all texts and some pictures
copyright © 1999-2010
by Max R. Popenker
and can not be used without author permission

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Maxim Popenker was born in Leningrad, Russia, in 1973, graduated from St.Petersburg State Technical University, and is a lieutenant (reserve) in the Russian Armed forces. He has a long term in small arms and is the creator and webmaster of the leading internet small arms resource 'Modern firearms' website (this one) 
He is also a contributing editor to one of the leading Russian gun magazines.

Anthony G Williams has a particular interest in the history of automatic weapons and their ammunition. He is the author of 'Rapid Fire: The Development of Automatic Cannon, Heavy Machine Guns and their Ammunition for Armies, Navies and Air Forces' and (in collaboration with Emmanuel Gustin) the 'Flying Guns' trilogy, which describes the development of aircraft guns, ammunition and installations from 1914 to the present day.
More details about other books from Anthony Williams, as well as his articles, are available at his website Rapid Firepower

Assault Rifles: Introduction

Maxim Popenker's note: although the second part of the book is based on the material, gathered for this website, the articles are re-worked, expanded and, obviously, proof-read by native British speakers. Also, each country's section is started with the historical overview of the developments in that particular country, the feature which this site obviously lacks.

Book content

CHAPTER 1. Assault Rifles: a Brief History
CHAPTER 2. Technical Background: the Weapons
CHAPTER 3. Technical Background: Ammunition Design and Ballistics
CHAPTER 4. The Development of the Assault Rifle Cartridge

PART 2: THE WEAPONS
Austria
* Steyr Stg.77 / AUG
* Steyr ACR

Belgium
* FN FAL
* FN FNC
* FN F2000

Brazil.
* IMBEL MD-2 and MD-3

Canada.
* Diemaco C7 / C8

China, People Republic of
* Type 56 assault rifle
* Type 63 / Type 68
* Type 81
* QBZ-95 / 97

Croatia
* APS 95

Czechoslovakia / Czech Republic
* SA Vz.58
* CZ-2000

Finland
* Sako - Valmet Rk. 62 / 76 / 95
* Valmet M82

France
* FAMAS

Germany, pre-1945
* Haenel MKb.42(H)
* Walther MKb.42(W)
* Haenel MP-43 MP-44 Stg.44
* Mauser Stg.45(M)

Germany, Federal Republic.
* Heckler und Koch G3
* Heckler und Koch HK 33 and HK 53
* Heckler und Koch G41
* Heckler und Koch G36
* Heckler und Koch G11

India
* INSAS.

Israel
* Galil
* Tavor TAR-21

Italy
* Beretta BM 59
* Beretta AR-70/223 and AR-70/90

Japan
* Type 64
* Type 89

Singapore
* SAR-80
* SR-88
* SAR-21

South Africa
* Vektor CR-21

South Korea (Republic of Korea)
* Daewoo K1 and K2

Spain
* CETME mod. A, B, 58, C
* CETME mod. L and LC

Sweden
* Bofors AK5

Switzerland
* Stgw. 57 / SIG 510
* SIG SG-540 SG-542 SG-543
* Stgw.90 / SIG SG-550 SG-551 SG-552

United Kingdom
* Enfield EM-2 / Rifle, Automatic, calibre .280, Number 9 Mark 1
* Enfield SA-80 IW: L85A1 and L85A2

USSR, Russia and other former USSR republics
* Kalashnikov AK and AKM
* Kalashnikov AK-74, AKS-74 and AK-74M
* Kalashnikov AKS-74U
* Kalashnikov AK-101 – AK-105 (“hundred” series)
* Nikonov AN-94 ("Abakan”)
* AEK-971
* OTs-14 "Groza"
* AS "Val"
* SR-3 “Vikhr”
* 9A-91
* A-91
* APS underwater assault rifle

USA
* ArmaLite AR-10
* M14
* ArmaLite / Colt AR-15 / M16
* Colt CAR-15 / XM-177 Commando
* ArmaLite AR-18
* Stoner 63
* Sturm, Ruger & Co. Mini-14 GB / AC-556
* Colt ACR
* AAI ACR
* Colt M4 carbine
* XM29 OICW
* XM8


APPENDICES:
1 Ammunition Table
2 Gun Table
3 Glossary

BIBLIOGRAPHY

INDEX

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