Top 10 Best Assault Rifles

The Top Ten
1 AK-47

By far, the AK-47 is the best assault weapon. I would take the AK-47 any place in the world with a backpack full of loaded magazines and feel safe. The AK-47 is built to withstand the worst possible conditions. Unlike our foolish M16s, the AK-47 is not prone to stovepipe jams that cost our troops lives, from the Vietnam conflict to the present day. If you are firing a lot of rounds, the AK-47 just says, Feed me more.

I tried to kill one of my cheap Romanian variants, and after 900 fast-fire rounds, the front handgrip just caught on fire, and I ran out of bullets. If I had a potholder and some more bullets, I would bet anything it would keep firing until the barrel melted off. It has a large trigger guard to allow winter gloves. The AK-47 has an easy-to-use selector switch for full, semi, and safe. The AK-47 has quick and easy sights that almost beg to be put on target when you sight down the rifle.

Due to how simple the design is, it comes apart easily, and anyone with basic life skills can figure out how to use one within minutes of picking one up. I stand behind my vote that the AK-47 is the best assault weapon because it has killed more people than any other firearm. I love you, AK-47. Thanks to Russia for having good vodka and the best damn gun for killing.

2 FN SCAR

The SCAR is excellent. Dependability and accuracy, in my opinion, are the deciding factors. If it jams on you, then the rifle is useless. Similarly, if you can't hit your target, the rifle is useless. The SCAR is accurate - much more so than the AK47, in my opinion - and is extremely reliable.

I have owned a SCAR 17S for about a year and have shot over 1,500 rounds, mostly my hand reloads. This rifle has never jammed or misfired. I can't say enough good things about this rifle. Once you own one, you'll soon be trying to figure out how to get another one, no kidding. I'm sure the AK is an excellent rifle, but I'm also sure that once you try a SCAR, you'll like it better than the AK.

The FN SCAR is a good weapon, but in my opinion, the AK74 and the M4A1 are better and will never be replaced. The SCAR H 17, also known as the MK17, has almost the same effective range as the M4A1. The AK can be buried and dug up, and it will still fire.

I like the SCAR 17, but the HK416 is the next generation. The 5.56 caliber does nasty damage when it hits a person, much like the AK. However, the 7.62 caliber will go straight through a person, whereas the 5.56 will tear organs to shreds. I've had three deployments to Afghanistan and four deployments to Iraq. IEDs have killed more Americans than the AK has. The M4 has a longer reach with a smaller caliber, which is why it's still in use.

The HK416 is a great rifle but is used more by Marines. The SCAR is a great DMR rifle, but I don't see it going much further.

3 HK416

The HK416 has proved to be far better than the AK-47. The AK has great reliability but is outmatched by the HK416. When you dip your AK into thick mud, you'll need to at least clear the round in the chamber, or it will malfunction. With the HK416, just take it and fire. It's lighter, much more accurate, and has less recoil.

You'll never want to carry an AK-47, not only because the HK416 is better, but there is also a new model, the AK-104. That, I will say, ties with the HK416. The M4 is unreliable and has too many stoppages, even though it doesn't affect performance much. What the internet says are all lies. If you clean it well, it won't malfunction except for jamming. Its accuracy isn't that great either. You need to take estimations, and the gas system is greatly affected when soaked in water. You won't want to shoot it when it's buried in sand or dipped in mud. The G36 is great, but the area you see is tremendously narrow. Also, it will not be accurate anymore after it overheats. The polymer changes, making it worse.

4 M4A1 SOPMOD

Well, it is an improvement on the rugged, reliable M4, which is itself an improvement on the M16, one of the first assault rifles to be made up primarily of high-tech polycarbonates. This feature is not the only reason why most assault rifles are used in battle, but it is a major factor.

The M4 family also uses the lighter 5.56 round, which does take away some stopping power but allows the soldier or user to carry more rounds. This is invaluable on the battlefield. I am not going to argue that the AK is the best assault rifle to be manufactured. All I am saying is that the M4 should be ranked in the top 3. It is a rugged, battle-proven rifle that has origins going back to the '50s.

Like all short-barrel rifles, it has problems at ranges over 300M, but so does the AK. As with all ammo, shot placement is key to someone going to the ground. Being accurate is very important, and the M4A1 SOPMOD does that well. To make my point, in the ongoing Afghan conflict, troops were questioned about the killing of prisoners due to the number of headshots that took out the enemy. It was found that the shots had not been made at close range and were due to the training of our troops and how accurate the M4A1 is in the right hands.

