It has been suggested that [[::List of service rifles of national armies|List of service rifles of national armies]] be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since January 2013. |
The service rifle (also known as standard-issue rifle) of a given army or armed force is that which it issues as standard to its soldiers. In modern forces, this is typically a highly versatile and rugged assault rifle, battle rifle, carbine, or designated marksman rifle suitable for use in nearly all theatres and environments. Service rifles are also often selected for their upgradability (e.g., the addition of underslung grenade launchers, sights, flashlights, laser sights, etc.)
Although certain weapons issued to special forces units are rarely considered "service weapons" in the truest sense, certain specialist rifles and submachine guns are categorized as such if issued as per standing operating procedures upon entering special environments or scenarios. These may include urban warfare (FIBUA/MOUT) and jungle warfare environments.
Most armies also have service pistols/side arms.
History[]
Originally, rifles used in combat were not standard-issue weapons like the service rifles of today. Rifles were for specialist marksmen only, whilst the ordinary infantry were issued less accurate smoothbore muskets which had a higher rate of fire, with bore diameters as high as 19 mm, or 0.75 inch. By the middle of the 19th century, however, rifles were becoming more and more common on the battlefield, with muskets being phased out. Originally, these combat rifles were single-shot muzzle-loading weapons, but as technology advanced through the 18th and 19th centuries, so too did the technique of loading rounds. First, breech-loading firearms, like the Prussian Needle gun of the mid-19th century came to prominence, which then evolved into repeating weapons, such as the bolt-action Mosin-Nagant rifle used by Imperial Russia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and the Soviet Union in World War II. By this time almost all prominent armies in the world had some sort of standard service rifle.
During the Second World War, there was yet another leap forward in rifle design which was to influence service rifles even today. That is, the use of a fired cartridge's gas emissions to automatically rechamber rounds into the breech once a bullet had been fired, as well as expelling the old cartridge. These weapons were known as gas-operated firearms. Some of the earliest examples of these were most prominent in the Second World War, and were usually semi automatic, such as the American-made M1 Garand, first brought into service with the United States in 1936. These "battle rifles", as they were called, usually fired a "full-sized" (as opposed to an intermediate) rifle cartridge, such as the .30-06 Springfield or .303 British. Another type of commonly issued rifle which was to become well known during this time was the assault rifle, a (usually) fully automatic rifle firing a lighter "intermediate" cartridge, as opposed to the full-sized cartridges used by battle rifles. The first of these was the Sturmgewehr 44, used by Nazi Germany in the later stages of the Second World War. The StG44 was not issued in large numbers, and was never adopted as Germany's service rifle. However, this weapon was to serve as the precursor to other assault rifles such as the Soviet AK-47, the American M-16, the Belgian FN FAL, the German G3 and the Swiss Sturmgewehr 57, which today supersede battle rifles as the service rifle of choice for militaries the world over.
Service rifles by nation[]
Angola[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
AK-47 | Selective-Fire | 7.62×39 mm | 1950s- |
Argentina[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Remington EN M1879 | Rolling block | .43 Spanish (11.15×58 mmR) | 1879-1891 |
Mauser Modelo Argentino 1891 | Bolt action | 7.65×53mm Argentine | 1891-1909 |
Mauser Modelo Argentino 1909 | Bolt action | 7.65×53mm Argentine | 1909-1960s |
FN Model 1949 | Semi-automatic | 7.65×53mm Argentine, 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1953-1980s |
FN FAL | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1959–Present |
FARA 83 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1983–Present |
Australia[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Lee-Enfield | Bolt-Action | .303 SAA Ball | 1901-1950s |
L1A1 SLR | Semi-automatic | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1957-1980s |
F88 Austeyr | Selective-Fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1988–Present |
Austria[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Lorenz Rifle | Rifled musket | .54 | 1854-1867 |
Wanzl rifle | Trapdoor breechloader | 14 mm Wanzl rimfire | 1854-1867 |
M1867 Werndl-Holub | Rotary block | 11×42 mm | 1867-1886 |
M1886 Mannlicher | Bolt action | 11×42 mm, 8×52 mmR | 1886-1895 |
Steyr-Mannlicher M1895 | Straight-pull | 8×50mmR Mannlicher 8×56mmR |
1895-1945 |
GM1 | Semi-automatic | .30-06 Springfield | 1950-1958[1] |
Sturmgewehr 58 | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1958–Present (limited use for drill/display) |
Sturmgewehr 77 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1978–Present |
Bangladesh[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Type 56 (Chinese Type 56) | Selective fire | 7.62×39mm | 1971–Present |
Heckler & Koch G3A3 | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm | 1980–Present |
M16 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm | 1992–Present |
BD-08 (Chinese Type 81) | Selective fire | 7.62×39mm | 2008–Present |
Belgium[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Albini rifle | Hinged breechblock | 11 mm | 1867-? |
FN Mauser M1889 | Bolt action | 7.65×53mm Argentine | 1889-1940 |
FN Mauser M1936 | Bolt-action | 7.65×53 mm Argentine | 1936-1949 |
FN SAFN-49 | Semi-automatic | .30-06 Springfield | 1949-1956 |
FN FAL | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1953–present |
FN FNC | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1979–present |
Bolivia[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Vz. 24 | Bolt-action | 7.92×57mm Mauser | 1932-1960s |
SIG SG 510 | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1957–Present |
Heckler & Koch G3 | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1960s-Present |
Brazil[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
M1873 Brazilian Comblain | Falling block | 11×53 mmR | 1873-1892 |
M88 German Commission Rifle | Bolt action | 7×57mm Mauser | 1892-1894 |
Mauser M1894 Rifle | Bolt action | 7×57 mm Mauser | 1894-1908 |
Mauser M1908 (M1908/34, M1935) | Bolt action | 7×57 mm Mauser | 1908-1954 |
Itajuba M954 Mosquetão | Bolt action | .30-06 Springfield | 1954-1968 |
FN Model 1949 | Semi-auto | .30-06 Springfield | 1950s-1968 |
FAL IMBEL LAR | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1964–Present |
Itajuba M968 Mosquefal | Bolt action | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1968–Present |
IMBEL IA2 | Selective fire | 5.56×45mm NATO | 2013-Present |
Burma[2][]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Lee-Enfield | Bolt-Action | .303 British | 1947-1961 |
Heckler & Koch G3 (BA72) | Semi-automatic | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1961–Present |
Burmese M1A1 | Assault rifle | 5.56×45 mm | 1990s-Present |
Cambodia[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Mosin Nagant | Bolt Action | 7.62×54mm R | 1940s-1979 |
MAS-36 | Bolt Action | 7.5×54 mm French | 1940s-1975 |
Arisaka Type 38 | Bolt-action | 6.5×50mm Arisaka | 1941-1945 |
Arisaka Type 99 | Bolt-action | 7.7×58mm Arisaka | 1941-1945 |
M1903 Springfield | Bolt Action | .30-06 Springfield | 1950s-1975 |
M1 Carbine | Semi-automatic rifle | .30 Carbine | 1950s-1975 |
M1 Garand | Semi-automatic rifle | .30-06 Springfield | 1950s-1975 |
FN FAL | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm | 1960s-1975 |
M16 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1967–Present |
SKS | Semi-automatic rifle | 7.62×39 mm | 1960s-Present (Mainly used today as a ceremonial arm, and reserve weapon) |
Type 56 carbine | Semi-automatic rifle | 7.62×39 mm | 1960s-Present (Used by Cambodian Royal Guards and as a reserve weapon) |
AK-47 | Selective fire | 7.62×39 mm | 1960s-Present (Replaced by AKM rifle.) |
AKM | Selective fire | 7.62×39 mm | 1960s-Present |
Type 56 | Selective fire | 7.62×39 mm | 1960s-Present |
Pindad SS1 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1991–Present |
QBZ-97 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 2005–Present |
Canada[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Ross rifle | Bolt Action | .303 British | 1905-1916 |
Lee-Enfield | Bolt Action | .303 British | 1916-1955 |
C1A1 | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1955-1985 |
Colt C7 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1985–Present |
Chile[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Mauser Model 1895 | Bolt action, Contract: Germany | 7×57 mm Mauser | 1895-1970s |
Mauser Model 1912 | Bolt action, Contract: Steyr, Austria | 7×57 mm Mauser | 1912-1970s |
SIG SG 510-4 | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1960s-Present |
Heckler & Koch G3 | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1970s-Present |
SIG SG 542-1 | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1980s-Present |
SIG SG 540 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 2000s-Present |
SIG SG 543 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 2000s-Present |
People's Republic of China[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Hanyang Type 88 | Bolt Action | 7.92×57mm Mauser | 1888-1980s |
Gewehr 98 | Bolt-action | 7.92×57mm Mauser | 1927-1949 |
vz. 24 | Bolt-action | 7.92×57mm Mauser | 1927-1980s |
Karabiner 98k | Bolt-action | 7.92×57mm Mauser | 1935–Present |
Type 24 rifle | Bolt-action | 7.92×57mm Mauser | 1935-1980s |
Mosin-Nagant | Bolt-action | 7.62×54mm R | 1927–Present |
SVT-40 | Semi-automatic | 7.62×54mm R | 1938–Present |
Type 53 Carbine | Bolt-action | 7.62×54mm R | 1953–Present |
Type 56 Carbine | Semi-automatic | 7.62×39mm | 1956–Present |
Type 56 assault rifle | Selective fire | 7.62×39mm | 1956–Present |
Type 81 | Selective fire | 7.62×39mm | 1981–Present |
QBZ-95 | Selective fire | 5.8×42mm | 1995–Present |
Republic of China[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Hanyang Type 88 | Bolt action | 7.92×57 mm Mauser | 1888-1949 |
Gewehr 98 | Bolt-Action | 7.92×57 mm Mauser | 1911-1949 |
vz. 24 | Bolt-action | 7.92×57 mm Mauser | 1924-1950s |
Karabiner 98k | Bolt-action | 7.92×57 mm Mauser | 1935–Present |
Type Zhongzheng rifle | Bolt-action | 7.92×57 mm Mauser | 1935-1950s |
M1 Garand | Semi-automatic | .30-06 Springfield | 1936-1968 |
Johnson M1941 rifle | Semi-automatic | .30-06 Springfield | 1941-1968 |
M1 Carbine | Semi-automatic | .30 Carbine | 1942-1968 |
Type 57 | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1968–Present |
Type 65 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1976–Present |
Type 91 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 2003–Present |
Cuba[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Spanish Mauser | Bolt action | 7×57 mm Mauser | 1902-1923 |
M1903 Springfield | Bolt action | .30-06 Springfield | 1923-1947 |
M1 Garand | Semi-automatic | .30-06 Springfield | 1947-1960 |
FN FAL | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm | 1960-1968 |
SKS | Semi-automatic | 7.62×39 mm | 1961–present (Mainly used today as a ceremonial arm, and reserve weapon.) |
AKM | Selective fire | 7.62×39 mm | 1962–present |
Czech Republic[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Vz. 24 | Bolt-action | 8 mm Mauser | 1924-1952 |
Vz. 33 | Bolt-action | 8 mm Mauser | 1934-1945 |
Vz. 52 | Semi-automatic | 7.62×45 mm vz. 52, 7.62×39 mm M43 | 1952-1959 |
Sa vz. 58 | Selective fire | 7.62×39 mm M43 | 1959–Present |
CZ-805 BREN | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO, 7.62×39 mm | 2010–Present |
Denmark[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Pattern 1853 Enfield | Rifled musket | 577 | 1853-1867 |
Remington Rolling Block | Rolling block | 11 mm Danish | 1867-1889 |
1889 Geværet (Krag-Jørgensen) | Bolt-action | 8×58mmR | 1889-~1945 |
G M/50 | Semi-automatic | .30-06 | 1945-1975 |
Heckler & Koch G3 | Selective fire | 7.62×51mm NATO | 1960s-Present |
Heckler & Koch G3A5 | Semi-automatic | 7.62×51mm NATO | 1975–Present |
Gevaer M/95 (C7FT) | Automatic | 5.56×45mm NATO | 1995–Present |
Egypt[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Lee-Enfield | Bolt Action | .303 British | 1922-1967 |
FN Model 1949 | Semi-automatic | 7.92×57mm Mauser | 1949-1967 |
Ag m/42 | Semi-automatic | 6.5×55 mm | 1950s-1967 |
Mosin Nagant | Bolt Action | 7.62×54mm R | 1956-1967 |
Hakim Rifle | Semi-automatic | 7.92×57mm Mauser | 1950s-1967 |
Rasheed Carbine | Semi-automatic | 7.62×39mm | 1950s-1967 |
SKS Carbine | Semi-automatic | 7.62×39mm | 1956-1967 |
Misr | Selective fire | 7.62×39mm | 1960s-Present |
Finland[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Mosin Nagant | Bolt action | 7.62×54R | 1891–1962 |
SVT-40 | Semi-automatic | 7.62×54R | 1940–1962 |
RK 62 | Selective fire | 7.62×39 mm | 1962–Present |
RK 95 TP | Selective fire | 7.62×39 mm | 1995–Present |
France[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Delvigne rifle | Flintlock | Musket ball | 1826-1846 |
Thouvenin Carabine à tige | Percussion cap | Musket ball | 1846-1851 |
Minié rifle | Percussion cap | Minié ball | 1848-1866 |
Tabatière rifle | Breech-loading | Minié ball | 1864-1870 |
Chassepot M1866 | Bolt action | 11 mm | 1867-1874 |
Gras M1874 | Bolt-action | 11×59mmR | 1874-1886 |
Lebel Model 1886 rifle | Bolt-action | 8 mm Lebel | 1886-1936 |
Berthier rifle | Bolt-action | 8 mm Lebel | 1902-? |
MAS-36 | Bolt-action | 7.5×54mm French | 1936-1978 |
MAS-49 rifle | Semi-automatic | 7.5×54 French | 1949-1979 |
Heckler & Koch G3 | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1964-1979 |
FAMAS | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1978–Present |
Germany[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Model 1839 Potsdam musket | Rifled musket | 15.4 mm | 1839-1861 |
Dreyse needle gun | Breech loading | 15.4 mm | 1842-1870 |
M1871 Mauser | Bolt action | 11×60mm Mauser | 1871-1888 |
Gewehr 1888 | Bolt-action | 7.92×57 mm Mauser | 1888-1915 |
Gewehr 98 | Bolt-action | 7.92×57 mm Mauser | 1898-1935 (German Army) |
Mauser Kar 98k | Bolt-action | 7.92×57 mm Mauser | 1935–Present |
Gewehr 41 | Semi-automatic | 7.92×57 mm Mauser | 1941-1945 |
