Assault Rifle
The standard weapon of most modern armies, originating in World War II.
An assault rifle is a select fire rifle that uses an intermediate-rifle cartridge and a detachable magazine. Assault rifles were first put into mass production and accepted into widespread service during World War II (1939-1945).
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Dynamix
Lore & Background
The first assault rifle to see major usage was the German StG 44, a development of the earlier Mkb 42. The term assault rifle is generally attributed to Adolf Hitler, who used the German word Sturmgewehr as the new name for the MP 43, subsequently known as the Sturmgewehr 44. The StG 44 is generally considered the first selective fire military rifle to popularize the assault rifle concept. The two most successful modern assault rifles are the AK-47 and the M16 designs and their derivatives.
Reader's Guide
The U.S. Army defines assault rifles as 'short, compact, selective-fire weapons that fire a cartridge intermediate in power between submachine gun and rifle cartridges.' A firearm must have at least the following characteristics: capable of selective fire; an intermediate-power cartridge; ammunition supplied from a detachable box magazine; and an effective range of at least 300 metres (330 yards). Rifles that meet most but not all criteria are not assault rifles according to this definition.
Did You Know?
- The AK-47 was finalized, adopted and entered widespread service in the Soviet army in the early 1950s.
- More AK-type weapons have been produced than all other assault rifles combined.
More in Weapons & Equipment
Elsewhere in Tribes
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced