Assault rifle facts for kids
An assault rifle is a rifle that has a removable magazine, automatic-fire and semi-automatic modes, and uses intermediate cartridges. These cartridges do not have as much power as other rifles’, like hunting rifles or battle rifles, but have more power and penetration than pistol cartridges fired by sub-machine guns.
Two rifles made in Italy and Russia before World War I are sometimes called assault rifles. The Germans were the first to use assault rifles in large numbers.
Examples of an 'assault rifle' are the English L85, Russian AK-47, the American M16.
The term “assault rifle” comes from the firearm Sturmgewehr 44 (StG 44), translated to “Assault Rifle 1944”. The armed forces of other sovereign states adopted assault rifles later.
Images for kids
-
The StG 44 was adopted by the Wehrmacht in 1944. It fires the 7.92×33mm Kurz round.
-
Currently the most used assault rifle in the world along with its variant, the AKM, the AK-47 was first adopted in 1949 by the Soviet Army. It fires the 7.62×39mm M43 round.
-
The M16 was first introduced into service in 1964 with the United States Armed Forces. It fires the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge, and is the most produced assault rifle in its caliber.
-
Sturmgewehr 44
-
A Chinese Type 56 assault rifle
-
The M1 Garand (top) and M1 Carbine
-
American M14
-
Belgian FN FAL
-
West German Heckler & Koch G3
-
HK33A2
-
The 7.62×51mm NATO and 5.56×45mm NATO cartridges compared to an AA battery.
-
AK-74 rifle
-
A USAF security policeman aims his Colt Commando during a live-fire demonstration, part of Operation Desert Shield. Note: large flash hider
-
Steyr AUG
-
Heckler & Koch G36 with a loaded 30-round magazine
-
AR-10 rifle
_(7414626342).jpg){kind=small}
.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Fusil de asalto para niños