Gewehr 43 | Semi-automatic | 7.92×57 mm Mauser | 1943-1945 |
Sturmgewehr 44 | Selective fire | 7.92×33mm Kurz | 1944-1960s |
G1 | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1953-1965 (West Germany) |
Karabiner-S | Semi-automatic | 7.62×39 mm | 1945-1949 (East Germany) |
MPi-K | Selective fire | 7.62×39 mm | 1949-1990 (East Germany) |
Heckler & Koch G3 | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1958–Present (West Germany) (now mostly for training/reserve) |
Heckler & Koch G36 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1997–Present |
Greece[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Fusil Gras mle 1874 | Bolt action | 11×59mm R Gras | 1877-1903 |
Mannlicher-Schönauer | Bolt action | 6.5×54mm | 1903-1941 |
FN Model 1930 | Bolt action | 7.92×57mm Mauser | 1930s-1945 |
Lee-Enfield | Bolt action | .303 British | 1939-1945 |
M1 Garand | Semi-automatic | .30-06 Springfield | 1945-1977 |
FN FAL | Selective fire | 7.62×51mm NATO | 1960s-1999 |
Heckler & Koch G3 | Selective fire | 7.62×51mm NATO | 1977–present |
Guatemala[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
M1 Garand | Semi-automatic | .30-06 Springfield | 1950s-1977 |
M1/M2 Carbine | Semi-automatic | .30 Carbine | 1950s-1977 |
IMI Galil AR/SAR | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1974–present |
M16A2 | Assault Rifle | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1988–Present |
IMI Tavor TAR-21 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 2006–present (778 purchased from Israel for police use) |
Hungary[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
35M rifle | Bolt-action | 7.92×57mm Mauser | 1935-1950s |
AK-47 | Selective fire | 7.62×39 mm | 1956-1990 |
AMMSz | Selective fire | 7.62×39 mm | 1960-1990 |
AMD-65 | Selective fire | 7.62×39 mm | 1966-1990 |
AMP-69 | Selective fire | 7.62×39 mm, 40 mm grenade | 1979–present |
AK-63D | Selective fire | 7.62×39 mm | 1989–Present |
Indonesia[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Arisaka | Bolt-action | 6.5×50mm Arisaka 7.7×58mm Arisaka |
1940s-1950s |
M1 Garand | Semi-automatic | .30-06 Springfield | 1945-middle 1970s |
Heckler & Koch G3 | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1961–Present |
M16 rifle | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1980s-Present |
Pindad SS1 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1991–Present |
Pindad SS2 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 2006–Present |
Iran[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Mauser 98 | Bolt-action | 7.92×57mm Mauser | 1900s-1950s |
Vz. 24 | Bolt-action | 7.92×57mm Mauser | 1929-1960s |
M1 Garand | Semi-automatic | 30-06 | 1950s-Present |
Heckler & Koch G3 | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1960s-Present |
G3A6 | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1980–Present |
AK-103 | Selective fire | 7.62×39 mm | 1991–Present |
Iraq[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Lee-Enfield | Bolt action | .303 British | 1930s-1950s |
AK-47 | Assault Rifle | 7.62×39 mm | 1950s-Present |
M16A2 | Assault Rifle | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 2007–Present |
Ireland[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Lee-Enfield | Bolt-Action | .303 SAA Ball | 1922-1960s |
FN FAL | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1960s-1988 |
Steyr AUG | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1988–Present |
Israel[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Lee-Enfield No 4 | Bolt action | .303 British | 1948-1958 |
Mauser Kar98k | Bolt-action | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1948-1974 |
FN FAL | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1955-1981 |
M16 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1973–present |
Galil AR | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1974–present |
IMI Tavor TAR-21 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 2005–present |
Italy[]
Firearm | Type | Caliber | Service |
---|---|---|---|
M1870 Italian Vetterli | Bolt-action | 10.4 mm Vetterli | 1870-1887 |
M1870 Italian Vetterli | Bolt action | 10.4 mm Vetterli | 1892-1950 |
Carcano | Bolt action | 6.5×52mm Mannlicher-Carcano | 1892-1950 |
M1 Garand | Semi-automatic | .30-06 Springfield | 1945-1959 |
Beretta BM-59 | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1959-1990 |
Beretta AR70/90 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1990–present |
Beretta ARX-160 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 2008–present |
Jamaica[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
L1A1 SLR | Semi-automatic | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1957–Present |
M16A2 | Assault Rifle | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1980s?-Present |
SA80 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1992–Present |
