The development of American self-loading and automatic rifles in the USA after the Second World War

The 20th century was a period of major conflicts that began with the First World War, continued with the even more tragic Second World War, and culminated in long-lasting tension between the Western and Eastern powers in the form of the so-called Cold War, which lasted until 1991. To make matters worse, the whole world was hit several times by severe economic crises. As war conflicts persisted, the powers also competed in the development of various weapons. If one power came up with a new rifle, for example, the other power soon responded with a new rifle of its own. Of course, the USA as a superpower could not be left behind.

M1 CARBINE RIFLE

The M1 Carbine is a lightweight self-loading rifle calibrated for .30 ammunition. The development of this weapon took place between 1938 and 1941, but it was not introduced into the U.S. arsenal until 1942. Approximately 6 million units of this rifle were put into circulation. It therefore began its combat career in the second half of the war, but it was also used to a smaller extent in later conflicts (Korea, Vietnam). The muzzle velocity of the projectile is about 600 m/s and the effective range is about 270 meters. It is fitted with magazines with a capacity of 15 or 30 rounds as standard. Several other variations of this rifle have also been produced, such as the M2, which also fired in full-auto mode.

RIFLE M14

Model M14 is a self-loading rifle with the option to fire also in automatic mode, which is calibrated for 7.62 x 51 mm ammunition. It was designed in 1954 and introduced into the US arsenal in 1959. Approximately 1.3 million units were produced. It participated extensively in the Korean War and to a smaller extent in the Vietnam War. The muzzle velocity of the projectile is approximately 850 m/s and the effective range is up to 800 meters. The standard magazine has a capacity of 20 rounds.

RIFLE M16

The M16 model represented a completely new concept in its time, much more advanced than its predecessors. Often referred to as a submachine gun, the correct term is assault rifle, as it does not use pistol ammunition but 5.56 x 45 NATO rifle caliber ammunition. To this day, this ammunition is considered the standard rifle ammunition for NATO member countries' weapons. The M16 rifle was introduced into the US arsenal in 1963. It was used extensively in the Vietnam War, where it fought against its eastern competitor, the legendary Soviet AK 47 (Kalashnikov) rifle. The muzzle velocity of the fired projectile is approximately 950 m/s and the effective range is up to approximately 800 meters. Of course, it can also fire in both automatic and self-loading mode. The rifle has a standard magazine with a capacity of 20 or 30 rounds. Since 1997, the M16 model has been replaced by the upgraded M4 model.