Top 10 Combat Rifles

troylaplante · 02-16-2007, 12:03 PM

I was watching a show on The Military Channel called "Top Ten Combat Rifles". They ran down their top 10 based on service length, accuracy, combat effectiveness, handling, innovation.

Here is their list.

10. M-14
9. Sturmgewehr 44
8. Springfield 1903
7. Steyr AUG
6. Mauser 98K
5. FN/FAL
4. M1 Garand
3. Lee Enfield SMLE
2. M-16
1. AK-47

The Mosin Nagant didn't make the top 10.

What additions or changes would you make to the list?

billt · 02-16-2007, 12:57 PM

I don't understand the wide gap between the Garand and the M-14? They are basicly the same gun with the M-14 going to a 20 round box magazine instead of the 8 round en block. The Steyr Aug wouldn't even make my list. Where was it ever combat proven? And against what other rifle? Bill T.

Mooseman684 · 02-16-2007, 12:58 PM

Surprised me not to see the...
BAR
The G3 or CETME
SKS
Galil
UZI (which I guess would be Classed as an SMG)
The STG 44 was not produced in very large Quantities Comparatively and the Steyr Aug is a Late Production gun.

tbonecpk · 02-16-2007, 01:38 PM

the BAR was the first SAW so I understand why it didnt make the list also. but combat rifles..... G3,M16,AK,M1,M14,1903,98K,Enfield,FG42,FN/FAL

If I remember correctly the Galil had major jamming issues just wasnt very reliable in the sandbox

troylaplante · 02-16-2007, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billt

The Steyr Aug wouldn't even make my list. Where was it ever combat proven?

The Steyr AUG has been in use in Austria and if I recall, Australia, and Ireland. I question its ranking, as well. The bull pup design is cool, it is reliable, and great for close quarters use. However, I still question the ranking in the top ten.

I also questioned the Sturmgewehr 44 over the Mosin.

couchtr26 · 02-16-2007, 04:38 PM

The STG 44, though made in small quantities, was basically the grandfather of all assault rifles. You need to look at their criteria for inclusion on the show. However, the one I truly question is the Springfield 1903. It is a nice rifle but it is essentially a Mauser clone. I really don't get that one. The Mosin was mentioned as just not making the cut. However, based on their criteria Innovation, Length of Service, Reliability, Accuracy, and Handling, the Mosin really wasn't very innovating. The Mosin is in fact a good rifle for that reason. No frills, it just works when you need it to work.

CrazyIvan · 02-16-2007, 04:43 PM

Whatever happened to the Thompson? It helped our troops greatly in WWII.

couchtr26 · 02-16-2007, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyIvan

Whatever happened to the Thompson? It helped our troops greatly in WWII.

Not a rifle, sub-machine gun. It fires .45 acp and is selective fire by definition pistol ammo + selective fire = sub-machine gun. I agree, it is nice just doesn't fit the criteria.

troylaplante · 02-16-2007, 05:01 PM

The show covered the fact that the Springfield was a Mauser type rifle. They did hit the history about the war in Cuba and how the Mausers whacked many US soldiers. That led to the development of the Springfield, which was pretty effective in WW1. It also was used for sniper rifles right up through Korea, according to the show. It got high marks on accuracy, effectiveness, long use, and handling for its time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by couchtr26

The STG 44, though made in small quantities, was basically the grandfather of all assault rifles. You need to look at their criteria for inclusion on the show.

Yeah, I did. I am the one who wrote the original post and the one who watched the show, remember?

just_a_car · 02-16-2007, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mooseman684

Surprised me not to see the...
BAR
The G3 or CETME
SKS
Galil
UZI (which I guess would be Classed as an SMG)
The STG 44 was not produced in very large Quantities Comparatively and the Steyr Aug is a Late Production gun.

