Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Select fire

Select fire is the operational feature of a firearm permitting the user to alternate between semi-automatic firing, which releases one projectile per trigger pull, and fully automatic firing, which discharges continuously while the trigger remains engaged and ammunition persists.^[1] This adaptability is achieved through a selector mechanism integrated into the trigger group or receiver, enabling mode transitions without altering the weapon's core operation.^[2] Select-fire capability defines key categories of military shoulder arms, including assault rifles that chamber intermediate-power cartridges and feed from detachable magazines, setting them apart from dedicated submachine guns or light machine guns.^[2]^[3] In tactical employment, semi-automatic mode prioritizes accuracy and ammunition efficiency for deliberate targeting, whereas full-automatic mode delivers suppressive barrages to pin adversaries or facilitate maneuver, though the latter demands disciplined trigger control to avert excessive dispersion and resource depletion.^[4] Military training protocols, as with the M4 carbine and similar platforms, stress predominant semi-automatic use to maximize hit probability, relegating automatic fire to exigencies like breaching or overwhelming close-range threats.^[4] The integration of select fire in weapons like the German Sturmgewehr 44 during World War II marked a paradigm shift toward versatile infantry firepower, influencing subsequent designs such as the Soviet AK-47, which achieved ubiquity through robust simplicity and mode selection.^[3]^[5]

Definition and Fundamentals

Core Concepts and Terminology

Select fire, also termed selective fire, denotes the operational capability of a self-loading firearm to alternate between multiple firing modes via a selector mechanism, typically encompassing semi-automatic and fully automatic functions, with some designs incorporating burst fire as an intermediary option.^[1]^[6] This feature distinguishes select-fire weapons from those restricted to a single mode, enabling user adaptation to tactical requirements such as precision targeting or suppressive fire.^[7] Semi-automatic mode requires a distinct trigger pull for each round discharged, with the firearm's action automatically ejecting the spent cartridge and chambering a fresh one from the magazine, thereby allowing rapid follow-up shots under operator control without continuous trigger depression.^[6] In contrast, fully automatic mode, or full-auto, sustains discharge of rounds at the weapon's cyclic rate—often exceeding 600 rounds per minute in rifles—so long as the trigger remains held rearward and ammunition persists, moderated only by mechanical safeties or ammunition supply.^[1] Burst fire restricts output to a fixed sequence, commonly two or three rounds per trigger actuation, integrating elements of control from semi-automatic with volume from automatic to mitigate ammunition waste and enhance accuracy in sustained engagements.^[6] Terminology surrounding select fire emphasizes mechanical and regulatory distinctions; for instance, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) classifies selective-fire rifles operating in both semi-automatic and automatic configurations as machine guns under federal law, subjecting them to stringent controls under the National Firearms Act of 1934.^[8] "Safe" position on the selector typically disengages the trigger mechanism entirely to prevent accidental discharge, while terms like "binary trigger" or "forced-reset" devices—often aftermarket modifications—do not constitute true select fire, as they replicate rapid semi-automatic effects without enabling sustained automatic cycling.^[7] These modes rely on internal components such as disconnectors and sear engagements to enforce the selected behavior, ensuring reliable transition without unintended full-auto runaway fire.^[9]

Firing Modes and Variations

In select-fire firearms, the primary firing modes are safe, semi-automatic, and automatic, enabled by a selector mechanism that allows the operator to choose the desired operation. The safe mode disconnects the trigger from the firing mechanism, preventing discharge even if the trigger is pulled. Semi-automatic mode fires one round per trigger pull, with the action cycling to chamber the next round automatically using recoil or gas energy, but requiring a separate pull for each subsequent shot. Automatic mode sustains continuous fire for as long as the trigger remains depressed, until ammunition is exhausted or the operator releases the trigger.^[10]^[1] A key variation is burst fire, which limits discharge to a fixed number of rounds—typically two or three—per trigger pull, after which the action pauses until the trigger is released and pulled again. This mode integrates elements of semi-automatic precision with automatic rapidity, aiming to mitigate the ammunition waste and accuracy loss associated with prolonged full-automatic fire. For instance, the U.S. M16A2 rifle employs a three-round burst mode alongside safe and semi-automatic settings, as specified in military training doctrine.^[10] In contrast, the M4A1 carbine replaces burst with full-automatic capability for scenarios requiring sustained suppression, while retaining semi-automatic and safe modes.^[11] Other variations include adjustable-rate automatic fire in some machine guns, where the cyclic rate (rounds per minute) can be selected between slower sustained rates (e.g., 500–600 rpm) and faster rates (e.g., 1,000 rpm) for different tactical needs, though this is less common in rifle-caliber select-fire weapons. Binary trigger systems, which fire one round on trigger pull and another on release, represent a modern aftermarket adaptation but differ from traditional military select-fire designs by not relying on gas-operated cycling for the second shot.^[12] These modes collectively enable adaptability, with semi-automatic favored for aimed precision, automatic or burst for volume of fire, and safe for handling and transport.

Historical Evolution

Precursors in Automatic Firearms

The foundational elements of select-fire capability emerged from early fully automatic firearms, which prioritized sustained fire but lacked integrated mode selection, often relying on manual trigger modulation for control. Hiram Maxim's 1884 recoil-operated machine gun, the first commercially successful self-powered automatic weapon, fired at rates up to 600 rounds per minute using full-power rifle cartridges like .303 British, but operated exclusively in full-automatic mode without a dedicated semi-automatic option. This design influenced subsequent heavy machine guns, such as the gas-operated Lewis gun adopted in 1911, which achieved 500-600 rounds per minute and was air-cooled for portability, yet remained limited to full-auto fire, highlighting the challenges of overheating and ammunition expenditure in uncontrolled bursts.^[13] Select-fire mechanisms first appeared in lighter, shoulder-fired automatic rifles during World War I, addressing the need for versatile firing modes in infantry weapons. The Russian Fedorov Avtomat, developed by Vladimir Grigoryevich Fedorov and prototyped in 1915 with select-fire production models from 1916, utilized long-stroke gas operation to enable both semi-automatic and full-automatic modes via a selector lever within the trigger guard, firing a purpose-shortened 6.5×50mm Arisaka cartridge from 25-round detachable magazines at 600 rounds per minute in auto. Approximately 3,200 units were manufactured and deployed with Russian special units in 1916-1918, demonstrating early integration of reduced-recoil ammunition with selectable fire to improve controllability and range over pistol-caliber alternatives.^[14]^[15] Parallel innovations in submachine guns further advanced select-fire practicality for close-quarters use. The Thompson submachine gun, designed by John T. Thompson and entering limited production in 1921 as the Model 1921 Auto Rifle, incorporated a fire selector for semi-automatic and full-automatic operation in its blowback system, chambered in .45 ACP pistol cartridges with 20- or 50-round magazines and a cyclic rate of 600-900 rounds per minute. Early military contracts, including U.S. Marine Corps adoption of modified 1921/28 variants in 1928, emphasized its dual-mode utility for controlled or suppressive fire, with over 15,000 pre-World War II units produced before wartime scaling.^[16]^[17] By the interwar period, select-fire extended to machine pistols, refining the concept for compact platforms. The Mauser Model 712 Schnellfeuer, manufactured from 1932 to 1936 based on the C96 pistol design, featured a selector switch for single-shot, full-automatic, and safe modes, firing 7.63×25mm Mauser from 10- to 40-round detachable box magazines at approximately 900-1,000 rounds per minute, with an optional wooden shoulder stock for stability. Around 98,000 were produced, primarily for export and limited German police use, serving as a bridge between handguns and submachine guns by incorporating detachable magazines and adjustable rear sights graduated to 1,000 meters.^[18] These pre-World War II developments established core engineering principles for select-fire, such as gas or blowback operation paired with mechanical selectors, prioritizing mode versatility to mitigate full-auto recoil and conserve ammunition—issues evident in earlier Maxim-derived heavies—while paving the way for scalable production in subsequent conflicts.^[19]

