An auto rifle is a rifle that uses an intermediate cartridge, a detachable magazine, and can switch between semi-automatic/fully automatic fire. Assault rifles are currently the standard service rifles in most modern armies.
By strict definition, a firearm must have the following characteristics to be considered an assault rifle:[1][2][3]
- It must be an individual weapon;
- It must be capable of selective fire, which means it has the capacity to switch between semi-automatic and burst/fully automatic fire;[4]
- It must have an intermediate-power cartridge: more power than a pistol but less than a standard rifle or battle rifle. For full-power automatic rifles, see List of battle rifles;
- Its ammunition must be supplied from a detachable box magazine;
- It should have an effective range of at least 300 metres (330 yards).
Rifles that meet most of these criteria, but not all, are technically not assault rifles, despite frequently being called such.
For example:
- Select-fire M2 carbines and Amogh carbines aren't assault rifles; their effective range is only 200 yards.[5]
- Select-fire rifles such as the FN FAL battle rifle aren't assault rifles; they fire full-powered rifle cartridges.
- Semi-automatic-only rifles like the Colt AR-15 aren't assault rifles; they do not have select-fire capabilities. In contrast, the original ArmaLite AR-15 would meet the criteria.
- Semi-automatic-only rifles with fixed magazines like the SKS aren't assault rifles; they do not have detachable box magazines and are not capable of automatic fire.
Several of the rifles on the below list have non-Assault Rifle variants. Because they lack the selective fire capability as they only fire semi-automatic even though it fulfils the other requirements of the definition above.
| Name | Manufacturer | Image | Cartridge | Manufacturing country | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AB-3 | Kalashnikov Concern | 5.6mm Caseless |  Soviet Union | 1970 | |
| Adaptive Combat Rifle | Remington Arms Bushmaster | .jpg')) | 5.56×45mm NATO 6.8mm Remington SPC |  United States | 2006 |
| ADS amphibious rifle | KBP Instrument Design Bureau | ) | 5.45×39mm 5.45mm PSP |  Russia | 2007 |
| AEK-971 | Degtyarev plant | ) | 5.45×39mm | Soviet Union | 1978 |
| AG-043 | ) | 5.45×39mm | Soviet Union | 1974 | |
| AO-63 assault rifle | TsNIITochMash | 5.45x39mm | Soviet Union | 1984 | |
| Ak 5 | Förenade Fabriksverken | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO |  Sweden | 1982 |
| AK-9 | Kalashnikov Concern | ) | 9×39mm | Russia | 2000s |
| AK-12 | Kalashnikov Concern | ) | 5.45×39mm 5.56×45mm NATO 7.62×39mm 9×39mm 6.5mm Grendel | Russia | 2010 |
| AK-47 | Kalashnikov Concern | ) | 7.62×39mm | Soviet Union | 1946 |
| AK-63 | Fegyver- és Gépgyár | ) | 7.62×39mm |  Hungary | 1977 |
| AK-74 | Kalashnikov Concern | ) | 5.45×39mm | Soviet Union | 1974 |
| AK-101 | Kalashnikov Concern | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | Russia | 1994 |
| AK-103 | Kalashnikov Concern | 7.62×39mm | Russia | 1994 | |
| MPT-55 | MKEK, Sarsılmaz Arms and Kalekalıp | 7.62×39mm 5.56×45mm NATO |  Turkey | 2017 | |
| AK-107 | Kalashnikov Concern | ) | 5.45×39mm / 5.56×45mm NATO | Russia | 1990s |
| AKM | Izhmash Tula Arms Plant | ) | 7.62×39mm | Soviet Union | 1950s |
| AMD-65 | Fegyver- és Gépgyár | | 7.62×39mm | Hungary | 1965 |
| AMP-69 | Fegyver- és Gépgyár | ) | 7.62×39mm | Hungary | 1970-1985 |
| AN-94 | Izhmash | ) | 5.45×39mm | Russia | 1994 |
| AO-27 rifle | 7.62 mm (3 mm flechette) | Soviet Union | 1961 | ||
