Every U.S. Military Rifle Since WWII - By Caliber and Rate of Fire

"As detailed in its latest annual budget request, the U.S. Department of Defense plans to spend $395.5 million on next-generation rifles and automatic weapons in fiscal 2026. The bulk of this money will go to Sig Sauer, a New Hampshire-based arms maker contracted to develop and produce the new firearms - delivering an expected 16,154 M7 assault rifles and 2,636 M250 automatic rifles to the U.S. Army."

"These next-generation weapons will eventually replace the M4 carbine assault rifle, which entered service in the mid-1990s, and the even older M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW), which the Army first fielded in the mid-1980s. According to the Pentagon, the new rifles have a number of advantages over their predecessors, including a longer effective range for the assault rifle, as well as improved mobility and accuracy"

"24/7 Wall St. identified some of the most notable rifles fielded by the U.S. military since World War II. Shotguns and handguns were excluded from this analysis, and only rifles that were used during or after the Second World War were considered. Variants that evolved from these rifles are not listed separately. Supplemental data on effective range and rate of fire are a"

The Department of Defense plans to spend $395.5 million in fiscal 2026 on next-generation rifles and automatic weapons, largely awarded to Sig Sauer to develop and produce M7 assault rifles and M250 automatic rifles. The procurement expects delivery of about 16,154 M7s and 2,636 M250s to the U.S. Army. These weapons will replace the M4 carbine and the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, offering longer effective range, improved mobility, and greater accuracy. Firearm upgrades remain a priority alongside precision weapons and drones. Analysis identified notable U.S. military rifles fielded since World War II, excluding shotguns and handguns.

Read at 24/7 Wall St.