World War II Innovations

The Sturmgewehr 44 (StG 44), developed by Hugo Schmeisser and introduced by Germany in late 1944, represented a pivotal innovation in select-fire technology by combining semi-automatic and fully automatic modes in an intermediate-cartridge rifle optimized for infantry assault.^[20] Chambered in the new 7.92×33mm Kurz cartridge, it fired effectively to 300-400 meters while allowing controllable automatic bursts at 500-600 rounds per minute, bridging the gap between submachine guns and full-power rifles.^[21] Approximately 425,000 units were produced amid wartime shortages, influencing post-war designs like the Soviet AK-47 despite limited frontline deployment before Germany's surrender on May 8, 1945.^[22] Earlier in the war, the Fallschirmjägergewehr 42 (FG 42), designed in 1942 for German paratroopers following heavy losses at Crete, introduced select-fire capability in a lightweight, gas-operated rifle using the full-power 7.92×57mm Mauser round.^[23] Its innovative open-bolt full-auto and closed-bolt semi-auto operation, along with a 20-round detachable magazine and rate of fire exceeding 900 rounds per minute, enabled versatile suppressive fire but suffered from high recoil, complexity, and production constraints, yielding only about 7,000 units by war's end.^[24] Allied forces saw fewer select-fire rifle advancements during the conflict; the U.S. M2 Carbine, a selective-fire conversion of the semi-automatic M1 introduced in 1944, added full-auto capability at 750-900 rounds per minute using .30 Carbine ammunition, but production of around 125,000 units occurred too late for significant WWII combat, with primary use deferred to the Korean War.^[25] These German-led developments emphasized intermediate cartridges and ergonomic selectors for tactical flexibility, shifting doctrine toward squad-level automatic fire over bolt-action reliance.^[26]

Post-War Developments and Standardization

Following World War II, combat experiences with weapons like the German Sturmgewehr 44 highlighted the tactical value of select-fire rifles combining semi-automatic accuracy with full-automatic suppressive fire, prompting major powers to prioritize such capabilities in new designs for lighter, more versatile infantry arms.^[27] In the United States, wartime feedback on the M1 Garand underscored the need for selective fire, larger magazines, and reduced weight, leading to experimental series like the T20 (1944) and T44, which incorporated full/semi-automatic modes and 20-round magazines derived from the Browning Automatic Rifle.^[28] The Soviet Union advanced select-fire standardization early in the post-war era with Mikhail Kalashnikov's AK-47, prototyped as the AK-46 and refined by 1947 for improved reliability; it entered production in 1948 and was officially adopted by the Red Army in 1949 as a gas-operated, select-fire rifle chambered in the intermediate 7.62x39mm cartridge, emphasizing ruggedness for mass production and adverse conditions.^[29] This design influenced global trends toward intermediate-caliber select-fire rifles, prioritizing controllability at rates of around 600 rounds per minute.^[27] Western responses included Belgium's Fabrique Nationale FAL, developed in the late 1940s and entering service around 1953 as a select-fire battle rifle in the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge, adopted by over 90 countries for its modular gas system and compatibility with alliance logistics.^[30] In the U.S., the T44E4 evolved into the M14, standardized on May 1, 1957, with selective fire to consolidate roles previously filled by the M1 Garand, M2 Carbine, and submachine guns; production began in 1959 using the T65 (7.62x51mm) cartridge.^[28] However, doctrinal shifts toward higher-volume fire led to the ArmaLite AR-15 (scaled from the 1956 AR-10), adopted as the XM16E1 in 1963 for Vietnam and formalized as the M16 in 1967, featuring select-fire in the lighter 5.56x45mm round at velocities exceeding 3,000 feet per second for improved controllability.^[31] Cold War bloc rivalries accelerated standardization, with NATO initially adopting the 7.62x51mm for rifles like the FAL and M14 to streamline supply chains, later shifting to 5.56mm by the 1980s for the M16A2 (with three-round burst replacing full auto in some variants) and establishing STANAG magazines for interoperability.^[32] The Warsaw Pact retained the AK-47's 7.62x39mm before introducing 5.45x39mm in the 1974 AK-74, but select-fire mechanisms—typically gas-operated with rotary bolts—became ubiquitous in standard-issue infantry rifles across both alliances, enabling unified squad tactics emphasizing maneuver and suppression over bolt-action precision.^[32] This era marked select fire's transition from innovation to doctrinal norm, with most post-1950 military rifles incorporating it to balance accuracy, ammunition efficiency, and firepower.^[27]

Engineering and Design

Selector Switch Mechanisms

Selector switch mechanisms in select-fire firearms control the transition between firing modes by altering the interaction between the trigger, sear, disconnector, and hammer or striker components within the fire control group. These mechanisms typically consist of an external lever, knob, or trigger arrangement that actuates internal cams, bars, or sears to enable or disable the disconnector's function, which prevents unintended multiple discharges in semi-automatic mode. In safe position, the switch blocks trigger movement or sear release entirely; in semi-automatic, it allows one shot per trigger pull via disconnector engagement; in full-automatic, it bypasses or holds the disconnector disengaged, permitting continuous cycling while the trigger remains depressed.^[33] A prevalent design in rifles like the M16 series employs a rotating selector lever mounted on the lower receiver, featuring a cam lobe that interfaces with the disconnector and auto-sear pins. In semi-automatic mode, the cam elevates the disconnector to catch the hammer notch after the initial firing cycle, necessitating trigger release for reset; in full-automatic mode, the cam's lower profile keeps the disconnector retracted, allowing the hammer to follow the bolt carrier forward repeatedly without interruption. This configuration, patented in variations for enhanced reliability, ensures mode-specific sear engagement timed to the reciprocating action.^[34]^[35] Alternative mechanisms avoid traditional levers, such as the double-crescent trigger on the German MG 34 machine gun, introduced in 1934, where pulling the upper curve of the trigger bar engages semi-automatic fire via a dedicated sear, while the lower curve activates full-automatic mode by disengaging the hold-open mechanism. This design integrates selection directly into the trigger assembly, reducing external protrusions but requiring operator precision to avoid mode confusion during rapid use. Modern adaptations often incorporate ambidextrous selectors with extended levers for left- and right-handed operation, maintaining the core cam-disconnector interaction while improving ergonomics.^[36] Burst-fire variants, like three-round limited automatic, employ additional timing mechanisms or counters linked to the selector, such as a ratcheting sear that releases after a fixed number of cycles, as seen in some M16A2 configurations to conserve ammunition. These systems prioritize mechanical simplicity and durability, with materials like hardened steel or titanium alloys used for components subject to high-cycle wear, ensuring functionality under extreme conditions. Patent innovations continue to refine these, including slide-mounted disconnectors that dynamically adjust trigger bar engagement during reciprocation for seamless mode switching.^[33]

