The term assault rifle is generally attributed to Adolf Hitler, who, for propaganda purposes, used the German word Sturmgewehr (which translates to "assault rifle"). An assault rifle is a selective-fire rifle that uses an intermediate cartridge and a detachable magazine. Assault rifles were first put into mass production and accepted into widespread service during World War II. Here is a list of top 10 best assault rifles in the world-
1. FN SCAR (Belgium)- The FN SCAR modular assault rifle was developed by the famous Belgian Fabrique Nationale to meet the requirement, issued by the US Special Operations Command (US SOCOM). The US Special Forces requested a new combat rifle, available in different calibers. The FN SCAR modular assault rifle platform was designed from the scratch. It is not based on any previous designs. It is a gas operated, selective fire weapon. There are two baseline models - the SCAR-L (light), chambered for 5.56x45 mm round and the SCAR-H (heavy) chambered for a more powerful 7.62x51 mm ammunition. Other chambering include a Soviet 7.62x39 mm round.
2. Heckler & Koch HK416 (Germany)- The HK416 assault rifle was developed by Heckler & Koch company in the 1990s to meet US Army's Delta Force requirement. It is and improved version of the M4 carbine, that is widely used by the US military. However the HK416 is independently made and modified. Currently the HK416 it is used by more than 20 countries, mainly by special forces and law enforcement agencies.The HK416 has a Picatinny-type scope rail and can be used with various scopes. Furthermore there is accessory rail on all four sides of the forearm. Most current accessories for the M4 and M16 can be used on the HK416, including a 40 mm underbarrel grenade launcher.
3. SIG SG 550 (Switzerland)- The SIG SG 550 is produced since 1986. It has been adopted by the Swiss Army in 1990 as a standard issue military rifle. It has been exported to more than 20 countries. It is usually used by elite and special forces units. Over 600 000 of these assault rifles were produced. This weapon has traditional design. It is a gas operated, selective fire weapon, chambered for a standard NATO 5.56x45 mm ammunition. It may not seem obvious, but its operation system is actually based on the AK-47. It one of the finest 5.56 mm assault rifle ever made. Swiss army SG 550 assault rifles are usually fed from 20-round translucent magazines. However 5-, 10-, and 30-round capacity magazines are also available. Standard magazines can be clamped together for quicker reloading.
4. Tavor TAR-21 (Israel)- The Tavor TAR-21 assault rifle was developed by Israel Military Industries (IMI) back in the early 1990s. This weapon is simple, tough and versatile. It was adopted by Israel in 2006 and became a standard issue infantry rifle. This assault rifle has been exported to more than 20 countries. It is a gas operated, selective fire assault rifle with a bullpup design. It is chambered for a standard NATO 5.56x45 mm ammunition. Weapon has modular design with easily replaceable barrel. It can be quickly adapted for a variety of roles by simply changing the barrel. The TAR-21 proved to be reliable.
5. Galil (Israel)- The Galil assault rifle was developed in the late 1960s. It is named after one of its designers - Yisrael Galil. This weapon is based on the Finnish M62 assault rifle, which in turn is a clone of the Soviet AK-47. However the Galil is chambered for a different cartridge and has a number of other differences. It was adopted by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in 1972 and was a standard-issue infantry weapon until the early 1990s. The Galil employs the same action as Kalashnikov assault rifle, but uses a modified gas system of the Finnish M62, which reduces the recoil. It is chambered for a standard NATO 5.56x45 mm ammunition. This version was adopted by the IDF. There is also a version chambered for a standard NATO 7.62x51 mm ammunition. The standard 5.56x45 mm version of this weapon is fed from 35-round magazines. It is also compatible with 50-round box magazines, of the Galil ARM light machine gun. The 7.62x51 mm version uses 25-round magazines.
6. Steyr AUG (Austria)- The Steyr AUG (universal army rifle) was designed in Austria. It has been adopted by Austrian Army back in 1977. When it first appeared it was considered to be revolutionary in many respects. Immediately after its introduction the AUG became popular. Weapon is chambered for the standard NATO 5.56x45 mm ammunition. It is a gas operated, selective fire weapon. However it had unusual layout. Also this assault rifle has a modular design. So it can be quickly adapted for a variety of roles by simply changing the barrel. There are four basic barrels, including standard, compact, carbine and light machine gun barrel. This feature is useful, as the same weapon can be tailored to suit mission requirements.
7. AK-47(Russia)- The AK-47, also known as the Kalashnikov, is a gas-operated, 7.62×39mm assault rifle developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov circa WWII. It is the originating firearm of the Kalashnikov rifle (or "AK") family. The number 47 refers to the year it was finished. The AK fires the 7.62×39mm cartridge with a muzzle velocity of 715 m/s (2,350 ft/s). The cartridge weight is 16.3 g (0.6 oz), the projectile weight is 7.9 g (122 gr). The 7.62×39mm M43 projectile does not generally fragment when striking an opponent and has an unusual tendency to remain intact even after making contact with bone. The 7.62×39mm round produces significant wounding in cases where the bullet tumbles (yaws) in tissue, but produces relatively minor wounds in cases where the bullet exits before beginning to yaw. In the absence of yaw, the M43 round can pencil through tissue with relatively little injury
8. Heckler & Koch G36 (Germany)- The G36 assault rifle has been designed by Heckler & Koch to replace the G3 assault rifle in service with the Bundeswehr. Since 1995 the G36 is a standard issue infantry rifle with the German armed forces. This weapon became an export success. It has been exported to more than 40 countries around the world. This assault rifle is fed form 30-round box-shaped magazines, made form translucent plastic. Two or three magazines can be clipped together for rapid reloading. This weapon is also compatible with a 100-round dual drum magazines. After some adjustments this rifle can accept any standard NATO 5.56x45 mm magazine.
9. AK-103 (Russia)- The AK-100 series assault rifles evolved from the AK-74M that is widely used by the Russian Army and many other countries around the world. Technically these assault rifles are similar to the legendary AK-47, but have improved production technologies and are made of new materials. One of them is the AK-103. It is chambered for 7.62x39 mm ammunition. It is the original ammunition that is used by the legendary AK-47 assault riffle. It has superior penetration and stopping power comparing with the AK-74M, that is chambered for 5.45x39 mm ammo. Also there is an AK-101, chambered for the standard NATO 5.56x45 mm ammunition.
10. M16 (USA)- This weapon was designed in the late 1950s. At the time it was a very progressive design. The US Army demanded for a super light weapon. So the M16 has a number of lightweight materials in order to save weight. It uses aluminum in place of steel, fiberglass construction in place of wood. Also it has an ergonomic design. It incorporated many features, never seen before. At the time of its introduction it was called the "Space Rifle". The barrel is in one line with the buttstock. This feature significantly reduces the recoil. It operates smoothly during fully automatic fire and is very easy to control. Consequently it is much more accurate during automatic fire than many other assault rifles. Its superior accuracy gives it a decisive advantage.
