| Simply put, an assault rifle is a cross | | | | the M1 Carbine was introduced by |
| between a normal rifle and a machine | | | | America. It did not offer the |
| gun. Such kinds of automatic rifles or | | | | select-fire option, but this feature was |
| carbines have the facility of selective | | | | later made available in its successors |
| firing. This means that it can shoot | | | | – the M2 and M3 carbines. The M1 was |
| short, suppressive automatic bursts, | | | | mass-produced and extensively used |
| which makes them perfect for supportive | | | | because it proved ideal for close-up |
| or ‘covering’ fire. They are | | | | work on the front. The M16 came in 1960, |
| equipped with intermediate-powered | | | | but the M1 never went completely out of |
| ammunition that offers variable | | | | style. |
| firepower and thereby takes the pressure | | | | Today’s assault rifles feature |
| off the shooter by affording him the | | | | calibers from 5.45 mm to 7.62 mm and are |
| advantage of controlled fire. This leads | | | | equipped with magazines that can |
| to better placing of shots and also | | | | accommodate between 20 and 30 rounds. |
| preserves the rifle’s mechanisms for | | | | Some assault rifles feature |
| longer periods. | | | | semi-automatic and fully automatic fire |
| Since assault rifles are predominantly | | | | capabilities, while others also have the |
| used for this purpose, it can be argued | | | | select-fire and 2/3 shot burst options. |
| that the qualifier ‘assault’ is not | | | | Most of them have effective ranges of up |
| a strictly accurate term. In fact, it is | | | | to 600 meters, after which the accurate |
| used widely only in the United States. | | | | placing of shots becomes a matter of |
| However, they are also highly effective | | | | chance rather than marksmanship. |
| offensive weapons. The main advantage is | | | | However, there are advanced assault |
| economy of firepower, since they are not | | | | rifles available – the Heckler & Koch |
| suitable for prolonged firing periods in | | | | G36 is a perfect example of these. |
| which cartridges are often wasted. In | | | | Calibrated for smaller bullets that have |
| that sense, assault rifles require | | | | higher velocity, this highly advanced |
| considerable marksmanship. However, some | | | | assault rifle features a telescopic |
| of them can fire up to 500 rounds a | | | | sight, supported by red-dot infrared |
| minute in fully automatic mode and that | | | | sighting, that considerably increase its |
| makes up for a lot of uncertainty in | | | | accuracy over longer ranges. Most |
| terms of stopping power. | | | | contemporary assault rifles are designed |
| Assault rifles, loosely christened after | | | | according to the ‘bull pup’ model, |
| the German equivalent, are standard | | | | which includes a butt plate that is |
| equipment in most armies, are issued in | | | | directly attached to the receiver and |
| place of the unwieldy and cumbersome | | | | the trigger positioned ahead of the |
| battle rifles. The most well known are | | | | magazine slot. |
| the Russian AK 74 and the American M16 | | | | Today, there is considerable controversy |
| rifle. The iconic AK 47 uses a 7.62x39mm | | | | about what features actually qualify a |
| medium-power load and was developed by | | | | rifle to be included in the ‘assault |
| Anton Kalashnikov in 1943. | | | | weapon’ category. Various acts such as |
| Historically speaking, the Italian | | | | the National Firearms Act of 1934, the |
| Cei-Rigotti was the first assault rifle, | | | | Gun Control Act of 1968 and the Firearm |
| and was first put into widespread use in | | | | Owners Protection Act of 1986 have |
| 1900. However, assault rifles were not | | | | attempted to define the required |
| used by the military until the coming of | | | | specifications and also the parameters |
| the Russian Federov Avtomat in 1916. | | | | surrounding rights of ownership of such |
| This model, highly advanced for its | | | | weapons. The 1994 Federal Assault |
| time, was the brainchild of an enlisted | | | | Weapons Ban, which lapsed in 2004 but is |
| armorer named Colonel Federov. World War | | | | still considered a standard of sorts, |
| 1 saw the Browning Automatic Rifle, | | | | specifies such features as bayonet lug, |
| which first offered full-power rounds. | | | | pistol grip, a folding stock and night |
| Shortly before World War II (in 1938) | | | | scope. |