Battle rifle

A battle rifle is a semi-automatic or select fire service rifle chambered to fire a full-power cartridge and a internal box magazine or detachable box magazine. The term "battle rifle" is a retronym created largely out of a need to better differentiate the intermediate-power cartridge assault rifles (e.g., the StG-44, AK-47, M16, AUG) from full-powered rifles (e.g., the FG-42, AVS-36, FN FAL, and M14, as well as the H&K G3 outside of sniping uses) as both classes of modern firearms have a similar appearance and share many of the same features such as detachable magazines, pistol grips, or separate upper and lower receivers. Battle rifles were most prominent from the 1940s to the 1970s, when they were used as service rifles. While modern battle rifles largely resemble modern assault rifle designs, which replaced battle rifles in most roles, the term may also describe older military full-power semi-automatic rifles such as the M1 Garand, SVT-40, Gewehr 41, Gewehr 43, Type 4, FN Model 1949, and MAS-49.