Japan[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Snider-Enfield | Breech-loading | .577 Snider | 1868-1880 |
Murata rifle | Bolt action | 11x60mm R Murata | 1880-1905 |
Type 30 rifle | Bolt action | 6.5×50mm Arisaka | 1897-1905 |
Arisaka Type 38 | Bolt-action | 6.5×50mm Arisaka | 1905-1945 |
Arisaka Type 99 | Bolt-action | 7.7×58mm Arisaka | 1939-1945 |
M1 Garand | Semi-automatic | .30-06 Springfield | 1954-1964 |
Howa Type 64 | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1964–Present |
Howa Type 89 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1989–Present |
Korea[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kingdom of Joseon (1392-1897) | ||||
Type 13 Murata | Bolt action | 11×60mm R Murata | 1881-1897 | |
Enfield Pattern 1853 | Percussion cap | .577 Ball | 1882-1897 | |
Remington Rolling Block | Rolling block | .50-70 Government | 1884-1897 | |
Korean Empire (1897-1910) | ||||
Berdan II | Bolt action | 10.75×58mm | 1897-1907 | |
Mauser Model 1871 | Bolt action | 11×60mm Mauser | 1897-1907 | |
Democratic People's Republic of Korea (1948–present) | ||||
Mosin-Nagant M1891/30 | Bolt action | 7.62×54mm R | 1948-1960s | Currently used by reserve forces |
Mosin-Nagant M1944 | Bolt action | 7.62×54mm R | 1948-1960s | Currently used by reserve forces |
SKS | Semi-automatic | 7.62×39mm | 1948-1970s? | Currently used by reserve forces |
Type 30 | Bolt action | 7.62×54mm R | 1950s-1960s | Local produced version of Mosin-Nagant M1891/30 Currently used by reserve forces |
Type 53 | Bolt action | 7.62×54mm R | 1953-1960s | Local produced version of Mosin-Nagant M1944 Currently used by reserve forces |
Type 63 | Semi-automatic | 7.62×39mm | 1963-1970s? | Local produced version of SKS Currently used by reserve forces |
Type 58 | Selective fire | 7.62×39mm | 1958–Present | Local produced version of AK-47 |
Type 68 | Selective fire | 7.62×39mm | 1968–Present | Local produced version of AKM |
Type 88 | Selective fire | 5.45×39mm | 1988–Present | Local produced version of AK-74 |
Republic of Korea (1948–present) | ||||
M1 Garand | Semi-automatic | .30-06 Springfield | 1948-1978 | |
M1 Carbine | Semi-automatic | .30 Carbine | 1948-1978 | |
M16A1 | Selective fire | .223 Remington | 1968–Present | Colt Model 603K; produced under license by Daewoo Precision Industries |
Daewoo Precision Industries K1A | Selective fire | .223 Remington | 1981–Present | Standard submachine gun |
Daewoo Precision Industries K2 | Selective fire | 5.56×45mm NATO | 1984–Present | Standard assault rifle |
Luxembourg[3][]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Karabiner 98k | Bolt action | 7.92×57mm Mauser | 1945 |
Ross rifle | Bolt action | .303 British | 1945 |
Pattern 1914 Enfield | Bolt action | .303 British | 1945 |
Lee-Enfield | Bolt action | .303 British | 1945-1952 |
FN Model 1949 | Semi-automatic | .30-06 Springfield | 1951-1963 |
FN FAL | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1963-1996 |
Steyr AUG | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1996–Present |
Mexico[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Springfield Model 1873 | Breech-loading | .45-70 | 1873-1890s |
Winchester Model 1895 | Lever Action | .30-06 | 1895-1920s |
Mauser 1895 FMM 1895 | Bolt action | 7×57 mm Mauser | 1895-1902 |
Mauser 1898 FMM 1902/07/10/12/24/36 | Bolt action | 7×57 mm Mauser | 1902-1954 |
Mauser 1898 FMM 1954 | Bolt action | .30-06 Springfield | 1954-? |
FN FAL | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1950s-1965 |
Heckler & Koch G3 | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1965–Present (Slowly Replaced by FX-05 Xiuhcoatl) |
M-16 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1971–Present |
Heckler & Koch G36 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1999–Present |
FX-05 Xiuhcoatl | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 2006–Present |
Netherlands[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Dutch Snider | Breech loading | 17.5x29Rmm | 1867-1871 |
Dutch Beaumont M71 | Bolt-Action | 11.3×50Rmm | 1871-1888 |
Dutch Beaumont-Vital M1871/88 | Bolt-Action | 11.3×52Rmm | 1888-1895 |
Dutch Mannlicher | Bolt-Action | 6.5×53.55 mm | 1895-1945 |
Lee-Enfield No. 4 | Bolt-Action | .303 British | 1945-1954 |
M1 Garand | Semi-automatic rifle | .30-06 Springfield | 1945-1954 |
FN FAL | Semi-automatic rifle | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1961-1995 |
Diemaco C7 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1995–Present |
Diemaco C8 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1995–Present |
New Zealand[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Lee-Enfield | Bolt-Action | .303 SAA Ball | 1900s-1950s |
L1A1 SLR | Semi-automatic | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1950s-1980s |
Steyr AUG | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1980s-Present |
Norway[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Kammerlader | Breech-loading | Minié ball | 1842-1870 |
