A battle rifle is a military service rifle that fires a full power rifle cartridge, such as 7.62x51mm NATO. While the designation of battle rifle is usually given to post-World War II select fire infantry rifles such as the H&K G3, the FN FAL, or the M14, this term can also apply to older military semi-automatic rifles such as the M1 Garand.
The term 'battle rifle' and the differentiation between battle and assault rifles is not used in most languages. It historically originated in the necessary differentiation between the American M14 and M16 rifles, and was carried over to other rifles of the same calibers, usually regardless of their general design.
Read more about Battle Rifle: Design, History, Definition
Famous quotes containing the words battle and/or rifle:
“The thundering line of battle stands,
And in the air Death moans and sings:
But Day shall clasp him with strong hands,
And Night shall fold him in soft wings.”
—Julian Grenfell (1888–1915)
“Many times man lives and dies
Betweeen his two eternities,
That of race and that of soul,
And ancient Ireland knew it all.
Whether man die in his bed
Or the rifle knocks him dead,”
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)