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.
The
AK-103, as well as other rifles of the AK-100 series use the same operation
mechanism, developed by Kalashnikov. These weapons made their name for
unsurpassed reliability. This assault rifle can withstand any misuse and abuse
that soldier can throw at it. It is not very accurate, but will operate in
worst conditions possible.
This
weapon has a remarkable advantage of simplicity. It is simple in design, is
made of common materials and uses readily available machining technology. The
parts can be manufactured with less precision. From an engineering standpoint
it is a low-tech weapon. Production of these rifles can be established at any
factory, that makes steel products. No wonder the Kalashnikov assault rifles
are being produced all over the world. Also it is simple to maintain.
Comparing
with the M16 it
has simplicity and fantastic reliability. However it looses in terms of range
and accuracy.
The
AK-100 series assault rifles are used by Russian armed forces. These assault
rifles have been exported to more than 10 countries. Also some countries
produce these weapons locally under license. The original AK-47 and its
derivatives are in service with more than 100 countries around the world.
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.
The Heckler & Koch G36
is chambered for a standard NATO 5.56x45 mm ammunition. It is a conventional
gas operated, selective fire weapon. It uses some proven elements of the
previous G3 rifle design. Internally it also bears a lot of similarity with the
US Armalite
AR-18 automatic rifle. Sophistication was eschewed in favor of
reliability. Weapon has a simple layout. During trials a prototype of the HK
G36 was rated higher than the Austrian Steyr AUG.
This assault rifle is
manufactured using the most modern technologies.
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.
Sights are built into the
carrying handle. A standard German Army rifle has a dual sight system. It
consists of one 3.5x magnification scope, for long-range accurate shooting and
one 1x magnification red dot sight above it, for close ranges.
This rifle is compatible
with the HK AG36 40-mm underbarrel grenade launcher. It can also launch
barrel-mounted riffle grenades.
Overall the G36 lacks
fancy bells and whistles, but is modern, light, accurate, rugged and reliable
weapon. It is not as reliable as the AK-100 series weapons, but definitely
makes up for it by its astounding precision. Also the G36 is simple in
operation and maintenance.
The G3 assault rifle has
been designed by the Heckler & Koch in the late 1950s. It was adopted by
the Bundeswehr in 1959 and was used until the mid 1990s, when it was replaced
by the G36assault
rifle. Some variants of the G3 are still used by the German border guards and
police forces. This weapon was widely exported. At some point it was used by 75
countries as their standard issue assault rifle. It is still in service with
more than 60 countries. In some countries variants of this weapon are still
produced under license.
The Heckler & Koch G3
is chambered for a standard NATO 7.62x51 mm ammunition. It employs a
roller-delayed blowback operating system. This weapon is cheap to produce, as
it uses a number of stamped steel parts.
This assault rifle is fed
form 20-round box-shaped magazines. The magazines are made of aluminum or
steel. This weapon is also compatible with 50-round dual drum magazines.
Early production versions
of the G3 have simple iron sights. Later these were replaced by diopter-type
sights. The rear sight post has a rotating drum with range settings for 100,
200, 300 and 400 meters. Furthermore this assault rifle can be fitted with
scopes or night sights.
This rifle is compatible
with the HK79 40-mm underbarrel grenade launcher. It can also launch
barrel-mounted riffle grenades. Furthermore this weapon can mount other
accessories, such as a silencer, or bipod.
Even though the G3 is an
old design, it proved to be an accurate, rugged and reliable weapon. Also it is
simple to maintain. The German G3 is as popular as the Russian AK-47 or
American M16. However
its numbers are reducing in favor to modern designs.
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.
The
Steyr AUG is made of synthetic materials and advanced alloys. It is
lightweight, robust robust and reliable. Its has got compact dimensions due to
its bullpup layout.
The
AUG has got no separate fire mode selector. The progressive trigger itself is
used to control the mode of fire. Pulling it half the way, will result in a
single shot, while the full pull will result in full-auto fire.
The
AUG is fully ambidextrous. There are two symmetrical ejection ports, one of
which is always covered.
