Automatic is a rather domestic concept. In foreign qualifications, as a rule, it is an assault rifle or assault carbine , depending on the size. Machine guns also include automatic rifles and submachine guns. The machine gun is capable of creating a high density of fire, which is an ideal individual weapon for defeating enemy personnel in close combat.
We often like to compare how good the Soviet Kalashnikov assault rifle is and how worthless the American M-16 is. But is this really so? In addition to the Russian Federation and the United States, there are other states that have their own weapons, which are no worse. Well, having studied the issue in depth, we present a list of the best of the best assault rifles.
Ferfrans HVLAR
The Ferfrans HVLAR automatic machine is manufactured by the American company Ferfrans Specialties. Since its first appearance on the small arms market, it has been modernized several times, and has since become one of the best in the world. Work to improve this machine gun continues to this day, which allows Ferfrans HVLAR to keep up with the times, adapting to the needs of soldiers and combat conditions.
The advantage of the weapon is the presence of a recoil buffer, thanks to which the shooter practically does not feel the recoil when shooting. Since the machine gun is designed for use in an urban environment, its firing range is reduced and is 500 m, and the rate of fire is 700 rounds per minute. The machine gun weighs 4.5 kg, but due to the lack of recoil, the Ferfrans HVLAR can be fired while holding the weapon with one hand.
Automatic 3Heckler & Koch G36
One of the fastest-firing assault rifles in the world, capable of firing up to 56 rounds per minute. The German development turned out to be successful, which ensured a constant and significant cash flow into the country’s treasury. The weapon came to the favor of the police service in Great Britain, which regularly equips its cops with light and “maneuverable” machine guns. Thanks to a special cocking system, the rifle can be operated with one hand.
It is also worth noting the presence of a removable handle, inside of which a special optical sight is mounted. The length of the product is 998 m, weight is approximately 3.5 kg. The magazine can be loaded with 30 or 100 rounds. In addition to the English police, the 3Heckler & Koch G36 is also positively assessed by American law enforcement agencies. The share of exports to the US is about 25% of total sales in the international sector.
M16
Another automatic weapon of American origin is the M16 rifle. For 60 years, the M16 has been part of the equipment of US soldiers, and is also used for hunting and sport shooting. During the existence of the weapon, it was repeatedly modernized to meet modern weapons requirements.
A distinctive feature of the rifle is its firing range and bullet speed, which are 800 m and 900 m/s, respectively. The lightweight weapon weight (3.4 kg) allows the shooter to be faster and more maneuverable when moving and shooting on the move. For a long time, the M16 was considered the best automatic weapon, and for US soldiers it is still the mainstay of equipment.
HK MG4
The machine gun, created by German engineers, has a 45 caliber. Designed based on the G36 assault rifle. It has a high rate of fire, is accurate, and is practical to use. The supply of cartridges takes place thanks to a loose belt, from which 770 shells jump out in 60 seconds. The kit includes a stand with which you can install the weapon wherever it is convenient for you, on an armored vehicle or other vehicle.
FN F2000
An assault rifle originally from Belgium, the FN F2000, joined the combat arsenal of special forces in 2001. Since then, the weapon has been used in the weapons of different countries and is considered one of the best in the world. Its mass production, taking into account all modifications, is carried out at the present time.
The uniqueness of the machine lies in its unusual shape and device features, thanks to which it is convenient to shoot from it not only for right-handed people, but also for left-handed people. It weighs relatively little, about 3.8 kg. Bullets fly at a speed of 850 m/s, and shooting covers a distance of up to 500 m. The service history of the FN F2000 assault rifle covers events such as the Afghan War in the period from 2001 to 2014, as well as the Civil War in Libya in 2011.
M-16
The rifle, developed by designers from the United States, has assault status; its operation involves the use of the power of powder gases. The aimed shot distance is 800 meters, the cartridge flies at a speed of 900 meters per second. The rifle is used by US infantrymen. Its trigger mechanism is trigger-type and fires in single volleys and bursts. The cartridge, entering the flesh, seems to perform a “somersault”, thereby inflicting a severe laceration.
HK416
In 2004, Germany introduced the world to a new model of automatic weapon HK416, and a year later this machine gun was officially adopted by the special forces of Germany itself and, subsequently, in other countries.
Among the advantages of the HK416 are low recoil, physiological shape and comfortable operation not only in an urban environment, but also in other combat conditions. Aimed shooting is permissible at a distance of 600 m. The machine fires up to 850 shots per minute. Among the disadvantages of the weapon is the overheating of the barrel during prolonged use, which causes the machine gun to “lead” away from the aiming line. Nevertheless, the HK416 is considered one of the best among modern automatic weapons.
SR3M "Whirlwind"
Seventh place was given to the Vikhr machine gun, born in the depths of TsNIITOCHMASH in 1994. It was created on the basis of the AS "Val" and is small in size and weighs 2.4 kilograms. Range: up to 200 meters. Special SP-6 9x39mm bullets penetrate body armor from 50 meters.
The most common version of the assault rifle, which gained popularity among special forces soldiers of the Russian Ministry of Defense, was the SR-3M. It differs from the original in its high ergonomics, the ability to install a muffler, metal magazines, and optics. In addition, the new modification has a folding frame stock and a new forend. Small size and fire power enable the weapon to operate effectively on the battlefield.
Steyr AUG A3
The Austrian rifle Steyr AUG A3 has been produced since 1977. The initial appearance of the machine has undergone some changes over time and has several modifications, among which the A3 is considered the most effective and reliable. This modification of the Steyr AUG assault rifle is in service in many countries in Europe and Asia. The weapon weighs about 4 kg without taking into account the weight of the clip. The design of the Steyr AUG A3 allows you to attach the necessary additional devices to the machine thanks to four Picatinny rails. Shooting is carried out in two modes: automatic and single shots. The firing range is estimated from 400 to 600 m, depending on the configuration, the rate of fire is up to 750 rounds per minute.
What the world is currently fighting with: modern assault rifles (machine guns)
Over the past centuries, weapons and military equipment have continuously evolved. Military necessity led to further technical breakthroughs; all-destructive types of offensive weapons appeared, allowing strikes from distances of hundreds and thousands of kilometers. However, today individual small arms are by no means an anachronism. After all, remote methods of warfare are effective only if the goal of the operation is to destroy the enemy’s industrial and military infrastructure.
For the final defeat of the enemy, control of its territory, access to raw materials and industrial resources, and the implementation of humanitarian and other tasks, it is necessary to use infantry and special units that come into direct contact with the enemy. And this is where the protagonist of the war becomes a figure in camouflage with an assault rifle in his hands.
Screenshot from the game Battlefield
History of the issue: how it all began
To begin with, let’s define the term “assault rifle” (in Russian terminology, an assault rifle). So, an assault rifle (in the original assault rifle) is a firearm designed to conduct automatic fire with ammunition that occupies an intermediate position in power between rifle-machine-gun and pistol ammunition. Those. assault rifles do not include models capable of automatic fire, but designed to use pistol ammunition (i.e. submachine guns), as well as automatic weapons using rifle cartridges (automatic rifles).
For the first time, weapons, which, with some stretches, can be classified as assault rifles, were created in Russia by the talented gunsmith V.G. Fedorov. In 1916, mass production of a model began, which the author called an automatic machine. In fact, it was an automatic rifle, but with a sector magazine and chambered for Japanese 6.5 mm rifle cartridges, which had less power and recoil impulse compared to the Russian 7.62x54R cartridge. One of the units of the Russian Imperial Army that took part in the battles of the First World War was armed with this weapon.
Fedorov assault rifle: photo from Wikipedia
The pioneers in creating a full-fledged model of an assault rifle, which was the ancestor of this class of weapons, were the Germans. In light of the combat experience of the Eastern Front, the German command became aware of the excess power and range of traditional repeating and self-loading rifles in conditions of, as a rule, short ranges of fire contact. Submachine guns, being an almost ideal weapon for short-range combat, say, in a forest or when clearing trenches and buildings, had insufficient power and efficiency when firing at a distance of over two hundred meters.
As a result of the implementation of the technical specifications of the German Arms Directorate for a new automatic carbine, the MP 43/44 was created, later renamed SturmGewehr 44, which literally means “Assault Rifle” in German. Thus, the new German model gave its name to a new class of small arms. The Sturmgever was created for the cartridge developed before the war - in 1938 - by the Polte factory, which, although it retained the standard 7.92 caliber for the Wehrmacht, had a sleeve shortened to 33 mm and a lighter bullet and in terms of power occupied an intermediate position between the pistol and rifle cartridges. As a result, the Germans received a fairly successful model, allowing accurate fire with single shots at distances of up to 600 m and providing high density of fire while maintaining acceptable accuracy when firing in bursts at distances of up to 300 m.
SturmGewehr 44 on the battle line. Photo: ok.ya1.ru
In addition, the new assault rifle was intended for mass and cheap production using stamping and casting. The disadvantages of the machine include its not very comfortable grip when shooting prone. In total, before the end of the war, more than 400,000 assault rifles were produced in various configurations, including samples equipped with optical and infrared sights and even such exotic devices as the Krummlauf Vorsatz J curved-barrel device for shooting from around the corners of buildings and in the dead zones of tanks and fortifications. structures.
