The StG 44 is generally considered the first selective fire military rifle to popularize the assault rifle concept. Furthermore, Hitler was initially opposed to the idea of a new infantry rifle, as Germany lacked the industrial capacity to replace the 12,000,000 Karabiner 98k rifles already in service, only changing his mind once he saw it first-hand. It has been suggested, however, that the Heereswaffenamt was responsible for the name Sturmgewehr, and Hitler had no input besides signing the production order.

Allied propaganda suggested that the name was chosen for propaganda purposes, but the main purpose was to differentiate the Sturmgewehr from German submachine guns such as the MP 40. The term assault rifle is generally attributed to Adolf Hitler, who used the German word Sturmgewehr (which translates to 'assault rifle') as the new name for the MP 43 ( Maschinenpistole), subsequently known as the Sturmgewehr 44. The two most successful modern assault rifles are the AK-47 and the M16 designs and their derivatives. By the end of the 20th century, assault rifles had become the standard weapon in most of the world's armies, replacing full-powered rifles and sub-machine guns in most roles. While immediately after World War II, NATO countries were equipped with battle rifles, the development of the M16 rifle during the Vietnam War prompted the adoption of assault rifles by the rest of NATO. The first assault rifle to see major usage was the German StG 44, a development of the earlier Mkb 42. Assault rifles were first put into mass production and accepted into widespread service during World War II. It fires the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge, and is the most produced assault rifle in its caliber.Īn assault rifle is a selective fire rifle that uses an intermediate cartridge and a detachable magazine. The M16 was first introduced into service in 1964 with the United States Armed Forces.

Mon hunt world steel assault ii