From Rifles to Rockets, These Are the 32 Weapons Navy SEALs Use Daily

What does a former Navy SEAL do after they retire? Some retired SEALs are using their extensive knowledge of the oceans to repurpose their work for conservation. Navy SEALs are some of the best-trained divers in the world, and that skill can be used to help the world’s oceans. Force Blue is a veterans’ nonprofit organization involved in ocean conservation and coral reef restoration. Force Blue hires retired SEALS to do conservation work, such as cleaning marine debris or building rubble barriers.

The Navy SEALs are known as one of America’s most exceptional and highly trained military groups. The SEALs were formed in 1962 with the goals of conducting clandestine operations, counter-guerrilla warfare, and other unconventional missions. Today, the SEALs still engage in unconventional warfare and complete missions across all types of dangerous terrain. To operate effectively, the SEALs rely on the most up-to-date and technologically advanced weapons and equipment. (Also check out 20 incredible facts about the U.S. Navy.)

24/7 Wall St. compiled a list of the 32 weapons that are used every day by the Navy SEALs by reviewing MilitaryFactory’s catalog of Navy SEALs Weapons. We removed weapons that are similar to each other and guns that are believed to no longer be in use by the SEALs. We included data on the type of weapon and maximum effective range, also from MilitaryFactory.

(This article was updated on April 3, 2025, to reflect recent news regarding veteran NAVY SEALs’ work with ocean conservation groups.)

Why We Are Talking About This Now

When Navy SEALS retire, their former ocean skills can be used for other purposes. Today, a group of veterans is helping with ocean conservation. Because the world’s oceans cover over 70% of planet Earth, the U.S. military requires a special group of armed forces dedicated to the seas. Naval forces navigate our vast oceans, transporting weapons and machinery to other areas of the globe. Among the men and women in the US. Navy, it is perhaps the Navy SEALs who are most effective.

Here are the 32 weapons that see everyday use in the Navy SEALS:

1. Barrett M82

• Year entered service: 1982
• Type: anti-material rifle
• Maximum effective range: 1,850 ft.

2. General Electric GAU-17/A Minigun

• Year entered service: 1965
• Type: six-barrel gatling gun
• Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft.

3. Mossberg Model 590

• Year entered service: 1975
• Type: pump-action shotgun
• Maximum effective range: 130 ft.

4. Hawk MM-1 MGL

• Year entered service: 1980
• Type: automatic grenade launcher
• Maximum effective range: 740 ft.

5. ST Kinetics Ultimax 100

• Year entered service: 1982
• Type: light machine gun
• Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft.

6. Smith & Wesson Model 686

• Year entered service: 1981
• Type: six-shot revolver
• Maximum effective range: 300 ft.

7. Navy Mark 12 Special Purpose Rifle

• Year entered service: 2002
• Type: designated marksman rifle 
• Maximum effective range: 1,800 ft.

8. M136 Light Anti-Armor Weapon (AT4)

• Year entered service: 1987
• Type: anti-armor rocket launcher
• Maximum effective range: 985 ft.

9. M72 LAW

• Year entered service: 1963
• Type: anti-tank rocket launcher
• Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.

10. Kalashnikov AKSU-74

• Year entered service: 1983
• Type: Soviet submachine gun
• Maximum effective range: 656 ft.

11. Accuracy International AW50

• Year entered service: 1999
• Type: anti-materiel rifle
• Maximum effective range: 4,921 ft.

12. Colt M45 MEU

• Year entered service: 1986
• Type: ACP semi-automatic pistol
• Maximum effective range: 165 ft.

13. Saco M60E3

• Year entered service: 1986
• Type: light machine gun
• Maximum effective range: 3,600 ft.

14. FIM-92 Stinger

• Year entered service: 1981
• Type: air defense missile system
• Maximum effective range: 15,750 ft.

15. Remington M24 SWS

• Year entered service: 1987
• Type: bolt-action sniper rifle
• Maximum effective range: 2,624 ft.

16. Heckler & Koch HK MP5K

• Year entered service: 1991
• Type: parabellum submachine gun
• Maximum effective range: 656 ft.

17. SIG-Sauer P228

• Year entered service: 1988
• Type: parabellum semi-automatic pistol
• Maximum effective range: 165 ft.

18. Beretta M9

• Year entered service: 1990
• Type: parabellum semi-automatic pistol
• Maximum effective range: 164 ft.

19. Colt M16A4

• Year entered service: 1990
• Type: assault rifle
• Maximum effective range: 1,968 ft.

20. Colt M4

• Year entered service: 1994
• Type: assault carbine
• Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.

21. FGM-148 Javelin

• Year entered service: 1996
• Type: anti-tank guided missile launcher
• Maximum effective range: 8,202 ft.

22. Heckler & Koch HK GMG

• Year entered service: 1996
• Type: automatic grenade launcher
• Maximum effective range: 5,000 ft.

23. Heckler & Koch Mk23 Mod 0

• Year entered service: 1996
• Type: ACP semi-automatic pistol
• Maximum effective range: 82 ft.

24. Accuracy International Mk13

• Year entered service: 2017
• Type: .300 Winchester magnum bolt-action sniper rifle
• Maximum effective range: 3,940 ft.

25. M32 MGL

• Year entered service: 2006
• Type: six-shot grenade launcher
• Maximum effective range: 1,315 ft.

26. Benelli M4 Super 90

• Year entered service: 1999
• Type:  semi-automatic shotgun
• Maximum effective range: 164 ft.

27. McMillan TAC-50

• Year entered service: 2000
• Type: anti-materiel rifle
• Maximum effective range: 6,561 ft.

28. Fabrique National Mk 48 LWMG

• Year entered service: 2003
• Type: light weight machine gun
• Maximum effective range: 2,624 ft.

29. Mk 14 Mod 0 EBR

• Year entered service: 2004
• Type: designated marksman rifle
• Maximum effective range: 1,500 ft.

30. Barrett M107

• Year entered service: 2008
• Type: anti-personnel sniper rifle
• Maximum effective range: 1,850 ft.

31. M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle

• Year entered service: 2008
• Type: designated marksman rifle
• Maximum effective range: 2,550 ft.

32. AirTronic PSRL-1

• Year entered service: 2009
• Type: anti-personnel shoulder-fired rocket launcher
• Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.

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