SturmGewehr 44 with Krummlauf nozzle. Photo: royalarmouries.org.uk
The appearance on the Eastern Front of new German weapons chambered for an intermediate cartridge immediately caused a response from Soviet gunsmiths. In 1943, designers N.M. Elizarov and B.V. Semin created the 7.62×39 intermediate cartridge, which went down in history as the M1943 and became the most common intermediate cartridge in the world. It was for this cartridge that the Simonov self-loading carbine - SKS was first created, and then the legendary Kalashnikov assault rifle.
Simonov carbine (SKS). Photo: drive2.ru
There is a legend that wanders from one online publication to another that the Kalashnikov assault rifle was copied from the Stg-44 and that German gunsmiths, including Hugo Schmeisser himself, while in Soviet captivity, took part in its development. It is quite obvious that the Kalashnikov assault rifle, not being a direct copy of the Sturmgever, and having a fundamentally different design of many components, was created under the strong influence of German design. By the way, in the memoirs of the Kovrov gunsmiths, published in one of the Russian specialized magazines, there is a mention of one interesting fact. It turns out that the first production samples of the AK-47 were significantly inferior in accuracy in automatic fire mode to the German machine gun, and the plant management assigned a large cash bonus to the employee who, when shooting AKs at the shooting range, could significantly improve the previously achieved results. The prize remained unclaimed.
So, it is impossible not to notice that the development and successful use of the Stg-44 assault rifle by Nazi Germany had a strong and direct impact on the development of small arms, because armies of all countries of the world have made weapons of this class the main individual weapon of the infantryman.
The development and successful use of the Stg-44 assault rifle by Nazi Germany had a strong and direct impact on the development of small arms
To date, samples of modern assault rifles are classified as third-generation assault rifles (zero includes German MP-43 and Stg-44 assault rifles, first - AK-47, AKM and Czech Vz-58, M-14 (USA) G-3 ( Germany), FAL (Belgium). The main feature of the second generation (which includes the AK-74, American M-16, French Famas, Austrian AUG, etc.) was the transition to smaller caliber cartridges - 5.56x45 and 5.45x39) .
Common features of third-generation assault rifles are the widespread use of plastics and light alloys, which makes it possible to significantly lighten the weapon and reduce the cost of its production; the use of a modular design, the use of optical and collimator (red dot) sights as the main ones, the possibility of installing a large range of additional equipment, laid down at the design stage: under-barrel and muzzle grenade launchers, tactical flashlights, laser target designators, silencers.
What are they fighting with today?
Let's try to look at the most interesting examples of third-generation assault rifles, both mass-produced and under development.
The Italian rifle-grenade launcher system ARX-160 developed by Beretta includes a 5.56 mm assault rifle and a 40 * 46 mm under-barrel grenade launcher, which can also be used autonomously. The firing range of the grenade launcher is 400m. In addition to the assault rifle and grenade launcher itself, the complex includes the Aspis small arms fire control device and the Scorpio grenade launcher fire control device. The modular design of the complex allows, after replacing a number of parts, to use cartridges of 5.56x45 mm, 5.45x39 mm, 7.62x39 mm, 6.8x43 mm, i.e. in fact, the entire range of intermediate cartridges produced today. The machine is equipped with quick-change barrels of 406 and 305 mm, the replacement of which takes no more than five seconds, the cocking handle can be reinstalled on both sides, and it is possible to quickly change the direction of reflection of spent cartridges. The automation operates on the principle of a gas outlet with a short stroke of the gas piston.
Beretta ARX-160 assault rifle
The folding butt of the machine gun has 5 length adjustment positions. There are 4 Picatinny mounting rails for installing additional equipment, 6 belt attachment points. The front and rear sights fold down. Standard coating colors are black and olive. An assault rifle with a short barrel weighs no more than 3 kg and is an ideal combat transformer with the ability to fine-tune it to the needs of a specific shooter. The complex is the basis for the promising Italian set of combat equipment “Soldato Futuro”. The machine gun has been entering service with the Italian army since 2012 and is offered for export. In particular, a variant of the assault rifle chambered for the Soviet 7.62x39 cartridge (AKM magazines are used) was adopted by the special operations forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Complex "Soldato Futuro". Photo: taringa.net
The HK-416 assault rifle from Heckler-Koch owes its appearance to the desire of this company to enter the American market of military and police weapons. The idea was to create a model that combines the ergonomics and appearance of the M-16, beloved by all Americans, with significantly increased reliability. To achieve this, the direct gas outlet of the M-16 was replaced by a much more contamination-resistant system with a short stroke of the gas piston, the same as on the G-36 rifle.