Internal Firing System Integration

In select fire firearms, the internal firing system integrates the fire control group—comprising the trigger, hammer, sear, disconnector, and auto-sear—within the lower receiver, where the selector switch modulates their interactions to enable mode-specific operation. The selector lever, typically a pivoting component with detents for safe, semi-automatic, and automatic positions, employs cams or surfaces that physically reposition or block elements of the group; in the safe position, it impedes trigger movement to prevent hammer release, while in semi-automatic, it permits standard sear engagement for single-shot firing.^[37] This integration relies on gas-operated or recoil-driven cycling to recock the hammer via the bolt carrier group, ensuring compatibility across modes without altering the primary ignition sequence of primer strike by hammer or firing pin.^[38] In semi-automatic mode, the disconnector—a spring-loaded lever—intercepts the hammer after each shot, holding it until the trigger is released and reset, which re-engages the sear and allows a subsequent pull; this prevents unintended full-auto fire by requiring manual trigger cycling. Transitioning to automatic mode via selector rotation disengages the disconnector's blocking function or activates the auto-sear, a dedicated notch on the hammer that the bolt carrier's tail depresses during recoil, releasing the hammer repeatedly while the trigger remains held, sustaining fire at rates typically 700–950 rounds per minute in systems like the M16.^[39] Such designs, as in the M16/AR-15 platform, incorporate a modified hammer with an auto-sear engagement hook absent in purely semi-automatic variants, alongside a heavier bolt carrier to manage sustained recoil energy.^[40] Reliability in this integration demands precise tolerances, often machined to 0.001 inches for sear and disconnector surfaces, to avoid malfunctions like runaway fire from worn components or improper selector alignment; military specifications, such as those for the M16 adopted in 1964, mandate high-pressure testing of these parts to withstand over 20,000 cycles. Variations exist, including trigger-controlled systems where a rocker mechanism supplements the selector for mode switching without external levers, enhancing compactness in rifle designs.^[38] Empirical testing in armorer protocols confirms that integration failures, such as disconnector spring fatigue, predominate in high-round-count scenarios, underscoring the causal role of material fatigue in operational limits.^[37]

Safety and Reliability Features

Select-fire mechanisms incorporate a manual safety position on the selector switch that mechanically blocks the trigger linkage or sear engagement, preventing discharge even if the trigger is pulled. In the "safe" mode, the selector's internal cam or lever physically impedes the hammer or striker from falling, as seen in designs like the M16 where the control cam restricts the automatic sear disconnector's movement.^[41] This feature requires deliberate rotation of the selector—often with tactile detents and a 90-degree throw—to transition to firing modes, reducing inadvertent activation during handling or holstering.^[42] To enhance reliability across modes, selector systems employ hardened steel components and precise tolerances to withstand repeated cycling stresses, with disconnectors ensuring single-shot reset in semi-automatic mode by catching the hammer post-firing unless overridden by the auto-sear in full-automatic.^[34] Full-automatic operation demands reinforced springs and sear geometries to maintain consistent ignition without runaway fire, where the mechanism would continue cycling indefinitely after trigger release; engineering standards specify positive sear engagement to mitigate this, as outlined in military automatic weapons design requirements for simple, safe operation under sustained use.^[43] However, prolonged full-automatic fire accelerates barrel wear and carbon fouling, particularly in direct-impingement gas systems, prompting mitigations like three-round burst limiters in rifles such as the M16A2, which use a mechanical counter in the selector to interrupt the auto-sear after a preset number of rounds, conserving ammunition and reducing heat buildup.^[44] Reliability is further bolstered by ambidextrous selector levers in modern variants, allowing operation from either side without compromising detent strength, and integration with drop-safety features that prevent inertial discharge if dropped—achieved via hammer-block notches or firing pin blocks tied to the selector's safe position.^[45] Testing protocols, such as those in select-fire instructor curricula, emphasize closed-bolt firing for controlled ignition and reduced cook-off risks in automatic modes, contrasting with open-bolt designs prone to accidental discharges from bolt momentum.^[46] Despite these, empirical data from field use indicates higher malfunction rates in full-automatic due to faster part velocities; mitigations include looser tolerances in systems like the AK-47 for debris tolerance, versus tighter AR-pattern fits requiring frequent maintenance to avoid stoppages.^[47]

Applications and Usage

Military Doctrine and Tactics

In modern military doctrine, select-fire weapons enable infantry units to prioritize semi-automatic fire for the majority of engagements, emphasizing aimed precision to maximize effective range and ammunition efficiency, while full-automatic mode is doctrinally reserved for achieving suppressive effects during dynamic maneuvers or when immediate volume of fire is required to degrade enemy actions.^[48] This approach stems from empirical observations in combat that sustained full-automatic fire from rifle-caliber weapons rapidly diminishes accuracy due to muzzle climb and recoil, with hit probabilities dropping significantly after the initial rounds, leading to excessive ammunition expenditure without proportional lethality gains.^[49] U.S. Army and Marine Corps training manuals stress that automatic fire should constitute no more than 5-10% of total rounds fired in a typical squad action, primarily to establish fire superiority rather than direct kills, allowing maneuver elements to close distances or reposition under cover.^[50] Tactically, select-fire rifles integrate into fire-and-maneuver principles, where base-of-fire teams—often led by automatic riflemen with squad automatic weapons like the M249—use full-auto bursts from supporting rifles to pin enemy positions, preventing return fire or movement and creating windows for assault teams to advance in 10-30 yard bounds.^[51] In defensive setups, such as hasty fighting positions, selective use of full-auto provides overlapping fields of grazing fire to channel attackers into kill zones, with doctrine mandating short 3-5 round bursts to mitigate overheating and control, as seen in evaluations of M4 carbine performance where uncontrolled automatic fire empties a 30-round magazine in under 6 seconds at 700 rounds per minute cyclic rate.^[52] This modality proved critical in urban operations, such as those in Iraq and Afghanistan, where suppressive full-auto from select-fire platforms disrupted insurgent ambushes in close quarters, though post-action analyses highlighted that semi-automatic aimed fire accounted for over 90% of confirmed engagements due to superior traceability and reduced friendly fire risks.^[53] Close-quarters battle (CQB) represents the primary scenario for deliberate full-automatic employment, with tactics involving room-clearing teams alternating suppression from doorways or hallways to fix threats, enabling entry and neutralization; however, doctrines like those in U.S. special operations incorporate burst limiters or training protocols to curb over-reliance, recognizing that unchecked automatic fire increases barrel wear and logistical burdens without enhancing terminal effects against dispersed foes.^[48] Across NATO-aligned forces, this select-fire flexibility supports scalable firepower in fireteam structures, contrasting with pre-WWII bolt-action reliance on volume through massed rifles, and has been validated in simulations showing 20-30% faster suppression onset when riflemen augment machine-gun fire.^[54] Emerging doctrines, informed by data from distributed operations, further refine usage by integrating select-fire with optics and suppressors to extend effective suppression ranges beyond 100 meters, prioritizing causal disruption of enemy command loops over sheer bullet count.^[50]