Remington M1867 | Rolling block | 12.17×44 mm | 1867-1908 |
Jarmann M1884 | Bolt action | 10.15x61 mmR | 1884-1900 |
Krag-Jørgensen M1894 | Bolt-action | 6.5×55 mm | 1894-1945 |
Lee-Enfield No 4 | Bolt-action | .303 British | 1940-1952 |
Mauser M98 | Bolt-action | 7.92×57 mm Mauser (Navy)/.30-06 Springfield (Army, Air Force) | 1945-1968 |
Selvladegevær M1 | Semi-Automatic | .30-06 Springfield | 1951–Present (limited use for drill/display) |
US-Karabin | Semi-automatic | .30 Carbine | 1951-1970 (used by police until early 90s) |
AG-3 | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1964–Present (now mostly for training/reserve) |
Heckler & Koch HK416 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 2008–Present |
Heckler & Koch HK417 | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 2008–Present |
Peru[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
AKM | Selective-Fire | 7.62×39 mm | 1970s-Present |
FN FAL[4] | Selective-Fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1960s-Present |
Philippines[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
M1903 Springfield[citation needed] | Bolt action | .30-03 Springfield | 1912-1951 |
M1917 Enfield | Bolt Action | .30-06 Springfield | 1920s-1945 |
M1 Garand | Semi-automatic | .30-06 Springfield | 1951-1975 |
M14 | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm | 1960s-Present |
M16 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm | 1970s-Present |
CAR-15 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm | 1970s-Present |
SOAR | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm | 2006–Present |
Poland[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mosin–Nagant | Bolt Action | 7.62×54mmR | 1898-1950s | Some chambered to 7.92×57 mm and used during Invasion of Poland |
Mauser 98k | Bolt Action | 7.92×57mm Mauser | 1918-1939 | produced in Poland from 1929 as Mauser Carbine Kbk wz. 1929 |
Lee-Enfield | Bolt Action | .303 British | 1940-1945 | Used by Polish Armed Forces in the West |
AK-47 | Selective fire | 7.62×39mm | 1950s-Present | |
AKM | Selective fire | 7.62×39 mm | 1960s-Present | still used to train and reserve services[5] |
Kbk wz. 1988 Tantal | Selective fire | 5.45×39mm | 1989-2005 | 1000 sold to Iraq |
M4 Bushmaster | Selective fire | 5.56×45mm NATO | ?-? | GROM, also with Bushmaster M203 grenade launcher[5] |
96 Beryl | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1997–present | along with Mini-Beryl sub-carbine and in different variants |
Portugal[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Enfield m/1859 | Percussion cap | 14 mm Minié | 1859-1872 |
Snider-Enfield m/1872 | Breech-loading | 14 mm Snider | 1872-1910 (after 1886 limited use with colonial troops) |
Kropatschek m/1886 | Bolt action | 8x60 mm Guedes | 1886-1961 (after 1904 limited use with colonial troops) |
Mauser-Vergueiro m/1904 | Bolt-action | 6.5×58 mm Vergueiro | 1904-1960s |
Mauser m/937 | Bolt-action | 7.92×57 mm Mauser | 1937-1960s-Present (limited use for drill/display in the GNR) |
AR-10 | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1960-1970s |
FN m/962 | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1962-1970s |
G3 m/961 | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1961–Present |
Heckler & Koch G36 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 2000s-Present |
Romania[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
M1868 Romanian Peabody | Falling block | .45 Romanian | 1868-18?? |
M1879 Romanian Martini-Henry | Falling block | .45 Romanian | 1879-18?? |
Steyr-Mannlicher M1893 | Bolt action | 6.5×53mm R | 1893-1938 |
Mosin-Nagant | Bolt action | 7.62×54mm R | 1917-1960s |
vz. 24 | Bolt action | 7.92×57mm Mauser | 1938-1960s |
AK-47 | Selective fire | 7.62×39mm | 1950s-1963 |
Pistol Mitralieră model 1963/1965 | Selective fire | 7.62×39mm | 1963–Present (reserve since 1990s) |
Puşcă Automată model 1986 | Selective fire | 5.45×39 mm | 1986–Present |
Russia and Soviet Union[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Model 1857 Six Line | Rifled musket | .60 calibre | 1857-1867 |
M1867 Russian Krnka | Trapdoor breechloader | 15 mm | 1867-1869 |
Berdan rifle | Bolt action | 10.75×58 mm | 1869-1891 |
Mosin-Nagant | Bolt-action | 7.62×54mmR | 1891–1951 (today as a reserve sniper rifle) |
SVT-40 | Semi-automatic | 7.62×54mmR | 1940–1955 |
SKS | Semi-automatic | 7.62×39mm | 1945–Present (as ceremonial arm and a reserve service rifle) |
AK-47 | Selective fire | 7.62×39mm | 1949–Present (as a reserve service rifle) |
AKM | Selective fire | 7.62×39mm | 1959–Present (reserve and active rear-echelon forces) |
AK-74 | Selective fire | 5.45×39mm | 1974–Present |
AK-74M | Selective fire | 5.45×39 mm | 1991–Present |
AK-103 | Selective fire | 7.62×39 mm | 1991–Present |
Serbia[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