Heckler & Koch HK-416
The bolt and return mechanism were also improved and a barrel with increased survivability was used. It is curious that at first the HK-416 was developed as a kit of parts for upgrading machine guns of the M-16/M-4 type. At the same time, the barrel with the gas engine, the forend, the receiver and the bolt group were replaced, and replacement of the return spring and buffer was also recommended. In this case, the stock, magazine, trigger mechanism housing with handle and magazine receiver can be used from the old model.
Otherwise, the HK-416 has much in common with its “classmates” - a telescopic stock of adjustable length, quick-change barrels, four Picatinny rails for attaching various sighting devices, laser designators, tactical flashlights, under-barrel grenade launchers, etc. The machine gun was adopted for service some special units of the US Army, including the legendary counter-terrorism unit Delta Force, the US Marine Corps, special units of a number of countries and private military companies, where it has proven itself well. It is also known that in the operation to destroy Osama Bin Laden, a team of 6 US Navy SEALs used HK-416 assault rifles. The weapon has high accuracy and accuracy of fire, which, combined with soft and smooth recoil, makes it an ideal tool in the hands of a professional.
in the operation to kill Osama Bin Laden, a team of 6 US Navy SEALs used HK-416 assault rifles
As a result of summarizing the tactical experience gained by the troops of the international coalition in Iraq and Afghanistan, it turned out that standard NATO 5.56 caliber cartridges under certain conditions have insufficient range and penetration. In addition, a light bullet of the SS 109 cartridge at a distance of 400 m with a side wind of 17 km/h has a drift twice as large as that of a bullet of the 7.62x51 cartridge. In light of these findings, the Heckler-Koch company, based on the HK-416 assault rifle, developed the NK-417 automatic rifle chambered for 7.62x51 NATO. The new rifle is available with 4 barrel options of different lengths, and when using “sniper” barrels 40 and 50 cm long and corresponding ammunition, when firing single shots, the rifle demonstrates accuracy in the region of one minute of arc, which allows us to classify this version of the NK-417 as a tactical sniper rifle .
Heckler & Koch HK-417
When talking about third-generation assault rifles, it is impossible to ignore the SCAR complex. FN SCAR (English: Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle) - a combat assault rifle for special operations forces) - was developed by FN-Herstal USA to participate in the competition for a new assault rifle for US SOCOM soldiers, announced in 2003 by the Special Forces Command US operations. According to the requirements of the competition, the rifle had to, firstly, make maximum use of the principle of modularity, i.e., be easily adaptable for specific tactical conditions, and secondly, be superior in reliability to the standard M-4 carbine. The terms of reference also stipulated that promising samples would have retrofit kits for 7.62x39, 6.8 Rem, etc. ammunition.
In 2004, it was announced that the winner of the competition was FN-Herstal USA with rifle-grenade launcher systems, which were later standardized as the Mark 16 / Mk.16 SCAR-L and Mark 17 / Mk.17 SCAR-H. The head of the US SOCOM weapons program, Troy Smith, emphasized that the design of the SCAR rifles was carried out with the active assistance of the special forces themselves, and the peculiarity of the SCAR rifles is that they are special forces weapons that embody many years of combat experience. After the signing of the agreement on the initial stage of production, military tests were carried out in various climatic zones, in which Navi Seals operators, US Marine Special Forces soldiers and Army Rangers took part.
Fn SCAR Mk 17
The SCAR family of rifles, in addition to two “basic” variants - the “light” rifle Mk.16 SCAR-L (Light) chambered for 5.56x45mm NATO caliber and the “heavy” rifle Mk.17 SCAR-H (Heavy) chambered for more powerful 7.62x51mm NATO ammunition , includes the Mk 13 Mod 0 or FN40GL - a 40mm grenade launcher that can be used as an under-barrel grenade launcher for either variant, or used independently.
Fn SCAR Mk 13
Both basic configurations offer the possibility of installing barrels of various lengths, which determine their tactical purpose. There are three standard options - “S” (Standard), “CQC” (Close Quarters Combat) - a shortened machine gun for close combat, and “SV” (Sniper Variant) - a sniper weapon. The manufacturer emphasizes the principle of modularity of its design - 82% of the parts, of which there are only 175, can be used in weapons of both calibers.
Varieties of Fn SCAR Mk 16
The steel magazine for the MK-16 is interchangeable with the magazine for the M-4 carbine, although, according to the developer, it is of better quality. The chrome-plated barrel and overall quality of workmanship guarantee a long service life of the assault rifle. The automatic weapon with a short stroke of the gas piston, in addition to low sensitivity to contamination, guarantees the machine increased stability when firing. The principle of double-sidedness is fully implemented: the safety tab and the magazine release button can be activated on both sides, the cocking handle can be installed on both the right and left sides. The stock, folding to the right, is adjustable in length with locking in six positions. A slightly lower rate of fire compared to other rifles contributes to greater stability of the weapon when firing.
