The first assault rifle?

[GunnyGene]

The 1860 Henry. Video - about 10 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8KfCKjbIUA

 

[Fox Mike]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting.

 

[Jeepnik]

Actually it was probably a matchlock or something similar.

 

[blackhawknj]

The repeaters of the Civil War worked better on the defense-Hoover's Gap, Tennessee, Buford's cavalry on the first day of Gettysburg, e.g. Franklin, November 30, 1864. "The Yankee rifle you load on Sunday and fire all week."

 

[Wyandot Jim]

A good Video. He sure has a strange hand/trigger finger placement

The progression of the Winchester/Henry
1860 Henry 44-40/44WCF, King's Improvements 1866 45 Colt,1873 357,1894 30-30. Yea I know I'm missing a few





They were also made in an Iron Frame just not as many


1866 44-40/44WCF That was pretty beat up when I got it. Browned the barrel and Mag. Tube and redid the wood plus replaced interior parts and smoothed it up


Well after all it is a Ruger Forum

 

[Snake45]

"Assault rifle" actually has a definition, part of which is select-fire, so the Henry was not the first "assault rifle."

It was, however, a quantum leap forward, as an early (the first?) repeating cartridge rifle, and so has an important place in history. :wink:

 

[Jeepnik]

"Assault rifle" actually has a definition, part of which is select-fire, so the Henry was not the first "assault rifle."

It was, however, a quantum leap forward, as an early (the first?) repeating cartridge rifle, and so has an important place in history. :wink:

Whose definition? Strictly speaking an assault rifle is any rifle used in assaulting an enemy position.

 

[blackhawknj]

The German StG -Sturmgewehr-"Storm Rifle"-is usually considered the first assault rifle, I would nominate the M-1 Carbine-semiautomatic, shoulder fired, cartridge inbetween a pistol and a rifle round.

 

[Snake45]

"Assault rifle" actually has a definition, part of which is select-fire, so the Henry was not the first "assault rifle."

It was, however, a quantum leap forward, as an early (the first?) repeating cartridge rifle, and so has an important place in history. :wink:

Whose definition? Strictly speaking an assault rifle is any rifle used in assaulting an enemy position.

Uh, no. The term specifically refers to a select-fire arm that's shorter and lighter than a full battle rifle and fires an intermediate powered cartridge (i.e., less powerful than a main battle rifle but more powerful than a handgun round, so no SMGs).

BTW, "assault rifle," is a rough translation of the German sturmgeweher, which was itself a marketing term whose whole purpose was to get Hitler, who was initially cool to the concept, to sign off on the project. :wink:

 

[Jeepnik]

Or would the sub machine gun be the first? The original Thompson had all sorts of things that would make it an assault rifle. Automatic fire, large detachable mag (100 rds), shoulder fired, but with the butt stock removed shorter, vertical foregrip, pistol grip, muzzle device. I probably missed a couple.

 

[Snake45]

The German StG -Sturmgewehr-"Storm Rifle"-is usually considered the first assault rifle, I would nominate the M-1 Carbine-semiautomatic, shoulder fired, cartridge inbetween a pistol and a rifle round.

You are correct. The M1 Carbine almost makes it, but isn't select fire. The M2 Carbine is select fire, but by the time it appeared, the StG was out, so the M2 Carbine is probably the second "assault rifle."

 

[Snake45]

Or would the sub machine gun be the first? The original Thompson had all sorts of things that would make it an assault rifle. Automatic fire, large detachable mag (100 rds), shoulder fired, but with the butt stock removed shorter, vertical foregrip, pistol grip, muzzle device. I probably missed a couple.

No. It fires a pistol cartridge, not an intermediate cartridge.

 

[Jeepnik]

Or would the sub machine gun be the first? The original Thompson had all sorts of things that would make it an assault rifle. Automatic fire, large detachable mag (100 rds), shoulder fired, but with the butt stock removed shorter, vertical foregrip, pistol grip, muzzle device. I probably missed a couple.

No. It fires a pistol cartridge, not an intermediate cartridge.

Again, we get down to whose definition. Personally, I'd rather have a Thompson than an M-16/AR-15. Sub guns were designed for assault as opposed to the then used bolt action rifles that were better for long ranges like no man's land.

 

[Snake45]

:roll:

 

[coach]

I’m convinced the Henry can be considered the first assault rifle. Compared to the muzzle loaders or single shot rifles of the time, the Henry could throw out a lot of lead in a short time with an easily handled rifle. No need to quibble about modern definitions of select fire or magazine fed, etc.

 

[Snake45]

Yeah, if you don't like the definition of a word, just throw out whatever part you want so it means whatever you want it to mean. :roll:

 

[Jeepnik]

Yeah, if you don't like the definition of a word, just throw out whatever part you want so it means whatever you want it to mean. :roll:

Welcome to English, we've been doing it for centuries. And Assault Rifle isn't a word, it's a type.

 

[Snake45]

It's a term. And it has a definition. :wink:

BTW, if you live in a state that regulates, restricts, or bans "assault weapons," you'll probably get upset when some know-nothing politician wants to throw lever action rifles into that category. :shock:

 

[toysoldier]

Yeah, if you don't like the definition of a word, just throw out whatever part you want so it means whatever you want it to mean. :roll:

Isn't that the definition of a Democrat?

 

[Snake45]

:wink: