assault rifle

ngin de franchissement de l'avant, or mobile field-deployable bridge, of French Army engineers.

Dragunov SVD Sniper Rifle (USSR/Russia)

Original SVD rifle with wooden furniture, right side

SVD rifle, major parts and assemblies

Sig 550 sniper (Switzerland)

Caliber: 5.56mm NATO (.223 Rem)

Action: Gas, semi-auto
Barrel lenght: 650 mm
Weight: 7,02 kg loaded with scope
Lenght: 1130 mm
Magazine: 5, 20 or 30 rounds detachable box.

sniper rifle

U.S.A.
U.S. Army & USMC M1903-A4 (also: USMC M1903-A1/Unertl)
U.S. Army & USMC M1C & M1D
U.S. Army M21
U.S. Army M24 SWS
U.S. Army & U.S. Navy M25/XM25
U.S. Marine Corps M40A1
U.S. Marine Corps M40A3
Barrett M82A1 (XM107)
Remington Model 700P & 700LTR
Remington SR8
Remington 700 SPS Varmint
Remington 700 SPS Tactical
Remington 700 VTR
Remington 700 Milspec 5R New!! (02/26/09)
Winchester Model 70 Custom Sharpshooter
Harris M86
Robar SR-60 & SR-90
Stoner SR-25
Brown Precision Tactical Elite
HS Precision Pro 2000 HTR
Dakota T-76 Longbow
Tac-Ops Tango-51 ... [Purchase]
Tac-Ops Bravo-51 ... [Purchase]
Tac-Ops Green Hornet
Tac-Ops 700P Tune-up Package
Ruger M77 MkII VLE
Winchester Model 70 Stealth
Weatherby TRR
Patriot Arms Genesis
Weatherby Vanguard Varmint Special
Rock River Arms Varmint A4
DPMS LR-308B
KMW Long Range Solutions Custom Tactical Rifle (.260 rem)
Savage 110FP & 10FP
Savage 10 FCP McMillan Germany
H&K PSG-1
H&K MSG90
H&K SR9
Walther WA2000
Mauser SP66
Mauser 86SR
Blaser R93
ERMA SR100
Unique Alpine TPG-1 U.K.
Parker-Hale M85
British L96A1
Accuracy International Super Magnum (L115A1)
British No.4 Mk1(T)
RPA Rangemaster Rifles New!! (02/05/09) Switzerland
Sig Saurer SSG-3000
Sig Saurer SG-550 Sniper Russia (incl. Former U.S.S.R)
Russian Dragonov SVD
Russian SV-98
Russian (USSR) Mosin Nagant 1891/30 Sniper Canada
Canadian C3A1 (Parker-Hale M82) Austria
Steyr-Mannlicher SSG-69 (SSG-PI & PII)
Steyr-Mannlicher Scout Tactical Elite Finland
Sako TRG-22/42
Tikka Master Sporter
Tikka T3 Tactical Sweden
Swedish PSG-90 Israel
Israeli Galil Sniper Rifle
T.C.I. M89-SR France
French FR-F1 & FR-F2 Norway
Norwegian NM149S Italy
Beretta M501 Philippines
Filipino MSSR Belgium
FN Special Police
FN Patrol Bolt Rifle Czech Republic
CZ 700 M1
CZ 527 Varmint Kevlar Former Yugoslavia - Serbia & Montenegro
Yugoslav M76 Japan
Japan Howa M1500 Varminter Supreme

Machine gun - the book new
Machine guns introduction Austria Steyr-Solothurn MG 30 Steyr AUG /Hbar Belgium FN Minimi FN MAG FN BRG-15 China, People's Republic Type 67 GPMG Type 88 GPMG Type 95 LMG Type 77 HMG Type 85 HMG W-85 HMG Type 89 HMG new Type 02 / QJG 02 HMG Czech Republic ZB 26 ZB 53 / Vz.37 type 52 & 52/57 type 58 (UK vz.58) Denmark Madsen LMG Madsen-Saetter Finland Valmet KvKK 62 France MAC M1924/29 AAT Mod.52Germany MG 08, MG 08/15, MG 08/18 MG 13 MG 34 MG 42 and MG 3 HK 21 and 23 HK MG 4Great Britain Vickers Mk.I Lewis Bren L86A1 SA-80 LSW Israel NegevJapan Type 96 & Type 99 Type 62 Russia / USSR Maxim M1910/30 Degtyarov DP DPM RP-46 Degtyarov DS-39 Degtyarov RPD Kalashnikov RPK Kalashnikov RPK-74 Gorjunov SG-43 SGM Kalashnikov PK / PKM Pecheneg DShK DShKM 12.7 NSV 12,7 'Utes' Kord 12,7 KPV 14,5 Singapore STK Ultimax 100 CIS .50 MG South Africa Vector SS-77 / Mini-SS South Korea Daewoo K3 Spain CETME Ameli Switzerland Steyr-Solothurn MG 30 SIG MG 50 W+F MG 51 SIG MG 710USA Lewis Browning M1917 M1919 Browning M1918 BAR Johnson M1941 M1944 M60 M16 LSW / LMG M134 Minigun new XM214 Microgun new Stoner 63 M249 SAW M240 Mk.48 mod.0 Browning M2HB .50 cal XM312 .50 cal LW50MG new
Gatling, Minigun, Vulcan

Heckler und Koch MP-5k (Germany)

HK MP-5K - original variant, with "S-E-F" trigger unit and the standard 30-rounds MP-5 magazine

HK MP-5KA4 - the most modern variant with ambidextrous, 4-position selector trigger unit and short, 15-rounds magazine

HK MP-5K-PDW - a "Personal Defense Weapon", with proprietary side-folding buttstock and a three-lug muzzle that can accept quick-detachable MP-5 silencers

Submachine guns - IntroductionArgentinaFMK-3 AustraliaOwen F1 AustriaSteyr-Solothurn MP.34 Steyr MPi 69 Steyr TMP Steyr AUG para BelgiumVigneron M2FN P90 BulgariaShipka ChileFAMAE S.A.F. ChinaType 64 Type 79Type 85Chang FengType 05CroatiaAgram2000Czech republicZk-383 newSkorpion vz.61 Sa.23 DenmarkMadsen m/50 FinlandSuomi M/31 Tikkakoski M/44 Jati-matic FranceMAS-38 MAT-49 Hotchkiss "Universal" MGD PM-9 GermanyMP.18,I Schmeisser MP.28,II Schmeisser MP.35 Bergmann EMP.35 Erma MP.38 MP.40 MP.41 Schmeisser Walther MPL & MPK HK MP5 HK MP5K HK UMP HK MP7 PDW Hingary39M 43M newIsraelUZI / MiniUzi / MicroUzi ItalyBeretta M1938 Beretta M12 Franchi LF-57 Spectre M4 JapanMinebea M-9PolandPM-63 PM-84 Russia / USSR PPD-40 PPSh-41 PPS-43 PP-19 BizonPP-19-01 Vityaz PP-90PP-91 Kedr / KlinPP-93PP-90M1 PP-2000 AEK-919K Kashtan OTs-02 Kiparis SR-3 Veresk SingaporeST Kinetics CPW newSouth AfricaBXP South KoreaDaewoo K7 SpainStar Z-62 Z-70B Star Z-84 SwedenCarl Gustaf M/45 CBJ-MS PDW SwitzerlandSIG MKMS MKPS newSIG P-48 MP-310 newSteyr-Solothurn S1-100 W+F Lmg.-Pist 41/44 newB+T MP 9UkraineElfGoblinTASCO 7ET9 7ET10UKSten Lanchester Mk.1 MCEM-2 Sterling L2 L34 USAThompson Reising M50 M55 M3 and M3A1 UD M42 Ingram M6 Ingram MAC M10 and M11 Colt mod.635 American-180 Ares FMG Smith&Wesson M76 Ruger MP9 Calico SMG Kriss Super V™ VietnamK-50M newYugoslavia (ex)M49 M56 MGV-176

