Assault rifle

A selective-fire rifle chambered for an intermediate cartridge and fed from a detachable magazine. Its defining feature is the ability to switch between semiautomatic and automatic or burst fire.

Selective fire: A firearm capability that lets its user select between semiautomatic fire and another firing mode. The selector switches an assault rifle between single-shot and automatic or burst operation.
Fedorov Avtomat: A Russian automatic rifle introduced in the 1910s and chambered for the 6.5×50mmSR Arisaka cartridge. It is often cited as an early weapon with characteristics associated with later assault rifles.
Battle rifle: A military rifle chambered for a full-power cartridge and generally designed for semiautomatic or selective fire. Its more powerful cartridge distinguishes it from the intermediate-cartridge assault rifle.
AK-74: A Soviet assault rifle adopted in 1974 and chambered for the 5.45×39mm cartridge. It illustrates the shift toward smaller-caliber, high-velocity ammunition in Soviet service.
Small arms: Portable firearms designed to be carried and operated by individuals or small crews. Assault rifles are a prominent class of military small arms.
Intermediate cartridge: A rifle cartridge less powerful than a full-power rifle cartridge but more powerful than a typical pistol cartridge. Its reduced recoil and size support controllable automatic fire and compact ammunition loads.
StG 44: A German selective-fire rifle developed during World War II and chambered for the 7.92×33mm Kurz cartridge. Its name and intermediate cartridge helped establish the modern assault-rifle concept.
Automatic rifle: A military rifle capable of sustained automatic fire, often intended to support a squad. The label covers a broader role and does not require an intermediate cartridge.
FN FAL: A Belgian-designed battle rifle widely adopted by military forces during the Cold War. Its full-power cartridge offers a useful comparison with intermediate-cartridge service rifles.
Infantry tactics: Methods used by infantry forces to move, fight, and coordinate on the battlefield. Assault rifles support mobile units with compact weapons and rapid follow-up fire.

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