| AO-31 | 5.45×39mm 7.62×39mm | Soviet Union | 1962 | ||
| AO-35 assault rifle | 5.45×39mm 7.62×39mm | Soviet Union | 1968? | ||
| AO-38 assault rifle | TsNIITochMash | 5.45×39mm | Soviet Union | 1965 | |
| APS-95 | Končar-Arma d.o.o | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO |  Croatia | 1995 |
| APS underwater rifle | Tula Arms Plant TsNIITochMash | ) | 5.66×39mm | Soviet Union | 1970s |
| AS Val | TsNIITochMash | .jpg')) | 9×39mm | Soviet Union | 1987 |
| ASM-DT amphibious rifle | Tula Arms Plant | ) | 5.45×39mm | Soviet Union | 1990s |
| Barrett REC7 | Barrett Firearms Manufacturing | .jpg')) | 5.56×45mm NATO 6.8mm Remington SPC | United States | 2007 |
| Beretta AR70/90 | Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO |  Italy | 1985 |
| Beretta ARX160 | Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta | .jpg')) | 5.56×45mm NATO 5.45×39mm 6.8mm Remington SPC 7.62×39mm | Italy | 2008 |
| Beretta Rx4 Storm | Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta | 5.56×45mm NATO .223 Remington | Italy | 2005 | |
| BSA 28P | Birmingham Small Arms Company | .280 British |  United Kingdom | 1949 | |
| BR18 | ST Kinetics | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO 6.8mm Remington SPC 7.62×39mm |  Singapore | 2012 |
| Chropi rifle | Chropei | 7.62×39mm |  Greece | 1975 | |
| CEAM Modèle 1950 | Atelier Mécanique de Mulhouse | ) | .30 Carbine 7.92×33mm Kurz 7.65×35mm 7.5×38mm |  France | 1949 |
| CETME Model L | Empresa Nacional Santa Bárbara | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO |  Spain | 1981 |
| Close Quarters Battle Receiver | Colt's Manufacturing Company | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | United States | 1999 |
| Colt ACR | Colt's Manufacturing Company | ) | 5.56×45mm M855 or Duplex | United States | 1982 |
| C7 rifle | Colt Canada | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | .svg.png){kind=small} Canada | 1982 |
| Colt CM901 | Colt Defense | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO 6.8mm Remington SPC 7.62×39mm | United States | 2010s |
| Conventional Multirole Combat Rifle | ST Kinetics | .jpg')) | 5.56×45mm NATO | Singapore | 2014 |
| CZ 805 BREN | Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO |  Czech Republic | 2009 |
| ČZ 2000 | Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | Czechoslovakia | 1990 |
| Daewoo K2 | S&T Motiv | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO |  South Korea | 1972 |
| Desert Tech MDR | Desert Tech | ) | .223 Remington 5.56×45mm NATO .223 Wylde .308 Win 7.62×51mm NATO | United States | 2014 |
| Desert Tech MDRx | Desert Tech | | .223 Remington 5.56×45mm NATO .223 Wylde .300 BLK .308 Win 7.62×51mm NATO 6.5mm Creedmoor | United States | 2020 |
| Desarrollos Industriales Casanave SC-2005 | Desarrollos Industriales Casanave S.A | 5.56×45mm NATO 7.62×39mm |  Peru | 2005 | |
| Dlugov assault rifle | 7.62×39mm | Soviet Union | 1953 | ||
| EM-2 rifle | Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield | ) | 7 mm Mk1Z (7×43mm) | United Kingdom | 1948 |
| Excalibur rifle | Armament Research and Development Establishment | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO |  India | 2013–14 |
| EMER K1 | Myanmar Fritz Werner Industries | 5.56×45mm NATO |  Burma | 1990s | |
| FAMAS | Nexter | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | France | 1967 |
| FARA 83 | Fabrica Militar de Armas Portatiles Domingo Matheu | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO |  Argentina | 1981 |
