When it comes to guns, there are many different types and styles available. But what is an assault rifle? Assault rifles have been around since the mid-1940s and are a type of firearm designed for military use.
An assault rifle is a firearm designed to fire multiple rounds in rapid succession. It usually has an adjustable stock, ergonomic grip, and other features designed to enhance accuracy and reduce recoil. Additionally, most assault rifles use intermediate cartridges instead of full-size rifle ammunition, which gives them greater range and accuracy than handguns or shotguns.
We’ll discuss some key characteristics that distinguish assault rifles from other firearms and why they have become so popular in recent years.
1. What Is an Assault Rifle?
An assault rifle is a category of firearm that has been specifically designed for military use. Generally speaking, an assault rifle has selective fire capabilities (meaning it can be switched between semi-automatic and fully automatic firing modes) and is chambered for a high-velocity intermediate cartridge. These features allow an assault rifle to provide its user with rapid, controlled bursts of fire at ranges up to 300 meters or more.
The most iconic example of an assault rifle is the AK-47, which was first developed by the Soviets in the mid-1940s and has since become one of the most widely used weapons in history. Other examples include the M16/M4 series, which was adopted by the US military during the Vietnam War.
There are several different types of assault rifles available on the market today, including those used by law enforcement professionals as well as civilian models designed for hunting or target shooting. The most popular types include the AR-15 (which stands for ArmaLite Rifle 15), AK-47 (Avtomat Kalashnikova 47), M4 (an American military design), and G36 (a German military design).
1.1 What’s the Difference Between a Submachine Gun and an Assault Rifle?
Submachine guns and assault rifles are both automatic firearms, meaning they can be fired continuously as long as the trigger is held down. However, there are a few key differences between them.
Firstly, submachine guns typically fire pistol-caliber ammunition instead of rifle-caliber rounds like an assault rifle does. This means that a submachine gun is a lighter and more compact than an assault rifle, making it ideal for close combat situations or in tight spaces. Additionally, due to their smaller ammunition capacity and size, they are generally less accurate and have a shorter range than an assault rifles.
On the other hand, assault rifles usually fire larger and more powerful rounds than submachine guns. This allows them to be used for many purposes, such as medium to long-range engagements, providing more stopping power than a submachine gun. Additionally, assault rifles have larger ammunition capacities and are often more accurate due to their heavier construction.
Overall, the main difference between a submachine gun and an assault rifle is their ammunition size and power; the former is better suited for close-quarters combat, and the latter is more suitable for medium to long-range engagements. Thus, it is important to understand which type of firearm best fits your particular needs when choosing between these two weapons.
1.2 What’s the Difference Between an Assault Rifle and a Rifle?
Technically, there isn’t one. An assault rifle is technically defined as a select-fire, box magazine-fed firearm that shoots more than one bullet with each trigger pull. This terminology originated in the German Army’s StG-44 “Sturmgewher” or “Storm Rifle,” which was first introduced during World War II.
However, in modern usage, the term “assault rifle” refers to intermediate caliber firearms, meaning they fire rounds that have power between those fired by a regular pistol and those fired by an automatic rifle. Additionally, these weapons usually have adjustable rates of fire and more ergonomic designs than traditional rifles. This gives them the ability to be used in close-quarters combat as well as medium to long-range engagements.
In contrast, a traditional rifle is typically larger and heavier than an assault rifle due to its longer barrel length. Generally, it fires at higher velocities over greater distances with greater accuracy. Rifles can also be designed for target shooting or hunting applications rather than strictly for military use.
Overall, the main difference between an assault rifle and a rifle is their rate of fire. An assault rifle is designed to be shot in fully automatic mode and is generally lighter and more compact than a traditional rifle, while the latter is designed for accuracy over longer distances. Thus, it is important to understand which type of firearm best fits your particular needs when choosing between these two weapons.
1.3 How They’re Used
Military forces typically use assault rifles for close-quarters combat and for counterinsurgency operations due to their ability to quickly fire multiple rounds in rapid succession. However, many civilians have also started using them for target shooting and hunting as well.
The popularity of assault rifles among civilian gun owners has been increasing over recent years due to their relatively low cost compared to other firearms as well as their versatility and portability, making them more attractive options than larger weapons such as machine guns or sniper rifles.
2. Are AR-15’s Assualt Rifles?
AR-15s and other semi-automatic rifles should not be categorized as “assault weapons” or “assault rifles,” for they are worlds apart. An assault rifle can shoot full auto, while the AR-15 can only fire semi-auto.
The NSSF proclaimed, “AR-15-style rifles share similarities with military assault weapons like the M16; however, they only discharge a single bullet per trigger pull at most–similar to any other recreational firearm.”
2.1 Can Civilians Own Assault Rifles?
In 2022, the US House of Representatives voted for a renewed and reinforced assault weapons law; however, this legislation was unsuccessful in receiving approval from the Senate. As such, no federal regulations currently limit or control the sale, creation or possession of these powerful firearms.
While no federal law regulates the possession of assault rifles, each state has its own laws regarding these weapons. It is important to understand and abide by your particular state’s regulations before attempting to own or use an assault rifle.