AT4 launcher tube (fired) and grenade in in-flight configuration, with stabilizator fins extended
US-made M136 / AT4 launcher, fitted wit

GL-06 40mm grenade launcher (Switzerland)

GL-06 grenade launcher with optional accessories such as Red Dot sight, forward grip and a tactical light
Image: Brügger & Thomet AG

GL-06 grenade launcher with barrel opened up for loading
Image: Brügger & Thomet AG

Grenade launchers Introduction
Australia Metal Storm China QLZ-87 / W87 QLB-06 / QLZ-87B Germany HK69 HK79 HK AG36/AG-C HK GMG Panzerfaust Panzerfaust 44 Lanze Panzerfaust 3 Armbrust Russia - USSR RPG-2 RPG-7 RPG-16 RPG-18 new RPG-22 new RPG-26 new RPG-27 new RPG-28 new RPG-29 RPG-32 new RShG-1 new RShG-2 new RMG new RPO-A "Shmel" new RPO-M "Shmel-M" new MRO-A new GP-25 and GP-30 RG-6 GM-94 AGS-17 AGS-30 Balkan new RGS-50M new BS-1 Tishina newSweden Carl-Gustaf AT4 South Africa Milkor MGL PAW-20 "Neopup"Switzerland B+T GL-06 USA M79 M203 EX-41 MM-1 XM25 M72 LAW M136 AT4 M202 Flash new Mk.153 SMAW Mk.19 AGL Mk.47 AGL XM307 ACSW
assault rifle

For the term as used in the 1994 US Assault Weapons Ban, see Federal Assault Weapons Ban.

AustraliaAICW AustriaSteyr AUG Steyr ACR BelgiumFN FAL FN FNC FN F2000 FN SCAR BrazilIMBEL MD-2 IMBEL MD-97 LAPA FA 03 CanadaDiemaco C7A1 C7A2 C8 China, People Republic ofType 56 Type 63 Type 81 Type 86s Type 95 / QBZ-95 Type 03 / QBZ-03 CQ M311 CroatiaAPS-95 VHS Czech Republic / CzechoslovakiaSA Vz.58 FinlandValmet Sako Rk.62 / 76 / 95 Valmet M82 FranceFAMAS GermanyMKb.42(H) MKb.42(W) MP-43 MP-44 Stg.44 Stg.45(M) HK G3 HK HK33 & HK53 HK G41 HK G36 HK G11 HK 416 HK 417 Great BritainEnfield EM-2 SA80 / L85 IndiaINSAS IranKhaybar KH2002 ItalyBeretta BM 59 Beretta AR-70/223 & AR-70/90 Beretta ARX-160 IsraelGalil Tavor TAR-21JapanType 64 Type 89 Russia / USSRFedorov avtomat AK-47 AKM updAK-74 AKS-74 updAKS-74U updAK-101 AK-103 AK-102/104/105 AK-107/108 AN-94 Abakan AEK-971 OC-14 Groza AS Val SR-3 Vikhr9A-91 A-91M APS underwater ASM-DT dual medium Korobov TKB-408 Korobov TKB-517Korobov TKB-022Baryshev AB-7,62 AVB-7,62 SingaporeCIS SAR-80 CIS SR-88 ST Kinetics SAR-21 South AfricaVector CR-21 South KoreaDaewoo K1 & K2 SpainCETME mod. A, B, 58 and C CETME mod. L and LC SwedenBofors AK5 Interdynamics MKS Interdynamics MKR SwitzerlandSIG 510 / Stgw.57 SIG 540 / 542 / 543 SIG 550 / 551 / 552 TaiwanT65 T86 T91 UkraineVepr USAArmalite AR-10 M14 M16 M16A1 M16A2 Colt CAR-15 XM-177 Colt M4 M4A1 Stoner 63 TRW LMR Bushmaster M17s Ruger AC-556 Mini 14GB Armalite AR-18 XM8 XM29 OICW RobArm M96 XCR FN Mk.16 Mk.17 SCAR Z-M Weapons LR-300 Para USA TTR

