The best pistols and machine guns. The Coolest Modern Assault Rifles
Company Heckler Koch has been producing amazing things since its inception, and one of the best products is the light machine gun Heckler Koch HK MG4 MG43. It has a 5.6mm cartridge strip and production started in 2001. Due to the complexity of the work and unique features, developing a machine gun was a difficult task for the company.
This is another brainchild of the same company. Heckler Koch HK416 is an assault rifle that introduced a new engineering concept for dangerous weapons. It uses a gas piston system on the AR-15 platform. It comes from Germany. It was successfully used by the American army during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The AS50 is a large caliber sniper rifle that is manufactured by a British firearms company called " Accuracy International" One of the most professional rifles of its kind with high sighting range and shooting accuracy. The weight of the rifle is 14 kg, the accuracy is 1.5. There is a removable magazine.
general purpose, made in Germany in response to the MG42 and chambered for 7.5*51mm NATO cartridges. An automatic machine gun with a transverse safety bolt in the form of a button, which is under the control of the shooter. still used by the German army in modern battles.
Automatic F-2000, developed by a Belgian company Herstal, was first presented at a defense exhibition in 2001 in Abu Dhabi. Equipped with 5.6 * 45 mm NATO cartridges, the layout is bullpup. fully automatic. The main sight is a telescope with a magnification of 1.6x, which helps to mark the target so that you never miss.
Grenade launcher was developed as part of a project to create targeted group combat weapons. This 25-caliber grenade launcher is rightfully considered one of the deadliest, as it can kill a living creature from a distance of 2 km and easily destroy an armored vehicle located a kilometer away. The speed is also amazing - 250 rounds per minute.
The Uzi submachine gun was developed in Israel. The project of the young officer Uziel Gal was adopted for service in 1954. really popular among armies and nations, and is currently used in more than 90 countries around the world. The submachine gun is equipped with an open sight and a safety lock to prevent accidental discharge.
Another submachine gun, the M1921, which was invented by an American in 1919, is a compact, most reliable weapon of its kind and widely used today. Thanks to its reliability, high accuracy and volume of automatic fire, it is popular among both soldiers and criminals around the world.
Sniper rifle DSR- the brainchild of the company DSR Precision in the development of which advanced technologies and engineering achievements were used. Reload time is kept to a minimum, making it one of the most dangerous of all weapons in its class.
Its length is 54 inches, weight is 22 pounds, barrel size is 660 mm, cartridge is 7.6 * 50 mm NATO. This rifle is relatively expensive, but the price is well justified by the quality. It is mainly used by professional snipers and shooters.
The topic of our article today is the rating of manufacturers of circuit breakers in the domestic and foreign markets. Next, we will tell you which company is better to give preference when choosing an automatic machine, and also provide readers of the site with leading brands that produce automatic equipment for household and industrial use. A brief overview of the best economy-class AVs, which are most often used in houses and apartments, will also be provided.
Brand overview
So, first, let's briefly talk about the main manufacturers of circuit breakers. As for foreign brands, the most famous are:
- ABB. A Swedish-Swiss company that is rightfully considered a leader in the production of electrical products. Today, ABB circuit breakers are the highest quality, most durable and safe to use. As you understand, you will have to pay more money for such foreign products than for a domestic model. At the same time, the difference in price is small, so for home and apartment we recommend buying machines from the manufacturer ABB.
- Legrand. Country of origin: France. Legrand circuit breakers are not inferior in quality to the ABB brand, so it is also preferable to choose Legrand products for electrical installation work. The cost of the machines is approximately the same, in fact, as in reliability.
- Schneider Electric. Another French company that closes the TOP 3 best manufacturers specializing in the production of reliable circuit breakers. Schneider Electric has been established in the Russian market of electrical products for a very long time and has many positive reviews from experienced electricians.
- General Electric. An American manufacturer of power machines and other electrical products, which can also be called one of the best in quality. Today there are many discussions on forums about which is better: GE or Legrand. Here we can say that both brands produce good quality circuit breakers, but in fact, Legrand is in greater demand in the Russian market.
- Siemens. The Siemens company specializes not only in the production of automation, but still has a wide range of models for industrial and domestic use. The quality is slightly worse than that of the top three, but still very high. The price is also slightly lower compared to manufacturers such as ABB, Legrand and Schneider Electric.
- Moeller. A German company that successfully competes with such a global giant as ABB. Despite the fact that in 2007 Moeller was bought out by the American Eaton Corporation, this did not affect the quality and reliability of the products for the worse. Moeller circuit breakers meet all international standards and are very popular.
Among domestic manufacturers of automatic machines, the best quality is from such brands as:
I would also like to say a few words about products from China. Chinese circuit breakers EKF electrotechnica, whose direct competitors are IEK circuit breakers. Both companies have approximately the same price and similar quality. Oddly enough, China provides a 5-year warranty on its products.
Our rating
So, we have listed all the most popular domestic and foreign companies that produce these devices. Now I would like to provide my own rating of circuit breaker manufacturers for 2019:
- ABB, in particular the S200 series. A detailed review of ABB machines is available at the link:. Slightly inferior to SH200.
- Legrand, TX3 or DX3 series.
- Schneider Electric, Acti9 iC or iK series. A more budget option Easy 9.
- Siemens, series 5SX, 5SY, 5SP, 5SL.
- General Electric, DMS LINE.
- Moeller, PL6 or PL7.
- Hager, MS series.
- KEAZ, OptiDin VM63.
- Eaton, xPole Home. By the way, we reviewed the machine from this series in a separate article: .
- DEKraft, VA-103.
The only thing I would like to clarify is that this rating of manufacturers of electric machines is not entirely convenient to base on it by company. Here you must first decide how much money you can allocate for home security automation. Even companies such as ABB have their own series of low-cost budget models. If you need to buy an economy class machine, we recommend that you still give preference to reliability - the Legrand, ABB and Schneider Eletric brands. For supporters of Russian products, we can recommend DEKraft, because... We haven’t come across a lot of negative reviews about this company on the forums!
The machine gun is an integral part of the fighter. The weapon should be reliable and lightweight for more convenient and productive use.
This article presents the top 10 best slot machines in the world.
10
Ferfrans HVLAR is being improved by American engineers and may become one of the best slot machines in the world. The Americans called the main advantage of the machine gun the insensible recoil from the shot. The weapon is designed for urban conditions, therefore it has a short firing range - only 500 m. The speed of shots can reach 700 rounds per minute. Ferfrans HVLAR weighs 4.5 kg.
9
M16– American automatic rifle was developed in the 60s of the 20th century. M16 assault rifles remain the main weapon of the American armed forces to this day. The sighting range of the automatic mechanism reaches 800 m, and the speed of shots is 900 m. The weight of the weapon is 3.4 kg. The machine gun participated in all wars involving the United States, starting with the Vietnam War. The weapon is recognized as one of the best in the world.
8
FN F2000- a machine gun developed by a Belgian company in 2001. The weapon was developed specifically for combat. It can be used by both right-handed and left-handed people. The weight of the FN F2000 with an empty magazine is 3.8 kg. The target range of the weapon is half a kilometer, and the speed of shots reaches 850 m per minute. The model was used in the Afghanistan War (2001-2014). Currently, the machine gun is used in countries such as Belgium, Poland, Pakistan, India, and special units.
7
HK416- a machine gun created by German designers in 2004. The advantages of the weapon include: ease of use and smooth recoil. It is impossible not to note the versatility of the machine gun - it can be adjusted to almost any type of combat. The sighting range reaches 600 m, and the rate of fire is up to 850 rounds per minute. The disadvantages of the weapon include the barrel, which can lead the weapon away during prolonged shooting. The machine gun is used by many countries for special units. It is one of the most popular slot machines.
6
Steyr AUG A3– a universal rifle from an Austrian manufacturer. The first Steyr AUG models were released in the late 70s. Model A3 is more advanced. The target range of the weapon is 650 m, and the rate of fire is up to 750 rounds per minute. The weight of the mechanism without cartridges is 3.9 kg. The operating countries of the Steyr AUG A3 are: France, New Zealand, Morocco and others. This model is one of the most reliable in the world.
5
AS "Val" was developed by domestic designers in the 80s of the 20th century. Today, weapons are used by special forces: the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the FSB and the Armed Forces. The main advantage of the rifle is its noiselessness. It can be easily disassembled and can fit into a case.
The machine allows the use of several types of cartridges, which helps to hit a target that is protected by armor or behind an obstacle. It is possible to install a night sight. The disadvantages include the weapon's sighting range - 400m and a box magazine designed for 20 rounds. Weight without magazine and sight – 2.5 kg. The machine gun was used in the First and Second Chechen War, in the War in South Ossetia, etc.
