5 key differences between a machine gun and an automatic rifle

Cpl. Aaron S. Patterson/US Marine Corps Even within the military, there are people who use the terms "machine gun" and "automatic rifle" interchangeably. While these classifications of weapon share similar functions and mechanics, it's important to understand that they are, in fact, not the same. In terms of mechanics, machine guns and automatic rifles are both capable of fully automatic fire. But, beyond that, there are some key differences. Due to differences in range and firing rate, you shou...