International Military - Tanks, warplanes, and artillery may have a greater effect on the battlefield. Yet the infantry's individual rifles are still an important part of any military. The United States (US) production rifle keeps its own capabilities on the battlefield.
There are at least five Weapons / Rifles of the world's best and most feared:
1. M16/M4/AR-10 family
Reporting from 19fortyfive, Eugene Stoner's original design for the rifle remains one of the most common designs and is used worldwide. In both the original 7.62x51mm NATO caliber and the smaller 5.56x45mm, variations of the M16 , SR-25, and AR-10 are a common sight in arsenals around the world. While the M16 had a rocky start in Vietnam, today more and more countries are turning to the rifle.
The United States continued to develop improved versions of the design with improvements such as a free-floating barrel, improved trigger, and a softer firing gas system. The L129 sniper rifle, another variant on its design, was a popular weapon among British troops.
2. AK100 family
The AK “100” series was created when IZHMASH applied the AK-74M upgrade to other AK variants in different calibers and barrel lengths. Thus, the current service rifle of the Russian Federation, the AK-74M can be considered the "100" series AK. From Venezuela to Syria to India, the AK-103 has proven to be the upgrade of choice for all esteemed AK-47 and AKM users.
The new barrel provides greater accuracy and the "74"-style muzzle brake tames recoil and reduces muzzle flash relative to older AKs. While the new AK-15 and AK-203 may be more ergonomic and feature rails, the AK-103 will likely continue to be sold as countries increase their stockpiles of rifles. The shorter AK-104 and AK-105 have proven popular among the elite special Russian police and military teams.
3. SG Series 550
Switzerland is known to have very high standards of accuracy for individual soldiers and their rifles, and the SG 550 series is no exception. An attractive blend of western-style rifles and Russian AKs, the SG550 features long stroke gas piston operation, two wheel rotating bolt and AK fill handle design, while also having a western-style pop-open receiver design, thumb guard, adjustable gas , and a diopter drum sight.
The result is a very reliable and highly accurate rifle. But the rifle is a bit heavy. Compared to the M16 and SCAR, the SG550 weighs 4.5 kg while the M16A2 weighs 4 kg.
The "rock and lock" magazine also doesn't fall free, slowing reloading compared to AR-style rifles like the SCAR, M16, and HK416. Carbine versions of the SG550, SG552 and SG553 remain popular with special forces around the world.
4. SCAR family
Originally designed for US Special Operations Forces, the FN SCAR rifle has proven popular with regular NATO forces as well. Belgium and Portugal have adopted the SCAR as a standard service rifle, and Lithuania issued a "heavy" 7.62x51mm version to their snipers as a precision rifle. The "heavy" version is notable for being somewhat light in comparison to older caliber rifles.
However, most SCARs have a reciprocating charging handle which can cause malfunction if the operator is not aware of the "throw" when shooting around barricades or in odd positions. FN now offers the SCAR with a non-reciprocating charging handle, but earlier versions could cause problems in some situations.
5. G3 family
The G3 series of roller-delay blowback firearms continues in the twenty-first century. Despite the emergence of newer designs such as the FN SCAR, the G3 remains in use by many NATO countries, especially in the Baltic and in Germany, while continuing to receive modernization.
Its primary use is as a precision "sniper" rifle, a role most suited to most G3s, due to its free-floating barrel. However, the basic stock G3 design poses problems for modern use.
The original stock G3 was designed to place the shooter's eye squarely with the iron sights. Modern use of optics requires a cheek enhancer if the shooter is to get a proper "cheek weld" on the rifle. It was also too long to be used comfortably with body armor.
The Swedish Ak4D variant of the G3 addresses both of these issues with telescoping, a higher stock made by Spuhr AB. The iron sights on the Ak4D were completely eliminated, as they were practically unusable with the newer stock. By most accounts, Ak4D has been well received.