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12 Gauge Shotgun
History: Various models of shotgun have been in service use since 1901. The current
inventory consists of four different 12 gauge shotgun models: Remington 870,
Winchester 1200, Mossberg 500, and Mossberg 590 (weight and length of the weapon
depend on the manufacturer.
General Characteristics:
General Characteristics:
Background: The M16A2 rifle is a product improvement of the M16A1 rifle. The
improvements are:
Description: The M14 7.62 mm rifle is a magazine-fed, gas operated shoulder weapon,
designed primarily for semi-automatic fire. It was the standard service rifle until it was
replaced in the late 1960s by the 5.56mm M16A1 rifle.
History: At one time the standard issued rifle for Marines, the M14 is now used
primarily in the Competition in Arms program, or for drill and ceremonial purposes. The
M16 replaced the M14 as the Table of Organization rifle for the Marine Corps during the
Vietnam War.
General Characteristics:
The M1911A1 was widely respected for its reliability and lethality. However, its single
action/cocked and locked design required the user to be very familiar and well-trained to
allow carrying the pistol in the "ready-to-fire" mode. Consequently, M1911A1s were
often prescribed to be carried without a round in the chamber. Even with this restriction
on the user, numerous unintentional discharges were documented yearly.
History: The M1911A1 had been the standard handgun issued to Marines for many
decades. Selected weapons were modified in the 1980s to meet the requirements of the
MEU(SOC) in lieu of arming them with the M9 9mm pistol.
General Characteristics:
Description: The Browning M2 .50 Caliber Machine Gun, Heavy barrel is an automatic,
recoil operated, air-cooled machine gun with adjustable headspace and is crew
transportable with limited amounts of ammunition over short distances. By repositioning
some of the component parts, ammunition may be fed from either the left or right side. A
disintegrating metallic link-belt is used to feed the ammunition into the weapon. This gun
is has a back plate with spade grips, trigger, and bolt latch release. This gun may be
mounted on ground mounts and most vehicles as an anti-personnel and anti-aircraft
weapon. The gun is equipped with leaf-type rear sight, flash suppressor and a spare barrel
assembly. Associated components are the M63 antiaircraft mount and the M3 tripod
mount.
General Characteristics:
Description: The M203 40mm Grenade Launcher is used while attached to an M16A2
5.56mm rifle. It is a lightweight, compact, breech loading, pump action, single shot
launcher. The launcher consists of a hand guard and sight assembly with an adjustable
metallic folding, short-range blade sight assembly, and an aluminum receiver assembly
which houses the barrel latch, barrel stop and firing mechanism. The launcher is capable
of firing a variety of low velocity 40mm ammunition.
The launcher also has a quadrant sight which may be attached to the M16A2 carrying
handle and is used when precision is required out to the maximum effective range of the
weapon.
History: The M203 was designed and procured as the replacement for the M79 grenade
launcher of the Vietnam era.
General Characteristics:
History: : Introduced in 1988 as the Army's designated sniper weapon system, the M24
SWS the first bolt action rifle to see dedicated service with the US Army since the .30-06
caliber Springfield Model 1903. With the withdrawl of the Springfield 03 during the
Second World War, all army sniping activities have been carried out, more or less, with
either scoped regular-issue rifles (in the case of the M1C and M1D) or match-grade
variants of issue rifles (as in the case of the M21 sniper rifle.)
While the use of issue rifles has eased the logistical demands on the army supply system,
the use of semi-automatic rifles for sniping applications is not with out serious
drawbacks. Although the M21 is a very accurate weapon, it is not designed to stand up to
battlefield abuse. The wood stock was subject to warping, the gas operating system was
subject to fouling and contamination, and because the weapon was semi-automatic there
was no way to ensure every round was chambered in exactly the same way. All of these
conditions could grossly affect the accuracy of the rifle beyond 500 yards.