4
TAR-21(Tavor)
TAR-21(Tavor)- Israeli automatic rifle of the 21st century. The main advantages of the model include impact resistance, reliability in extreme operating conditions, and the possibility of both right-hand and left-hand operation. It is also possible to install a night vision device and a grenade launcher. The barrel of the weapon requires the installation of a silencer.
The ergonomics of the model increases the soldier’s chances of not being seen by the enemy. The Tavor is capable of firing up to 900 shots per minute, and its mass is 3.27. A box magazine holds 20-30 rounds, extended magazines hold up to 100 rounds. The sighting range is 500m. The model was developed in 1993. The TAR-21 entered service in 2001 and is still used by troops to this day. The weapon is considered one of the most authoritative rifles of recent times.
3
FN SCAR-H– a combat assault rifle was developed jointly by Belgian and American companies in 2005. It won the competition for the best assault rifle for American special forces in 2014. The main advantages of the weapon include low recoil, high shooting accuracy, versatility and unpretentiousness in any conditions.
The model weighs 3.19. The weapon is capable of firing 625 shots per minute. The sighting range is a maximum of 900 m. The magazine holds 20-30 rounds. Currently used only by US Special Forces. Weapons count one of the best modern and expensive machines.
2
Bushmaster ACR 3
Bushmaster ACR 3 is an adaptive combat rifle developed by an American company. Initially, it was intended to modernize the M16 family of rifles, but the developers did not stop there and decided to introduce several more new design elements. The upper part of the machine's receiver is made of aluminum, and the lower part is made of high-strength plastic. The body of the weapon is rough, which allows the weapon not to slip in the hands of a soldier.
All ACR controls are within easy reach, allowing the shooter to instantly assume a firing position. Automatic rifle barrels are similar to sniper barrels and change quickly. The weight of the weapon is 3.18. The effective sighting range is half a kilometer. The magazine holds 30 rounds. This model was developed in 2007. The disadvantages of the rifle include its high price. This is one of the best models developed in the USA at the moment.
1
AK-12- a new, improved Kalashnikov assault rifle, which allows the fighter to carry out all operations with one hand: change the magazine, pull the bolt, switch the safety. In addition to the telescopic butt, the machine gun has a plastic butt, which can significantly reduce weight. Now it is possible to install the reloading handle on both sides, which is very convenient for using the machine gun both right-handed and left-handed. The weight of the new model is 3.2 excluding the magazine.
The box magazine is designed for 30-60 rounds, and the drum magazine for 95. The machine gun has a sighting range of a kilometer. This weapon is capable of firing up to 650 rounds per minute. The mechanism was developed in 2011 and put into service in 2015. The military greeted the new model without enthusiasm, citing many shortcomings of the invention, so for a long time the weapon was denied testing, which should be funded by the state. However, the new promising machine was chosen due to its light weight and lower price. According to the latest data, this is so far the best machine gun that has been produced in Russia.
With a rifled barrel it is the main weapon of a soldier in any army. The American television channel Discovery once again pleased the world with its latest weapons rating, based on the results of which the best rifle of the 20th century was chosen. Despite some bias and bias in the Military Channel programs, I believe that it is always useful to get acquainted with a foreign perspective on a topic that interests us.
Each model was evaluated by military experts for accuracy of fire, combat effectiveness, originality of design, ease of use and reliability. The presented weapon models were created throughout the 20th century, which did not confuse the experts at all - in their opinion, good small arms have been used in the regular army for decades, and then get a second life in regional conflicts, which abound in the 20th century. To be convinced of the validity of these words, it is enough to recall the Mosin “three-line” model of 1891, the Kalashnikov assault rifle or the legendary “Colt” M1911 - the index speaks for itself, but even after 100 years the pistol does not seem like an anachronism and is still widely used throughout to the world.
10th place - A rifle that strikes on the spot.
Automatic rifle M14
Caliber: 7.62 mm
Muzzle velocity: 850 m/s
Rate of fire: 700-750 rounds/min.
Magazine capacity: 20 rounds
During World War II, the American army faced a major problem: each infantry platoon used three types of small arms with different ammunition: the standard M1 Garand semi-automatic rifle (caliber 0.30-06), the .45-caliber Thompson submachine gun and the manual machine gun "Browning" M1918 (7.62 x 63 mm). The result of work on the topic “universal small arms” was the creation of the M14 automatic rifle; the weapon was put into service in 1957 (complete with an M76 under-barrel grenade launcher). The M14 used a full-size 7.62 caliber cartridge (powder charge 1.5 times greater than that of the AK-47), giving the rifle a longer effective firing range and high lethality of the ammunition.