Heckler-Koch HK G36 assault rifle (Germany)

HK G36 assault rifle (standard German army version with dual sight system) with 40mm AG36 underbarrel grenade launcher
Image: Heckler-Koch


HK G36E rifle (Export version) with single 1.5X telescope sight and spare magazine clamped to the left side of the inserted one.
Image: Heckler-Koch

HK G36 assault rifle with optional accessory kit which includes forearm with four Picatinny rails and a low-profile scope rail on the receiver
Image: Heckler-Koch

HK G36K "short" (Kurz) assault rifle, with buttstock folded; standard version with iron sights and Picatinny rail
Image: Heckler-Koch

HK G36KE short assault rifle, export version, with 'E' type telescope sight / carrying handle setup
Image: Heckler-Koch

The AK-47, the most widely used assault rifle in the world
An assault rifle is a rifle designed for combat, with selective fire (capable of shooting either like a machine gun or one bullet at a time). Assault rifles are the standard infantry weapons in most modern armies, having largely superseded or supplemented battle rifles (which are similar to assault rifles but are larger and more powerful) such as the World War II-era M1 Garand and SVT-40. Examples of assault rifles include the AK-47, the M16 rifle, and the Steyr AUG.
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[edit] Definition
The term assault rifle is a translation of the German word Sturmgewehr (literally meaning "storm rifle"), "storm" used as a verb being synonymous with assault, as in "to storm the compound". Sturmgewehr was coined by Adolf Hitler[1] to describe the Maschinenpistole 44, subsequently re-christened Sturmgewehr 44, the firearm generally considered the first true assault rifle that served to popularize the concept.
The translation assault rifle gradually became the common term for similar firearms sharing the same technical definition as the StG 44. In a strict definition, a firearm must have at least the following characteristics to be considered an assault rifle:[2][3][4]
It must be an individual weapon with provision to fire from the shoulder (i.e. a buttstock);
It must be capable of selective fire;
It must have an intermediate-power cartridge: more power than a pistol but less than a standard rifle or battle rifle;
Its ammunition must be supplied from a detachable box magazine.
Semi-automatic rifles that share designs with assault rifles such as the AR-15 (which the M-16 rifle is based on) and semi-automatic-only versions of the AK-47 are not assault rifles, as they are not capable of switching to automatic fire and thus not selective fire. Belt-fed weapons (such as the M249 SAW) or rifles with fixed magazines are likewise not assault rifles.
The term "assault rifle" is often more loosely used for commercial or [[Assault rifle#Assault weapons vs. Automatic weaponspolitical reasons] to include other types of arms, particularly arms that fall under a strict definition of the battle rifle, or semi-automatic variant of military rifles such as AR-15s
The US Army defines assault rifles as "short, compact, selective-fire weapons that fire a cartridge intermediate in power between submachinegun and rifle cartridges".[5]
[edit] Assault weapons vs. Automatic weapons
Primarily limited to the United States, the term assault weapon is a political term, separate from the military definition, used to describe a variety of semi-automatic firearms that have certain features associated with military or police firearms, which are optimized for combat situations against human targets. The 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban, which expired on September 13, 2004, defined the rifle type of assault weapon as a semiautomatic firearm with the ability to accept a detachable magazine, and two or more of the following:
Folding or telescoping stock
Conspicuous pistol grip
Bayonet mount
Flash suppressor, or threaded barrel designed to accommodate one
Grenade launcher
Barrel shroud
A common public misconception persists[citation needed] that the assault weapons ban restricted weapons capable of fully automatic fire, such as assault rifles and machine guns. Fully automatic weapons, however, were unaffected by the ban, and have been continuously and heavily regulated since the National Firearms Act of 1934 was passed. Subsequent laws such as the Gun Control Act of 1968 and the Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986 also affected the importation and civilian ownership of fully automatic firearms, the latter fully prohibiting sales of newly-manufactured machine guns to non-law enforcement or SOT (special occupational taxpayer) dealers.
Questions over the definition, manufacture, sale and ownership of assault weapons still continue; supporters of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and the National Rifle Association constantly debate these topics. The Brady Campaign's position has been that it is unnecessary for civilians to have such weapons, they are designed to incur an emotional response from potential victims above and beyond the sight of other guns, and they have high ammunition capacities and fire rates that make them dangerous in the hands of a criminal. The NRA contends that such weapons are no more dangerous than "hunting-styled" semi-automatic rifles (and in fact, hunting rifles generally use more powerful cartridges than assault weapons), that an insignificant portion of crimes are committed with such weapons, that many of the premises under which the criteria were chosen are false (such as a pistol grip's only purpose being to facilitate "spray fire" from waist level; the pistol grip actually makes the shoulder-fired position more ergonomic), and that the Brady Campaign wishes to use the term, along with the similar term "sniper rifle", to encompass an ever-widening group of "scary weapons" that, if unchecked, would eventually include most or all firearms.[citation needed]