In light for these limitations, the Army initiated a program in the 70's to re-introduce a
bolt-action sniper rifle to its inventory. Eventually, the weapon the Army settled on was
the M24 bolt-action rifle. Chambered for 7.62mm NATO (.308 Winchester) the M24 is
based on the Remington Arms 700 action and is very similar to the civilian 40X target
rifle and the Marine Corp's M40 series rifle.
As with the M40, the M24 utilizes a custom-built fiberglass stock but with an adjustable
cheek pad as well as an adjustable pad on the butt stock to adjust length of pull. Both
utilize an internal 5 round magazine, are scoped, and are adaptable to the use of night
vision devices and weapon scopes. The greatest difference between the two is the fact
that the M40 is a "short" action and the M24 is a "long" action. The reason for this
difference is the Army ultimately wanted to adopt a more powerful .30 caliber cartridge
(such as the .300 Winchester Magnum) which would require the "long" action to extract
the larger cartridges in its re-chambered sniper rifles.
Description: The M24 Sniper Weapon System is a bolt-action rifle chambered to fire
7.62mm NATO (currently either the M118 Special Ball Cartridge or the M852 Match
Cartridge, though it can fire any standard NATO 7.62mm cartridge.) The Kevlar-
reinforced fiberglass stock is custom built by HS Precision and incorporates an adjustable
cheek pad and as well as an adjustable pad on the butt stock to adjust length of pull. The
24" barrel is bolted to the full-length aluminum bedding block in the stock to reduce
vibration and loss of zero. The scope is a Leupold & Stevens Mk. IV M3A day telescope
and is mounted on the rifle using Mk. IV rings and base.
General Characteristics:
Function: Deter, and if necessary, compel adversaries by enabling individuals and small
units to engage targets with accurate, lethal, direct automatic fire.
Description: The M240B is a general-purpose machine gun. It can be mounted on a
bipod, tripod, aircraft, or vehicle. The M240B is a belt-fed, air-cooled, gas-operated, fully
automatic machine gun that fires from the open bolt position. This reliable 7.62mm
machine gun delivers more energy to the target than the smaller caliber M-249 SAW. It is
being issued to infantry, armor, combat engineer, special force/rangers, and selected field
artillery units that require medium support fires and will replace the ground-mounted M-
60 series machine guns currently in use.
General Characteristics:
Description: The M240G Machine Gun is the ground version of the original
M240/M240E1, 7.62mm medium class weapon designed as a coaxial/pintle mounted
machine gun for tanks and light armored vehicles. The rate of fire may be controlled by
three different regulator settings. The M240G is modified for ground use by the
installation of an "infantry modification kit," comprised of a flash suppressor, front sight,
carrying handle for the barrel, a buttstock, infantry length pistol grip, bipod, and rear
sight assembly. While possessing many of the same basic characteristics as the M60
series medium class machine guns, the durability of the M240 system results in superior
reliability and maintainability when compared to the M60.
Background: The Marine Corps is replacing the M60E3 with the M240G. The ground
version of the M240 allows for a common medium machine gun throughout the Marine
Corps.
General Characteristics:
Background: The SAW was developed through an initially Army-led research and
development effort and eventually a Joint NDO program in the late 1970s/early 1980s to
restore sustained and accurate automatic weapons fire to the fire team and squad. When
actually fielded in the mid-1980s, the SAW was issued as a one-for-one replacement for
the designated "automatic rifle" (M16A1) in the Fire Team. In this regard, the SAW filled
the void created by the retirement of the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) during the
1950s because interim automatic weapons (e.g. M-14E2/M16A1) had failed as viable
"base of fire" weapons. Early in the SAW's fielding, the Army identified the need for a
Product Improvement Program (PIP) to enhance the weapon. This effort resulted in a
"PIP kit" which modifies the barrel, handguard, stock, pistol grip, buffer, and sights.
