army, and Navy
Year entered service: 2006

18. General Electric GAU-17/A Minigun

Maximum range: 3,280 ft
Caliber: 7.62mm x 51mm
Type: Six-barrel Gatling gun
Country of origin: United States
Military branches used: Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy
Year entered service: 1965

17. Saco M60

Maximum range: 3,280 ft
Caliber: 7.62mm x 51mm
Type: General purpose machine gun
Country of origin: United States
Military branches used: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, USSOCOM
Year entered service: 1957