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Winchester Model 1903 becomes the first mass-produced self-loading rifle
Marks the beginning of modern rifles, however is surpassed later that year by the Springfield model 1903. -
Period: to
America's Military-Comissioned Rifles
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The Springfield model 1903 is adopted by the U.S. military
A product of America's experience in her war with Spain, the springfield 1903 begins a new era of warfare, but is later deemed impractically powerful for battlefield conditions. -
British forces lose 20,000 men in a single day at the battle of Somme
Because the weapons are far more sophisticated than the tactics, generals are not experienced with up to date battle plans, and the result is a massive loss of human life -
America enters WWI
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Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) developed and used in combat
Due to lessons learned throughout the war, the BAR was developed towards the end of the war, ushering in a new kind of warfare. -
M1 Garand developed
Sometimes referred to as the gun that won WWII, the M1 garand was the first semi automatic rifle comissioned to the U.S. army, and for that matter any army. The American military whose standard-issue rifles were semi automatic during WWII. -
Germany develops MP40 submachine gun
In this time of war, Germany must develop a submachinegun that is superior to America's BAR, and Germany succeeds in that with the MP40. -
U.S. develops "grease gun" submachine gun
In response to germany's MP40, American develops the "grease gun," a submachine gun to compete with Germany's. -
Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, America joins WWII two days later
This event would be the last straw for Americans, and we would finally play our part in WWII. -
M1 Garand upgraded to M1 Carbine
To meet the demands of the cruelest war of all time, the M1 garand was modified to fire a larger .30 caliber shot. -
Hitler commits suicide in his bunker as allied forces surround Berlin
The war in Europe is over, although the war in the Pacific rages on. -
USSR develops the AK-47
What would become the most mass-produced weapon ever was created by the soviets during the Cold War, sparking American need to create a better weapon. -
AR-15 first used in Vietnam by U.S. Special Forces
The semi automatic predecessor of the iconic M16, the AR-15 was first used in a special ops mission in Vietnam and recieved astounding praise. -
First U.S. troops enter Vietnam
This war, however unpopular it was, ultimately lead to the development and use of the M16. -
M16 first issued in Vietnam
America's answer to the AK47, and perhaps the most iconic weapon in our military history, the M16 made its debut in Vietnam after several years of development. -
M4 adopted as U.S. military weapon of choice
Basically just a more compact version of the M16, the M4 is adopted by the military due to the changing needs of warfare, in this case, close quarters combat. -
9/11
In an outward act of terrorism and hostility, Al Queda flew Al Queda Hijacked 4 airplanes on 9/11, ramming two into the world trade center, one into the pentagon, and another into the ground near sharpsville PA after its hijackers were overpowered by passengers. This would pave the way for a new generation of warfare. -
Battle of Tora Bora
Mere months after the 9/11 attacks, Osama Bin Ladin, leader of Al Queda, is cornered, but due to miscommunication is allowed to escape, and would not be rediscovered for another ten years. -
U.S. Army begins looking for a gun to replace the M4 as the primary military rifle
Due to reliability concerns, the Military has begun to search for a rifle to replace the M4 on the battlefield. -
Usama Bin Laden is killed
After avoiding capture nearly ten years prior, the leader of Al Queda was killed by Navy Seal Team Six in his complex in Pakistan. This is without a doubt one of the next steps to a new generation of warfare.