5 ACR

The Adaptive Combat Rifle (ACR) lives up to its name. This rifle can be customized to excel in any mission. Whether it's the AK-47's 7.62 round or the M4's/M16's 5.56, the ACR can fire it all. Building, cleaning, or just maintaining the rifle is made simple with the ACR.

Engaging in close-quarter combat? No problem. The ACR's barrel can be replaced with a shorter one in a snap, and vice versa for longer barrels. Need different or more attachments? Again, no problem. The ACR's full-length, universal rail system is there for you. With its adjustable stock, lefty-friendly, ambidextrous controls, lightweight design, low recoil, and incredible accuracy, taking down targets has never been easier.

Although the ACR is relatively new for an assault rifle and is not the most commonly used firearm today, its unparalleled design may soon replace several rifles around the world.

6 Tavor TAR-21

Easily the best one out there, the Tavor not only outperforms other bullpup competitors like the Steyr AUG and F2000 in all aspects, but it is also the most versatile assault rifle available. It can adapt its usage for everything from close-range urban operations and confined spaces (like inside tanks) to recon missions and long-range sniping. Additionally, the Tavor serves as physical proof that the saying "size doesn't matter" holds true. Its smaller 5.56 mm caliber accomplishes more than any other caliber in any other assault rifle, thanks to the Tavor's unparalleled and consistent precision. There is a reason why the most highly trained army in the world (Go IDF!) chooses to use this weapon.

The Tavor is the best assault rifle you can use in a close combat urban environment. This weapon is favored by Israeli fighters. It remains durable despite abuse and is compact enough for various tactics, such as laying low, hiding and waiting, or stalking an enemy. The weapon can clear a corner effectively, and its lightweight, bullpup design allows for better weapon stabilization. This makes the user a moving target. In today's environment, the ability to move and shoot is essential for survival.

7 Steyr AUG

The weapon is a bullpup. Automatically, it should be first. The weapon is short yet has a decent-length barrel and is also lightweight. It fires the extremely accurate 5.56 mm round, which is small, easy to carry, and hardly kicks. I know this because I myself have fired it, not just played a video game featuring it. If you have ever fired the AK-47, it kicks too much. You cannot fire it full-auto for 30 rounds without the muzzle lifting off the target. The AK-47 is also very heavy and not very accurate. The only reason a lot of undeveloped countries have used it is because of its reliability.

This should be 1st. Not to sound like a teeny-bopper, but the AK is overrated. Yes, it's reliable, but it's way too heavy and not accurate. Besides, it's made almost entirely of wood, which is, once again, heavy and expensive and takes a lot of time to make.

It's time new technology came into this world. The Steyr AUG is exactly that. Light, with a tough exterior that is cheaper than wood and easily manufactured. There are also not a bunch of metal pipes going everywhere like on the AK. It also comes in different sizes for different area missions. It has powerful caliber sizes that pack a punch like the AK and more. But above all, it's reliable because Austria and Germany designed it.

8 M16 Rifle

The M16 is the best rifle, no doubt. The AK47 is nowhere near the top spot, and I can prove it. The M16 is lighter than the AK47, so you can carry more ammunition. The M16 has a higher rate of fire (950 rpm) than the AK47 (600 rpm), allowing you to send more lead downrange and increasing your chances of hitting the enemy.

The M16 also has a much higher range. You can hit a point or bullseye target at 1804 feet (550 m), while an AK47 cannot hit an area target at 330 feet (100 m). This was proven in the YouTube video called "AK47 vs M16 Part 1." Additionally, the M16 has very low recoil, while the AK47 kicks like a mule.

The only advantages the AK47 has are fewer jams and greater power. However, the M16 comes close in these two categories. It is hard to jam and has a faster bullet, indicating greater power, making it reliable in both situations. There is no possible way an AK47 is better than this.

The M-16 works great in battle. It does need cleaning like all guns do, other than AKs, I guess, but you clean your gun between battles. The M16 is light and easy to carry. 99% of the time, you're lugging this thing around. It's also accurate, so you can hit what you're shooting at, not just spray bullets like the AK.