Yeah, I would like to have seen the BAR and the G3 or CETME, but I think they covered the G3/CETME by putting in the FAL, since it's a not-too-distant cousin. I'm also with you on the SKS and wondering why the Dragunov SVD didn't make it either. Admittedly, no select fire, but it went into battle with most squadrons carrying AK-47's, usually one to a squad for counter-sniping (so I've read, don't know if that's true, but I've seen it multiple places online).

Bravo · 02-16-2007, 09:03 PM

I would put the SKS up there. I'm not sure how much action is saw in a major war (I think it came around a tad too late), but if it had come earlier, the results would have been incredible. Today, lots of small military groups in the middle east and africa and south america...all over the world, use this rifle. It's proven the test of time, and the test of many battles. It's also one of the few battle rifles that I've show

That along with the M1 and 1903.

Zephri · 02-16-2007, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troylaplante

The Mosin Nagant didn't make the top 10.

Why??

troylaplante · 02-16-2007, 10:40 PM

Apparently they thought the Mosin fell shorter on the grading criteria than the others. They did have a quick blurb on how the Mosin and one other rifle did not make the top 10 but were high on the list.

Just a few minutes ago, I found a forum on The Military Channel's site where some others were discussing the same thing.

Top Ten Combat Rifles - Topic Powered by eve community

Zephri · 02-16-2007, 11:41 PM

For some reason the people on that forum post sound very angry to me and they give all the other rifles too little credit...

BFRANKlin · 02-17-2007, 01:36 AM

1903 & 03A3 Springfields
M1 Garand
M-14
SMLE
Mosin Nagant
Mausers
Enfields
Henry
Springfield Rifle single shots
Sharps
These are all full sized battle rifles and no submachine guns or full autos make the list. The M-16 doesn't belong in this discussion

tbonecpk · 02-17-2007, 04:35 AM

so you put the M-14 in there that doesnt make sense when the M-14 can go full auto and thus a heavier assault rifle based on the Garand design.

couchtr26 · 02-17-2007, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troylaplante

Yeah, I did. I am the one who wrote the original post and the one who watched the show, remember?

No was in reference to Mooseman's comment. I was merely trying to put the idea that within the realms of what they setup it fell in there.

golem1961 · 02-20-2007, 11:19 PM

The m14 was designed and fielded to some extent in select fire configuration

charmincarmens · 02-21-2007, 08:18 AM

What about the trusty M1 30CAL. Carbine? There were millions in use.

The M14 was issued both ways.Auto with a bipod,you could go semi.And it was issued semi only,with no bipod.

Rex Kramer · 02-21-2007, 08:44 AM

The M14 is currently issued as a semi-auto DMR and SASS, however some units (SEALs) have a functional selector switch.

02-16-2007, 12:03 PM	#1
troylaplante Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Selma, NC Posts: 2,223	Top 10 Combat Rifles I was watching a show on The Military Channel called "Top Ten Combat Rifles". They ran down their top 10 based on service length, accuracy, combat effectiveness, handling, innovation. Here is their list. 10. M-14 9. Sturmgewehr 44 8. Springfield 1903 7. Steyr AUG 6. Mauser 98K 5. FN/FAL 4. M1 Garand 3. Lee Enfield SMLE 2. M-16 1. AK-47 The Mosin Nagant didn't make the top 10. What additions or changes would you make to the list?

02-16-2007, 12:58 PM	#3
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,742 Images: 2	Surprised me not to see the... BAR The G3 or CETME SKS Galil UZI (which I guess would be Classed as an SMG) The STG 44 was not produced in very large Quantities Comparatively and the Steyr Aug is a Late Production gun. __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

02-16-2007, 01:38 PM	#4
tbonecpk Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Diego Cal Posts: 1,590 Blog Entries: 2	the BAR was the first SAW so I understand why it didnt make the list also. but combat rifles..... G3,M16,AK,M1,M14,1903,98K,Enfield,FG42,FN/FAL If I remember correctly the Galil had major jamming issues just wasnt very reliable in the sandbox __________________ "Speak softly but carry a big stick" -Teddy Roosevelt

