The most prolific weapon on today's modern battlefield is the assault rifle.  Their calibers range from 5.45mm to 7.62mm, magazine capacity of 20-30 or more rounds, selective full auto and single shot modes of fire, plus, in some models, 2 or 3 round burst mode. Effective range of fire is some 600 meters or so; effective rate of fire - up to 400-500 rounds per minute in full auto mode. Many assault rifles parts of whole families of assault firearms (from short carbines to light machineguns - the M16 is a good example). Almost all assault rifle's may be equipped with bayonet, optical or Night Vision scope/sight and, some of them, with under barrel grenade launcher or rifle grenade launcher (rifle grenades usually are put on the barrel and fired with a blank cartridge). The trends in assault rifle design are wide usage of hardened plastics and lightweight alloys which allow and sometimes incorporates advance holographic (collimator) or optical scopes with magnifications from 1X to 4X.

Many of the newer assault rifle designs have been the bull-pup configuration. This means that butt plate is attached directly to the receiver and handle with the trigger placed ahead of the magazine veil. This allows for a more compact package.  The perfect best example is the Austrian Steyr AUG.  One of the worst is the British SA-80. Unfortunately there are limitations to this design.  One of the biggest if you left handed or shooting around corners. Regardless, many new bull-pup design assault rifles have been introduced by France, Singapore, Israel, South Africa, and even Russia. Fortunately some countries have stuck with the conventional assault rifle design. Such as Germany's highly successful G-36 series and Russia's new hi-tech AN-94. Also we mustn't forget America's venerable M-16's latest incarnation, the M4.

 The history of the concept of the assault rifle started in the early 1910's, when the famous Russian armorer, col. Fedorov designed a small-bore selective-fire rifle with detachable box magazine. Initially, Fedorow designed a brand new small-caliber 6.5mm cartridge for his rifle, but, due to WW1, switched to the Japanese 6.5mm Arisaka load, which was less powerful than the Russian 7.62x54R and available in quantity. This rifle was acquired by the Russian army in small numbers in 1916 and served (in very limited quantities though) with the Russian and Soviet (Red) Army up to 1925. While the design of the selective-fire rifle was not unique for that time, the concept of the "lightened" cartridge, more suitable for full-auto fire, was new. Also, col.Fedorov invented the idea of infantry weapons families (assault rifle, light machinegun, medium machinegun, vehicle and/or aircraft mounted MGs) based on the same actions and receivers.

 The next step in this history was made by Germany - in the 1930's, they began research to develop a medium-power cartridge, which would be much lighter than 7.92mm German and easier to fire accurately in full-auto mode. This development led to the 7.92x33mm cartridge (Pistolenpatrone 7.92mm). The Germans developed some weapons designs for this load, including the MP43 and Stg.44. The Stg44, is considered the first true assault rifle.  However it could not be fielded in enough numbers for Germany. Imagine the whole German Army armed with Stg44 instead of 9mm machines pistols and obsolete Mauser rifles...  Contrary to popular belief the AK-47 designed is not based on the Stg44.  The basic requirements are the same and the appearances are similar. The actually inner workings are quite different.  The AK being simpler and more reliable.  The Stg44 is more similar to the Spanish Cetme and later the HK G3/G41 family of battle & assault rifles. After all, many of the German engineers relocated to Spain, and later moved back to then West Germany. 

But the largest stride forward was made by the USSR, when, in 1943, the Soviet Army adopted a new cartridge - the 7.62x39mm medium-power load. In 1945 , the Soviet Army adopted the semi-auto SKS rifle in this chambering, and, in 1947 - the AK (known for the West as AK-47). The AK was Worlds' first successful assault rifle, and one of the most widely used.  

The United States also put in some effort to this idea, and before WW2 developed a special less-than-medium powered cartridge the .30Carbine and a rifle for this cartridge, the semi-auto M1 Carbine (also in selective-fire M2 Carbine).  However this round was considered anemic. 

A true assault rifle wouldn't be available to American soldiers until the late 50's. When the controversial AR-15/M-16, designed by Eugene Stoner, would make its debut.  Despite all its initial controversy the M16 continues to serve as America's assault rifle.  The longest service life for an American rifle. This adoption lately set the new world trend for small-caliber (5.45-5.56mm / .22in.) high-velocity cartridges.

All further research and development, such as case-less ammunition, multiple-bullet or sabot cartridges, etc., still haven't produced any practical results. The horizon shows much promise with the introduction of the Russian AN-94 and the still embryonic OICW.

       American

       European

       Russian & Chinese

       Third World

Designed by Johnny Salaza,

Do you ever remember seeing this?

Quite honestly neither do I, I am told it was in the movie, "End of Days." Which has to be the worst Arnold movie ever.  The only Arnold movie I have not been able to watch in its entirety, not counting his first one before Terminator...