And my real reason for voting for the M16: the AK is not comfortable for me to shoot. It's the most uncomfortable piece of junk I've ever shot. I have to pull the little stock, made for little people perhaps, right up to my face, and then the shells almost hit me in the face when they come out. The sights are not as nice as those on the M16.

I bought the AR-15 for $1600, which is triple the money an AK costs, but I wanted a gun that was fun to shoot, not something that is built just to spray bullets.

9 Heckler & Koch G36

This gun is as robust as the AK-47. It can fire straight out of water or mud. It won't quit on you.

It's more accurate than the M-16/AR-15 series.

It's lighter than most of the other guns on the list.

It's ambidextrous and can be field-stripped in under 2 minutes with no tools.

It has several different sights built into it for different ranges.

The AK-47 is old and outdated and is definitely one of the worst weapons on this list. For those who don't know, the AK-47's 30-round magazine is actually weaker than the NATO 5.56 mm. Although it's bigger, the 5.56 mm flies faster and transfers more energy to the target when it hits. So much so that it actually shatters into dozens of pieces inside the target. Therefore, it's actually more powerful than the AK-47.

Sorry, guys, but this is the best one. It has even been tested in comparisons with the M-16 and AK-47 and came out on top in every different test.

The SCAR and F2000 are in the running for 2nd and 3rd. All of the other ones are outdated, though, and can't compete with these more modern weapons.

10 FN FAL

Excellent weapon. Very well made, but it will not tolerate dirt, dust, or the like. I carried the weapon in combat in Africa, so I know firsthand that this is true. With automatic fire, the first round may be on target, but all subsequent rounds were progressively shooting at the moon. The only time I used auto was when on point, and that didn't include firefights. The 7.62 is an excellent round, but one can only carry half as many as the 5.56, which in itself will do incredible damage. Someone mentioned it was the #1 choice in 90 countries. The key word is "was."

Having used the FN in a war situation, I can vouch for the FN in the categories of effectiveness. True, it kicks like a mule and is a bit temperamental when it comes to dirt, but there is no doubt in the world that when you hit someone with an FN, they are staying down. I can also say from experience that it is effective up to at least 800 meters with open sights, albeit in the right hands. To sum up, I am an old hand, so my comments may be, and probably are, biased. I haven't fired the latest weapons.

The Contenders
11 M16A4

As the standard assault rifle for the US military today, it beats the AK by a lot in accuracy. Its nifty three-round burst is quite effective.

Umm, wow. The AK74 is a better gun than the AK47. The M4 is not better than the M16. This is ridiculous. This gun beats the AK47 in every way.

12 FAMAS

Pretty high accuracy and a good 3-round burst. Low damage, but it does the job fast. It is a great gun for less recoil than the AK-47.

Best assault rifle ever made! Try it!

Short with an extremely long barrel. It is the perfect rifle for urban scenarios.

13 M14

The M14 is a fairly heavy rifle, but not too heavy for any reasonably strong male. I carried one in '67/'68 in Vietnam and am thankful I was issued the best semi-automatic rifle available. It is extremely accurate and was used as a sniper rifle in Iraq. It is at least as durable as any other assault rifle, and the 7.62 round is a long-range killer round. There are no "fragile" parts on the M14.

It is the improved "son" of the M1, the rifle that George Patton called "the finest battle implement ever devised." The FN FAL is also very good, as is the HK G36, but if one needs a rifle able to perform well in all weather and terrain - jungle or open fields and mountains - I would still choose the M14! The civilian version (the standard M1A) is essentially the same as an M14, except it can only fire on semi-auto. Springfield also makes a national match and super match M1A. I own an M1A Super Match, and I would never part with this rifle!

I carried an M14 many, many years ago, but I also currently own an AR-15, AR-10, FN-FAL, AK-47, SIG 556, FN-SCAR, M1A, HK-91, M1 Carbine, and an M1 Garand. When I was young, the M14 was no problem. At present, it is way too heavy, but it is still a wonderful rifle that never fails you and is extremely accurate.

If I had to carry one around now, I would choose the SCAR in 5.56.

14 Galil

I used it as a standard weapon for 7 years as an airborne paratrooper in Portugal. It never jammed, and it's really easy to use and clean. You can even use some parts from the AK-47 if needed for battle emergency repairs. I was a sniper specialist and had a sniper version of it. I made shots over 1000m (approximately 1050 yards or 0.65 miles), and it was really precise. I believe it should be better qualified in the ranking.

