Assault rifle

An assault rifle is a selective fire rifle that uses an intermediate cartridge and a detachable magazine. Assault rifles are the standard infantry weapons in most modern armies. Assault rifles are categorized in between light machine guns, which are intended more for sustained automatic fire in a light support role, and submachine guns, which fire a pistol cartridge rather than a rifle cartridge.

AK-47


The AK-47 is a selective-fire, gas-operated assault rifle developed in 1944 by Izhmash. It fires 7.62mm and utilizes a 24-round magazine. The main advantages of the AK-47 is its simple design, fairly compact size, inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to clean and maintain. The large gas piston and tapered cartridge case design allow the gun to endure large amounts of foreign matter and fouling without failing to cycle.

The bore and chamber, as well as the gas piston and the interior of the gas cylinder, are chromium-plated, dramatically increasing the life of these parts by resisting corrosion and wear. As each bullet travels through the barrel, a portion of the gases expanding behind it is diverted into the gas tube above the barrel, where it impacts the gas piston. The piston, in turn, is driven backward, pushing the bolt carrier, which causes the bolt to move backwards, ejecting the spent round, and chambering a new round when the recoil spring pushes it back. Its reliability, ruggedness and accuracy have earned it the reputation of being the best assault rifle ever made.

Gunsmiths in Appalachia and at Nuka-World managed to replicate the legendary weapon, creating a durable, versatile rifle that can be adapted for a multitude of purposes, including a squad automatic weapon, close quarters battle carbine, and sharpshooter rifle.  An even more dependable variant, the AKA-47, has been developed by wastelanders and has a reputation for being even more durable than its older brother.

AK-112 assault rifle


 The AK-112 assault rifle is a military assault rifle from the AK series originating from the USSR. The AK-112 was in service during the early 21st century but was replaced by more modern models. Chambered for the 5mm round, it utilizes a 24-round magazine. The AK-112 was eventually considered aged and was no longer in use prior to the Great War. 
 * For the modified AK-112 assault rifle found in Fallout 2, see: assault rifle (exp. mag.).

H&K G11


 The H&K G11 is an assault rifle developed during the late 1960s by Heckler & Koch. It has revolutionized assault weapon design and fires 4.7mm caseless cartridge, a round consisting of a block of propellant with a bullet buried inside. The loading and feed mechanism is physically very complicated but exceptionally fast and reliable. Rounds are fed into the weapon from a magazine that lies above and parallel with the barrel.

The rounds are oriented vertically (at 90 degrees to the bore) and are fed downwards into the rotary chamber so that they can be rotated 90 degrees for firing. Because the H&K G11 uses caseless ammunition, there are no extraction and ejection steps. The resultant weight and space savings allow the H&K G11 to have a very high magazine of 50 rounds. 

H&K G11E


A variant of the standard G11 designed for special operations and squad level support. The G11E retains the base weapon's compact dimensions and exceptional fire rate, but adds a regulated low-light scope, suppressor, and offers an increased fire rate and better damage characteristics.

M16A1


The M16A1 is an assault rifle developed in 1967 by Colt. The intention was to create an innovative firearm design that incorporated many of the new materials being used in aerospace design. The M16A1 is composed of durable aluminum alloy and hearty plastic, fires 5.56mm with a 24-round magazine. The M16A1 also has distinctive sights, consisting of a simple round screw-in front sight post. Through the years, it remained a very reliable assault rifle and was the standard rifle used by the US Army from 1970 and during the middle part of the 20th century, succeeding the M-14.

M199 assault rifle
M199 is the designation of the service rifle of the United States Army, firing 5.56mm ammunition. It is notable for being called The Backtalker by soldiers, due to the unusual ejection report.

Paratrooper assault carbine


The assault carbine is an air-cooled, gas-operated compact assault rifle, with a rotating bolt, actuated by direct impingement gas operation. The standard unit comes with a synthetic furniture and a carrying handle mounted on the receiver. Chambered for the high velocity 5mm ammunition, it was created specifically for use by American airborne units. Its small size and weight give it a very high rate of fire, burning through entire clips in seconds. However, its compact design makes it easy to control, resulting in high accuracy and low spread.