Fn SCAR System
The rifles are currently being mass-produced and have entered service with the 75th US Ranger Regiment. However, for a number of reasons, US SOCOM abandoned the use of the Mark 16 / Mk.16 SCAR-L, purchasing instead 7.62 mm SCAR-H assault rifles with upgrade kits for 5.56x45 ammunition. However, the high combat and operational qualities of the SCAR family of rifles have contributed to their widespread use in the armed forces of countries around the world.
What Russia is fighting with
The much-advertised AN-94 "Abakan", although it demonstrated record accuracy in the fire mode in bursts of two rounds, otherwise has no advantages over the AK-74, moreover, being an extremely complex and expensive design to manufacture, unsuitable for arming soldiers - conscripts.
AN-94 "Abakan"
AK 100 series assault rifles, the development of which began at the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant in the early 1990s, were initially created as commercial weapons designed for foreign markets. The weapon, created on the basis of the AK-74, represents its variants for the most common intermediate cartridges in the world: 5.56x45 NATO, 7.62x39 and 5.56x45.
AK-101
- The AK-101 is an assault rifle for the widely used NATO 5.56x45 ammunition and, according to the developer, demonstrates better accuracy in burst mode than the M-16 A2.
- The AK-103 uses the well-deserved 7.62x39 (M1943) cartridge, is compatible with the magazines of old AK/AKM assault rifles and is intended to replace them.
- AK-102, 104 and 105 are small-sized assault rifles, built on the basis of their full-size versions and somewhat superior in their combat and operational characteristics to the AKS-74u. They are distinguished from the “basic” models by a shortened barrel with a special muzzle flash suppressor and a modified sighting bar, which has markings only up to 500 m.
AK-105
All AK 100 series are equipped with a side rail for mounting optics. Black polyamide is used to make the stock, fore-end, pistol grip and magazine body, which is why AKs of the 100th series abroad received the commercial name “Black Kalashnikov”. The largest buyer of the 100th series AK to date is Venezuela, with which a contract was concluded for the supply and licensed assembly of 100,000 AK-103 units. A batch of AK-102s was also acquired by Indonesia.
AK-102
The 100th series AKs, although a commercially successful project, are only a cosmetic upgrade of the AK-74 and are not without its shortcomings. The most significant drawback of the AK family of assault rifles is the difficulty of placing optical sights on them. The problem is primarily due to the fact that at the top of the weapon, where the optics should be installed, there is a detachable receiver cover and gas tube. The side rail with a dovetail mount, which is found on all AK-74m assault rifles, does not solve the problem, since in case of incomplete disassembly, the sight must be removed to clean the assault rifle or eliminate delays when firing. After installing it, naturally, the weapon must be brought back into normal combat. In addition, the sight installed on the AK-74m does not allow the stock to be folded. The sector safety-translator of fire modes on AK family assault rifles is inconvenient, “loud” and causes a lot of complaints.
The 100th series AKs, although a commercially successful project, are only a cosmetic upgrade of the AK-74 and are not without its shortcomings
To eliminate these and other shortcomings and generally “modernize” the design, the Izhmash concern developed the AK-12, which means “Kalashnikov Automatic 2012.” Although the weapon uses classic automatics with a long stroke gas piston, its design has undergone major changes. The trigger mechanism was redesigned, the bolt group and receiver were updated. The receiver cover, which now has increased rigidity, is mounted on hinges and can be tilted up and forward to disassemble and clean the machine gun. These measures made it possible to achieve a constant position of the cover relative to the barrel, which makes it possible to install optical, collimator and night sights on the Picatinny rail located on the cover. The cocking handle has been moved forward and can, at the shooter’s request, be moved to the left or right side. The fire switch safety now has a different design - it is located on both sides of the weapon and has four positions - “safety”, “single shooting”, “fixed bursts of 3 shots”, “automatic fire”.
AK-12. Photo: Wikipedia
A bolt delay has been added to the design of the weapon, which allows for faster reloading. The folding telescopic stock has a height-adjustable pad and butt plate, which allows you to customize the machine gun to the anthropometric data of a particular shooter. Other innovations of the machine include an abundance of picatinny rails, located, in addition to the receiver cover, also on the upper pad of the fore-end and on its side surfaces, rifling and bullet entry of the barrel modified to improve accuracy; a new muzzle brake-compensator that allows firing foreign-made muzzle grenades. The manufacturer promises versions of the AK-12 for different ammunition - from 5.56x45 and 7.62x39 to 7.62x51 NATO. The machine gun can be used both with standard magazines of the appropriate caliber, and with a new four-row magazine with a capacity of 60 rounds.
What does Ukraine produce?
As a result of research work on the modernization of the Kalashnikov AK-74 assault rifle, the Scientific and Technical Center for Precision Engineering introduced the Vepr assault rifle in 2003. The machine gun is configured according to the “bullpup” design (with mechanics in the butt) and retains the reliable automatic functioning scheme of the AK-74. The developer states that the Vepr is “a quarter shorter than the AK, 200 g lighter and has twice the accuracy.” The cocking handle and safety can be moved to either side, while the cocking handle, made as a separate unit, is stationary when firing. It is proposed to standardly equip the assault rifle with a Ukrainian-developed collimator sight. Instead of the forend, it is possible to install a GP-25 under-barrel grenade launcher. The disadvantages of the weapon include the inconvenience of changing the magazine (which is typical for all models arranged according to the “bulpup” scheme) and the inconvenient location of the fire mode translator far behind the pistol grip of the fire control. The Vepr was addressed primarily to special forces soldiers and Ukrainian peacekeepers, but never entered service.
Vepr assault rifle, photo: weapon.at.ua
In 2010, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine was presented with a new assault rifle “Malyuk” (aka Vulkan-M) developed by the Artillery Armament Design Bureau, Kiev. The product is also a weapon configured according to the “bullpup” design, generally repeating the general concept of the “Boar”, but with some improvements in terms of ergonomics. The machine gun is equipped with a Picatinny rail and can be equipped with various sighting devices. At the customer's request, Ukrainian-made mufflers can be installed. The machine gun did not arouse interest either from the Ukrainian defense department or from foreign customers.
Malyuk assault rifle (Vulcan-M), photo: oruzheika.mybb.ru
In 2008, the Ukrainian scientific and production association of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine “Fort” (Vinnitsa) entered into an agreement on the licensed production of the Tavor series of small arms developed by the state-owned Israeli company IMI (Israel Military Industries). The Tavor Tar-21 family of weapons is modular and consists of several samples built on the basis of one main design. The system includes: a standard assault rifle Tar-21 with a barrel length of 465 mm (in Ukraine standardized as “Fort 222”), STAR-21 (CTAR - Commando Tavor Assault Rifle) - a modification with a barrel shortened to 375 mm, intended for special forces (“Fort-221”) and a compact machine gun used as a self-defense weapon for vehicle crews - “Micro Tavor” MTAR-21 with a 330 mm barrel, as well as a “Sniper” version - STAR-21 (STAR - Sharp Shooting Tavor Assault Rifle ) - an assault rifle equipped with a bipod and an optical sight (standardly equipped with a 4x ACOG sight).
Tavor Tar-21, photo: Wikipedia
Tavor STAR-21, photo: Wikipedia
Tavor MTAR-21, photo: Wikipedia
The body of the weapon is made of high-strength polymers in combination with light alloys, and in some places reinforced with steel inserts. Tavor barrels chambered for the NATO 5.56*45 cartridge, produced in Ukraine, are supplied from Israel, where they are made by cold forging. Barrels for Fort 221 assault rifles chambered for 5.45×39 are produced at the industrial base of NPO Fort in Vinnitsa using our own technology. The trigger mechanism provides firing in two modes - single fire and a burst of arbitrary length. Sights normally consist of a collimator sight with an integrated laser designator. The sight illumination turns on automatically when the bolt is cocked and turns off when the machine gun is unloaded. During testing, Tavor assault rifles demonstrated good maneuverability, which is especially important when fighting in urban conditions, increased impact resistance and reliability when used in emergency conditions. The weapon is comfortable when shooting offhand and demonstrates good accuracy.
Fort-221
On December 23, 2009, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted a resolution on the adoption by the Security Service of Ukraine, the State Security Administration, the State Border Service and the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine of the “Fort-221”, “Fort-222” assault rifle and “Fort223/224” submachine guns ″. These samples did not arouse interest in the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, because NATO 5.56x45 ammunition, for which Tavor/Fort was originally designed, is not produced in Ukraine. In this regard, the management of NPO Fort announced the start of preparations for its own production of 5.56x45 cartridges. Somewhat later, a version of the Tavor / “Fort-221” was created chambered for the 5.45x39 cartridge, which is produced in Ukraine at the Lugansk Cartridge Plant.
Fort-224
What are they fighting in the ATO zone?
So what are the Ukrainian military and their opponents armed with in the ATO zone in the South-East of Ukraine? The most popular weapon is still the Kalashnikov assault rifle of various modifications. In the hands of our soldiers and national guardsmen are both AK-74 and older assault rifles of the AK/AKM/AKMS family, which are believed to provide some advantages when conducting combat operations in the forest zone due to the lesser tendency for the 7.62x39 cartridge bullet to ricochet at shooting through branches.
The separatists are armed even more variegatedly - in addition to Kalashnikovs of various modifications, they have a variety of exotic weapons, probably brought into the conflict zone from Russian long-term storage warehouses. These are PPSh and even PPD (!) submachine guns, SKS carbines and DP light machine guns. The GRU Spetsnaz groups of the General Staff of the Russian Army operating on the territory of our country, for the most part, use standard AK-74m assault rifles. So, despite the abundance of technically advanced third-generation models on the world market, our soldiers still clutch in their hands the well-deserved Kalashnikov assault rifle, nicknamed Kalash among the troops and, sometimes, a little familiarly, Kalashyan.
AS "Val"
The Soviet-origin AS Val assault rifle began its service in 1987 and is still in use today. It is the basis of the weapons of the country's special units, occupying a leading position in the ranking of the best assault rifles in the world.
Among the advantages of the AS “Val”, first of all, it is worth mentioning its noiselessness, light weight and ease of transportation. The disassembled machine is folded into a special case, convenient for movement and storage. Among other advantages, an important place is occupied by the ability to fire several types of cartridges. The basic model of the machine gun can be supplemented with night vision systems. AS “Val” is used for shooting at relatively short distances - up to 400 m. The history of the service includes military events in Chechnya and South Ossetia.
Remington-870
The weapon was first used in 1950 and is still preferred by law enforcement officers, shooting sportsmen, and hunting enthusiasts. It is praised for its reliable build and reasonable cost. You can choose to shoot with bullets or buckshot. Originally released, the Wingmaster is now produced in limited quantities for collector use. The Express Combo version of the weapon is sold with two barrels: a slug and a shotgun.
4. TAR-21(Tavor)
Since 2001, the Israeli TAR-21 (Tavor) assault rifle has been in service with many countries. This type of automatic weapon has shown its effectiveness and convenience for the shooter, which is why it boldly entered the list of the best automatic weapons in the world. The advantages of the TAR-21 (Tavor) include: a universal device, convenient for use by right-handers and left-handers, protection from external damage, reliability of the weapon and the possibility of using additional devices - night vision devices, a silencer and even a grenade launcher.
The machine gun is easy to use and, due to its light weight (3.27 kg), does not interfere with the movement of the fighter, allowing him to maintain maneuverability. The rifle's rate of fire is about 900 rounds per minute. The standard magazine is replaced by a larger-capacity clip containing about a hundred rounds of ammunition.
UZI
The machine was created by Israeli designers. It is functional, compact and balanced. The quality is evidenced by the following fact: weapons are preferred by military personnel from 90 countries on our planet. Over the entire history of use, 10 million firearms have been manufactured.
The Uzi gained even greater fame after the weapon was used in the scene of the shooting of a mafioso in the film Scarface. Thanks to its small dimensions and easy recharging, the unit is convenient for use in tight spaces. Following the end of the Suez War, the machine gun was modernized. We increased the height of the handle, updated the materials of the forend and butt.
FN SCAR-H
Another assault rifle, developed by designers of a Belgian arms company in collaboration with American colleagues, FN SCAR-H, was put into service in 2009, and in 2014 received the title of best assault rifle of the year in the United States. The rifle is used by many countries and is the basis of the weapons of US special forces.
The FN SCAR-H assault rifle is very ergonomic and easy to use, it has virtually no recoil and a very high degree of reliability. Since 2016, it has been a constant leader, one of the three best slot machines in the world. The weapon weighs little - less than 3.2 kg. It has a high combat range: targeted shooting can be carried out at a distance of about 900 m. Rate of fire is 625 rounds per minute. A standard clip contains 30 rounds.
SIG SG 550
Swiss assault rifle, which went into mass production in 1979. It was a worthy replacement for the then outdated SIG SG 510. Unlike its predecessor, the SG 550 has a top-mounted bolt handle that can be pulled from both sides of the weapon, and an improved system for switching fire from single shots to continuous or fixed bursts.
Other characteristics of the SIG SG 550:
- Weight with magazine without cartridges - 4100 grams;
- Caliber – 5.56x46;
- 4 types of box magazines for 5, 10, 20 and 30 rounds;
- Aimed firing range – 0.4 km;
- Bullet departure speed – up to 980 m per second;
- The frequency of shots is up to 700 per minute.