M48 Mauser and other Mauser Model 98 pattern rifles M24, M24/47 | Bolt action | 7.92×57 mm | 1924-1959 |
SKS | Semi-automatic | 7.62×39 mm | 1959-1970 |
AK-47 | Selective fire | 7.62×39 mm | 1950s-Present |
Zastava M70 | Selective fire | 7.62×39 mm | 1970–Present |
Zastava M21 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 2004–Present |
Singapore[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
AR-15 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1968-1973 |
M16S1 rifle | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1973–present |
SAR 80 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1980s-unknown |
SR 88 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1988-unknown |
SAR 21 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1999–present |
South Africa[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Lee-Enfield | Bolt Action | .303 SAA Ball | 1910-1960s |
R1 | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1950s-Present |
Vektor R4 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1982–Present |
Spain[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Model 1857 rifle musket | Rifled musket | ? | 1857-1867 |
M1857/67 Berdan | Trapdoor breechloader | 15×41 mmR | 1867-1868 |
M1868 Spanish Peabody | Falling block | .56-50R Spencer, 11.15×58 mmR (.43 Spanish) | 1868-1870 |
M1870 Remington | Rolling block | 11.15×58 mmR | 1870-1893 |
M1893 Mauser | Bolt action | 7×57 mm Mauser | 1893-1945 |
M43 La Coruña | Bolt-action | 7.92×57 mm Mauser | 1942-1958 |
CETME | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1958-1997 |
CETME Model L | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1984-1999 |
Heckler & Koch G36 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 2000–Present |
Sweden[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
M1867 Remington | Rolling block | 12.17×42 mm RF | 1867- ~1900 |
M1896 Swedish Mauser | Bolt-action | 6.5×55 mm | 1896-1995 |
Ag m/42 | Semi-automatic | 6.5×55 mm | 1942-1964 |
Ak 4 | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1964–Present |
Ak 5 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1985–Present |
Switzerland[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Infanteriegewehr Modell 1842 | Muzzle-loading percussion | 18 mm | 1842-1867 |
Eidgenössischer Stutzer 1851 | Muzzle-loading percussion | 18 mm | 1851-1863 |
M1842/59/67 Swiss Milbank-Amsler | Breechloader | 18x25 mmR Rimfire | 1869-1869 |
M1867 Swiss Peabody | Falling block | 10.4×38 mmR Rimfire (.41 Swiss rimfire) | 1867-1869 |
Vetterli rifle | Bolt-action | 10.4×38Rmm Rimfire | 1869-1890 |
Schmidt-Rubin | Bolt-action | 7.5×55mm Swiss | 1889-1957 |
K31 | Bolt-action | 7.5×55mm Swiss | 1933-1958 |
Sturmgewehr 57 | Selective fire | 7.5×55mm Swiss | 1957–Present |
Sturmgewehr 90 | Selective fire | 5,6 mm Gw Pat 90 | 1990–Present |
Thailand[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Type 45 Siamese Mauser | Bolt action | 8x50mmR Type 45, 8x52mmR Type 66 | 1903-1960s |
Vz. 24 | Bolt Action | 7.92×57mm Mauser | Early 1940s-1960s |
M1903 Springfield | Bolt Action | .30-06 Springfield | 1944-1970 (Used for training by Government agents of Ministry of Interior at present[when?].) |
M1 Carbine | Semi-automatic rifle | .30 Carbine | 1944-1970 (Used for training by Army ROTC at present.) |
M1 Garand | Semi-automatic rifle | .30-06 Springfield | 1944-1970 (Used for training by Army ROTC at present.) |
Mosin-Nagant | Bolt Action | 7.62×54mmR | During Vietnam War (Limited and used by Ranger Sniper) |
M16 | Selective fire | 5.56×45mm NATO | 1980s-present |
Type 11 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1968–present |
IMI Tavor TAR-21 | Selective fire | 5.56×45mm NATO | 2008–present |
Turkey[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
M1887 | Bolt action | 9.5x60R | 1887 |
1890 Turkish Mauser | Bolt action | 7.65×53 mm Argentine | 1890 |
1893 Ottoman Mauser | Bolt action | 7.65x53 mm Argentine (1893), 8x57 mm Mauser (1930s) | 1893 |
Mauser 1898 | Bolt action | 7×57 mm Mauser | 1900s-1954 |
Gewehr 1888 | Bolt action | 8x57 mm Mauser | 1915-1930s |
M1 Garand | Semi Automatic | .30-06 Springfield | 1953-1980s (Still used as a ceremonial rifle) |
FN FAL | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1950s-1970s |
Heckler & Koch G3 | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1960s-Present |
Heckler & Koch HK33 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1997–Present |
Ukraine[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Model 1857 Six Line | Rifled musket | .60 calibre | 1857-1867 |
M1867 Russian Krnka | Trapdoor breechloader | 15 mm | 1867-1869 |
Berdan rifle | Bolt action | 10.75×58 mm | 1869-1891 |
Mosin-Nagant | Bolt-action | 7.62×54 mmR | 1891-1946 |
SVT-40 | Semi-automatic | 7.62×54 mmR | 1940-1945 |
SKS | Semi-automatic | 7.62×39 mm | 1945–Present (mainly used as ceremonial arm) |