Many of these automatic firearms used the same rounds as in older eras, but developed new layout designs, materials, and features, like standard telescopic and reflex sights.
In the 1980s and 1990s, high velocity, smaller-caliber ammunition was becoming the standard of assault rifle ammunition. Following the trend set by the United States (which went from 7.62x51mm to 5.56x45mm), the Soviet Union developed its own smaller-caliber cartridge: the 5.45x39mm. In 1974, the 5.45x39 AK-74 became the successor to the AK-47/AKM series. Though AK-74s began utilizing synthetic materials as opposed to wood, the weapon largely maintained the design of the AK-47. China in the 1980s introduced the 5.8x42mm DBP87 round, to compete with the assault rifle rounds of NATO and Russia.
One notable development in ammunition in the 1970–1980s was the German Heckler & Koch G11 rifle, which used 4.73 mm caseless ammunition. Because of German reunification and heat-dissipation issues with the caseless ammunition, the rifle never entered full production.
New developments were rifle designs that utilized modularity, new form factors, sights, electronics, and new materials. A number of bullpup rifles entered service in the late 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Although bullpup design had existed since the 1930s, the United Kingdom's EM-2 was one of the few bullpup assault rifles prior to this time. Examples of the trend include the FAMAS, Steyr AUG, and SA80. All three are bullpup rifles that make heavy use of composites and plastics, the FAMAS and AUG both have ambidextrous controls, and the AUG, and SA80 both added a low-power telescopic sight to the standard service version. The QBZ-95, SAR-21, and the Tavor TAR-21 follow a similar trend as well, with a bullpup configuration and heavy use of composites.
The Heckler & Koch G36, adopted in the late 1990s by Spain and Germany, had integral telescopic and red dot sights and a composite exterior. The G36C, a compact variant, featured a different barrel assembly, a shorter foregrip, and a Picatinny rail in place of the standard sight assembly to accommodate a detachable sight.
Through the 1990s, modular accessories for use on rifles, of a variety of types, started to become widespread with the rapidly increasing practice of mounting Picatinny pattern rails on firearms. This was primarily driven by the growing visibility and number of tactical police, counter-terrorist units, SWAT teams, special forces, and other groups that desired the capability to specifically tailor their weapons. Tactical lights, visible lasers, weapon suppressors infrared lights, drum magazines, ergonomic accessories (such as vertical foregrips), folding or collapsible stocks, and a plethora of other options appeared. As these options became available to civilians, customization of weapons other than assault rifles, such as the SKS rifle became common.
Intertwined with the growth of the modular accessories was the concept of rifles being modular themselves. While some assault rifles can be modified through the use of attachments (such as the M4 carbine with SOPMOD), other assault rifles like the H&K G36, can have their entire function modified. The G36 can be converted from a standard rifle to a compact carbine for closer engagements or a squad automatic weapon for support, simply by swapping parts. Interchangeable or quick-detachable barrel assemblies of different lengths are emerging for some weapons, with retrofit kits to provide similar capabilities on older types. The AR-15 in particular has an entire industry that has grown to make variations of every component of the rifle. A variety of upper receivers of many types of operation (bolt, direct gas impingement, gas piston, blowback) are manufactured that allow the weapon to fire different ammunition than the standard assault rifle round (from small target rounds such as .22 LR to pistol rounds such as .380 ACP) without permanently changing the rifle. Because of developments in modularity, AK-variant rifles can fire 5.56x45mm NATO rounds (used by the M16), and M16s can fire AK rounds.

