Assault rifle

An assault rifle is a type of automatic weapon. It is generally defined as a selective-fire rifle or carbine (depending on the particular firearm's size), using intermediate-powered ammunition. It can be considered a compromise between the battle rifle, firing full-power rifle ammunition, and the less powerful submachine gun, which uses pistol ammunition. Assault rifles are standard small arms in most modern armies.

Related Topics:
Automatic weapon - Selective-fire - Rifle - Carbine - Ammunition - Battle rifle - Submachine gun - Pistol - Small arms - Armies

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The name is a literal translation of the German term Sturmgewehr, first applied to the Sturmgewehr 44 developed during WW2, and gradually became a popular term for this type of firearm. The term has since been retro-actively applied to earlier weapons with similar traits.

Related Topics:
Sturmgewehr 44 - WW2

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