MARINE CORPS WEAPONS & VEHICLES
SMALL ARMS AND MACHINE GUNS
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SMALL ARMS AND MACHINE GUNS
M16A4 5.56MM RIFLE
BRIEFING: The M16A4 rifle is part of the Modular Weapon
System (MWS) program. The M16A4 incorporates a Military-Standard (MIL-STD) M1913 rail adapter system (RAS) that
allows rapid mounting of 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 the operator to configure it. The M16A4 entered service in 2003, replacing
the M16A2.
M4 5.56MM CARBINE
BRIEFING: The M4 carbine is a shortened version ( 14.5-inch
barrel compared with the M16A4’s 20-inch barrel) of the M16
series of weapons. The M4 is a semi-automatic and select-fire
three-round-burst weapon. The M4 incorporates the M1913
RAS and detachable carrying handle. The weapon is being
fielded to ground forces and augments the M16A4 as part of
the MWS.
M4A1 5.56MM CLOSE QUARTERS
BATTLE WEAPON (CQBW)
BRIEFING: The M4A1 is a 5.56mm, semi-automatic and
selective-fire fully automatic carbine that accommodates a variety of detachable, mission-oriented accessories, including aiming devices and a sound suppressor. The weapon enables operators to engage targets at normal small arms ranges. The M4A1
CQBW is accompanied by a component kit that includes various optics, aiming devices and ancillary equipment for use in
close quarters battles.
M9/M9A1 9MM PISTOL
BRIEFING: The Beretta M9 is a 9mm, 15-round, semi-automatic,
magazine-fed pistol — first issued in 1985 — that has an effective
range of about 50 yards. The new M9A1 allows for attachment of
the PAQ- 6 laser-aiming device. This new pistol is designed to
increase the capability of security forces, anti-terrorism teams,
military police and force reconnaissance units in close quarters
confrontations.
CLOSE QUARTERS BATTLE PISTOL
(CQBP)
BRIEFING: The M45A1 CQBP is a commercial, off-the-shelf
(COTS) M1911-style .45-caliber pistol that has replaced the
government-built M45 and supports dual arming of personnel
assigned to U.S. Marine special operations, reconnaissance and
military police special response teams for use in close quarter
battle missions. The government awarded a contract to Colt
Defense LLC in July 2012 for the .45-caliber CQBP.
M110 SEMI-AUTOMATIC SNIPER
SYSTEM (SASS)
BRIEFING: The M110 SASS is a 7.62mm precision rifle that
allows Marine Corps scout snipers to rapidly engage multiple
targets out to 800 meters. It is employed with the variable-powered M8541A Scout Sniper Day Scope (SSDS) and is compatible with a quick detach suppressor. The rifle has been fielded since 2007 within the U.S. Army, which is the lead service for
the program, and fielded since 2010 within the Marine Corps.
The M110 SASS augments the M40A5 Sniper Rifle within infantry battalions and reconnaissance units.
M40A5 7.62MM SNIPER RIFLE
BRIEFING: The M40A5 is a Marine Corps-designed weapon
system. Each M40A5 is custom-built at Precision Weapons
Section, Weapons Training Battalion, Quantico, Va. It is a heavy-barrel, bolt-action, manually operated, magazine-fed weapon.
The M40A5 is employed with the variable-powered M8541
SSDS and is compatible with a quick detach suppressor. The
main battle weapon of the Marine Corps Scout Sniper, it is
employed to engage targets out to 1,000 yards. The original
design, the M40, was first employed in the Vietnam War. The
M40A1 was introduced during the early 1970s and replaced by
the M40A3 during 2001. Fielding of the M40A5, and modification of M40A3 to M40A5, began in 2009.
M107 .50-CALIBER SPECIAL
APPLICATION SCOPED RIFLE (SASR)
BRIEFING: The SASR is a COTS .50-caliber sniper rifle built by
Barrett Industries. The weapon is effective against anti-materiel
targets at ranges up to 2,000 yards. The Marine Corps first fielded the M82A1 in 1989. The M82A3 configuration later was
fielded to replace the M82A1 and incorporated safety and reliability improvements to extend the service life. During 2007, the
Corps converted to the M107, an upgraded version of the
M82A3 being used by the U.S. Army, to achieve commonality
and long-term maintenance support goals.
M107 .50-CALIBER SPECIAL APPLICATION SCOPED RIFLE
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