Have you ever wondered what type of rifle the Army Rangers use? The answer can be pretty surprising. From the M4A1 carbine to the XM5 to the XM250, the rangers have a lot of different choices. However, they also have some very specific requirements.
Contents
Armalite Rifle (AR Platform)
The AR 15 Night Sights is a new 5.56mm rifle that will equip the British Army’s newly formed Special Operations Brigade. It will be part of a four-battalion regiment known as “The Rangers” that will be charged with training and deploying special operations troops in hotspots throughout the UK. As part of this effort, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) will be looking for the best alternative to the traditional rifle.
The Armalite Rifle (AR) has been in the British Army’s pipeline for some time. In fact, certain units already use variants of the weapon. Some of these are actually quite good, like the Colt Canada C8 rifle used by the Royal Marines. Despite the presence of a number of good options, there’s only one that the UK Special Operations Force is likely to take.
M16A2
The M16A2 rifle is the standard issue rifle for the Army Rangers. It is a single-fire rifle that uses 5.56mm NATO ammunition. Although it is considered a good military rifle, it is not perfect. There are several variants of the rifle, and it is not fully automatic. However, it remains a reliable weapon that continues to serve with the American armed forces.
The M16A1 was the main infantry rifle of the United States military from 1967 to the early 1980s. After the rifle was adopted by the US DoD, it was redesigned to support 5.56mm ammunition. This was done as an interim measure.
The M16A2 was the primary weapon of the infantry in the US army from 1985 to the 1990s. During that time, the M16A3 trigger unit was introduced, allowing unlimited automatic fire. Several variants of the M16 were also introduced. Among them were the Colt Commando carbines, which were used by special forces units. These compact rifles had 10 inch barrels and were ideal for close-quarters combat.
M4A1 carbine
The M4A1 is a rifle that was developed by the U.S. Army in order to upgrade the M4. This modification includes several improvements that have made the weapon more accurate, reliable, and versatile.
One of the improvements that the M4A1 carbine has is a heavier barrel. The heavier barrel can prevent catastrophic failures during sustained fire.
Another improvement that the M4A1 has is a full-automatic firing mode. It features a 30-round box magazine and an automatic trigger. As such, it is useful for combat in urban settings.
One other modification that the M4A1 has is telescopic sights. These were designed to help Soldiers find targets with less effort. They come in a variety of styles. Some include laser sights, EO Tech 553 holographic reflex site, and a visible bright light.
XM5 and XM250
The United States Army plans to replace its M4 and M4A1 carbine rifles with the new XM5 and XM250 rifles. These will be chambered in a new 6.8-millimeter round. Although the Army has not announced any specific ranges at which the new rifles can engage targets, the new weapons will be more effective than the M4.
According to Army officials, the new XM5 and XM250 are the first step toward the new SAW, which the Army will develop as a successor to the M16 series of rifles. Both rifles will be equipped with a slick and ruggedized fire control system. This system includes an improved XM157 Vortex optic and an atmospheric sensor suite. Designed to help improve accuracy and lethality in close combat, the fire control system also contains a ballistic calculator.
Combat shotgun
The Benelli M1014 is a combat shotgun that is widely used in close-quarters combat. It is a gas-operated design that is used by the Marine Corps and the SAS. These shotguns are used with various optics and accessories.
The US military has issued shotguns to all branches. Shotguns are very effective in close-range combat, which is why they are a staple in the military. They are also useful in urban warfare.
Many of the shotguns are semi-automatic. Some have pistol grips, which makes them more maneuverable in tight spaces. The US military has also issued pump-action shotguns, which can handle less lethal ammunition.
During the Battle of Fallujah, US troops used combat shotguns to clear rooms and insurgent hideouts. They were especially useful for house-to-house fighting, which is a form of tactical warfare.