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That is, the use of a fired cartridge's gas emissions to automatically rechamber rounds into the breech once a bullet had been fired, as well as expelling the old cartridge. By this time almost all prominent armies in the world had some sort of standard service rifle.ĭuring the Second World War, there was yet another leap forward in rifle design which was to influence service rifles even today. First, breech-loading firearms, like the Prussian Needle gun of the mid-19th century came to prominence, which then evolved into repeating weapons, such as the bolt-action Mosin-Nagant rifle used by Imperial Russia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and the Soviet Union in World War II. Originally, these combat rifles were single-shot muzzle-loading weapons, but as technology advanced through the 18th and 19th centuries, so too did the technique of loading rounds. By the middle of the 19th century, however, rifles were becoming more and more common on the battlefield, with muskets being phased out. Rifles were for specialist marksmen only, whilst the ordinary infantry were issued less accurate smoothbore muskets which had a higher rate of fire, with bore diameters as high as 19 mm, or 0.75 inch. Originally, rifles used in combat were not standard-issue weapons like the service rifles of today. It was in limited use up to the Vietnam War. The bolt-action M1903 Springfield was used as the USA's service rifle from 1905 to just before World War II, when it was replaced by the gas-operated M1 Garand. 2.54 United Kingdom, British Empire & Commonwealth of Nations.Most armies also have service pistols/ side arms. These may include urban warfare (FIBUA/MOUT) and jungle warfare environments. Service rifles are also often selected for their upgradability (e.g., the addition of underslung grenade launchers, sights, flashlights, laser sights, etc.)Īlthough certain weapons issued to special forces units are rarely considered "service weapons" in the truest sense, certain specialist rifles and submachine guns are categorized as such if issued as per standing operating procedures upon entering special environments or scenarios. In modern forces, this is typically a highly versatile and rugged assault rifle, battle rifle, carbine, or designated marksman rifle suitable for use in nearly all theatres and environments. The service rifle (also known as standard-issue rifle) of a given army or armed force is that which it issues as standard to its soldiers. It has been suggested that ] be merged into this article.