However, in practice, the new rifle turned out to be of little use for combat: the extremely powerful ammunition did not allow firing in bursts without the use of a bipod - at a distance of 100 meters, the 3rd bullet in the burst went 10 meters above the initial aiming point. Most rifles were issued to soldiers with the fire mode translator removed - firing in bursts from the M14 was nothing more than a waste of ammunition. After suffering with the M14 for several years, the Americans adopted a new automatic weapon chambered for a low-impulse cartridge. In 1964, the combat career of the M14 as the main army rifle ended, but the high power and excellent accuracy of this unsuccessful machine gun made it possible to create a line of special rifles based on it - the M21 self-loading sniper rifle, the high-precision weapon for special forces - the M14 Enhanced Battle Rifle, the TEI M89 sniper rifle -SR for the Israel Defense Forces, rifle for the Lithuanian Armed Forces, etc.
9th place – First assault rifle
Sturmgewehr 44
Caliber: 7.92 mm
Muzzle velocity: 650 m/s
Rate of fire: 500 rounds/min.
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds
Such a unique weapon that its creation was hidden even from Hitler. In the middle of World War II, the Wehrmacht came up with the idea
creating a new small arms that combined the high rate of fire of a submachine gun and the power of a long-barreled rifle. German designers found an ingenious solution - an intermediate cartridge 7.92 x 33 mm. Now the recoil did not tear the machine gun out of the hands, however, the effective range and destructive power of the ammunition were quite consistent with a classic long-barreled rifle. And thanks to the reduction in the mass of the cartridge, the wearable ammunition load has increased.
Alas, Uncle Adolf himself stood in the way of the successful project - fortunately for our soldiers, Hitler did not appreciate the advantages of the intermediate cartridge and closed the project. But the enormous firepower of the machine guns impressed the military so much that in 1943 their mass production began under the “leftist” designation MP-43. During one of the inspection trips, the leader of the German nation was surprised by the request of the soldiers - they needed more assault rifles. Despite the revealed deception, Hitler independently came up with a sonorous name for the new “wunderwaffe” - Sturmgewehr 44 (“Hurricane Rifle”).
Despite the primitiveness of the design, the German assault rifle rightfully receives high praise for the innovative nature of its design - there is still debate as to whether the legendary Kalashnikov assault rifle was created under the impression of the StG 44.
8th place – American centenarian
Springfield M1903
Caliber: 7.62 mm
Muzzle velocity: 820 m/s.
Rate of fire: 10 rounds/min.
Clip capacity: 5 rounds
American rifle of the early twentieth century, one of many successful designs created at that time. Accurate and reliable weapon.
In 1941, American soldiers went into battle with the same rifles that their fathers had used 20 years earlier. There were simply not enough new M1 Garand rifles, and the Marines had to use the Springfield M1903 in battle, but objectively, the rifle at that time was not at all outdated, surpassing all Japanese models in its main characteristics. It was also used in Vietnam as a special sniper rifle (“What was there in this Vietnam!” the reader will exclaim, and he will be right - weapons from all over the world, from different time periods, fought there). Nowadays, “Springfields” are carefully kept in many American families.
A good weapon, but, in my opinion, the creators of the show could have found more interesting things for the rating. The Americans paid tribute to their traditions, and they have the right to rate them.
7th place - Back to front
Automatic rifle Steyr AUG
Caliber: 5.56 mm
Muzzle velocity: 940 m/s
Rate of fire: 650 rds/min
Magazine capacity: 30 or 42 rounds
The exotic design and technology of the Austrian Steyr AUG rifle became a real challenge to army traditions. The Armee Universal Gewehr small arms complex, which appeared in 1977, represented a new direction in the design of small arms - bullpup assault rifles, in which the magazine and bolt assembly are located behind the fire control handle and trigger. This made the rifle light and compact, and also increased the accuracy of fire. Other interesting features of the Steyr AUG include: a set of quick-release barrels of different lengths (replacement takes a dozen seconds), a built-in low-magnification optical sight, the absence of a fire mode translator (the selection of modes is carried out by the depth of the trigger press), a choice of the direction of ejection of cartridges - for the first time, a weapon has been adapted for right-handers and left-handers.