The Indumil Galil ACE is the best assault rifle because it is heavily based on the AK series. It has three calibers: 5.56x45mm, 7.62x39mm, and 7.62x51mm. It can be fitted with a grenade launcher and a silencer. It also has tactical rails in five places for optic mounts, and the body is made from the material used for making U.S. rifles, unlike the wooden butt and handguard of the AK series. It has all the qualities of the AK series and U.S. series of rifles. It must be at the top.

The Galil is one of the most durable and heavy-hitting rifles around, an improvement from the low accuracy of the AK-47 as made in Russia. If anyone knows what they're doing when it comes to assault rifles, it's the Israelis. See the Tavor assault rifle for more examples of such military genius.

15 SG 552 Commando

The "Rolex of AKs" is not so much the 552, but its replacement, the 553, along with the 550 and 551. Many HK enthusiasts even refer to Swiss Arms rifles as being divinely crafted. Even the flash hider is milled into the barrel on the 551! With its Ilaflon-coated steel, the gun is almost indestructible. Unfortunately, in a world where everyone owns an M4 or AK, these are often overlooked. Swiss Arms guns are built to last a lifetime, with barrel life exceeding 60,000 rounds. Think "steel bristle" cleaning kit! They also come with built-in tritium sights. Moreover, since it is derived from an AK, you can expect near AK-level reliability. It's very easy to clean and requires no tools.

The downside is that there are not many records of combat usage, and it's also very heavy for an assault rifle.

I remember the day when I had to give back my SIG 510 (Stgw 57 in 7.5mm) to get the SIG 550 (Stgw 90).

The SIG 550 weighed only 4.1 kg compared to the 6.1 kg of the SIG 510. During a 50 km power march, this weight difference was significant. While the SIG 510 was hefty even when unloaded, the SIG 550 came with a lot of plastic components. We traded a full metal gun in 7.5x55 for a plastic one in 5.56x45. The SIG 510 was very accurate for a battle rifle, and shooting it in full auto was a lot of fun. So, not everyone was pleased with the change. However, the SIG 550 is even more accurate and much easier to control in full auto. It is also very reliable. The only problem is the gas cylinder, which tends to rust. You have to clean it much more often than an AK. We cleaned it every day and after every use.

I would always rely on a SIG 550, 551, or 553. The SIG 552 was different - its gas rod is shorter, and the closing spring is behind the bolt carrier - and I never used it. It's not in production anymore, having been replaced by the SIG 553 in 2008, so I won't judge a gun that I don't know.

The SIG 550 is an excellent assault rifle. The main reason it is heavier than most other assault rifles is its heavier barrel, which is a huge plus for accuracy.

My service weapon was the SIG 220, so unfortunately, I had to give back my SIG 550 at the end of my term of service.

16 XM8

I personally think that the only reason the AK is at the top is because it's an "original" and "tough." I know nothing about firearms, nor do I get my facts from first-person shooters, but the XM8 is an extreme hybrid. It could be fired as an SMG or used as an assault rifle. Heck, you could probably use the darn thing as a sniper rifle. This was supposed to be the ultimate weapon, capable of adapting to terrain and highly mobile. Truly, it's something of the future.

Supposed to take over from the M4, it's as reliable as an AK, more accurate than the HK416, and as light as a submachine gun. I mean, you seriously can't get any better than that. Come on, this should be number one. What do you guys know about guns? You guys are way better than that! This is the best rifle on the frigging market.

Even though it's only a prototype, it's still highly accurate, and its high rate of fire means it's great in a firefight. I would give it a 9 out of 10 and would also rank it above the AK-47.

17 AN-94

Recoil compensation and a 2-round burst at 1800 rpm make for an appealing mode of fire. Though it's based on the AK, it's different. Unlike the AK series, it's accurate and precise, but also unlike the AK series, it's finicky and expensive. It lacks the base advantages of the AK, which is why it's not at the top.

Although it's a more complex weapon, this rifle simply outperforms anything in its category. The 2-round burst is by far the fastest and most accurate method to defeat body armor.

Russian assault rifles have an extremely accurate two-burst function, so precise with next-gen technology that Russia does not export it to any other country.

18 Sig SWAT 556

The Sig 556 is the most reliable 5.56/223 rifle ever made. It can fire reliably for up to 10,000 rounds before requiring cleaning. The all-metal receiver, fire control, and piston make this the most durable next-generation assault rifle available, and it has no plastic receiver parts!