Bushmaster ACR 3
A set of small arms from an American manufacturer. A unique weapon, which is a separate high-quality rifle with a non-standard device. The special feature of the Bushmaster ACR 3 is the combination of aluminum elements of the machine with parts made of impact-resistant plastic. The anti-slip body allows you to hold the weapon more securely, minimizing the risk of it slipping.
The machine gun has an ergonomic structure with the most comfortable arrangement of elements, allowing the fighter to quickly take a combat readiness position. The Bushmaster ACR 3 weighs less than 3.2 kg, and carries out targeted shooting at a distance of 500 m. The main clip includes 30 rounds. The only significant drawback of the weapon is its high cost.
M-1911
The pistol is a self-loading weapon. It was designed by D. Browning for the 45 ACP cartridge. From 1911 to the 1990s, the American army armed itself with firearms. In addition, it has been the weapon of choice for criminal gangs over the past 50 years and is the weapon of choice for hitmen. The pistol was never modified after 1926.
The “grandfather” of modern small arms is easy to maintain, resistant to the external environment, and has a low volume level. The weapon is equipped with a special mechanism used for lighting and a small-sized optical sight.
AK-12
The leader among assault rifles is the AK12. The brainchild of the Russian Kalashnikov concern was developed in 2011, and accepted into service only in 2022. It is lightweight (3.2 kg) due to its lightweight buttstock made of durable plastic. The AK12 is convenient for shooters with both right and left hands, since the reloading mechanism can be installed on either side of the machine. A standard clip contains 60 rounds, a drum clip holds up to 95. The rate of fire of the AK12 is 650 rounds per minute. Range - 500 m.
The main advantage of the weapon is its unique device, which allows you to perform the necessary manipulations with one hand, be it reloading a machine gun, jerking the bolt, etc. Not all small arms experts agree with the primacy of the AK12 in the ranking of the best assault rifles in the world, but at the moment it is the best Russian-made model.
Kalashnikov assault rifle
The legendary AK was invented by Sergeant Mikhail Kalashnikov when he was recovering in hospital after being wounded in 1942. The weapon was adopted for service after the war, in 1949, and its first major baptism of fire took place in Hungary in 1956. All its subsequent modifications were actively used by the Soviet allies to participate in military conflicts, and were also supplied to many countries where national liberation uprisings and other military movements took place.
Among the main advantages of AK assault rifles, and especially the latest modification of 2012, the 2AK-12, are ease of use, moisture resistance, speed of assembly and disassembly, as well as high reliability and rate of fire. You can fire up to 650 bullets per minute, and about 60 rounds of ammunition can be loaded into the magazine.
Another special feature of the latest model is that the fighter can simultaneously perform several manipulations using only one hand. Even if the second hand is occupied with something else or is incapacitated due to injury, it will not be difficult for a military man to quickly jerk the bolt, change the magazine and switch the safety.
If necessary, the handle can easily be adjusted to the left side, and the telescopic drive can be removed and compactly folded in both directions. According to experts, the total number of assault rifles registered with military structures and private security organizations around the world is more than 90 million.
Bonus: AK-400
The Kalashnikov concern's AK-400 model is an improved version of an automatic weapon. Its development allows you to supplement the machine gun with many accessories: a sight, a handle, a target designator or a flashlight. This model is adaptive, allowing the fighter to adjust the size of the weapon to suit his own physiological characteristics. Another advantage of the AK-400 is the ability to use two types of cartridges - 5.45 mm and 7.62 mm. The machine gun weighs just over 3 kg, and the length of the weapon is 94 cm. Innovations of the machine gun include the so-called “cut-off” mode - the simultaneous release of three bullets when the trigger is pressed once, as well as a Picatinny rail and a telescopic butt.
Carbine "Sarych"
And the semi-automatic carbine “Sarych” - the diploma work of gunsmith Alexander Shevchenko - closes the top eight. The weapon is chambered for the .308 Win cartridge using the bullpup system. A compact receiver with a minimally retractable bolt makes the rifle highly reliable; the influence of moving parts on the accuracy of shots is minimized.
“Sarych” is equipped with Picatinny rails, a bipod, and the butt has special cheek and shoulder rests. Interchangeable barrels allow the weapon to be used both as an automatic rifle and as a light machine gun.
With all its advantages and impressive futuristic design, “Sarych” has one main drawback - it remained an unrealized project.
Oleg Koryakin
Mauser K98k, Germany
In sixth position is a not very modern, but still one of the most advanced weapons of the military industry. The legendary Mauser became the prototype or modification option for many subsequent models.
The rifle proved itself very well during the wars of the early twentieth century thanks to various technical innovations, including:
- gunpowder that does not produce smoky clouds;
- cartridges in clips;
- sliding type shutter.
Before this product, such features were practically not used in the weapons industry.
