15 Most Powerful Rifles in TV Shows

Rifles are popular in movies and on TV, and for decades, shows have featured a wide variety of them – from powerful, large-caliber weapons to smaller, more precise rifles. These guns often play important roles in storylines, where their range, accuracy, and stopping power are key. Because of this, we can often identify specific rifles used in episodes, how they’re set up, and what purpose they serve in the plot.

This article provides a detailed and accurate guide to popular rifles frequently seen on television. It explains what makes each rifle effective in real life – considering factors like its bullet type, typical use, and customization options – and highlights specific shows and episodes where it appears. Sources are provided for both the rifle’s specifications and its on-screen appearances.

‘Stargate SG-1’ (1997–2007) — Barrett M82/M82A1 (.50 BMG)

The M82/M82A1 is a .50 caliber, semi-automatic rifle made by Barrett, designed for taking out equipment and fortified targets at long distances. The following pages provide details on its construction and how it’s been used.

In seasons 7 and 8 of ‘Stargate SG-1’ (specifically the episodes “Fallen” and “Zero Hour”), the SG-3 team uses an M82 rifle, as confirmed by the episode details on the show’s website.

‘SEAL Team’ (2017–2024) — Barrett MRAD / MK 22 (multi-caliber)

The Barrett MRAD is a versatile bolt-action rifle designed for easy customization. It allows users to quickly change barrels and calibers. In the U.S. military, it’s known as the MK 22 and can be fitted with different kits to fire 7.62x51mm, .300 Norma Magnum, and .338 Norma Magnum rounds.

In Season 5 of ‘SEAL Team’ (specifically episodes “Trust, But Verify” Parts 1 and 2), the MK 22 rifle is clearly visible, and photos from the show along with their descriptions confirm the characters are using the specific MRAD MK22 model.

‘SEAL Team’ (2017–2024) — Knight’s Armament SR-25 / M110 (7.62×51 NATO)

The SR-25 family of rifles, including the M110 SASS, provides soldiers with a semi-automatic precision rifle equipped with standardized suppressors and optics for overwatch duties. Detailed information about the rifle’s history, features, and use can be found in related documentation.

Throughout seasons 2 through 4 of ‘SEAL Team’, the team frequently uses SR-25 Enhanced Carbines and M110 rifles. Specific episodes, like “Things Not Seen” (Season 2, Episode 12) and “Forever War” (Season 4, Episode 2), showcase these weapons.

‘SEAL Team’ (2017–2024) — Heckler & Koch HK416 (5.56×45)

The HK416 is a carbine built on the popular AR-style platform, but it uses a gas piston system instead of direct gas impingement, making it more dependable—particularly when used with silencers. This series of articles details the rifle’s design and how it’s been featured in various media.

The Bravo team on ‘SEAL Team’ primarily uses the HK416 carbine, and the show consistently showcases its different configurations – including barrel length, sights, and silencers – throughout each season. You can see it in action from the very first episode, and later seasons offer more detailed looks at the team’s equipment.

‘Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan’ (2018–2023) — Heckler & Koch HK416 (5.56×45)

The HK416 rifle is frequently seen in movies and TV shows featuring special operations forces and law enforcement. Its reliable internal mechanism and familiar handling, similar to the AR-15, make it a popular choice for depicting modern military and police units.

The TV show ‘Jack Ryan’ prominently features HK416 rifles in 10.4-inch and 14.5-inch configurations, often equipped with suppressors and optics. Detailed information about the specific setups used in Seasons 1 (‘French Connection’) and 3 (‘Falcon’) is available online.

‘The Walking Dead’ (2010–2022) — Mk 14 Mod 1 EBR (7.62×51)

The Mk 14 Mod 1 EBR is an updated version of the M14 rifle. It’s a semi-automatic Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR) that uses 7.62×51 NATO ammunition and features a new chassis system and the ability to mount optics. Available resources detail the EBR program and the differences between the Mod 0 and Mod 1 versions.

During the Season 4 finale of ‘The Walking Dead’ (“A”), a character at Terminus points a Mk 14 Mod 1 EBR rifle at Rick during a confrontation. The show’s official website identifies the weapon and includes a screenshot of it as seen in the episode.

’24: Live Another Day’ (2014) — Heckler & Koch G36 (5.56×45)

The Heckler & Koch G36 is a family of 5.56x45mm rifles, known for its polymer frame and gas piston operation. This includes models like the G36KV, KA4, and C. The images provided show actual G36 rifles used in films and television.

I noticed something cool while watching ’24: Live Another Day’! They used a lot of G36 rifles in the London scenes, and the Internet Movie Firearms Database (IMFDB) actually has details on all the guns – they even show the different scopes and silencers they used on set. It’s pretty neat to see that level of detail.