The
original model has integral 1.5x magnification sight. It is designed for up to
300 m range. Also there are back-up iron sights for emergency use. Newer models
lack integral sights, byt have Picatinny-type rail and can be fitted with any
sights.
Rifles
equipped with standard and carbine barrels can launch riffle grenades. A
modified AUG is compatible with the US M203 40-mm
underbarrel grenade launcher.
This
assault rifle made its name for reliability, good ergonomics and decent
accuracy. Currently the AUG is in service with nearly 40 countries around the
world. It is license-produced in Australia as Lithgow F88. Also it is
the most commercially successful bullpup design to date.

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 is still used
in Israel, even though it was replaced by newer designs, such as the TAR-21 and X95. This assault has
been exported to a number of countries. Today it is still used in more than 30
countries.
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.
This assault rifle is
fitted with a side-folding aluminum stock. It is a clone of the FN FALParatrooper
stock.
This assault rifle became
a base for a whole family of infantry weapons.
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.
Design of this weapon is
based on ergonomics and composite materials. The Tavor TAR-21 assault rifle is
fully ambidextrous. There are spent case ejection ports on each side. Right or
felt side ejection can be selected. A charging handle can be installed on
either side of the weapon. Its bullpup layout gives an edge at close-quarters
and when employed inside vehicles. However it is also well suited for precision
firing at long range.
The Tavor TAR-21 is fed
from standard NATO (M16-type) magazines, holding 30 rounds.
This weapon has a standard
Picatinny-type rail and is compatible with various scopes or night vision
systems. It comes with red-dot sight as standard. It has been report that the
TAR-21 is much more accurate and reliable than the M4 carbine. However it
looses in terms of accuracy to the M16 due to a
shorter barrel.
This assault rifle is
compatible with the US M203 40-mm
underbarrel grenade launcher.
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.
Sighting equipment
consists of a flip-up front sight and adjustable rear diopter. It has a
sighting range of 400 m. Every rifle can be fitted with a detachable scope
mount. Swiss army rifles are often used with 4x magnification scope. Current
production models are available with a Picatinny-type rail and can mount
various scopes, red dot, or night vision sights.
This weapon proved to be
accurate and reliable as a Swiss watch. The SG 550 is particularly good at long
ranges. This weapon combines accuracy of the M16 and
reliability of the AK-47. It handles well and is very controllable during
full-auto fire.
There are carbine versions
of this weapon for close-quarter battles and even designated marksman rifle.
This
weapon proved to be accurate and reliable as a Swiss watch.
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.
In terms of appearance the
HK416 resembles the M4. Due to similarity it has a familiar feel for soldiers,
reducing the time needed for retraining. It uses a patented gas piston system,
derived from the Heckler & Koch G36
assault rifle. This new operating system significantly reduced malfunctions
and increased life of parts, comparing with the original Colt M4 carbine. The
new weapon is much more reliable.
Four models with different
barrel lengths are available, including full-size assault rifle, compact
assault rifle, carbine and sub-compact assault rifle.
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 andM16 can be used
on the HK416, including a 40-mm underbarrel grenade launcher.
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 has been adopted by the US SOCOM. Deliveries commenced in 2009.
Currently it is also used by 20 countries around the world. Often this weapon
is found with special forces and elite law enforcement units.
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.
The key idea of the SCAR
modular system, that it will provide the US Special Forces with a wide variety
of configurations within the matter of minutes in field conditions. All these
configurations have the same layout, controls and maintenance procedures. The
SCAR-L and SCAR-H have 90% parts commonality. These weapons are available in
three quick-detachable barrel versions - standard (S), close quarters combat
(CQC) and long barrel (LB). Different length barrels can be quickly replaced.
So this weapon is highly customizable.
The SCAR-L can use the
standard M16-type
magazines. The SCAR-H uses 20-round magazines. The SCAR-H also accepts the
standard AK-47 / AKM magazines
with the Soviet 7.62x39 mm ammunition. It allows to fire the enemy ammunition
with the alternate barrel, what is very important for operations behind the
enemy lines.
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