Law Enforcement and Security

Select-fire firearms are employed by specialized law enforcement units in the United States, such as SWAT teams and federal tactical response groups, for high-risk operations including active shooter responses, hostage rescues, and barricaded suspect scenarios.^[55] These weapons provide the option for full-automatic fire in situations requiring suppressive volume, though federal regulations under the National Firearms Act exempt government agencies from civilian transfer restrictions, allowing acquisition without the $200 tax stamp or serial number registration required for private owners. Common platforms include the Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine gun, favored for its controllability in close-quarters battle (CQB), and select-fire variants of the M4 carbine, such as those chambered in 5.56mm NATO for extended range engagements.^[56]^[57] In practice, full-automatic mode is infrequently utilized during operations, as empirical data from SWAT deployments indicate that aimed semi-automatic fire yields higher hit probabilities and conserves ammunition compared to uncontrolled bursts, which can exceed 10-15 rounds per second and reduce accuracy beyond 10-15 meters.^[58]^[55] A multi-method study of over 800 SWAT missions found that officers discharged firearms at human targets in fewer than 10% of cases, with full-auto reserved for rare suppressive roles rather than deliberate aiming, underscoring its tactical limitations in urban environments where overpenetration and collateral risks are heightened.^[58] Training programs, such as those certified by the National Rifle Association for law enforcement, emphasize semi-automatic proficiency, with full-auto familiarization often completed in under an hour for qualified personnel to mitigate risks of muzzle climb and rapid depletion of standard 30-round magazines.^[59] For private security firms, select-fire possession remains prohibited under federal law, confining their use to sworn officers in official capacities, though some agencies equip patrol rifles with binary triggers or bump stocks as legal alternatives for simulated rapid fire, despite debates over their efficacy versus true select-fire. Operational drawbacks include increased training demands and logistical burdens, with many departments opting for semi-automatic patrol rifles like the AR-15 platform to balance firepower and control, reflecting a doctrinal shift away from full-auto reliance since the 1990s.^[55] This approach aligns with after-action analyses prioritizing precision over volume, as evidenced by low discharge rates in real-world incidents.^[58]

Civilian Ownership and Limitations

In the United States, civilian ownership of select-fire firearms capable of full-automatic fire—classified as machine guns under federal law—is permitted only for those manufactured and registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) prior to May 19, 1986, due to the Hughes Amendment within the Firearms Owners' Protection Act (FOPA).^[60] Owners must comply with the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934, which mandates ATF registration via Form 4, a one-time $200 transfer tax, an extensive background check including fingerprints and photographs, and notification of local chief law enforcement officers.^[60] Prohibited persons, such as felons or those under certain domestic violence restraining orders, are barred, and transfers require ATF approval, which can take 6-12 months.^[61] The fixed supply of pre-1986 transferable machine guns has driven market prices to elevated levels, with common models like the M16 or MAC-10 often exceeding $20,000-30,000, while rarer or desirable variants such as original Thompson submachine guns can command $50,000 or more, reflecting collector demand and the absence of new production for civilians.^[62] Additional state-level restrictions apply in eight states—California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Washington D.C.—which prohibit civilian possession outright or impose further barriers beyond federal NFA requirements.^[63] Practical limitations include mandatory secure storage to prevent unauthorized access, periodic ATF compliance inspections, and the need for range facilities equipped for full-automatic fire, as standard civilian ranges often lack suppression or backstop capabilities for sustained bursts. Internationally, civilian access to select-fire weapons is effectively prohibited in the vast majority of countries, with automatic firearms reserved for military, law enforcement, or licensed collectors under stringent conditions that preclude practical ownership for most individuals. In the European Union, directives ban civilian possession of fully automatic firearms, permitting only semi-automatic variants under category-specific licenses that emphasize sporting or hunting purposes. Switzerland, despite its high per-capita gun ownership and permissive semi-automatic policies, restricts full-automatic weapons to military-issue items returned by conscripts or rare deactivated examples, with active civilian transfers requiring federal permits rarely granted outside institutional contexts. Exceptions exist in a handful of nations like the Czech Republic for deactivated or museum pieces, but operational select-fire capability remains inaccessible to non-professionals due to public safety rationales and international arms control treaties. These global limitations stem from concerns over misuse in civilian hands, prioritizing controlled access to mitigate risks of mass violence or criminal diversion, though empirical data on their causal efficacy remains debated among policy analysts.

Performance Evaluation

Tactical Advantages

Selective fire mechanisms enable infantry units to dynamically adapt firing modes to situational demands, switching from semi-automatic for controlled, accurate shots that conserve ammunition during deliberate engagements to fully automatic for rapid volume of fire in dynamic or close-quarters scenarios. This adaptability enhances overall tactical flexibility, as soldiers can prioritize precision at longer ranges—where automatic fire risks excessive dispersion and waste—while unleashing bursts to achieve immediate suppressive effects or counter sudden threats.^[64]^[65] A core benefit manifests in suppressive fire applications, where automatic mode delivers high rates of fire to pin enemy forces, limiting their observation, aiming, and maneuver capabilities; this creates windows for friendly advances, flanking, or repositioning under the doctrine of fire and maneuver. Empirical observations from military operations indicate that such suppression from individual select-fire rifles supplements crew-served weapons, distributing firepower across squads without requiring specialized roles, though effectiveness diminishes beyond 50-100 meters due to ballistic spread.^[66]^[67] In urban or confined environments, the capacity for short, controlled bursts provides a decisive edge by increasing the probability of hits against fleeting targets, as multiple projectiles compensate for aiming errors under stress or low light; this is evidenced in training doctrines emphasizing burst control to balance lethality with ammunition sustainability, typically limiting automatic employment to 3-5 round bursts. The psychological deterrent of sustained automatic fire further amplifies these advantages, inducing hesitation or retreat in opponents through perceived threat volume, independent of actual casualties inflicted.^[68]^[54]

Operational Drawbacks and Mitigations

Select-fire firearms operating in full-automatic mode consume ammunition at high cyclic rates, such as 700–950 rounds per minute for the M4 carbine, depleting a 30-round magazine in roughly 2–3 seconds and straining resupply logistics during extended engagements.^[69] This rapid expenditure reduces effective fire duration and elevates vulnerability in ammo-limited scenarios, prompting military units to restrict full-auto to suppressive or close-quarters roles rather than precision engagements.^[70] Accuracy suffers markedly in full-auto due to recoil-induced muzzle rise and barrel climb, yielding hit probabilities often below 20% at distances exceeding 50 meters even for trained shooters, compared to over 90% in semi-automatic mode under similar conditions.^[71] Sustained bursts exacerbate barrel overheating, with temperatures rising to levels risking cook-off malfunctions or premature wear; U.S. Army tests demonstrated M4A1 carbines and M16A2 rifles enduring 6,000–11,000 rounds at elevated rates before critical failure from thermal stress.^[72] Increased fouling and mechanical complexity from cyclic operation can also heighten jam risks in adverse environments. Mitigations include burst-limiters, such as three-round burst selectors in rifles like the M16A4, which curtail ammo waste while delivering localized suppressive fire with improved traceability over uncontrolled full-auto.^[73] Doctrinal training emphasizes short, aimed bursts—typically 2–3 rounds—from stable positions, reinforced by ergonomic aids like vertical foregrips and compensators to counter recoil climb.^[71] Thermal management relies on paced firing rates, such as the M4's sustained guideline of 12–15 rounds per minute, incorporating pauses for natural cooling, alongside heavier barrels or quick-change designs in squad automatic weapons to avert degradation during intermittent use.^[74] These approaches, validated in field manuals, prioritize semi-automatic for most infantry tasks, preserving full-auto as a situational tool.