But, despite its outstanding technical characteristics and excellent Austrian quality, the Steyr is not widely used in the world - in addition to the Austrian army, it is produced under license in Australia, used in some Arab countries and in the US Coast Guard. The unusual appearance of the machine scared off most potential customers.
By the way, the experts were wrong - the first automatic rifle built according to the bullpup design was the Korovin assault rifle, created in 1945. Unfortunately, the unfinished design and the overall low technical level of performance did not allow it to successfully pass tests.
6th place - Hitler's favorite rifle
Bolt-action rifle Mauser K98k
Caliber: 7.92 mm.
Muzzle velocity: 860 m/s.
Rate of fire: 10-15 rds/min
Magazine capacity: 5 rounds
The Mauser K98 rifle, adopted by the Reichsheer in 1898, absorbed the most promising achievements of the then weapons science. These included smokeless powder, clips of cartridges that could simply be inserted into the magazine, and, finally, the bolt-action bolt action, a fast and simple design still used in most hunting rifles.
It is not surprising that the rifle pleased the young corporal A. Hitler. In 1935, a shortened version of the Mauser K98 was adopted by the Wehrmacht army, receiving the name Mauser K98k.
In 1943, when preparing the assassination attempt on Hitler (it was planned to land two elite snipers in the area of Hitler’s Alpine residence), British intelligence was faced with the question: which rifle to use in the operation. The answer was clear: only the Mauser M98k due to its high accuracy. Gradually the situation changed, and along with it, plans to eliminate the mustachioed Fuhrer changed. In 1944, the British canceled the operation altogether: Hitler, with his stupid orders, was causing more harm to Germany than good.
On May 9, 1945, the Third Reich ended, but the story of the Mauser K98k continued. The kosher rifle became the main small arms of the Israel Defense Forces (although the Americans are disingenuous - in the first years of the IDF’s existence, its small arms were a hodgepodge from all over the world, and the Mauser was far from the main one there, but not the last).
5th place – Right hand of the free world
Automatic rifle FN FAL
Caliber: 7.62 mm
Muzzle velocity: 820 m/s.
Rate of fire: 650-700 rds/min
Magazine capacity: 20 rounds
The FN FAL assault rifle has become a symbol of the struggle of Western civilization for the ideals of freedom and democracy - the weapon was supplied to 70 countries around the world, and is still produced in the USA. The “Big Belgian Barrel” was originally designed for shortened ammunition, but due to the standardization of weapons within the NATO bloc, it was converted to a powerful American cartridge of 7.62 x 51 mm. Despite the excessive power, the Fabric National engineers managed to achieve more or less acceptable accuracy of fire in automatic fire mode. The result is a heavy classic rifle with enormous destructive power, reliable and easy to use.
The FN FAL was the main small arms of the Israel Defense Forces during the Six-Day War, and was used in the jungles of Vietnam by units of the Canadian and Australian armies, where it showed itself better than the American M16. A funny embarrassment happened during the Falklands conflict - British marines and Argentine soldiers shot at each other from FN FAL.
4th place – Weapons of the winners in World War II
Semi-automatic rifle M1 "Garand"
Caliber: 7.62 mm
Muzzle velocity: 860 m/s
Rate of fire: up to 30 rounds per minute.
Clip capacity: 8 rounds
A true legend, a symbol of that great generation of Americans. A soldier armed with an M1 felt real power in his hands - a semi-automatic eight-shot rifle was the best weapon in the world for an infantryman at that time.
The M1 Garand, named after Canadian engineer John Garand, entered service in 1936 and remained the primary rifle of the US Army until 1957.
World War II poster - US flag has 48 stars (missing Alaska and Hawaii)
When millions of American soldiers went to fight on foreign shores, the M1 rifle suddenly developed a curious drawback: to increase the rate of fire, John Garand used automatic ejection of an empty pack in his weapon - after the eighth shot was fired, the clip instantly flew out of the rifle's bolt mechanism with a clang. A very convenient function in peacetime, but enemy soldiers quickly realized what a specific sound meant - the American GI was unarmed. But not everything is so simple - perhaps the cunning Marine clicked the spare clip on the bolt and threw the pack on the ground, waiting for the deceived Japanese to raise his head from cover.