| FB Beryl | Łucznik Arms Factory | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO |  Poland | 1995 |
| FB MSBS | FB "Łucznik" Radom | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO 7.62×39mm | Poland | 2016 |
| FB Tantal | Łucznik Arms Factory | ) | 5.45×39mm | .svg.png){kind=small} Poland | 1981 |
| CAL | Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | .svg.png){kind=small} Belgium | 1963 |
| F2000 | Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | Belgium | 1995 |
| FNC | Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | Belgium | 1975 |
| SCAR | FN Herstal | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | Belgium | 2004 |
| FX-05 Xiuhcoatl | Dirección General de Industria Militar del Ejército | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO |  Mexico | 2005 |
| Galil Córdova | Indumil- Colombian Military Industry | ) Galil Córdova | 5.56×45mm NATO |  Colombia | 2015 |
| Grad AR | State Factories-North Ossetia | 6×49mm 5.45×39mm |  South Ossetia | 2010 | |
| Grossfuss Sturmgewehr | ) | 7.92×33mm Kurz | .svg.png){kind=small} Germany | 1944 | |
| G11 | Heckler & Koch | ) | 4.73 x33mm |  West Germany | 1968 |
| G36 | Heckler & Koch | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | Germany | 1990 |
| G41 | Heckler & Koch | 5.56×45mm NATO | West Germany | 1984 | |
| HK33 | Heckler & Koch | .jpg')) | 5.56×45mm NATO | West Germany | 1960s |
| HK36 | Heckler & Koch | 4.6×36 mm | West Germany | 1970s | |
| HK416 (M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle) | Heckler & Koch | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | Germany | 2004 |
| HK433 | Heckler & Koch | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO, others | Germany | 2017 |
| Type 20 | Howa | .jpg')) | 5.56×45mm NATO |  Japan | 2020 |
| Type 89 | Howa | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | Japan | 1989 |
| VHS | HS Produkt | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | Croatia | 2005 |
| MD | IMBEL | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO |  Brazil | 1983 |
| IA2 | IMBEL | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | Brazil | 2009 |
| Galil | Israel Military Industries | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO |  Israel | 1972 |
| Tavor | Israel Weapon Industries | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | Israel | 1995 |
| X95 | Israel Weapon Industries | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO 5.45×39mm .300 AAC Blackoutm 5.56×30mm MINSAS | Israel | 2003 |
| Ingram FBM | Fabrica Boliviana de Municiones | 5.56×45mm NATO |  Bolivia | 1990s | |
| INSAS rifle[6] | Ordnance Factories Board | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | India | 1998 |
| Interdynamics MKS | Interdynamics | 5.56×45mm NATO | Sweden | 1979 | |
| Itajuba OVM | Fabrica de Itajuba | 5.56×45mm NATO | Brazil | 1981 | |
| IWI ACE | Israel Weapons Industries | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO 7.62×39mm | Israel | 2008 |
| KH-2002 Khaybar | DIO | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO |  Iran | 2003 |
| Kbkg wz. 1960 | ) | 7.62×39mm | Poland | 1960 | |
| Komodo Armament D5 | Komodo Armament | 5.56×45mm NATO |  Indonesia | 2014(?) | |
| Komodo Armament D7 | Komodo Armament | 7.62×51mm NATO | Indonesia | 2014(?) | |
| L64/65 | RSAF Enfield | 4.85×49mm | United Kingdom | 1972 | |
| L85 | BAE Systems | _5.56mm_Rifle_MOD_45162138.jpg')) | 5.56×45mm NATO | United Kingdom | 1970s |
| Leader Dynamics Series T2 MK5 | Leader Dynamics Australian Automatic Arms | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | .svg.png){kind=small} Australia | 1978 |