General Characteristics:
Background: Originally developed by the 10th Special Forces Group at Ft. Devens, the
M25 was built as a joint services system, meeting the needs of both Army SF and Navy
SEAL sniper teams for a semi-automatic sniper rifle built on the same lines as the match
grade M14 and M21 semi-automatic rifles. The M25 is not a replacement for existing
bolt-action rifles, such as the Army's M24 and the Marine Corps' M40A3, but rather the
M25 is intended to serve as a sniper support weapon for the sniper team observer. The
M25 will provide the sniper observer with a more effective support weapon than the
M16/M203, capable of delivering very accurate fire out to 500 meters. In addition, the
M25 will fill a mission specific role as an urban area sniper rifle, where ranges are
limited and high rate of fire is the primary concern. Chambered for 7.62mm NATO (.308
Winchester) the M25 is capable of firing any 7.62mm ammunition, though it was
designed to fire the same ammunition (M118 and M852 Match and Special Ball
ammunition) that the M40A3 and the M24 currently fire.
Description: Physically, the M25 is very similar in appearance to the M14/M21 semi-
automatic rifle. The M25 uses National Match grade components, to include barrel,
receiver, trigger assembly and spring guide, and a custom built gas cylinder. The barrel is
glass bedded to a synthetic McMillan stock and the Advanced Scope Mounting System is
manufactured by Brookfield Precision Tool. The M25 has been equipped with a number
of scopes, to include the Bausch & Lomb10x Tactical scope, the Leupold Ultra MK4
series (M1 and M3)as well as the Leupold VariX-III LR M3.
General Characteristics:
Function: Deter, and if necessary, compel adversaries by enabling individuals and small
units to engage targets with accurate, lethal, direct fire.
Description: A compact version of the M16A2 rifle, with a collapsible stock, a flat-top
upper receiver accessory rail and a detachable handle/rear aperture site assembly. The M4
enables a soldier operating in close quarters to engage targets at extended range with
accurate, lethal fire. It achieves more than 85 percent commonality with the M16A2 rifle
and will replace all .45 caliber M3 submachine guns, selected M9 pistols, and M16 series
rifles.
General Characteristics:
History: Introduced in 1966 the M40 sniper rifle is the precursor to all modern American
military sniper weapons. Before the M40 was introduced, sniping functions were
performed by battle rifles that had been adapted (match grade components and barrel,
quality optics) for the purpose. The original M40 rifles were military grade Remington
Model 700 bolt action rifles chambered to fire the NATO 7.62mm (.308 Winchester)
cartridge and built to Marine Corps specifications and delivered in 1966.
By the mid 1970's the weaknesses of the original M40 had become evident and the
Marine Corps initiated a program to refurbish and improve the M40. Designated the
M40A1, the improved rifle incorporated a fiberglass stock, which not only made the rifle
lighter and more durable but also made the rifle far less susceptible to atmospheric
influences such as temperature and humidity. In addition, the rifle's original scope was
replaced by one custom built for USMC sniping applications. This refurbishing was
performed completely "in house" by Corps armorers at the Quantico Armory.
The M40A1 underwent another upgrade in the late 1990's, and was re-designated the
M40A3. The M40A3 is still based on the Remington 700 action, though many of its
components are after market (non-Remington), and custom built. The M40A3 retains the
same optical sight as was built for and used on the A1, and the new fiberglass stock is
adjustable for length of pull and is equipped with an adjustable cheek pad. In addition,
the M40A3 is the first USMC sniper rifle to incorporate an attached bi-pod. As A1's
rotate through the Quantico Armory they will be upgraded to the A3 standard.
Description: The original M40 was a direct adaptation of the Remington 700/40XB
match-grade target rifle fitted with a Redfield 3-9x accu-range variable power scope, and
chambered to fire the NATO 7.62mm cartridge (.308 Winchester.)