Seriously speaking, the M1 Garand showed its best performance in a variety of climatic conditions - in the jungles of tropical islands, the sands of the Sahara or the snowdrifts of the Ardennes. There were no complaints about the reliability of the rifle. The Garand was simple, powerful and had excellent shooting accuracy. Soldiers armed with the M1 fought on all fronts of World War II; the rifle was used in Korea and, despite being officially retired, was often seen in the jungles of Vietnam.
3rd place – In the service of the Empire
Bolt-action rifle Lee-Enfield SMLE
Caliber: .303 British (7.7 mm)
Muzzle velocity: 740 m/s
Rate of fire: 20-30 rds/min
Magazine capacity: 10 rounds
Afghan Mujahid with Lee-Enfield SMLE, Kunar Province, 1985
For non-automatic rifles, the Lee-Enfield SMLE had a simply terrifying rate of fire thanks to a successful bolt design and a high-capacity magazine capable of holding 10 rounds (in this indicator, the Lee-Enfield SMLE was the leader throughout the first half of the 20th century). A trained shooter could fire up to 30 shots from it in a minute, turning a target into a sieve at a distance of 200 m. The “Crazy Minute” was one of the most spectacular numbers during the demonstration performances of the British Army.
The Lee-Enfield SMLE's fire density is comparable to that of modern semi-automatic rifles and carbines. It is not surprising that these weapons survived two world wars and were used all over the world for a long time, protecting the interests of the British Empire. Between 1907 and 1975, 17 million of these killer rifles were produced.
2nd place - Black rifle
Automatic assault rifle M16
Caliber: 5.56 mm
Muzzle velocity: 1020 m/s.
Rate of fire: 700-950 rds/min
Magazine capacity: 20 or 30 rounds
In 2003, alarming information began to arrive from the territory of occupied Iraq - too many Iraqi soldiers were killed by head-shots. The results of numerous brutal reprisals against prisoners are evident. But why are the bodies of the murdered lying everywhere? Did the experienced punishers really not even bother, at least for the sake of decency, to remove the evidence in the face of numerous international observers? Iraqi soldiers were shot in the head where they made their last stand, leaning out of tank hatches and house windows, in trenches and on barricades. Often in equipment and with weapons in their hands.
The Coalition Forces command explained this paradox by the superior accuracy of the M-16 rifles and the excellent training of American snipers. Thousands of people around the world stopped breathing thanks to the M16.
Comic for American soldiers: how to properly clean and disassemble the M16, 60s. Tastefully decorated
.For 50 years, the M16 has been an indispensable attribute of the American soldier. Despite the lower barrel energy, the power of the low-pulse 5.56 x 45 mm cartridge was quite enough to stop a person; often, when it hit the body, the bullet began to tumble unimaginably, further enlarging the wound channel. At the same time, recoil was reduced and shooting accuracy increased. The design of the automatic rifle is made of plastic and alloyed aluminum, thanks to which the M16 had a minimum weight - only 2.88 kg without a magazine.
The "Black Rifle" was the nickname given to the M16 by American soldiers in Vietnam, but despite its stylish appearance, the new weapon had many problems. The machine mechanism did not tolerate dirt and sand. The problem was solved by sealing the rifle, for example, the window for ejecting cartridges is closed with a spring-loaded curtain. In a word, you need to try to get dirt inside the M16.
The Americans admit that the M16 has excellent shooting accuracy, but this “toy” also requires careful handling from its owner. The American assault rifle is not suitable for a partisan detachment; it is created for a professional army, in which cleaning and lubricating the weapon is the daily duty of every soldier. In return, the M16 makes it possible to shoot an enemy in the head from 500 m.
1st place – Thirty charges of rock and roll. The bad guys' weapons.
Automatic assault rifle AK-47
Caliber: 7.62 mm
Muzzle velocity: 710 m/s.
Rate of fire: 600 rds/min
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds
A universal killing machine, the most deadly weapon ever created by man - according to statistics, the number of people killed with a Kalashnikov assault rifle is many times greater than the number of victims of atomic bombings or killed by any other method. 1/5 of the world's small arms reserves are Kalashnikov assault rifles. Countless clones and modifications, 60 years of combat service in all hot corners of the planet. In terms of the number of armies that have adopted this weapon, Kalashnikov can only compete with the FN FAL. The AK-47 appears on the national flag of Mozambique.