02-16-2007, 04:43 PM	#7
CrazyIvan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Englewood, CO Posts: 2,382	Whatever happened to the Thompson? It helped our troops greatly in WWII. __________________ "Minimum wage, minimum effort." "Never underestimate the power of stupidity." ~Me

02-16-2007, 11:41 PM	#14
Zephri Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Indianapolis, IN. "The city where nothing happens." Posts: 1,089 Blog Entries: 6	For some reason the people on that forum post sound very angry to me and they give all the other rifles too little credit... __________________ "All rifles need a sharp pointy object on the end!" http://s96.photobucket.com/albums/l195/zephri/

02-16-2007, 12:57 PM	#2
billt Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 161	I don't understand the wide gap between the Garand and the M-14? They are basicly the same gun with the M-14 going to a 20 round box magazine instead of the 8 round en block. The Steyr Aug wouldn't even make my list. Where was it ever combat proven? And against what other rifle? Bill T.

02-16-2007, 04:38 PM	#6
couchtr26 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 182	The STG 44, though made in small quantities, was basically the grandfather of all assault rifles. You need to look at their criteria for inclusion on the show. However, the one I truly question is the Springfield 1903. It is a nice rifle but it is essentially a Mauser clone. I really don't get that one. The Mosin was mentioned as just not making the cut. However, based on their criteria Innovation, Length of Service, Reliability, Accuracy, and Handling, the Mosin really wasn't very innovating. The Mosin is in fact a good rifle for that reason. No frills, it just works when you need it to work.

02-16-2007, 09:03 PM	#11
Bravo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Maine, USA Posts: 1,903	I would put the SKS up there. I'm not sure how much action is saw in a major war (I think it came around a tad too late), but if it had come earlier, the results would have been incredible. Today, lots of small military groups in the middle east and africa and south america...all over the world, use this rifle. It's proven the test of time, and the test of many battles. It's also one of the few battle rifles that I've show That along with the M1 and 1903.

02-16-2007, 10:40 PM	#13
troylaplante Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Selma, NC Posts: 2,223	Apparently they thought the Mosin fell shorter on the grading criteria than the others. They did have a quick blurb on how the Mosin and one other rifle did not make the top 10 but were high on the list. Just a few minutes ago, I found a forum on The Military Channel's site where some others were discussing the same thing. Top Ten Combat Rifles - Topic Powered by eve community

02-17-2007, 01:36 AM	#15
BFRANKlin Banned Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southern Ohio Posts: 258	1903 & 03A3 Springfields M1 Garand M-14 SMLE Mosin Nagant Mausers Enfields Henry Springfield Rifle single shots Sharps These are all full sized battle rifles and no submachine guns or full autos make the list. The M-16 doesn't belong in this discussion

02-17-2007, 04:35 AM	#16
tbonecpk Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Diego Cal Posts: 1,590 Blog Entries: 2	so you put the M-14 in there that doesnt make sense when the M-14 can go full auto and thus a heavier assault rifle based on the Garand design. __________________ "Speak softly but carry a big stick" -Teddy Roosevelt

02-20-2007, 11:19 PM	#18
golem1961 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Woodville tx. Vienna Il. Posts: 75	The m14 was designed and fielded to some extent in select fire configuration

02-21-2007, 08:18 AM	#19
charmincarmens Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: ohio Posts: 48	What about the trusty M1 30CAL. Carbine? There were millions in use. The M14 was issued both ways.Auto with a bipod,you could go semi.And it was issued semi only,with no bipod. Last edited by charmincarmens; 02-21-2007 at 08:20 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

02-21-2007, 08:44 AM	#20
Rex Kramer Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 396	The M14 is currently issued as a semi-auto DMR and SASS, however some units (SEALs) have a functional selector switch.