Disputes about which machine gun is the best in the world do not subside around the world, although most professional military men, war veterans and ordinary gun lovers agree on an unconditional leader. For several decades now, AK has been confidently holding the palm - the legendary symbol of Russia's defense capability. Who just did not try to step on the heels of Russian gunsmiths! And while no one has yet succeeded in surpassing the brainchild of Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov, there are many examples of very worthy weapons claiming to be the “best automatic machine in the world”.
Speaking about the rating, top, top ten, we can not help but focus on a problem such as terminology. But the thing is that the words "automatic" and "rifle" in different languages of the world can have slightly different meanings. In a broad sense, we mean weapons with a rifled barrel, which provides the shooter with the ability to conduct automatic fire. Therefore, the types of weapons that can most likely be attributed to rifles are often included in the rating of the best assault rifles. However, we will provide digging in terminology to narrow specialists and turn our eyes to those models of weapons that are somehow recognized as the best in their class. And still we will not ignore the fact that it is impossible to choose the top ten in principle, because each weapon has its own strengths and weaknesses, surpassing in some ways, and in some ways also inferior to analogues. Therefore, when compiling the rating, we will be guided by such indicators as reliability, durability, ease of operation, prevalence in the world, speed of bringing into a fighting position, aiming range, accuracy, ergonomics.
Kalashnikov assault rifle
Does it make sense to start the rating 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 this weapon that leads the world in the number of units sold. It is a constant participant in wars, revolts and revolutions around the globe. The entire huge family of Kalashnikov assault rifles is reliable and wear-resistant, but there are leaders among the best. Many professionals deservedly give the championship to the "forty-seventh" - the AK-47 assault rifle of the 1947 model, adopted by the Soviet Army in the distant 1949. What distinguishes him from his "brothers" is primarily the cartridge caliber of 7.62. No less common is the AK-74. Compared to its predecessor, it has a lower weight, due to the fact that the butt and fore-end are made of plastic, and not of wood. The caliber of the cartridge is smaller (5.45), but ammunition in our time is much more common.
It is impossible not to mention the new member of the Kalashnikov family - the AK-12. Developed in 2014, this machine has already been adopted. Moreover, it is he who will accompany the Russian "soldier of the future", dressed in the famous equipment "Warrior". But I must say that many samples of Russian weapons fought for this right, each of which could well claim 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, there are many more modifications that focus on the different needs of the security forces. Most Kalashnikov assault rifles (with the exception of AKSU) can be equipped with bayonet-knives and grenade launchers.
The past fights with "Kalash" in the hands of the soldiers joke that these weapons can be drowned in water or a swamp, buried in sand or snow, and then removed and continued to be used. This, of course, does not mean that weapons can and should be handled carelessly - AK, like any other machine gun, loves a careful attitude and, in gratitude, will serve for more than a dozen years. Indeed, it is not in vain that enthusiastic admirers and envious competitors unanimously acknowledge that he is the best automatic machine in the world! And unanimity has long been surprising no one.
M-16
The second place in the rating of "10 best automatic machines in the world" also does not cause unnecessary questions. He 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, these weapons are confidently leading in two continents - North America and Australia.
We must pay tribute to the American gunsmiths, who do not lose hope of "surpassing" the domestic AK - the development and improvement of the M-16 continues today. Perhaps someday they will be able to surpass the best machine in the world.
Photos of the M-16 rifle give a visual representation of its ergonomics and laconicism of designs. By the way, her appearance may seem familiar even to those who in life did not hold it in their hands. This weapon flashes 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 managed to establish itself as an effective and reliable means to defeat enemy manpower. It is impossible not to note the rather strange appearance of this weapon, which claims to be third in the ranking of "The best machine in the world: top 10". A photo of him helps to get ideas about the design features.
The difference between the MK-16 and M-17 is small. Version "16" is designed for 5.56 cartridge, and its "seventeenth" brother - under 7.62x51. It consists mainly in the type of ammunition. 70% of the parts available are identical.
Tavor Assault Rifle-21
This Israeli conceptual automatic rifle is conceived as a weapon of the future. The focus on the 21st century is even indicated by the index in the title. The use of the bullpup system made it possible to significantly optimize the ergonomic indicators of the weapon.
The TAR-21 machine has relatively small dimensions and low weight. It is equipped with a standard Picatinny rail, allowing you to set the most advanced optics. First of all, the experts attribute the disadvantages to a rather high production cost - one unit of weapons costs the state $ 1, 000. However, this does not prevent the Israeli machine gun from claiming the title of "best machine gun in the world." The rating of these weapons is growing as it spreads in 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, automatic rifleman, and grenade thrower. In addition to the regular store for 30 rounds, it can be equipped with a special store for 100. In addition, it is possible to mount a grenade launcher.
This weapon weighs 3.5 kg thanks to the use of high impact 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 ergonomics and the location of the main parts, they are almost identical to the M-16. Like weapons of the SCAR family, they are made on the principle of modularity. That is, in the event of a failure, usually only the replacement of the failed module is required. A feature of the weapon is the ability to complete with trunks of different lengths. This greatly enhances versatility and allows you to adapt weapons to specific combat missions. Four Picatinny slats allow you to equip weapons with a variety of additional devices. It is possible to install bipod. The stock can be put in one of five positions, adapting it to the anatomical features of the shooter.
This weapon has considerable weight, a pretty strong return and impressive dimensions. But it has a relatively high striking ability.
NK G36
The NK G36 automatic rifle began to be mass-supplied to the German army in 1995. Very few years passed and soldiers from Spain, the USA and a number of other countries got the opportunity to work with her. This weapon had time to participate in real armed conflicts.
For firing a 5.56 caliber cartridge (NATO) is used. There are several options for picking weapons, which significantly increases the ability of the machine to solve various tactical tasks.
Barrett rec7
The weapon is developed under the cartridge of a new sample, which has already managed to prove itself. Famous for its large-caliber rifles, the Barrett company began the development of assault rifles relatively recently, but this did not prevent the very first mass-produced model from taking its rightful place in the ranking of "The best assault rifles in the world: top 10".
Distinctive features of the machine are high reliability, accuracy of fire, rate of fire.
Steyr aug
Quite an unusual weapon Steyr AUG takes its rightful place in the top. Mostly this automatic machine is obliged to get to the list of the best by a special device. Of course, this model can hardly claim the title of "The best machine gun in the world, " but among the weapons with the bullpup system it occupies a fairly strong position.
Specialists note excellent ergonomics, high rate of fire and system reliability.
