What Guns Do the Marines Use?
The United States Marine Corps is a highly skilled and well-equipped fighting force that relies heavily on a range of weapons to achieve its objectives. From rifled muskets to state-of-the-art, technologically advanced firearms, the Marines use a diverse range of weapons to support its operations around the world.
Rifles
Rifles are a crucial part of the Marine’s arsenal and are used in a variety of roles. The Marine Corps issues its riflemen with the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle, a modified version of the M4 carbine used by other branches of the US military. The M27 is designed for close quarters battle (CQB) and can engage targets up to 600 meters (2,000 feet) away. It’s a 5.56mm NATO chambered, gas-powered weapon that has a number of features, including:
- Ergonomic handguard and pistol grip, designed for comfortable and stable shooting
- 6-position collapsible stock, allowing Marines to customize the length of pull to their individual preferences
- Magnetic brass catcher, which simplifies magazine reloads and reduces mess on the battlefield
Other rifles used by the Marines include:
- M4 carbine, a standard issue weapon for many military and law enforcement agencies around the world
- HK 416, a select-fire variant of the civilian Heckler & Koch HK416 civilian rifle, used by certain Marine special operations units
Handguns
Marines are also issued a range of handguns for close-quarters situations, including the M9 Beretta, a compact, recoil-operated 9x19mm pistol. Other handguns used by the Marines include:
- USP M1, a compact version of the SIG Sauer USP sidearm, issued to select Marine personnel
- GLOCK 19, a polymer-frame, recoil-operated pistol chambered in 9x19mm
Machine Guns
The Marine Corps uses a variety of machine guns to support its operations. These weapons include:
- M240 Bravo, a gas-operated machine gun chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO
- M249 SAW, a belt-fed light machine gun chambered in 5.56mm NATO, used to suppress enemy fire and provide a base of fire
- M2.50 Caliber, a recoil-operated machine gun chambered in.50-caliber (12.7x99mm NATO) used to engage hard targets and destroy enemy bunkers
Sniper Rifles
Marine Corps snipers use a variety of sniper rifles to engage high-priority targets. These weapons include:
- M24 Sniper Weapon System, a bolt-action, 7.62x51mm NATO-chambered sniper rifle
- M2010 Sniper Weapon System, a gas-powered,.300 Winchester Magnum-chambered sniper rifle
- HK G28, a 7.62x51mm NATO-chambered gas-powered sniper rifle
Shotguns
Shotguns are used by Marine special operations personnel for certain close-quarters tasks, such as breaching and door-making. The Mossberg 500, a reliable, pump-action shotgun chambered in 12-gauge, is a common weapon used in these roles.
Lethal Weapon Systems (LWS)
Lethal Weapon Systems, or LWS, are specialized, small-arms systems used to engage hardened targets, including bunkers and emplaced anti-aircraft systems. LWS are typically deployed on vehicles and are operated by trained LWS crew members. LWS may be equipped with:
- M136 AT4 anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade
- FIM-92 Stinger air defense missile system
- Raven.50-caliber sniper system
Key Takeaways
• The Marines use a diverse range of weapons to achieve their objectives, including rifles, machine guns, hand guns, sniper rifles, shotguns, and lethality weapons systems
• Many of the Marines’ primary weapons are modifications or variants of weapons used by other branches of the US military, highlighting the shared commonality across services
• Special operations units have access to advanced, precision weapons, while conventional troops rely on battle-tested, reliable firepower
• The Marine Corps places great emphasis on weapons training, ensuring that every Marine can effectively operate a wide range of firearms
