Best Assault Rifle (Poll)

[Nolo]

I know that there already is a "Favorite Assault Rifle" poll, but I figured this one was different enough to warrant a new post. For starters, I'm giving you sixteen options (the maximum allowed), and I'm also asking everyone to post on the thread the reasons for their choice, along with suggestions for what would make their choice better. Consider new technologies (like balanced actions), features from other weapons (like quick change barrels) and other calibers, as well as anything else you can think of. I apologize if I did not include your first candidate for the best assault rifle, there was a limited amount of choices I could have, but I have tried to cover most of the bases with exemplaries from each category.

 

[UKarmourer]

Thats the second time today someone has missed out a rifle currently in daily use on operations around the world
The L85A2

 

[Trojan6]

My decision was based on having carried four of your choices in combat. Each have advantages and disadvantages, but I like the M14 best due to the bullet and reliability. Every little insurgent I've seen shot with an M14 sat down right there. Not always the case with the others. I know shot placement is key, but it's not always that easy. The Steyr Aug was hands down the best in an urban environment, but I'll take the .308 all things considered. My .02

LH3

 

[Guitargod1985]

I selected tha AKM for variuos reasons.

-Lightweight (compared to the FAL, for instance)
-Ease of operation
-Ease of assembly/disassembly
-Reliability
-Requires little maintenance
-.30 caliber (not much of a fan of 5.56/.223, sorry)

And, frankly, it just looks cool.

 

[Medusa]

Tools I need for my trade:

#1 close to AR-10: Mk.11 Mod.0
#2 M14 in good stock (JAE-100 or VLTOR)

 

[Gewehr98]

Hmmm...

The best assault rifle is the one used in an assault.

(I won't propogate a gun term coined by anti-gunners, myself)

 

[Medusa]

Thats the second time today someone has missed out a rifle currently in daily use on operations around the world
The L85A2

Or FAMAS, which is pretty good rifle, after all, and get's used extensivly.

 

[UKarmourer]

FAMAS seems ok, never fired it myself so cant comment, fired a few on the list though, and i still love my SA80

 

[[TASF]Maverick]

If only the G11 project had been successful...

http://www.hkpro.com/g11.htm

 

[bartsimpson123844]

What is the difference between the SA80's and the L85's?

 

[Correia]

This is one of those fascinating polls, where 95% of the respondents will have only used maybe 5% of the guns.

For example, the people voting for the HK416. Why is it so great? Have you actually used one?

Nope, hardly anybody has. But by golly, HK's marketing department told us how AWESOME it is. So it must be true.

The G11? I'm a professional gun fanatic. I live this stuff. And even then I've met maybe three people in my life who've actually shot one.

If you aren't voting for a gun that you've used, you're basing your opinion on what is the best based on conjecture and other folk's opinions.

 

[UKarmourer]

Bart, sorry, my bad,

the L85 is the official designation for the rifle commonly known as the SA80, the L86 being the light support weapon (bipod and longer barrel)

I have personally used the FN FAL, the M16A2, the G3 and the AK-47 as well as my baby, all were fun and 7.62 does the business, but to live with and use in combat, gimme my green gun!

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

Which is the best color?


Which food tastes the best?

 

[trbon8r]

Thats the second time today someone has missed out a rifle currently in daily use on operations around the world
The L85A2

The problem with the L85 is that it suffered from a bad reputation early on. I've heard the problems were sorted out, but I don't have any experience with the rifle.

When a rifle suffers from considerable problems early on, it takes time to get over that. Look at the M16, it's been a solid, reliable piece of equipment for many years now and some folks still swear that it's junk.

 

[Daemon688]

How about a compairson between rifles that people can actually buy? Then again, topics like these have been debated over a million times on this board. These rifles are all ones I have physically seen, touched, and it seems that many people actually own and have fired these weapons.

AK all types
AR all types
FN FAL
HK 91
FN FS2000
Steyr AUG

 

[Gordon]

I used a G-3 extensively in the 80s and NEVER had a failure and it was very accurate also!

 

[Chuck R.]

I’ll go with what I know.

While I think my SA58 Para FAL is an awesome rifle, if it came right down to a situation where I needed a rifle bad, I’d pick up my Colt 6920.

Chuck

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

If you aren't voting for a gun that you've used, you're basing your opinion on what is the best based on conjecture and other folk's opinions.

That shows what you know, Correia. It's no doubt based on video games.

 

[Correia]

Oh, thanks Jorg. In that case, I want an OICW. Because on Ghost Recon, I'm one bad mother with that thing. I also want an MG3, because I can shoot it from the shoulder quickly, even though it weighs 30+ pounds, and it is totally controllable at 1,200 RPM.

 

[Eyesac]

Well I've only ever shot:

AR
AK
M14

But I can form an educated opinion and go with AR can't I? Or is that bad?

 

[cameron.personal]

Either one would do the job....



but there is just something about the
SKULL HAMMERING AUTHORITY OF A .308​

 

[JWarren]

The best assault rifle is one that you are most familiar with and is reliable.


-- John

 

[sacp81170a]

M-14, since your actual question was combat rifle. The reason it's my favorite is that it's reliable, I'm familiar with it, and it has the 7.62x51 doin' the talkin' for it. It's supremely accurate, rugged and qualifies as one of the best service rifles ever fielded. The reason I say that is that it is simply an extension of the Garand design, modified to eliminate the one and only questionable characterstic, the en bloc clip. Otherwise, it's essentially the same rifle with a NATO chambering.

If you'd asked what I'd want for an entry rifle, I'd have said the M-4. Would I turn down any of the others? No, but for serious use, I'll stay with the ones that feel like an extension of my own arms. Others will have their favorites based on the same reasoning; more power to them. It's differences of opinion that make things interesting.

 

[doubleg]

For a general issue assault rifle the AR is unbeatable. Deadly accurate and extremely reliable when cleaned regularly, there really is not a better rifle available. Nine people with AR's can provide as much fire as 11 people with AK's correct?

 

[Daemon688]

extremely reliable when cleaned regularly

Haha.....I found that line funny. I hope it's reliable when clean! Although I own both a AR I love my AKs much more. But I should mention that I haven't experienced the problems people claim about dirty ARs jamming *shrugs*.