The United States military is home to seven special forces units and while all of these are elite squads, one of the most highly trained forces, along with SEAL Team 6, is the U.S. Army’s Delta Force. Officially known as 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D), this special operations unit was established in November 1977 by Colonel Charles Beckwith and focuses on counter-terrorist missions that include hostage rescue operations and capture, and the majority of its missions are highly classified.
The work of the Delta Force was portrayed in the 1980s action film of the same name, inspired by the actual hijacking of a TWA airplane and hostage crisis in Beirut. It features a terrifying rescue by a heroic U.S. commando unit of the same name, with Chuck Norris portraying real-life deputy commander of the Delta Force unit, Major Scott McCoy. This film is fictionalized but it draws inspiration from some of the adventures of the elite special operations unit known as Delta Force. (The United States isn’t alone in its formation of elite squads. Check out the top elite special forces in the world.)
To operative effectively, the force uses a wide range of specifically custom-made weaponry. In identifying the firearms used by Delta Force, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a catalog of weapons used by the special missions unit produced by Military Factory, which is an online archive of military vehicles, aircraft, and weaponry. Guns no longer believed to be in use by the Delta Force have been excluded and the others are ranked based on their service entry dates. Additional information, including weapon type and maximum effective range also came from Military Factory.
Delta Force utilizes a selection of firearms that include assault rifles, sniper rifles, and submachine guns. Even though specific firearms may differ depending on mission parameters, these weapons form the offensive foundation of the unit. Each is unique in its purpose and ability; these weapons contribute to the high level of operational efficiency and effectiveness expected from the Delta Force.
Here are the weapons of delta force: America’s elite special operations unit.
30. General Electric M134 Minigun
- Entered service in: 1963
- Weapon type: Six-barrel gatling gun
- Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft.
29. M72 LAW
- Entered service in: 1963
- Weapon type: Anti-tank rocket launcher
- Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.
28. General Electric GAU-17/A Minigun
- Entered service in: 1965
- Weapon type: Six-barrel gatling gun
- Maximum effective range: 3,280 ft.
27. Saco Mk 19
- Entered service in: 1967
- Weapon type: Automatic grenade launcher
- Maximum effective range: 4,500 ft.
26. Mossberg Model 590
- Entered service in: 1975
- Weapon type: Pump-action shotgun
- Maximum effective range: 130 ft.
25. Fabrique Nationale M240
Release0167-2004-01 CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan - Lance Cpl. Kendall S. Boyd (left) and Pfc. Ryan J. Jones (right), combat engineers, Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, hone their machine gunnery skills by firing the M240G medium machine gun aboard Camp Hansen March 24-25. Photo by Cpl. Ryan Walker
- Entered service in: 1977
- Weapon type: General purpose machine gun
- Maximum effective range: 5,905 ft.
24. Barrett M82
- Entered service in: 1982
- Weapon type: Anti-materiel rifle
- Maximum effective range: 1,850 ft.
23. Fabrique Nationale M249 SAW / LMG
US Marine Corps (USMC) Marine attending the Small Arms Weapons Instructor Course prepares to fire the 5.56mm M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) on the range at Marine Corps Base (MCB) Quantico, Virginia (VA).
- Entered service in: 1984
- Weapon type: Light machine gun
- Maximum effective range: 2,600 ft.
22. Colt M45 MEU (SOC)
- Entered service in: 1986
- Weapon type: Special forces semi-automatic service pistol
- Maximum effective range: 165 ft.
21. Saco M60E3
- Entered service in: 1986
- Weapon type: Light machine gun
- Maximum effective range: 3,600 ft.
20. M136 Light Anti-Armor Weapon (AT4)
- Entered service in: 1987
- Weapon type: Anti-armor rocket launcher
- Maximum effective range: 985 ft.
19. SIG-Sauer P228
- Entered service in: 1988
- Weapon type: Semi-automatic pistol
- Maximum effective range: 165 ft.
18. Beretta M9
- Entered service in: 1990
- Weapon type: Semi-automatic service pistol
- Maximum effective range: 164 ft.
17. Colt M16A4
- Entered service in: 1990
- Weapon type: Automatic rifle
- Maximum effective range: 1,968 ft.
16. Stoner SR-25
- Entered service in: 1990
- Weapon type: Designated marksman rifle
- Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.
15. Heckler & Koch HK MP5K
- Entered service in: 1991
- Weapon type: Submachine gun
- Maximum effective range: 656 ft.
14. Heckler & Koch HK G36
- Entered service in: 1996
- Weapon type: Assault rifle
- Maximum effective range: 2,853 ft.
13. FGM-148 Javelin
- Entered service in: 1996
- Weapon type: Anti-tank guided missile launcher
- Maximum effective range: 8,202 ft.
12. Benelli M4 Super 90 (M1014 JSCS)
- Entered service in: 1999
- Weapon type: Semi-automatic combat shotgun
- Maximum effective range: 164 ft.
11. Navy Mark 12 Special Purpose Rifle
Sgt. Robert Montanaro, from 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, readjusts his sights during a live fire exercise at Sahl Sinjar Airfield. Montanaro says he likes the addition of the suppressor, because of its ability to make shooters stealthier. (U.S. Marine Corps photograph by Cpl Alan Addison)
- Entered service in: 2002
- Weapon type: Designated marksman rifle
- Maximum effective range: 1,800 ft.
10. Fabrique Nationale Mk 48 LWMG
- Entered service in: 2003
- Weapon type: Light weight machine gun
- Maximum effective range: 2,624 ft.
9. Mk 14 Mod 0 EBR (Enhanced Battle Rifle)
- Entered service in: 2004
- Weapon type: Designated marksman rifle
- Maximum effective range: 1,500 ft.
8. Heckler & Koch HK 416
- Entered service in: 2005
- Weapon type: Assault rifle
- Maximum effective range: 985 ft.
7. McMillan TAC-338
The McMillan Tac-50 is one of McMillan Firearmss best-known products.
- Entered service in: 2005
- Weapon type: Sniper rifle
- Maximum effective range: 5,250 ft.
6. M32 MGL
- Entered service in: 2006
- Weapon type: Six-shot grenade launcher
- Maximum effective range: 1,315 ft.
5. M110 SASS
- Entered service in: 2007
- Weapon type: Designated marksman rifle
- Maximum effective range: 2,624 ft.
4. M39 Enhanced Marksman Rifle (EMR)
- Entered service in: 2008
- Weapon type: Designated marksman rifle
- Maximum effective range: 2,550 ft.
3. AirTronic PSRL-1 (RPG-7USA)
- Entered service in: 2009
- Weapon type: Anti-armor / anti-personnel shoulder-fired rocket launcher
- Maximum effective range: 2,625 ft.
2. Fabrique Nationale FN SCAR (Mk 16 / Mk 17)
- Entered service in: 2009
- Weapon type: Automatic assault rifle
- Maximum effective range: 1,640 ft.
1. Remington MSR (Modular Sniper Rifle)
- Entered service in: 2013
- Weapon type: Bolt-action sniper rifle
- Maximum effective range: 4,920 ft.