[edit] 21st Century Developments

Example of alternate cartridge rifle (GCS)
Larger caliber 7.62x51mm NATO weapons are regaining popularity in modern conflicts. In Iraq and Afghanistan the 7.62x51mm NATO is useful for its longer range, increased lethality[12], and improved penetration of walls.
Israel's IMI Tavor TAR-21 is a 21st-century assault rifle than continues earlier trends of design: it has a bullpup layout, uses the 5.56x45mm NATO cartridge, can be set up for left- or right- handed shooters, exists in several modular variants, is made of lightweight composite materials, and comes standard with a reflex sight.

The XM8's modular variants.
The United States has funded development of a replacement for the M16 rifle. In the 1990s, the US spent millions on the Objective Individual Combat Weapon program, to create a more advanced combat rifle. The XM29 OICW rifle design was finalized in in the early 2000s- it featured an integrated laser rangefinder, thermal vision and night vision capabilities, and an integral smart grenade launcher. The project was cancelled in 2004. The American XM8 rifle was another experimental development. Based on the Heckler & Koch G36 it had similar features, but added electronics such as a laser sight, round counter, and integral infrared and visible lights. The XM8 was a modular design: the rifle could fulfill different roles by changing the parts. Weapons manufacturer Heckler and Koch has also created a redesigned M4 assault rifle. The new weapons, the HK416 (firing 5.56x45 NATO) and the HK417 (firing 7.62x51 NATO), have updated features, but are not completely different weapons platforms. They feature a piston (not gas-operated) action, Picatinny rails, a drop free magazine release, a bolt that is sealed from the action (reducing dirt, heat and chance of failure) and other additions.

[edit] The future
Small arms technology including the assault rifle can be described as a mature technology, meaning that no major technology changes can be expected in this area. Howevoer, minor improvements can still be expected that make the assault rifle more effective and efficient to accommodate the changes on the battlefield. As personal body armor improves, for example from the development of Magnetorheological_fluid-based smart materials, assault rifle design will be forced to adapt.

The FN SCAR.
As weapons evolve, the delicate balance for assault rifle systems between power, weight, recoil and terminal effects will likely shift once again in an attempt to defeat body armor, to match the range of full-power cartridges, and to penetrate through windshields and thin-skinned vehicles while still producing good terminal effects. Possible future directions are armor piercing or saboted sub-caliber tungsten darts, more powerful cartridges, application of new composite materials such as carbon fiber or carbon nanotubes, and use of exotic metals such as titanium and scandium.
The future of the assault rifle may not be entirely in the design of the firearm itself, but rather in the ammunition it fires. Reducing weight and cost being one of the original reasons for the development of the intermediate powered round and subsequently the assault rifle, that goal has been taken to a whole new level with the development of caseless ammunition which does away with the weight and cost of shell casings. Limitations of current technology prevent this idea from being successful but the concept is still being researched