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Assault rifle facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
AK-47 type II Part DM-ST-89-01131
The most used firearm in history, along with its successor, the AKM, is the AK-47. It was first adopted in 1949 by the Soviet Army, and uses the 7.62×39mm M43 round.
M16A1 brimob
The M16 was first introduced into service in 1964 with the United States Armed Forces. It uses the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge.

An assault rifle is a type of rifle that can shoot in different ways. It has a magazine that you can remove and reload. These rifles can fire one shot at a time (semi-automatic) or many shots quickly (automatic).

They use special bullets called "intermediate cartridges." These bullets are not as powerful as those used in hunting rifles. But they are stronger than the bullets used in sub-machine guns. This makes assault rifles useful for different situations.

Some rifles made in Italy and Russia before World War I were similar. However, the Germans were the first to use many assault rifles. This happened during World War II.

Famous examples of assault rifles include the English L85, the Russian AK-47, and the American M16.

The name "assault rifle" comes from a German gun. It was called the Sturmgewehr 44 (StG 44). This name means "Assault Rifle 1944." After World War II, many other countries started using assault rifles for their armed forces.

Images for kids

  • Sturmgewehr 44

    The StG 44 was adopted by the Wehrmacht in 1944. It fires the 7.92×33mm Kurz round.

  • AK-47 type II noBG

    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.

  • Sam16a1

    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.

  • M1 Garand PPsh-41 Sturmgewehr 44 cropped

    Sturmgewehr 44

  • AK-family-rifles

    Kalashnikov rifles: AK-47, OTs-14, AK-74, AN-94, AK-12 and AEK-971

  • Chinese Type 56-1 Assault Rifle

    A Chinese Type 56 assault rifle

  • Garandcar

    The M1 Garand (top) and M1 Carbine

  • M14 Stand-off Munitions Disruptor (SMUD) (7414626342)

    American M14

  • FN-FAL belgian

    Belgian FN FAL

  • G3a3

    West German Heckler & Koch G3

  • HK33A2 Flickr (yet another finn)

    HK33A2

  • 7.62x51 and 5.56x45 bullet cartridges compared to AA battery

    The 7.62×51mm NATO and 5.56×45mm NATO cartridges compared to an AA battery.

  • Ak74l

    AK-74 rifle

  • USAF MP with Colt Commando

    A USAF security policeman aims his Colt Commando during a live-fire demonstration, part of Operation Desert Shield. Note: large flash hider

  • AUG A1 508mm 04

    Steyr AUG

  • 800px-G36bw

    Heckler & Koch G36 with a loaded 30-round magazine

  • AR-10 in the National Firearms Museum

    AR-10 rifle

See also

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Assault rifle Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.