| LR-300 | Z-M Weapons | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | United States | 2000 |
| LSAT rifle | (To be announced) | LSAT caseless ammunition | United States | 2008 | |
| M-16/ M-4 | Colt Defense | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | United States | 1959 |
| Multi Caliber Individual Weapon System | Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO 7.62×39mm 6.8mm Remington SPC | India | 2012 |
| Nesterov assault rifle | 7.62×39mm | Soviet Union | 1961 | ||
| Norinco CQ | Norinco | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO |  China | 1980s |
| OTs-12 Tiss | KBP Instrument Design Bureau | ) | 9×39mm | Russia | 1990s |
| OTs-14 Groza | TsKIB SOO | ) | 9x39mm 7.62x39mm | Russia | 1994 |
| Pindad SS1 | PT Pindad | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | Indonesia | 1991 |
| Pindad SS2 | PT Pindad | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | Indonesia | 2005 |
| Pistol Mitralieră model 1963/1965 | ROMARM | ) | 7.62×39mm |  Romania | 1963–1965 |
| Pușcă Automată model 1986 | ROMARM | ) | 5.45×39mm | Romania | 1986 |
| PVAR rifle | United Defense Manufacturing Corporation | 5.56×45mm NATO |  Philippines | 2011 | |
| QBZ-95 / QBZ-97 | Norinco | ) | 5.8×42mm DBP87 / 5.56×45mm NATO | China | 1995 |
| QBZ-03 | Norinco | ) | 5.8×42mm DBP87 5.56×45mm NATO | China | 2003 |
| Remington R4 | Remington Arms | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | United States | 2010 |
| Remington R5 RGP | Remington Arms | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | United States | 2010 |
| Rk 62 | Valmet SAKO | ) | 7.62×39mm |  Finland | 1962 |
| Rk 95 TP | SAKO | ) | 7.62×39mm | Finland | 1990 |
| Robinson Armament XCR | Robinson Armament Co | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO 5.45×39mm 7.62×39mm 6.8mm Remington SPC 6.5mm GrendelO .260 Remington | United States | 2004 |
| S&T Daewoo K11 | S&T Motiv | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | South Korea | 2000 |
| Sa vz. 58 | Česká zbrojovka | ) | 7.62×39mm M43 | Czechoslovakia | 1956 |
| SAR 80 | Chartered Industries of Singapore (now known as ST Kinetics) | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | Singapore | 1976 |
| SAR-21 | ST Kinetics | .jpg')) | 5.56×45mm NATO | Singapore | 1996 |
| SIG MCX | SIG Sauer | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO 300 AAC Blackout |  Switzerland | 2010s |
| SIG Sauer SIG516 | Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO .223 Remington 7.62×39mm | United States | 2000s |
| SIG SG 530 | Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft | 5.56×45mm NATO | Switzerland | 1960s | |
| SIG SG 540 | Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | Switzerland | 1970s |
| SIG SG 550 | Swiss Arms AG | ) | 5.6 mm Gw Pat 90 | Switzerland | 1970s |
| SOCIMI AR-831 | Socimi Franchi | 5.56×45mm NATO | Italy | 1985 | |
| Special Operations Assault Rifle | Ferfrans Specialties | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | Philippines | 2004 |
| SR-3 Vikhr | Tula Arms Plant | ) | 9×39mm | Soviet Union | 1990s |
| SR-47 | ) | 7.62×39mm | United States | 2001 | |
| SR 88 | Chartered Industries of Singapore (now known as ST Kinetics) | 5.56×45mm NATO | Singapore | 1978 | |
| Sterling SAR-87 | Sterling Armaments Company | 5.56×45mm NATO | United Kingdom | 1980s | |
| Steyr AUG | Steyr Mannlicher | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO m |  Austria | 1977 |