Legal and Societal Dimensions

Regulatory History in Key Jurisdictions

In the United States, the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA) established the first federal framework for regulating select-fire firearms, classified as machine guns, by imposing a $200 transfer tax (equivalent to about $4,500 in 2023 dollars) and requiring registration with the Treasury Department to curb gang-related violence during Prohibition-era crime waves.^[75] The Act defined machine guns as weapons that shoot automatically more than one shot without manual reloading by a single trigger function, mandating serial numbers, marking, and background checks for transfers.^[75] Subsequent amendments, including the Gun Control Act of 1968, expanded oversight under the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), limiting imports and requiring dealer licensing.^[76] The pivotal shift occurred with the Firearms Owners' Protection Act of 1986, where the Hughes Amendment—added during House-Senate conference without a recorded vote—prohibited the civilian registration of any machine gun manufactured after May 19, 1986, effectively freezing the supply of transferable select-fire weapons to pre-1986 models only, with current estimates of around 740,000 registered units.^[77] ^[78] Civilian ownership remains legal for compliant pre-1986 guns via ATF approval, including a $200 tax stamp, local chief law enforcement notification, and fingerprinting, but post-1986 models are restricted to government, military, or licensed dealer use.^[79] In the United Kingdom, the Firearms Act 1968 consolidated prior laws and prohibited most self-loading centerfire rifles and automatic weapons for civilians, defining prohibited firearms under Section 5 as those capable of discharging multiple projectiles without repeated trigger pulls, such as select-fire mechanisms.^[80] This built on earlier 1920 and 1937 Acts restricting automatic firearms amid interwar concerns over organized crime and political unrest.^[81] Following the 1987 Hungerford massacre, the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 banned semi-automatic rifles and shotguns, while the 1997 amendments after the Dunblane school shooting extended prohibitions to handguns, reinforcing the outright civilian ban on select-fire weapons, with possession punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment.^[82] Exemptions apply only to deactivated historical pieces or licensed dealers for export/museum purposes, but active select-fire firearms are confined to military and police use.^[83] European Union regulations, harmonized under Directive 91/477/EEC and revised by Directive (EU) 2017/853, classify automatic firearms as Category A (prohibited) for civilian possession across member states, mandating deactivation for collectors or strict licensing for professional users like security firms.^[84] The 2017 updates responded to terrorism threats by enhancing traceability, banning convertible semi-automatics to full-auto, and requiring medical/psychological assessments for licenses, with national implementations varying—e.g., Germany's strict post-2016 reforms prohibit most replicas, while Czechia allows limited sporting use of semi-automatics but not select-fire.^[84] Directive (EU) 2021/555 further tightened online sales and capacity limits, aiming to prevent diversion to illicit markets, though enforcement relies on national authorities.^[85] In Canada, the Criminal Code has prohibited automatic firearms since 1978 amendments, classifying select-fire weapons as prohibited devices under Section 84(1), with no civilian registration or transfer allowed except for pre-ban relics under grandfathered restricted permits that expired by 1992.^[86] The Firearms Act of 1995 reinforced this via the Canadian Firearms Program, requiring serialization and import controls, while 2020-2025 orders-in-council banned over 2,000 assault-style models, including any with automatic capability, citing public safety risks from rapid fire.^[87] ^[88] Possession carries penalties up to 10 years imprisonment, limited to military/police.^[89] Australia's National Firearms Agreement post-1996 Port Arthur massacre classified automatic and select-fire weapons as Category D or E (prohibited), banning civilian ownership and mandating surrender of over 640,000 firearms, including 3,400 machine guns.^[90] State laws, like Queensland's Weapons Act 1990, impose life sentences for unlicensed possession, with rare exemptions for primary producers or collectors of deactivated pre-1996 items under federal import permits from the Department of Home Affairs.^[91] Importation requires category-specific approvals, but select-fire remains effectively barred for non-government use.^[92]

Controversies Surrounding Access and Control

The Hughes Amendment to the Firearm Owners' Protection Act, enacted on May 19, 1986, prohibited the civilian transfer or possession of machine guns manufactured after that date, effectively freezing the supply of legally transferable select-fire firearms for non-governmental entities.^[93] This provision, added via voice vote amid procedural disputes over whether a quorum was present and if opposition was properly recorded, has fueled ongoing legal challenges asserting violations of due process and Second Amendment rights, with critics arguing it bypassed transparent legislative scrutiny.^[93] Pre-1986 select-fire weapons remain legal for civilians under the National Firearms Act of 1934, requiring ATF registration, a $200 transfer tax, extensive background checks, and local law enforcement approval, resulting in approximately 740,000 registered machine guns as of recent estimates, though prices for transferable examples often exceed $20,000 due to scarcity.^[94] Proponents of strict controls, including organizations like Giffords Law Center, contend that select-fire capabilities enable rapid, high-volume fire unsuitable for civilian self-defense or sporting purposes, posing elevated risks in populated areas and equating such weapons to military hardware with no legitimate non-combat role.^[95] They cite potential for misuse in rare but high-profile incidents, such as the 2019 Naval Air Station Pensacola shooting involving a military-issued select-fire rifle, to argue for broader prohibitions to prevent proliferation through theft or illegal modification.^[96] Opponents, including Second Amendment advocates, counter that empirical evidence undermines safety rationales, noting that post-1934 NFA regulations have correlated with negligible criminal use: Bureau of Justice Statistics data on firearms in crime from 1993 onward show no significant involvement of registered machine guns in homicides, with fully automatic weapons implicated in fewer than two documented murders nationwide since 1986, attributable largely to their high cost, technical unreliability in sustained fire, and traceability via serial numbers.^[97]^[96] Debates intensify over the amendment's constitutionality, with groups like Gun Owners of America filing briefs asserting that historical arms-bearing traditions encompass rapid-fire mechanisms, as private ownership of early machine guns like the Maxim gun faced no federal bans prior to 1934.^[98] Recent Supreme Court scrutiny, including the 2024 Garland v. Cargill decision invalidating the bump-stock ban, has spotlighted definitional ambiguities between select-fire and semi-automatic enhancements, prompting arguments that regulatory distinctions lack causal impact on violence rates, given that semi-automatic rifles predominate in 95% of rifle-involved crimes per FBI data.^[99] Critics of expansive controls highlight institutional biases, such as advocacy-driven studies from entities like RAND showing inconclusive effects of assault weapon bans on overall homicides, suggesting that access restrictions serve symbolic rather than evidentiary purposes, while ignoring that illegal full-auto conversions (e.g., via Glock switches) evade registration entirely.^[100]^[94]

References

[1]
Select Fire - Sig Sauer
The term select-fire is used to describe firearms that have the capability to fire in both semi-automatic and automatic modes.
[2]
[PDF] SQUAD WEAPONS B2E2657 Student Handout - Training Command
This select-fire capability, as well as the use of magazine-fed rifle ammunition, differentiates it from a machinegun and submachine gun. Light machinegun ...
[3]
[PDF] ISSUE PAPER - Office of Justice Programs
Apr 10, 1993 · The AK-47 is a select fire weapon capable of firing 600 rounds per minute on full automatic and 40 rounds per minute on semiautomatic. The ...<|separator|>
[4]
[PDF] Case 1:22-cv-11431-FDS Document 21 Filed 01/31/23 Page 1 of 55
Jan 31, 2023 · The military trains soldiers to generally fire select-fire weapons, such as M16s and M4 carbine rifles, in semiautomatic mode to enhance ...
[5]
A Brief History of the Automatic Rifle - SilencerCo
Dec 8, 2023 · The earliest known reference to a realistic automatic gun mechanism dates to 1854. Sir Henry Bessemer, inventor of the Bessemer process for ...
[6]
[PDF] Glossary of firearms terminology Document information - Library
Selective-fire weapon – a self-loading firearm that can fire in fully automatic, semi- automatic or burst-fire modes at the option of the user. Semi-automatic ...<|separator|>
[7]
[PDF] NFA Handbook - Appendix B - ATF
Various manufacturers made FAL style machineguns in caliber 7.62x51mm (. 308). The FAL is a gas operated, shoulder fired, magazine fed, selective fire ...
[8]
Firearms Rulings | Page 4 | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco ... - ATF
This ruling clarifies that the M14 "rifle" which operates either fully automatically or semi-automatically on a selective basis, is a basic design and function ...
[9]
3-03/210.34 -Specialized Weapons and Weapon Accessories
The use of select-fire weapons is prohibited. Select-fire means the weapon is capable of firing more than one round with a single press of the trigger.Missing: definition | Show results with:definition
[10]
FM3-22.9 Chapter 2 Characteristics, Ammunition, And Accessories
The M16A1 (Figure 2-1) can be fired in either the semiautomatic or automatic fire mode by rotating the selector lever to the desired mode (SAFE, SEMI, and AUTO) ...
[11]
M4 Carbine American 5.56mm Assault Rifle
Aug 7, 2024 · The M4 has semi-automatic and three-round burst firing modes (like the M16A2 and M16A4), while the M4A1 has semi-automatic and fully automatic ...
[12]
[PDF] classification changes - DTIC
Rhoades emphasized that although the inclusion of controlled-burst, full-automatic and semi-automatic modes of fire seemed to be the most effective, there ...
[13]
OLD TIME RAPID FIRE WEAPONS BEFORE MAXIM AND BROWNING
Jan 1, 2008 · The Gatling gun was the beginning of the state-of-the-art manually operated guns that flourished until Hiram Maxim took the next step with fully ...
[14]
Journey to the AK47 Part 1: The Fedorov Avtomat - Firearms News
Sep 17, 2019 · The Fedorov Avtomat is a selective fire, short-recoil operated, locked-breech weapon which fired from a closed bolt.Missing: details | Show results with:details
[15]
Russian Fedorov rifle - Forgotten Weapons
The Fedorov was the first practical assault rifle. It was a select-fire rifle with a 25-round magazine of 6.5x50mm cartridges.
[16]
The Tommy Gun: America's First SMG | Rock Island Auction
A Tommy gun is a select fire submachine gun with a milled steel receiver that was initially built around the Blish Lock delayed-blowback action.
[17]
The Marines' First SMG: 1921/28 Thompson Gun - Forgotten Weapons
Oct 9, 2018 · The USMC had acquired a few hundred early 1921 model Thompson submachine guns in 1926, and prompted the US Navy to formally test the guns.<|separator|>
[18]
Mauser Model 712 "Schnellfeuer" Machine Pistol - NRA Museums:
The Model 712 "Schnellfeuer" is a selective-fire pistol that features a detachable magazine, detachable shoulder stock, and 50 - 1000 meter rear sight.
[19]
What Was the First Automatic Rifle? A Comprehensive Exploration ...
The Italian Cei-Rigotti, developed in the late 1890s, is often recognized as one of the first true automatic rifles.
[20]
StG 44 the Game Changing Assault Rifle - - Military Historia
Sep 11, 2025 · The Stg 44 stands as the inaugural assault rifle to achieve success in combat in WW2 and lead the way to the modern assault rifle.
[21]
The 17 Most Innovative Military Firearms Ever - Field & Stream
The STG 44 combined the select fire-auto and semiauto capability of a submachine gun with a 7.92×33 cartridge that was effective out to 400 yards. Known as “ ...
[22]
The Iconic Sturmgewehr StG44: The Original Assault Rifle
Sep 20, 2023 · Built to fit the specific needs of assault troops, the Sturmgewehr StG44 became the grandaddy of most modern assault rifles.
[23]
The FG42 Paratrooper Rifle | Rock Island Auction
The FG42 assault rifle was an advanced WWII gun intended to handle all the combat roles required of a German paratrooper in a single lightweight design.
[24]
The German Fallschirmjägergewehr 42 - Small Arms Review
Mar 1, 2001 · The FG42 is a lightweight select-fire weapon that appears to be very similar to a modern assault rifle except that it is chambered for the ...
[25]
U.S. M2 Selective Fire Carbine w/ flash hider - NRA Museums:
During the Second World War, some soldiers perfomed modifications to their M1 Carbines to make them capable of fully automatic fire. The Army's Ordnance ...Missing: II | Show results with:II
[26]
Sturmgewehr - The First Assault Rifle - Recoil Magazine
Jun 19, 2016 · In the early 1940s Hugo Schmeisser, a leading German arms designer, began development on what would become the world's first “assault rifle.”
[27]
A Brief History of the Assault Rifle - RAND
Jun 30, 2016 · The assault rifle is a class of weapon that emerged in the middle of the last century to meet the needs of combat soldiers on the modern ...
[28]
post wwII rifle - Springfield Armory National Historic Site (U.S. ...
Jul 22, 2020 · During World War II, wartime experience with the M1 Rifle showed the need for a lighter rifle with a larger magazine capacity and selective fire.
[29]
Kalashnikov AK-47 Assault Rifle - Military Factory
The Kalashnikov design (the prototype known as the "AK-46") was successfully tested in 1946 and a revised, more reliable form appeared in 1947 for additional ...
[30]
The Iconic FN FAL Battle Rifle: Historical Lookback - Firearms News
Jul 18, 2024 · Post World War II, NATO countries sought to standardize on select fire rifles with a detachable box magazine. Some European members of NATO ...
[31]
Changing the Army's mind: The M16's long road to adoption
Dec 13, 2024 · The board wanted a 5.56 caliber rifle that was select fire and weighed six pounds. The requirement was for the rifle round to penetrate a U.S. ...
[32]
The Impact of the Cold War on Firearm Innovation - Inside Safariland
The Cold War was a massive influence on small arms design. It brought forth a wave of change that's still influential to this day.
[33]
US10488136B2 - Selective fire firearm systems and methods
As discussed herein, according to an embodiment, a selector mechanism can be used to select between modes of operation for a firearm such as firearm 100 (e.g., ...
[34]
US5705763A - Fire selector system for selecting between automatic ...
A fire selector system for selecting between automatic and semi-automatic operation of a gun is provided. The system is mountable on a reciprocating slide ...
[35]
M16 Selector Switch Explained: Specifications And Applications
Sep 15, 2025 · Selector switches come in single-sided and ambidextrous versions. Single-sided models suit standard users, while ambidextrous switches provide ...Missing: weapons | Show results with:weapons
[36]
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/mg-34-machine-gun-hitlers-buzzsaw-was-world-war-ii-wonder-weapon-163170
[37]
[PDF] AR-15/M16 Armorer Course (PDF) - MTU 13
The M-16 family of weapons is a select fire, gas operated, air cooled, magazine fed, shoulder fired weapon. It was the first of its kind to utilize the ...
[38]
US8112928B2 - Trigger-controlled select fire for M-16 rifle
Therefore, the inventor created a full auto rocker mechanism and integrated the mechanism with a conventional trigger system creating a unique trigger system, ...
[39]
AR-15 Disconnector: Unveiling the Mechanism Behind this Vital ...
... functions as a semi-automatic firearm, firing one round per trigger pull. ... When the trigger is engaged, the disconnector releases the hammer to the sear ...
[40]
What are the internal differences between the AR 15 and the M 16 ...
Mar 12, 2018 · First is the hammer. The hook at the top of the M16 hammer engages the automatic sear. This is deleted on the AR15. Next is the bolt carrier.What is the difference between an AR-15 and an M-16 if you ... - QuoraHow does the firing mechanism of an AR-15 work, and why can't it ...More results from www.quora.com
[41]
Dynamics of the M16 Assault Rifle - USC Viterbi School of Engineering
The news media has recently portrayed assault rifles as an evil of society. However, the assault rifle is often a misunderstood device.
[42]
The Vital Role of a Safety Selector: A Comprehensive Guide
Safety selectors primarily refer to the manual lever or switch that controls a firearm's firing mode.
[43]
[PDF] Engineering Design Handbook: Guns Series. Automatic Weapons
Feb 5, 1970 · 5. Have a mechanism that is: a. simple to operate b. safe c. easy to maintain d. economical with respect to manufacturing. 6. Have positive ...
[44]
https://www.defensereview.com/the-big-m4-myth-fouling-caused-by-the-direct-impingement-gas-system-makes-the-m4-unreliable/
[45]
Safety Selectors for AR-15 and More | Wing Tactical
Safety selectors keep guns safe. Ambidextrous selectors have levers on both sides. Short-throw selectors rotate less to move from safe to fire.
[46]
[PDF] SELECT FIRE INSTRUCTOR - mlefiaa.org
The MPTC Select Fire Instructor's Course will only focus on select fire weapons, which fire from a closed bolt. Any safe and reliable select fire weapon, that.
[47]
What is the Most Reliable Assault Rifle? A Comprehensive Analysis
The reliability of an assault rifle depends on several factors, including design, materials, and historical performance. A weapon that can withstand harsh ...
[48]
How are automatic weapons actually used in combat? - Sandboxx
Automatic weapons are used to suppress enemy movements, especially in close-quarters combat, and to control enemy behavior, not just for killing.<|separator|>
[49]
How Are Auto/Burst Fire Used In Doctrine? : r/WarCollege - Reddit
May 28, 2019 · The only situation where it is categorically not desirable to use the automatic selector on the M16 is one requiring conservation of ammunition.How often are infantry issues rifles used in fully automatic settings?How is full auto fire used in modern American practice? - RedditMore results from www.reddit.com
[50]
The Art of Support by Fire - U.S. Army | Infantry Magazine
“Suppression is a tactical task used to employ direct or indirect fires on enemy personnel, weapons, or equipment to prevent or degrade enemy fires and ...
[51]
[PDF] RIFLE SQUAD TACTICS B2F2837 STUDENT HANDOUT
It is critical that emphasis is placed on the IAR as suppressive fire. Without suppression and fire superiority, the unit will not gain ground. Suppression ...
[52]
Why do M4s have automatic fire when soldiers are told to use single ...
Oct 8, 2017 · Automatic fire from the M4 would empty a magazine in less than 6 seconds. The cyclic rate of fire for the M4 is 700 rounds per minute.Why do U.S. soldiers fire in semi-automatic, but hardly ever use ...Is it true that soldiers use semiautomatic fire most of the time? If yes ...More results from www.quora.com
[53]
Vets: Full Auto vs Semi Auto? | The High Road
Nov 23, 2021 · In my experience, semi-auto fire was the best for 95+% of the time, with full-auto fire for the balance. The three round burst was kind of an odd duck.
[54]
How is full auto fire used in modern American practice? - Reddit
Oct 13, 2021 · While full auto gives you a lot of volume, you're unlikely to hit more than the first two or three rounds, and end up wasting the rest. Semi ...How Are Auto/Burst Fire Used In Doctrine? : r/WarCollege - RedditHow often are infantry issues rifles used in fully automatic settings?More results from www.reddit.com
[55]
A SWAT operator's entry weapon of choice - Police1
Aug 29, 2011 · I believe the “full auto” mentality is a throwback to the MP-5, 9mm sub-guns that Law Enforcement used to (and a fair amount still do) favor.
[56]
Firearm familiarization for the TALEM Professional - ACEP
May 1, 2024 · These weapons are known for their reliability, accuracy, decreased recoil, compact size and ease of handling in high-stress situations. H&K MP5<|control11|><|separator|>
[57]
What Assault Rifle Does SWAT Use: An In-Depth Look at Tactical ...
Assault rifles provide greater stopping power, accuracy, and versatility compared to traditional firearms, making them better suited for high-risk situations.
[58]
[PDF] A Multi-Method Study Of Special Weapons And Tactics Teams
Perhaps the most notable aspect of the deadly force findings is that SWAT officers rarely discharge their firearms at human targets. We estimated that across ...
[59]
NRA Select-Fire Instructor | Law Enforcement, Military, Security
This school is designed for select-fire firearms with full-automatic capability and applies to both submachine guns and rifles.Missing: United | Show results with:United
[60]
The Hughes Amendment & Machine Guns: What's the Deal?
Apr 5, 2021 · No new machine guns made after the law went into effect in 1986 are allowed to be transferred or owned by civilians. New to guns? Check out our ...
[61]
Who Can Own a Full-Auto Machine Gun? - RocketFFL
Law-abiding citizens can own machine guns. FFL holders can own any, while private citizens can own pre-1986 models if not a "prohibited person" and state law ...Missing: FBI | Show results with:FBI
[62]
Machine Gun Price Guide
The exclusive online guide for machine gun and automatic weapon prices.Price Guides · Transferable · MG Dealers · NFA Articles
[63]
Buying a Transferable Machinegun - BRP Guns
Unless you live in one of the few states that prohibit machineguns (listed below) or are a convicted felon you can legally own a fully automatic machine gun.
[64]
The AR in Military Use: A Global Perspective | Mitchell Defense
Jun 6, 2024 · The ability to switch between semiautomatic and automatic firing modes allows soldiers to adjust their approach based on the immediate tactical ...
[65]
Majority of military conflicts rely on select fire weaponry for versatility
Aug 11, 2025 · Empirical evidence indicates that multi-mode firearms facilitate tactical versatility, allowing soldiers to adapt dynamically to enemy ...
[66]
[PDF] An Army Outgunned: Physics Demands a New Basic Combat Weapon
Jul 2, 2012 · You can fire inside buildings single-shot or full automatic with a sound suppressor. Place effectiveoptics on the weapon, and it will knock ...
[67]
Why do rifles like the M16 and AK-47 have a fully automatic option?
Jan 28, 2022 · There is such thing as suppressive fire. Its goal is to force the enemy to keep their heads down. At minimum, it prevents them from accurately ...Are purely semi-automatic battle rifles obsolete? : r/WarCollegeWhy did we use fully automatic rifles and SMGs from WWII to Vietnam?More results from www.reddit.com
[68]
[PDF] Machine Gun Marksmanship - Army Reserve
When engaging a wide target area, the gunner selects multiple aim points or makes subsequent tra- verse adjustments after successfully landing an initial burst ...
[69]
How Practical is Full Auto Fire? Is Semi-Auto Fire Better?
Nov 28, 2017 · In short, aimed semi auto fire is more effective than “spray and pray” full auto fire. Putting it on the clock. Laying all of this out in theory ...
[70]
https://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=486408
[71]
Full Auto Controllability, Continued: How Do We Define Useful Fully ...
Nov 5, 2016 · The rifle can be fired by a skilled shooter reasonably accurately on fully automatic while he is in his full gear, while moving, while pointing ...
[72]
[PDF] Fire to Destruction Test of 5.56mm M4A1 Carbine and M16A2 Rifle ...
Sep 16, 1996 · ABSTRACT: This test report examines the effects of firing 5.56mm M4A1 Carbine and M16A2 Rifles at a high rate of fire until the weapon is.
[73]
I understand that fully automatic fire is typically avoided due ... - Quora
Jul 26, 2021 · I understand that fully automatic fire is typically avoided due to accuracy and ammunition concerns, but if it's such a bad idea, why even have ...Is full auto a waste of ammo? - QuoraAre there any benefits to a fully automatic gun with a high rate of fire ...More results from www.quora.comMissing: disadvantages | Show results with:disadvantages
[74]
What is the sustained rate of fire for the M4 Carbine? A. 12 ... - Brainly
Jan 16, 2024 · Explanation. The sustained rate of fire for the M4 Carbine is typically around 12-15 rounds per minute when in semi-automatic mode, which allows ...<|separator|>
[75]
National Firearms Act - ATF
The NFA was originally enacted in 1934. Similar to the current NFA, the original Act imposed a tax on the making and transfer of firearms defined by the Act.
[76]
NFA History | Class Three Title One Federal Firearms Dealer
The National Firearms Act of 1934 regulates NFA items. The 1968 GCA limited foreign imports, and the 1986 FOPA stopped civilian sales of new machine guns.
[77]
NFA & Hughes Amendment | TA Targets
Oct 12, 2023 · Representative William J. Hughes added an amendment to this legislation that effectively banned ALL new machine guns that were no registered ...
[78]
NRA and NSSF Silent after Controversial Machine Gun Ruling
Sep 4, 2024 · The Firearms Owners Protection Act of 1986 went a step further by prohibiting civilians from owning machine guns manufactured after May 19, 1986 ...
[79]
Is Possession of a Machine Gun Illegal?
Sep 4, 2025 · The National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934 marked the first federal law to regulate machine guns. It mandated the registration of all machine guns ...Missing: history | Show results with:history
[80]
Firearms Act 1968 - Legislation.gov.uk
The Firearms Act 1968 consolidates previous acts, requiring firearm certificates, and restricting possession, handling, and distribution of weapons and ...Cookies on Legislation.gov.uk · Open Act without Schedules · Section 27 · Content
[81]
Firearms Act 1968 - Legislation.gov.uk
Part I Provisions as to Possession, Handling and Distribution of Weapons and Ammunition; Prevention of Crime and Measures to Protect Public Safety
[82]
Firearms | The Crown Prosecution Service
Oct 29, 2021 · The Firearms Act 1968 defines firearms generally but also creates a number of sub-categories of firearm, namely shot guns, air weapons and prohibited weapons.
[83]
[DOC] key aspects of uk firearms legislation - National Crime Agency
5(1A) of the Firearms Act 1968, prohibited weapons include: • Firearms designed or adapted to fire two or more missiles without repeated pressure on the trigger ...
[84]
Firearms directive - Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and ...
The 2017 revision brings substantial improvements to security by making it harder to legally acquire certain high capacity weapons, such as automatic firearms ...
[85]
directive (eu) 2021/555 of the european parliament and of the council
The relevant public authority shall transform those firearms into semi-automatic firearms and shall periodically check that the persons using such firearms do ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[86]
Regulations Prescribing Certain Firearms and Other Weapons ...
Oct 15, 2025 · 1 Any firearm capable of discharging a dart or other object carrying an electrical current or substance, including the firearm of the design ...
[87]
Firearms
Prohibition on assault-style firearms. On May 1, 2020 the Government of Canada prohibited over 1,500 models of assault-style firearms and certain components of ...List of prohibited assault-style... · Changes to prohibited firearms · Former Bill C-21
[88]
Government of Canada prohibits additional assault-style firearms
Mar 7, 2025 · This 2025 prohibition includes semi-automatic firearms with sustained rapid-fire capability (tactical/military design with large capacity magazine)
[89]
Automatic Firearms Country Control List ( SOR /91-575)
Automatic Firearms Country Control List. SOR /91-575. EXPORT AND IMPORT PERMITS ACT. Registration 1991-10-03. Automatic Firearms Country Control List.
[90]
Possession Of Machine Gun or Submachine Gun - Potts Lawyers
Maximum penalty · (a) if the person lawfully possesses 10 or more weapons at least 5 of which are Category D, E, H, or R weapons-13 years imprisonment; or · (b) ...
[91]
Firearms - Department of Home Affairs
Jul 24, 2025 · The Australian Department of Home Affairs administers the granting of permission to import certain types of firearms and firearm-related ...
[92]
Prohibited goods - Firearm categories - Australian Border Force
Jun 13, 2025 · Importers must obtain permission to bring firearms into Australia. The importation requirements will depend on the Category of firearm, ...
[93]
The Decades-Old Gun Ban That's Still On The Books - NPR
Jan 16, 2013 · It would forbid the sale to civilians of all machine guns made after the law took effect. There were enough Democrats to pass the amendment, so ...Missing: controversy | Show results with:controversy
[94]
The Truth About So-Called “Assault Weapons” - NRA-ILA
The origin of “assault weapon” stems from the term “assault rifle,” which the U.S. Army defines explicitly as a selective-fire rifle chambered for a cartridge ...<|separator|>
[95]
Machine Guns & 50 Caliber Weapons - Giffords
Machine guns and 50 caliber weapons are extremely dangerous and have no place in civilian communities. Military-grade firearms, including machine guns and 50 ...Missing: arguments | Show results with:arguments
[96]
How many fully-automatic rifles have killed Americans in the ... - Quora
Apr 11, 2023 · One fully-automatic rifle since 1986. On 12/4/2019, a sailor stationed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor used his issued M4 carbine to murder 3 people ...
[97]
[PDF] Guns Used in Crime - Bureau of Justice Statistics
In 1993, the FBI's Crime in the United. States estimated that almost 2 million violent crimes of murder, rape, rob- bery, and aggravated assault were re-.
[98]
Gun Owners of America Files Brief Challenging Federal Machine ...
Nov 10, 2015 · Gun Owners not only argues that possession of machine guns by Americans is compatible with the Second Amendment, we argue that Supreme Court ...
[99]
The Supreme Court is about to decide if civilians may own automatic ...
Feb 19, 2024 · On February 28, the Supreme Court will hear a case that could effectively make it legal for civilians to own automatic weapons capable of firing as many as ...
[100]
The Effects of Bans on the Sale of Assault Weapons and High ...
One study found that assault weapon bans were associated with significantly lower homicide rates, and one found that high-capacity magazine bans were ...