AK-47 | Selective fire | 7.62×39 mm | 1949–Present |
AKM | Selective fire | 7.62×39 mm | 1959–Present |
AK-74 | Selective fire | 5.45×39 mm | 1974–Present |
United Kingdom, British Empire & Commonwealth of Nations[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Ferguson rifle | Breech-loading | .650 Ball | 1776 |
Baker rifle | Flintlock | .615 Ball | 1801-1837 |
Brunswick rifle | Percussion cap | .704 Ball | 1837-1851 |
Pattern 1853 Enfield | Percussion cap | .577 Ball | 1853-1867 |
Snider-Enfield | Breech-loading | .577 Snider | 1866-1901 |
Martini-Henry | Breech-loading | .577/450 Martini-Henry | 1871-1888 |
Lee-Metford | Bolt action | .303 British | 1888-1926 |
Lee-Enfield | Bolt-action | .303 British | 1895–Present (Limited Use) |
Ross rifle (Canada) | Straight Pull | .303 British | 1905-1916 |
L1A1 SLR | Semi-automatic | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1956–Present |
Ishapore 2A/2A1 (India) | Bolt action | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1963–Present (Limited Use) |
C7 rifle (Canada) | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1984–Present |
SA80 (UK) | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1985–Present |
United States[]
Krag jorganson 1897- early 1900sFirearm | Type | Calibre | Service | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kentucky Long rifle | Flintlock | .36 ball | 1776-1816 | |
Model 1795 Musket | Flintlock | .69 Ball | 1795-1816 | |
Springfield Model 1835 | Flintlock | .69 Ball | 1835-1842 | |
Springfield Model 1842 | Percussion cap | .69 Ball | 1842-1854 | |
Springfield Model 1855 | Percussion cap | .58 Minié | 1854-1861 | |
Spencer Repeating Rifle | Lever Action | 56-56 Spencer | 1860-1873 | |
Springfield Model 1861 | Percussion cap | .58 Minié | 1861-1867 | |
Henry Repeating Rifle | Lever Action | .44 Henry | 1862-1873 | |
Springfield Model 1863 | Percussion cap | .58 Minié | 1863-1867 | |
Springfield Model 1865 | Breech-loading | .58 Musket Rimfire | 1865-1867 | |
Springfield Model 1866 | Breech-loading | .50-70 Government | 1866-1873 | |
Springfield Model 1868 | Breech-loading | .50-70 Government | 1869-1873 | |
Springfield Model 1873 | Breech-loading | .45-70 | 1873-1884 | |
Springfield Model 1884 | Breech-loading | .45-70 | 1884-1894 | |
Springfield Model 1892-99 | Bolt action | .30-40 Krag | 1894-early 1900s | |
M1895 Lee Navy (Navy/Marines) | Straight-pull | 6 mm Lee Navy | 1895-early 1900s | |
M1903 Springfield | Bolt-action | .30-06 Springfield | 1903-1957 | |
M1916 Mosin-Nagant | Bolt-action | 7.62×54R | 1918-c.1921 | |
M1917 Enfield | Bolt-action | .30-06 Springfield | 1917-1943 | |
M1 Garand | Semi-automatic | .30-06 Springfield | 1936-1963 (some used into 1970s) | |
M1 Carbine | Semi-automatic | .30 Carbine | 1942-1960s | |
M2 Carbine | Selective fire | .30 Carbine | 1945-1960s | |
M14 | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1957–Present | Currently used as a marksman rifle |
M16 | Selective fire | 5.56×45mm NATO | 1961–Present | Standard rifle of USMC |
M4 carbine | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 1994–Present | Standard carbine of US Army |
MK 17 Mod 0 (FN SCAR-H) | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 2009–present | Used by all branches of USSOCOM |
Uruguay[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Gewehr 98 | Bolt Action | 7.92×57 mm Mauser | 1898-1958 |
FN FAL | Selective fire | 7.62×51 mm NATO | 1950s-Present |
AK-101 | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 200?-Present |
Steyr AUG | Selective fire | 5.56×45 mm NATO | 2008–Present |
Venezuela[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Gewehr 98 | Bolt-action | 7×57mm Mauser | 1898-1960s |
FN Model 1949 | Semi-automatic | 7×57mm Mauser | 1949-1960s |
FN FAL 50.63 | Selective fire | 7.62×51mm NATO | 1950s-Present |
AK-103 | Selective fire | 7.62×39mm | 2006–Present |
Vietnam[]
Firearm | Type | Calibre | Service |
---|---|---|---|
Musket Model 1777 | Flintlock | Musket ball | 1790s-1884 |
Mosin-Nagant | Bolt-action | 7.62×54 mm | 1920s-1960s |
SKS | Semi-automatic | 7.62×39 mm | 1960s-1975 |
Type 56 carbine | Semi-automatic | 7.62×39 mm | 1960s-1975 |
AK-47 | Selective fire | 7.62×39 mm | 1960s-2000s |
Type 56 Assault Rifle | Selective fire | 7.62×39 mm | 1960s-2000s |
AKM | Selective fire | 7.62×39 mm | 1960s-Present |
See also[]
References[]
- ↑ Wolfdieter Hufnagel, U.S. Karabiner .30 M1, Stuttgart 1994, ISBN 3-613-01635-4
- ↑ V. Kenneth. Burmese Small Arms Development. Small Arms Review, August 2009.
- ↑ GRAND-DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG
- ↑ Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35th edition (January 27, 2009). ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 http://forum.wmasg.pl/index.php?/topic/42132-ak-74-m4-i-m203-w-wojsku-polskim/
The original article can be found at Service rifle and the edit history here.