The M40A1 saw the introduction of the McMillan fiberglass stock and replaced the
Redfield scope and mounting ring set with a 10x scope custom built for the Marine Corps
by Unertl. The M40A3 replaces the original McMillan fiberglass stock with the newer
McMillan A4 model, which incorporates adjustable length of pull and cheek pad. The
original trigger and Unertl base assembly has been replaced by ones custom built by D.
D. Ross, while the Unertl scope mounting rings have been replaced by ones
manufactured by G &G Machine. The A3 also incorporates a Harris bipod and accessory
rail, which is also manufactured by G &G Machine.
Though the M40 series rifles are capable of firing any NATO 7.62mm (.308 Winchester)
round, the Marine Corps has developed the M118LR cartridge for sniping applications.
General Characteristics:
Description: The M-60 series general purpose machine gun is a light weight, belt fed,
gas operated, air cooled weapon with fixed headspace and timing to allow for the rapid
exchange of barrels during sustained firing situations. The M-60 can be carried and
operated by one individual, though it is common practice to assign the weapon to a fire
team (gunner and assistant gunner, who carries an additional barrel and ammunition). The
M-60 is equipped with an integral bipod assembly which can be used to stabilize the
weapon during offensive operations. Optionally, the M-60 can be set up on a tripod for
increased stability and long range accuracy. In addition to the basic M-60 there are two
variant models; the M-60 C/D (for use on helicopters) and the M-60E3, a lighter version
of the basic model used by the Marine Corps and U.S. Special Operations Forces.
General Characteristics:
History: Procured by the U.S. Army during the Gulf War for combat engineers
performing explosive ordnance disposal operations, the Barrett M82A1 Special
Application Scoped Rifle (SASR) soon began to see service with Special Operations
Forces as a long-range counter sniper and anti-materiel weapon. Since the Gulf War, the
M82A1 has been replaced by the bolt action M95 caliber .50 rifle for use in engineer
EOD operations, yet remains in service with SOF and peacekeeping forces as a counter-
sniper, anti-material weapon.
To keep the felt recoil to a minimum, the M82A1 utilizes the short recoil principle
developed by John Browning, which diffuses the recoil energy over a longer period of
time. To further reduce recoil, the rifle barrel is equipped with a double-chambered
muzzle brake, which redirects expended cartridge gasses to the sides and rear of the
muzzle.
Though the primary round for the M82A1 is the Raufoss Grade A match-grade multi-
purpose cartridge, the M82A1 can fire all types of caliber .50 BMG ammunition, with the
exception of the M903 SLAP (Saboted, Light Armor Penetrator) and the M962 SLAPT
(Saboted, Light Armor Penetrator- Tracer.)
General Characteristics:
General Characteristics:
Description: This weapon is a modified M1911A1 .45 caliber pistol sometimes referred
to as "near match" or "combat accuratized." The MEU(SOC) Pistol is the designated
"backup weapon" of Marines armed with the 9mm MP5-N Close Quarters Battle weapon.
The M1911A1 was chosen for this role (and its modifications generated) because of its
inherent reliability and lethality, and because the MEU(SOC) modifications make the
M1911A1 design more "user friendly." The unique characteristics of the MEU(SOC)
pistol are: commercial/competition grade ambidextrous safety, precision barrel, precise
trigger, and rubber coated grips, rounded hammer spur, high profile combat sights, and an
extra-wide grip safety for increased comfort and controllability (which aids in a quick
follow-up second shot). The issue magazines are replaced with stainless steel
competition-grade magazines with rounded plastic follower and extended floor plate.
Background: The weapon modifications were designed in 1986 to meet the requirements
of the MEU(SOC). Each pistol is hand-built by specially trained armorers at the Rifle
Team Equipment (RTE) shop, Quantico, Virginia.