| Steyr ACR | Steyr Mannlicher | ) | 5.56×45mm annular-primed SCF | Austria | 1987 |
| Stoner 63 | Cadillac Gage | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | United States | 1962 |
| StG 44 | C. G. Haenel Waffen und Fahrradfabrik | ) | 7.92×33mm Kurz | Germany | 1942 |
| StG 45(M) | Mauser | ) | 7.92×33mm Kurz | Germany | 1944 |
| T65 assault rifle | 205th Armory | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO |  Republic of China | 1976 |
| T86 assault rifle | 205th Armory | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | Republic of China | 1992 |
| T91 assault rifle | 205th Armory | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | Republic of China | 2002 |
| TKB-072 | Tula Arms Plant | 5.45×39mm | Soviet Union | 1975 | |
| TKB-517 | Tula Arms Plant | ) | 7.62×39mm | Soviet Union | 1952 |
| Trichy Assault Rifle | Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli | ) | 7.62×39mm | India | 2011 |
| Type 56 assault rifle | Norinco | ) | 7.62×39mm M43 | China | 1956 |
| Type 58 assault rifle | ) | 7.62×39mm |  North Korea | 1958 | |
| Type 63 assault rifle | ) | 7.62×39mm | China | 1959 | |
| Type 81 assault rifle | ) | 7.62×39mm | China | 1971 | |
| Type 88 assault rifle | 5.45x39mm | North Korea | 1988 | ||
| Norinco Type 86S | Norinco | ) | 7.62×39mm | China | 1980s |
| VAHAN (firearm) | ) | 5.45×39mm | .svg.png){kind=small} Armenian SSR(now  Armenia) | 1952 | |
| Valmet M76 | Valmet | | 5.56×45mm NATO 7.62×39mm | Finland | 1970s |
| Valmet M82 | Valmet | 5.56×45mm NATO 7.62×39mm | Finland | 1978 | |
| VB Berapi LP06 | Vita Berapi | 5.56×45mm NATO |  Malaysia | 2006 | |
| Vektor CR-21 | Denel | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO |  South Africa | 1997 |
| Vektor R4 | Denel Land Systems | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | South Africa | 1970s |
| Vepr | National Space Agency's R&D Center for precision engineering | ) | 5.45×39mm |  Ukraine | 2001 |
| Wieger StG-940 | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO 5.45×39mm |  East Germany | 1980s | |
| Wimmersperg Spz | 7.92×33mm Kurz | Germany | 1944 | ||
| XM8 rifle | Heckler & Koch | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | Germany / United States | 2003 |
| XT-97 Assault Rifle | 205th Armory | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO | Republic of China | 2008 |
| Zastava M21 | Zastava Arms | ) | 5.56×45mm NATO |  Serbia | 2004 |
| Zastava M70 | Zastava Arms | ) | 7.62×39mm | .svg.png){kind=small} Yugoslavia | 1959 |
| Zastava M80 | Zastava Arms | 5.56×45mm NATO | Yugoslavia | Early 1980 | |
| Zastava M90 | Zastava Arms | 5.56×45mm NATO | Serbia | 1990 |
See also
- List of carbines
- List of grenade launchers
- List of machine guns
- List of multiple-barrel firearms
- List of bolt action rifles
- List of straight pull rifles
- List of pump action rifles
- List of pistols
- List of revolvers
- List of semi-automatic rifles
- List of sniper rifles
- List of service rifles
- List of battle rifles
- Service rifle
References
- ^ Taylor, C. The Fighting Rifle: A Complete Study of the Rifle in Combat. ISBN 0-87947-308-8.
- ^ Moyer, F.A. Special Forces Foreign Weapons Handbook. ISBN 0-87364-009-8.
- ^ Scroggie, R.J.; Moyer, Frank A. (December 1988). Special Forces Combat Firing Techniques. ISBN 0-87364-010-1.
- ^ Assault rifle at the Encyclopædia Britannica
- ^ Jane's Gun Recognition Guide. Ian Hogg & Terry Gander. HarperCollins Publishers. 2005. page 330
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-07-15. Retrieved 2010-05-20.