Weapons are put into different classes but what makes a rifle a rifle and not an assault rifle or machine gun?

I mean, what does a gun need to be put into a particular class of weaponry?
For example: in the futur the US will (or might) trade it's M16/4 for the lighter M-8. This weapon has an assualt rifle, sniper and machine gun variant and even a shortened version for close quarters (The m-8 and its variants).

This is my question for example: Is the shortened version a sub-machine gun or an assault rifle like the original m-8?

A Sub-machine gun fires a pistol round such as .45ACP or 9mm.

"Assault" weapon (or rifle) is the most overused weapon term there is. Especially in the mass media where every weapon is an assault weapon.

In simple terms, an assault rifle fires an intermediate round and is capable of select fire.

If you are in the media an assault weapon is any firearm you consider evil.

OMFG..aint that the truth...lol

did you know I own an assault pencil....lol

oké, it's all about the rounds.. got it

I knew about three months ago that the US military was switching to an xm8 but forgot to check on the caliber, until today. Its a 5.56 nato the same one on the m16 (similar to a .223). That Pisses Me off! I would of definatly rather of seen a .243, 7.62, 30-06, or even a .308. This gives them a disadvantage at longer ranges and killing power.I mean a .223 is hard to bring down a deer with, and deers don't wear kevlar vests in some cases.

ONE question, will the Xm8 use a peep site?

Doesn't appear so Dori...

looks like red dot..

http://world.guns.ru/assault/as61-e.htm

Little off topic but it's "my topic": is it gonna be called the m8 or xm8? I thought 'x' is used to show us the weapon is still a prototype

that's right the "x" shows it's still a prototype but once the US military actually switches from the M16 to the XM8 the X will be dumped and the rifle's 'name' will become M8

About those definitions, here's a comprehensive list.

http://paladinarmory.com/MachineGuns.htm.

Click 'machine guns' to go to a whole lonnng page full of specific definitions. Good stuff, well said.

THx

quote:

Originally posted by WE_STAND_ALONE:
Doesn't appear so Dori...

looks like red dot..

http://world.guns.ru/assault/as61-e.htm

Nope...read, bro.

"While sight looks similar to red-dot, mounted on other variants, it is of 3.5X magnification..."