R91 assault rifle


 Manufactured by civilian defense contractor Stent Security Solutions, the R91 assault rifle is a conventional design chambered for 5.56mm ammunition. Employing a roller delayed blowback system, it is a very sturdy design, with simple iron sights that consist of a rotary rear drum and hooded front post, a fire selector switch with three settings (safe, fully automatic fire, single shot), and a flash suppressor. The final touch is the wooden stock and handguard.

The R91 was manufactured by Stent as part of its R series, superseding the manufacturer's own M series of combat assault rifles in the early 21st century. While other models and variants were developed, the R91's combination of ruggedness, firepower, and low manufacturing costs resulted in its adoption as an assault rifle of the National Guard and issuance to troops on the Anchorage front.

The number of working units is particularly high in the Capital Wasteland, as the National Guard units deployed there used it widely. It remains a popular sight among the inhabitants of the region, particularly slavers and raiders, though it is also available for purchase from traders and weapon dealers. 
 * For the cut content R91 assault rifle found in Fallout 3, see: Wanda.

R91 assault rifle (infiltration variant)


 This weapon is the carbine variant of the R91 assault rifle. Its modifications, including an extended box magazine, suppressor, scope, and lack of stock, suggest it was created to be used for special operations forces. The weapon fires 5.56mm rounds and utilizes a 24-round magazine.

Despite its scope, the weapon still suffers from the typical inaccuracy of carbines at long-range combat, limiting its suitability only for short and mid-range combat. It is one of the favored weapons of the raiders in The Pitt and in 2281, Mick is known for having one in his secret collection in Freeside. 
 * For the unique silenced R91 assault rifle found in Fallout 3 add-on The Pitt, see: Perforator.

Ruger AC556F


The Ruger AC556F, created in the 1970s by Ruger, is a development of the Ruger Mini-14, an old assault rifle originally used only by police forces. The Ruger AC556F replaced it and was marketed for military and law enforcement use. It has a reflex scope, fires 5.56mm with a 20-round magazine. As a heavy-duty automatic weapon, the Ruger AC556F was designed to for rough handling in the militaristic environments of combat zones or in pulling security duties.

Steyr AUG


The Steyr AUG is a bullpup assault rifle created in 1977 by Steyr Mannlicher. It's a selective fire weapon with a conventional gas piston operated action that fires from a closed bolt. It uses 5.56mm with a 40-round magazine. Designed as a rifle that could be quickly adapted to a wide variety of roles, the Steyr AUG is a modular configuration rifle that employs a high level of polymer and advanced alloy components, consisting of six main assemblies: the barrel, receiver with integrated telescopic sight, bolt and carrier, trigger mechanism, stock and magazine.

Type 93 Chinese assault rifle


 The Type 93 Chinese assault rifle was designed and manufactured by a Chinese industrial conglomerate for the People's Liberation Army during the Resource Wars, for the purpose of equipping the Chinese infiltrators and American fifth-columnists. To this end, it was chambered for the abundant 5.56mm round and utilizes a 24-round magazine. Its iron sights consist of a rear ramp with a range scale, paired with a front post sight. It also has a simple safety, with only two settings: safe and fire. A disassembly lever is placed on the right side of the weapon.

Thousands of these weapons were smuggled into the US for use by Chinese operatives and sympathizers on the East Coast, and many remain functional even two hundred years after the Great War. These rifles are also proven to be ready for manufacturing in post-War conditions. 
 * For the unique Type 93 Chinese assault rifle found in Fallout 3, see: Xuanlong assault rifle.

Vault-Tec assault rifle
A post-War scoped assault rifle designed by Vault-Tec in the Secret Vault. The Vault-Tec assault rifle fires 9mm, has a vertical foregrip, a good rate of fire and fires bullets with great accuracy.

Water-cooled assault rifle
This assault rifle is one in name and caliber only, sharing more characteristics with a light machine gun than any other firearm. Although it discharges a common assault rifle caliber, it is particularly bulky, uses an antiquated cooling system dating all the way back to the turn of the 20th century, and is fed by a side mounted, high capacity magazine.

XL70E3


The XL70E3 was an experimental assault rifle developed in the late 21st century just before the Great War. Manufactured, primarily, from high-strength polymers, the XL70E3 is almost indestructible. It is light, fast firing, accurate, and can be broken down without the use of tools. It is equipped with a scope, fires 5mm ammunition and utilizes a 20-round magazine.