Assault rifle
The German Sturmgewehr (MP 43/44/Stg 44) is the prototypical assault rifle. The salient features are select fire, and intermediate size cartridge (more than a pistol, less than the standard WWII infantry rifle round).
Sturmgewehr translates to "Assault rifle". it could also be translated as "Storm rifle".
Most assault rifles have straight line stocks (or close to it), pistol grips, large capacity detachable magazines, flash suppressors/muzzle brakes, bayonet lugs, and may feature synthetic stocks. These features, while common, do not determine if a rifle fits in the assault rifle catgegory. Only the caliber, and the ability for select fire make it an assault rifle.
Semiauto rifles (or handguns) which have straight line stocks (or close to it), pistol grips, large capacity detachable magazines, flash suppressors/muzzle brakes, bayonet lugs, magazines which do not enter the pistol grip, and may feature synthetic stocks are classed in the media (and in some US law) as "assault weapons", a term made up entirely based on the cosmetic features of the gun, not on the caliber or the function. Assault weapon is an anti-gunner BS term and we should not use it.
Assault rifle is a proper firearms term (in use since 1944/45) and when used in the correct context is entirely proper.
Select fire rifles using a full power round are generally called "battle rifles". Full auto rifles (without semi auto function) are called "automatic rifles" in general use, but under US legal definition are machine guns, as are assault rifles, because of the ability for full auto fire.
Assault pistol is another BS anti gunner term, and we should not use it. Small automatic rifles firing pistol caliber ammo are submachine guns. Because they fire full auto, under US law they are classed as machine guns for legal purposes. Full auto handguns are rare (very few models made), and under US law would also be machineguns.
Calling an AR-15 an assault rifle is wrong. It is incorrect. Calling it an assault weapon is drinking the anti-gunners kool-aid. It was technically correct, under the definitions of the 1994 AWB, but that bill has sunset in 2004, and no longer has any legal standing. Calling an M16 an assault rifle is correct.
The only oddball in the definitions is the M2 Carbine. Remember the definitions come from the WWII era when the assault rifle was first fielded(except for those made up by the antis), and at that time, the .30 carbine round was considered an oversize pistol round, and was not included in the pistol category (being more powerful than standard pistol rounds, and with no pistols made for it, at the time). Likelwise, it was not big (powerful) enough to be considered an intermediate power round, so it was not included in the assault rifle category. Neither fish nor fowl, nor good red meat, the full auto (select fire) M2 carbine got classed all by itself for definitions, but is considered a machinegun under US law.
So, if your select fire rifle chambers the 7.92x33, the 7.62x39, the 5.56mm, or some equivalent round, it can be an assault rifle. If it chambers the 7.62x51, the 7.62x54R, the .30-06, the 8x57, the 7x57 or some equivalent round, it is not an assault rifle, and it is incorrect and improper to refer to it as such.
ARE WE CLEAR ON THIS?