How did the Russians manage to achieve SUCH an impressive result? American experts smile and shrug – this is probably the only time America lost to smithereens to the Soviet Union. The reasons for the wild popularity of the Kalash are low cost, ease of maintenance, reliability, reliability and once again RELIABILITY.
Osama Bin Laden and his Kalashnikov
Covered with rust and dirt, buried in sand or thrown with all its might onto the ground - the Kalashnikov assault rifle continues to fire in any conditions. All you need to service it is a finger and a rag. It is no coincidence that experts compared shooting from a Kalash to the game of rock and roll: the same drive, the same reckless hacking without stopping. True, experts found a “flaw” in the legendary assault rifle - a not very attractive design (but for some reason the ugly appearance of the Kalashnikov assault rifle did not at all affect its worldwide commercial success). Thanks to its simplicity and effectiveness in any conditions, the Kalash has become a faithful companion of bandits, partisans and terrorists around the world. “Kalash” was promoted with all its might in the United States - Hollywood specially worked to create its negative image: clearly, “Kalash” is the weapon of the bad guys.
Note: Many phrases and statements in this text may seem strange to you. The author just translated the funniest opuses of Military Channel experts.
Disputes about which machine gun is the best in the world do not subside around the world, although most professional military personnel, combat veterans and ordinary weapon lovers agree on the undisputed leader. For several decades now, the AK, the legendary symbol of Russia's defense capability, has confidently held the palm. Who hasn’t tried to step on the heels of Russian gunsmiths! And although no one has yet succeeded in surpassing the brainchild of Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov, today there are many examples of very worthy weapons that claim to be the “best machine gun in the world.”
Speaking about the rating, top, top ten, one cannot help but sharpen attention to such a problem as terminology. The thing is that the words “machine gun” and “rifle” themselves can have slightly different meanings in different languages of the world. In a broad sense, this refers to a weapon with a rifled barrel that provides the shooter with the ability to fire automatically. Therefore, machine guns often end up with those that can most likely be classified as rifles. However, we’ll leave delving into the terminology to narrow specialists and turn our attention to those weapon models that are one way or another recognized as the best in their class. And let’s not ignore the fact that choosing the top ten is impossible in principle, because each weapon has its own strengths and weaknesses, being superior in some ways and inferior in others to its analogues. Therefore, when compiling the rating, we will focus on such indicators as reliability, durability, ease of operation, prevalence in the world, speed of bringing into combat position, effective firing range, accuracy, ergonomics.
Kalashnikov assault rifle
Does it make sense to start the ranking from the tenth position? After all, there is no question of any intrigue. The world leader among assault rifles is the well-known Kalash. It is the leader in the world in terms of the number of units sold. It is a constant participant in wars, uprisings and revolutions around the globe. The entire huge family is distinguished by reliability and wear resistance, but even among the best there are their leaders. Many professionals deservedly give primacy to the “forty-seventh” - the AK-47 assault rifle of the 1947 model, adopted by the Soviet Army back in 1949. What distinguishes it from its “brothers” is primarily the cartridge caliber - 7.62. The AK-74 is no less common. Compared to its predecessor, it has less weight due to the fact that the butt and fore-end are made of plastic rather than wood. The caliber of the cartridge is smaller (5.45), but the ammunition is much more common nowadays.
It is impossible not to mention the new member of the Kalashnikov family - the AK-12. Developed in 2014, this machine gun has already been put into service. Moreover, it is he who will accompany the Russian “soldier of the future”, dressed in the famous “Ratnik” equipment. But it must be said that many samples of Russian weapons fought for this right, each of which could well lay claim to the title of “the best machine gun in the world.” But the 12th Kalash confidently outperformed its competitors, taking exactly the place for which it was originally developed.
In addition to these three most common ones, there are many more modifications aimed at different needs of security forces. Most Kalashnikov assault rifles (with the exception of AKSU) can be equipped with bayonet knives and under-barrel grenade launchers.
Soldiers who have fought with a Kalash in their hands joke that this weapon can be drowned in water or a swamp, buried in sand or snow, and then taken out and continued to be used. This, of course, does not mean that weapons can and should be handled carelessly - the AK, like any other machine gun, loves to be treated with care and, in gratitude, will faithfully serve for decades. It’s not for nothing that both enthusiastic admirers and envious competitors unanimously admit that he is the best machine gun in the world! And this unanimity has not surprised anyone for a long time.