It can be whatever you want it to be: a long-ranged weapon, mid-range, or even close-range. It combines the best of the AK and the M4. It should be higher on the list!

Should definitely be higher on the list! This is the best rifle I have ever owned, and I will never part with mine.

19 IMI Tavor TAR-21

Manufactured & designed in 1995 in Israel.

20 SA80

The reliability of the A1 gave this rifle a bad name, but those who have shot it will be astounded at its sheer accuracy. That pretty much leaves every other assault weapon standing as a fact. However, I would not like to pay for my own one. Ha-ha, but it makes a lot of other weapons feel cheap in comparison. Even the LSW is more accurate than most on this page.

Certainly, it's the most accurate weapon in the world, but it is also much more practical for close urban and house-to-house warfare. The A2 is far more reliable than its predecessor and is also one of the most expensive rifles to produce. This is one of my favorite weapons that I have ever fired, with my favorite being the Lee Enfield.

Obviously, the A2 version with SUSAT sights puts most of the top ten to shame. I think the reputation of the A1, due to jamming issues, brought this rifle down, but it is the best general assault rifle in use in the world today. It's mega accurate, reliable, versatile, and has a long range, thanks to the bullpup floating barrel design. It's just perfect.

21 AK-12

The AK-12 solved the problems Ak ancestry AKs had. Its improved accuracy and muzzle control allow shooters better target acquisition ability which is extremely critical under ANY combat or defense applications. It provides better ergonomics such as rail systems for add on accessories such as sights, or night visions, infrared etc... It has the ability to change calibers under different requirements ranging from 5.45x39, 5.56, 7.62x39, "6.5 Grendel (which Wolf has been recently produced at $362.5 per 1000 rounds available from Aimsurplus) to 7.62x51 or.308. It has ambi-control features allow both right and left shooters accessibility, some weights had also been shredded with high strength polymer parts.

The one problem is: The huge conflict between US-Russia probably disputed these awesome rifles making into the US at least for a long time making yours burning pocket money crying.

It is the latest version of AK47 and has all the qualities of it. It can also be fitted with different sights, Suppressor, grenade launcher and a 100 round high capacity magazine. It is more accurate than before. It can also be modified for firing different rounds such as- 7.62x51mm, 5.56x45mm, 12 gauge and many other. It must be at the top of this list. I am thinking why people are not voting this superb rifle? So, if anyone reads it then please think that it is the latest version of AK47 and vote it!

22 VHS by HS Produkt

Superior to the FAMAS, especially with the VHS-2. It's a very high-quality AR, but unlike the majority of Western ARs, it's very reliable. Its sturdy design is very light and has been tested in the most extreme weather conditions. All ergonomic issues with the VHS-1 were fully resolved with the VHS-2.

The VHS is one of the most advanced rifles in the world, and the newest one is on its way to becoming a standard NATO issue.

This is one of the assault rifles that offers many advantages over the Tavor or the French one.

23 FN F2000

I've never handled the F2000, but I have handled the FS2000. It handles beautifully, with a bit of a creepy trigger, but aside from that, it has surprisingly good ergonomics and performs very well. The only gripe I have is that the sights are not as impressive as they look. It just has a bulky cover.

That is one nice rifle. Fully ambidextrous, pointable, compact, high RPM.

24 AK-74

It's better than the 47 (7.62x39). The 5.45 round ballistics destroy tissue irreparably, whereas the 47's rounds just go through people. Yes, the 47 will bust through brick, and with a few more shots, the 74 will too. If you're still alive after getting shot with a 74, there's a good chance you're really going to be messed up.

The AK-74 has less recoil than an AK-47 and is more accurate. The only difference is that it doesn't have as much penetrating power through a concrete brick, unlike the 47's 7.62x39 round compared to the 74's 5.45x39 round. In my opinion, the AK-74 is a stealthier weapon and is just as good as, if not better than, the AK-47. I would choose the AK-74 over the AK-47 in combat. It does just as much damage to human flesh as the AK-47 does.

Also known as the AK-47's underrated little brother, the AK-74 has the same design but with a skeleton butt that can potentially fold down, if you want it to, of course.

25 PVAR

The only rifle that is not gas-operated. It's undiscovered, but someday all guns will use a pneumatic valve and rod system. It's the best discovery by Filipinos.

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