MARINE CORPS WEAPONS & VEHICLES
SMALL ARMS AND MACHINE GUNS
M16A2 5.56MM RIFLE
A 5.56mm magazine-fed, gas-operated weapon, the M16A2 is an upgraded M16A1 rifle that was originally fielded in the late 1960s during the Vietnam War. Improvements to the Al included a heavier barrel, improved sights, rifling twist and hand guards, and a three-round burst-fire selector. The weapon has a maximum effective range of more than 600 yards at point targets, and more than 860 yards at an area target.
The M16A2 has a magazine capacity of 30 rounds. The M16A2 began entering Marine Corps service in 1984 and is fielded to all active and reserve units.
M16A2 SQUAD ADVANCED MARKSMAN (SAM) 5.56MM RIFLE
The SAM is an enhanced M16 rifle with a match-grade barrel, free-floated hand guards and trigger assembly integrated to create a new precision weapon. The flat-top upper receiver allows for the attachment of high-quality optics. SAMs will give the infantry squad sniper rifle capability. SAMs were fielded in 2003 for ongoing evaluation.
M16A4 5.56MM RIFLE
The M16A4 rifle is an improved M16A2 and is part of the Modular Weapon System (MWS). The M16A4 incorporates a military standard M1913 rail adapter system (RAS) that allows for rapid mounting of various accessories such as day/night/thermal optics, infrared laser pointers, flashlights and the M203 grenade launcher. The MWS reduces the number of components required to attach accessories and allows for configuration management at the operator level.
The M16A4 has the same capabilities as the M16A2 except that the rear sight can only be elevated to a maximum sight range of 600 yards, instead of 860 yards, due to a shorter elevating screw required for the detachable rear carry handle. The Marine Corps began fielding the M16A4 in 2003 and expects to complete fielding during 2007.
M4 5.56MM CARBINE
The M4 carbine is a shortened version (16-inch as opposed to 20-inch) of the M16 series of weapons and is also part of the MWS. The M4 is a semi-automatic and select-fire three-round burst weapon. The M4 also incorporates the M1913 RAS and detachable carrying handle. The M4 carbine is being fielded to ground forces and augments the M16A4 as part of the MWS.
M4A1 5.56MM CLOSE-QUARTERS BATTLE WEAPON (CQBW)
The M4A1 is a 5.56mm, selective-fire carbine that accommodates a variety of detachable, mission-oriented accessories, including aiming devices and a sound suppressor. The M4A1 replaced the MP5N in 1998, alleviating the need for Marines assigned to closequarters battle (CQB) missions to carry both the M16A2 and the CQB submachine gun. It enables operators to engage targets at normal small-arms ranges during ingress to and egress from the objective area, and at ranges of 25 meters or less in confined spaces while minimizing the possibility of injury to noncombatants.
M9/M9A1 9MM PISTOL
The Beretta M9 is a 9mm, 15-round, semi-automatic, magazinefed pistol - first issued in 1985 - that has an effective range of 50 meters. The new M9A1 is an improved version that allows for attachment of PAQ-6 laser-aiming device. This new pistol is designed to increase security force, antiterrorism team, military police and force recon unit capability in close-quarter confrontations.
MEU(SOC) .45-CALIBER PISTOL
The MEU(SOC) .45-caliber pistol is a semi-automatic weapon based on the M1911 .45 of a generation past. The MEU(SOC) provides force-reconnaissance Marines involved in direct-action missions a reliable, secondary weapon. This pistol was first fielded in the 1980s. A newer version is under assessment for fielding. Maximum effective range is about 50 yards. This pistol has a capacity of eight rounds, with one round loaded in the chamber.
M14 DESIGNATED MARKSMAN RIFLE (DMR)
The DMR is a modified, precision-grade M14 7.62mm rifle. Each DMR is custom built at Precision Weapons sections, Weapons Training Battalion, Quantico, Va. Its accuracy and lethality provide units greater operational flexibility and survivability during day operations. It has an effective range of 770 meters. Marine Corps military police special reaction teams and fleet antiterrorism support teams use the DMR for antiterrorism and security missions. Explosive ordnance disposal teams also use the DMR for their standoff munitions disposal mission.
M4OA3 7.62MM SNIPER RIFLE
The M40A3 is a Marine Corps-designed, bolt-action, 7.62mm sniper rifle first fielded in 2001. Each M40A3 is custom built at Precision Weapons Section, Weapons Training Battalion, Quantico, Va. The mounting rail allows for attachment of day or night optics. The M40A3 has an effective range of 1,000 yards.
M82A3 .5O-CALIBER SPECIAL APPLICATION SCOPED RIFLE (SASR)
The SASR is a commercial-off-the-shelf .50-caliber sniper rifle built by Barren Industries. The weapon is effective against antimateriel targets at ranges up to 2,000 yards. The Marine Corps first fielded the M82A1 in 1989. The current A3 configuration incorporates safety and reliability improvements to extend the service life. The Army currently fields the M107 that is essentially the same rifle. The Marine Corps will convert the M82A3 to the M107 to achieve long-term maintenance support goals.