Unfortunately, Europe is a different story. Already, Europe has imposed a complete prohibition on all automatic firearms and several semi-automatic guns commonly found in the US. Despite these regulations, European officials have declared existing gun laws from 2008 to be inadequate and damagingly expose Europe to potential criminal activity and terrorist assaults.
3. What was the First Assault Rifle?
It is widely considered that the first assault rifle to be widely adopted was the German Sturmgewehr 44 (StG44), which entered service with the Wehrmacht in World War II. The StG44 combined the characteristics of a submachine gun, providing large volumes of fire from an intermediate-power cartridge, and a full-sized rifle, offering accuracy and power at longer ranges.
This ushered in a new era of infantry warfare that allowed soldiers to engage enemies at much greater distances than ever before. It is considered by many to be the first modern assault rifle. Other countries soon began creating their own versions of this weapon design, such as the Soviet AK-47 and M16 in America.
Still, this doesn’t mean it was the first assault rifle. The Russian Fedorov came in 1916 and featured a lot we see today. An intermediate cartridge, rapid-fire, and even a vertical grip made the Fedorov an amazing innovation for its time. However, it was limited to a select few units of the Russian military and ultimately failed to hold its ground against more traditional full-bore rifles.
Ultimately, the StG44 is considered by many to be the first true assault rifle, as it combined all of these elements into one package that could be mass-produced for use by infantry soldiers in World War II. It set the standard for future generations of assault rifles and changed the face of modern warfare forever.
3.1 Is the AK-47 Based On The STG-44?
Most people tend to think that the AK-47 is based on the STG-44, but this isn’t entirely accurate. The STG-44 was one of many firearms that inspired Mikhail Kalashnikov when he was designing the AK-47.
While the design is quite similar, the AK-47 is more similar to the M1 Garand than to the STG 47 in terms of internal mechanics. Fun fact: The assault rifle that’s most similar to the STG-44 is the M16. Kraut space magic strikes again!
4. How to Shoot an Assault Rifle?
Assault rifles are incredibly powerful weapons, so it’s important to understand how to use them properly. Learning the fundamentals of shooting an assault rifle can give you a leg up when using one for defensive or recreational purposes. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Learn your weapon: Every assault rifle is different and has its own unique parts and features. Get familiar with yours by reading the user manual that came with the rifle or gathering knowledge from other experienced shooters.
2. Practice good gun safety: When handling an assault rifle, always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction and away from yourself as well as anyone else who might be nearby. Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire and make sure the rifle is unloaded when not in use.
3. Find a comfortable shooting position: Make sure you’re in a stance that allows for proper balance and stability while aiming and firing your weapon. This could be standing, kneeling, prone (laying down), or seated – whatever feels most natural for you should do the trick.
4. Aim properly: Use your non-dominant hand to pull the butt of the rifle firmly into your shoulder and aim with both eyes open. Practice sighting with both iron sights and optics until you feel confident in hitting your target accurately from various distances.
5. Fire correctly: When ready to shoot, place your finger on the trigger and squeeze it slowly until the gun fires. Once the recoil has subsided and the bullet has been released, return your finger to the trigger guard before firing again.
Following these steps should help you become comfortable and proficient in shooting an assault rifle. With practice, you’ll soon be able to hit targets with precision from various distances. However, always remember that safety comes first – never forget the fundamentals of gun safety!
4.1 How to Clean an Assault Rifle?
Cleaning a weapon is essential to keep it in top condition and working properly. Here are some basic steps you need to follow when cleaning your weapon:
1. Begin by disassembling the assault rifle into its component parts. Make sure you refer to the manual for proper instructions on how to do this correctly.
2. Always wear eye protection during the cleaning process, as tiny fragments of debris may be thrown up during cleaning. Set all components out on a clean surface so they don’t get mixed up. This will also make them easier to clean.
3. Use a small brush and solvent cleaner or gun oil to scrub away any dirt or grime from each component part of your rifle. Make sure to get into all nooks and crannies.
4. Take a clean cloth or rag, dampened with gun oil or solvent cleaner, and wipe down every component part of your rifle. This will help prevent rust from forming on your weapon.
5. Once you’ve thoroughly wiped down each component part, use a dry cloth to remove any excess oil or solvent.
6. Reassemble the assault rifle by reversing the order of disassembly. Make sure all components are secure before proceeding.
7. Finish up by polishing the entire rifle using a quality metal polish like Brasso® for added shine and protection against rust and corrosion.
5. Conclusion
Assault rifles are versatile firearms that offer shooters more power and accuracy compared to handguns or shotguns due to their selectable firing modes (semi-auto/full auto) and intermediate cartridge rounds (such as 5.56x45mm NATO). They are also lightweight compared to other types of firearms, making them easier to carry for extended periods without becoming uncomfortable or cumbersome.
Knowing what an assault rifle is can help inform conversations about gun control debates and provide context when reading news stories about guns. Assault rifles are just one type of gun available on the market today; understanding their various features helps us make informed decisions about our safety and how we engage in conversations about gun ownership rights and responsibilities.
Ultimately, it’s important to understand what an assault rifle is so that you can make informed decisions regarding your own safety and your views on gun control policies in your state or country.