General Characteristics:
Builder: Specially trained armorers at the Rifle Team Equipment (RTE) Shop, MCB
Quantico, Virginia
Length: 8.625 inches (21.91 centimeters)
Length of Barrel: 5.03 inches (12.78 centimeters)
Weight: Magazine empty: 2.5 pounds (1.14 kilograms)
Magazine loaded: 3.0 pounds (1.36 kilograms)
Bore Diameter: .45 caliber
Maximum Effective Range: 164 feet (50 meters) for specially-trained user
Magazine Capacity: Seven rounds
Muzzle Velocity: 830 feet/252 meters/second
Unit Replacement Cost: $600
MK19 40mm Machine Gun
Background: The MK19 was originally developed to provide the U.S. Navy with an
effective riverine patrol weapon in Vietnam. A Product Improvement Program was
initiated in the late 1970s resulting in the MK19 Mod 3.
General Characteristics:
Description: The MP5-N fires from a closed and locked bolt in either the automatic or
semiautomatic modes. This gun is recoil operated and has a unique delayed roller locked
bolt system, a retractable butt stock, a removable suppressor, and illuminating flashlight
integral to the forward handguard. The flashlight is operated by a pressure switch custom
fitted to the pistol grip. This is the same basic weapon used by the FBI's Hostage Rescue
Team and other world-class counter-terrorist organizations.
The present inventory includes both suppressed and non-suppressed versions of the MP5.
The basic configuration of this weapon makes for an ideal size, weight,and capable
(accuracy, lethality, reliability, etc.) close quarters battle weapon system.
Background: This weapon is manufactured by Heckler and Koch and is presently fielded
to Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance Companies and Marine Security Force Battalions.
It is currently considered the main weapon in the close quarters battle (CQB)
environment.
General Characteristics:
Mission: To destroy bunkers and other fortifications during assault operations (as well as
other designated targets with the dual mode rocket), and destroy main battle tanks with
the HEAA rocket.
The SMAW MK153 Mod 0 launcher is based on the Israeli B-300 and consists of the
launch tube, the spotting rifle, the firing mechanism, and mounting brackets. The launch
tube is fiberglass/epoxy with a gel coat on the bore. The spotting rifle is a British design
and is mounted on the right side of the launch tube. The firing mechanism mechanically
fires the spotting rifle and uses a magneto to fire the rocket. The mounting brackets
connect the components and provide the means for boresighting the weapon. The encased
rockets are loaded at the rear of the launcher. The spotting cartridges are stored in a
magazine in the cap of the encased rocket.
History: The SMAW system (launcher, ammunition and logistics support) was fielded in
1984 as a Marine Corps unique system. At that time, the SMAW included the MK153
Mod 0 launcher, the MK3 Mod 0 HEDP encased rocket, the MK4 Mod 0 practice rocket
and the MK217 Mod 0 9mm spotting cartridge. The MK6 Mod 0 encased HEAA rocket
is being added to the inventory. The MOD 0 has demonstrated several shortcomings. A
series of modifications is currently planned to address the deficiencies. They include a
resleeving process for bubbled launch tubes, rewriting/drafting operator and technical
manuals, a kit that will reduce environmental intrusion into the trigger mechanism, and
an optical sight modification to allow the new HEAA rocket to be used effectively
against moving armor targets. Recently fielded were new boresight bracket kits that,
when installed, will solve the loss of boresight problem between launch tube and spotting
rifle. During Desert Storm, 150 launchers and 5,000 rockets were provided to the U.S.
Army. Since then, the Army has shown increased interest in the system.
General Characteristics:
Function: All 7.62-mm Kalashnikov assault rifles are very dependable weapons. They
produce a high volume of fire and are simple to maintain and produce.
Description: The "Avtomat Kalashnikova model 1947 g." or AK-47 is a gun designed by
Mikhail Kalashnikov and produced by LZh, widely used by the USSR armed forces from
the 1950s through the 1980s. It is classified as an assault rifle, a mid-caliber rifle (7.62
mm, which is approximately equal to .30 caliber) that can be fired semi-automatically, or
in fully-automatic bursts. It is intentionally smaller and shorter-ranged than WWII battle
rifles.