M-16
The second place in the “10 best slot machines in the world” rating also does not raise any unnecessary questions. It is confidently occupied by the American M-16. The first modifications were not particularly reliable, however, the designers still managed to “bring to mind” this weapon. Today, this weapon is confidently leading on two continents - North America and Australia.
We must pay tribute to American gunsmiths who have not lost hope of “outdoing” the domestic AK - development and improvement of the M-16 continues today. Perhaps someday they will be able to surpass the best machine gun in the world.
Photos give a clear idea of its ergonomics and laconic design. By the way, its appearance may seem familiar even to those who have never held it in their hands. This weapon appears in cinema and computer games not much less often than its main competitor.
FN SCAR
This relatively young weapon has two modifications - 16 and 17. It was developed by special order of the United States Department of Defense and was put into service in 2007. During this short service life, the machine gun managed to establish itself as an effective and reliable means of defeating enemy personnel. It is impossible not to note the rather strange appearance of this weapon, which claims third place in the ranking “The best machine gun in the world: top 10.” Photos of it help to get an idea of the design features.
The difference between MK-16 and M-17 is small. The “16” version is chambered for 5.56, and its “seventeenth” brother is chambered for 7.62x51. It lies mainly in the type of ammunition. 70% of available parts are identical.
Tavor Assault Rifle-21
This Israeli concept automatic rifle is designed as a weapon of the future. Even the index in the name speaks of its focus on the 21st century. The use of a bullpup system made it possible to significantly optimize the ergonomic characteristics of the weapon.
The TAR-21 assault rifle has relatively small dimensions and light weight. It is equipped with a standard one that allows you to install the most advanced optics. Experts attribute the disadvantages, first of all, to the rather high cost of production - one unit of weapon costs the state $1,000. However, this does not prevent the Israeli machine from claiming the title of “the best machine gun in the world.” The rating of this weapon is growing as it spreads throughout the world.
Beretta ARX-160
The Italian assault automatic rifle was first released in 2008 as part of the new “Soldier of the Future” program in three variations: “commander”, “submachine gunner”, “grenade launcher”. In addition to the standard magazine for 30 rounds, it can be equipped with a special magazine for 100 rounds. In addition, there is the possibility of attaching an under-barrel grenade launcher.
This weapon weighs 3.5 kg, thanks to the use of impact-resistant polymers.
NK 416 and NK 417
The German development was based on the M-16 and G-36. These machines are easy to operate, undemanding to the conditions of use, and their performance characteristics are quite high. In terms of ergonomics and the location of the main parts, they are almost identical to the M-16. Like the weapons of the SCAR family, they are made according to the principle of modularity. That is, in case of failure, usually only the replacement of the failed module is required. A special feature of the weapon is the ability to be equipped with barrels of different lengths. This significantly increases versatility and allows the weapon to be adapted for specific combat missions. Four Picatinny rails allow you to equip the weapon with a variety of additional accessories. It is possible to install bipods. The butt can be placed in one of five positions, adapting it to the anatomical features of the shooter.
This weapon has considerable weight, quite strong recoil and impressive dimensions. But it has a relatively high lethality.
NK G36
The NK G36 automatic rifle began to be supplied en masse to the German army in 1995. Quite a few years passed and soldiers from Spain, the USA and a number of other countries got the opportunity to work with her. These weapons also managed to take part in real armed conflicts.
The cartridge used for firing is 5.56 caliber (NATO). There are several weapon configuration options, which significantly increases the machine’s ability to solve various tactical problems.
Barrett REC7
The weapon was developed for a new type of cartridge, which has already proven itself. The Barrett company, which became famous for its large-caliber rifles, began developing assault rifles relatively recently, but this did not prevent the very first mass-produced model from taking its rightful place in the ranking “The best assault rifles in the world: top 10.”
Distinctive features of the machine gun are high reliability, accuracy of fire, and rate of fire.
Steyr AUG
A rather unusual weapon, the Steyr AUG, takes its rightful place in the top. This machine mainly owes its inclusion in the list of the best to a special device. Of course, this model can hardly claim the title of “The best machine gun in the world”, but among weapons with a bullpup system it occupies a fairly strong position.
Experts note the excellent ergonomics, high rate of fire and reliability of the system.
Fusil Automatique Leger
In addition to the standard diopter rear sight, which makes it possible to conduct aimed fire at distances from 200 to 600 meters, it can be equipped with any optical sight. It is in service in more than a dozen countries around the world.