‘Narcos’ (2015–2017) — IMI Galil AR (5.56×45)

The Galil AR is a durable 5.56x45mm rifle built using the reliable AK design, and it’s commonly used in Latin America. Information about different models and the related ACE versions can be found in various sources.

The TV show ‘Narcos’ frequently features the Galil rifle used by both Colombian soldiers and guerrilla fighters. Specific episodes, including the Palace of Justice storyline in Seasons 1 and 2, showcase its repeated use.

‘Person of Interest’ (2011–2016) — Accuracy International AX338 (.338 Lapua Mag)

Accuracy International’s AX rifles are designed for reliable, precise shooting in tough conditions. They can be quickly disassembled and are available in .338 Lapua, as detailed in official documentation.

In Season 2 of ‘Person of Interest,’ specifically the episode ‘Critical,’ a specific rifle – an AX338 – is clearly shown on screen. The episode’s online details include pictures and descriptions that verify it’s the exact same rifle used in that scene.

‘Person of Interest’ (2011–2016) — Remington 700PSS / Model 700 (various)

The Remington 700 is a legendary action used in many law enforcement and military rifles for decades. The 700PSS model combines a thick, heavy barrel with a sturdy, tactical stock and scope mounting options. Historical records show this specific PSS setup has been consistently popular.

The TV show ‘Person of Interest’ frequently shows 700PSS rifles in seasons 2, 4, and 5. Specific episodes like “Til Death” (Season 2, Episode 8), “Trojan Horse” (Season 2, Episode 19), “Nautilus” (Season 4, Episode 2), and “Sotto Voce” (Season 5, Episode 9) all include details about this rifle model and its configuration.

‘CSI: Miami’ (2002–2012) — Blaser R93 (incl. LRS2 configurations)

The Blaser R93 rifle, particularly the tactical LRS2 version, is famous for its quick operation and ability to easily switch between different ammunition types. You can find details about the rifle family and its tactical models on the manufacturer’s website.

In a Season 4 episode of ‘CSI: Miami’ titled “Open Water,” a Miami-Dade police officer uses a Blaser R93 rifle, which is identified with photos from the episode on the season’s webpage.

‘Shooter’ (2016–2018) — DRD Tactical Paratus (7.62×51)

The DRD Paratus is a highly accurate, semi-automatic rifle built for discreet transport and quick assembly – it can be put together in less than a minute. It was originally created to fulfill a need for a hidden, easily deployable rifle, and more details about its design can be found on the product page.

In Seasons 2 and 3 of ‘Shooter’ (titled “The Hunting Party” and “Backroads” respectively), the villain, Solotov, frequently uses a silenced Paratus-16-LR-B rifle. The show visually demonstrates how the rifle is assembled, and details are included in the season summaries.

‘Person of Interest’ (2011–2016) — Barrett M107/M107CQ (.50 BMG)

Barrett’s .50-caliber semi-automatic rifles are built for hitting targets at very long distances, and are often used against equipment and materials. The company’s website provides details about the rifle’s history and where it has been featured in movies and television.

The show prominently features the M107 sniper rifle in the episode “Foe” (Season 1, Episode 8). Later, a shorter version of the rifle, modified to look like an XM109, appears in “Pretenders” (Season 4, Episode 6). The episode pages themselves include photos and descriptions identifying the specific rifle models used.

‘Strike Back’ (2010–2015; 2017–2020) — FN FAL (7.62×51)

The FN FAL is a widely used 7.62x51mm battle rifle, and this page collects examples of its appearances in TV shows, including different seasons of this particular series.

As a fan of ‘Strike Back,’ I’ve noticed the FAL rifle appears quite a bit throughout the series, used by both soldiers and the bad guys. I remember specifically seeing it in Season 7 and Season 8 – I’ve even found screenshots from certain episodes that clearly show it!

‘SEAL Team’ (2017–2024) — SIG-Sauer MCX (Rattler) & MCX-SPEAR

SIG’s MCX rifles are designed to be easily customized and work well with silencers. The MCX-SPEAR is the latest version, originally developed for the U.S. Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapon program and officially named the M7 in 2025.

In the TV show ‘SEAL Team’, the characters use silenced MCX Rattler rifles in Seasons 4 and 5. Season 7 features an MCX-SPEAR, modified for long-range shooting, and it’s likely these guns used blank cartridges during filming.

What memorable TV rifle scenes did we leave out, or which one really stood out to you? Tell us your favorites and include the episode details in the comments!

2025-10-06 02:47