The AK47 was cheap, light to carry, and easy to clean and repair in the field. It was
mostly reliable but the ejector pin sometimes broke. Derivative designs replaced the AK-
47 during the 1980s.
It was favoured by non-Western powers because of its ease of use, robustness, and
simplicity of manufacture. Copies were made by many factories in other countries
including Israel, Finland, Hungary, China and Poland, where they remain in production
today.
AK47 and AKM have been extensively modified and improved upon since their first
designs. Standard Kalashnikovs include:
• AK-47 1948-51, 7.62x39mm. The very earliest models had a stamped sheet
metal receiver. Now rare.
• AK-47 1952, 7.62x39mm: with a milled receiver and wooden buttstock and
hand-guard. Barrel and chamber are chrome-plated to resist corrosion. Rifle
weight 4.2Kg.
• AKM 7.62x39mm: a revised, lower-cost version of the AK-47; receiver is
precision-stamped sheet-metal. Rifle weight 3.61Kg.
• AKS-74 5.45x39mm; note the new, much smaller ammunition.
• AK-74M 5.45x39mm folding stock (for motorised infantry)
• AKSU 5.45x39mm, tanker's self-defense weapon, folding stock, short barrel,
altered sight and gas mechanism.
Later Designations:
• AK-101 5.56x45 mm round (NATO round)
• AK-102 short stock 101
• AK-103 7.62x39mm round
• AK-104 short stock 103
• AK-105 5.45x39mm round (short stock)
General Characteristics:
Description: The MG3 is air cooled, belt fed, short recoil operated, and capable of firing
on full automatic only. It fires from the open bolt position to facilitate cooling. ROF
exceeds 1200 rounds per minute. Barrels are changed every 150 rounds or so to extend
barrel life and prevent thermal damage to the barrels. Barrels are replaced by pushing the
barrel locking lever (located on the right hand side of the receiver) forward to unlock the
barrel. Once unlocked, the barrel can be withdrawn and a cold barrel inserted and locked
into place. This entire process can be accomplished in as few as 5 seconds. Since the
weapon fires from the open bolt, the chamber remains empty, which helps facilitates
these quick barrel changes. The bolt operates off of a dual roller principle, where by the
bullet cartridge pushes out a pair of rollers when chambered to lock the bolt and barrel
together. Once fired, the barrel/bolt group recoil a short distance whereupon the spent
cartridge is extracted, unlocking the rollers, and allowing the bolt to travel freely to the
rear, ejecting the spent casing.
History: The MG3 (an abbreviation for the German word Machinengewehr meaning
"machine gun, model #3") is a direct descendent of the WWII era German machine gun,
the MG42, which was in turn, an improvement the MG34, originally developed by Metall
und Lackierwarenfabrik Johannes Grossfuss AG, which entered production in 1942. The
MG42 was one of the most terrifying infantry weapons of its time (nicknamed "Hitler's
chain saw" and "Hitler's zipper" because of its high ROF.)The original MG34/42 was
chambered to fire 8mm (7.92x57mm) Mauser ammunition, the same rifle ammunition
used in the Mauser K98 bolt-action rifle service rifle. In 1959 the MG42 was
rechambered to fire 7.62x51mm NATO and redesignated the MG42/59. In 1968 the MG3
officially entered production.
The MG3 is still in production and in service world wide. It is one of the most popular
MGs ever produced (it is one of the most reliable weapons in service today and has one
of the highest ROFs for any single barreled machine gun.) The MG3 currently serves as
the primary MG in the German army (Bundeswehr) where it serves as an infantry support
weapon (it can either be carried and fired off of an attached bipod by an individual
soldier, or tripod mounted and fired from a defensive position.) as well as a vehicular MG
(the MG3 is used as an anti air/ GP MG on all German armored vehicles, such as the
Leopard II and the Marder.)
General Characteristics: