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The assault rifle is a weapon in Fallout 4.

Background[]

A common sight in the Commonwealth, this assault rifle is used by higher-ranking raiders, Gunners officers and some super mutants.

Characteristics[]

The assault rifle starts off semi-automatic but can be modded or found with an automatic receiver at the expense of significant damage reduction. A regular, semi-automatic assault rifle with all of the highest level mods equipped deals around 99 damage with all of the Rifleman perks. This damage can be increased by finding a legendary variant with the mighty/powerful prefix. The weapon is heavy for an assault rifle, weighing 13.1 pounds (5.9 kg) unmodified with a short barrel, and when modified can weigh as much as 26 pounds.

The assault rifle has low recoil and high accuracy even when fitted with an automatic receiver. Any modification requires investment in the Gun Nut perk, and some investment in the Science! perk for its advanced optical sights. At higher levels, modified assault rifles may appear as loot.

Weapon modifications[]

Receiver
ModDescriptionWeapon prefixDamage per shot changeFire rate changeRange changeAccuracy changeMagazine capacity (shots per reload) changeWeight changeWeapon value change in capsEffect(s)Perk(s) requiredComponentsForm ID
Standard receiverStandard.Adhesive x1
Gears x1
Oil x1
Screw x2
Spring x1
Steel x3
001A8A4C
Light frame receiverLighter weight. Reduced damage.Light-3-4.1+8-25% AP cost
-5% aiming speed
-5% iron sights transition
Adhesive x1
Aluminum x5
Gears x2
Oil x3
Screw x2
0018895B
Heavy frame receiverHeavier weight. Improved damage.Heavy+3+3.9+13+25% AP cost
+5% iron sights transition
Adhesive x1
Gears x2
Oil x3
Screw x2
Steel x8
0018895A
Calibrated receiverBetter critical shot damage.Calibrated+1+0.7+23+100% critical damageAdhesive x4
Gears x4
Oil x4
Screw x5
Steel x8
00188958
Hardened receiverBetter damage.Hardened+7+1+33Adhesive x4
Gears x4
Oil x4
Screw x5
Steel x9
0018895C
Automatic receiverImproved rate of fire. Inferior damage and range.Automatic-10+73-12-1+1.5+38+25% AP costGun Nut: 2Adhesive x2
Gears x5
Oil x6
Screw x6
Steel x10
00188952
Armor piercing automatic receiverImproved rate of fire and armor penetration. Reduced range. Inferior damage.Armor piercing automatic-10+73-10-1+1.9+43+25% AP cost
Penetrates armor (-40 DR)
Gun Nut: 3Adhesive x5
Aluminum x9
Gears x5
Oil x6
Screw x7
00188953
Hair trigger receiverMore sensitive trigger. Better rate of fire.Hair trigger+19+0.2+53-10% AP costGun Nut: 3Adhesive x5
Aluminum x10
Gears x5
Oil x5
Screw x5
00188959
Powerful receiverSuperior damage.Powerful+15+1.9+53Gun Nut: 3Adhesive x5
Aluminum x10
Gears x5
Oil x6
Screw x6
0018895D
Hardened automatic receiverImproved rate of fire. Reduced damage. Inferior range.Hardened automatic-3+73-12-1+2.2+58+25% AP costGun Nut: 3Adhesive x6
Aluminum x11
Gears x6
Oil x6
Screw x6
00188954
Rapid automatic receiverSuperior rate of fire. Inferior damage and range.Rapid-11+96-12-1+2.2+63+25% AP costGun Nut: 4Adhesive x6
Aluminum x12
Gears x6
Oil x7
Screw x7
00188955
Calibrated powerful receiverSuperior damage. Better critical shot damage and accuracy.Calibrated powerful+15+1+2.7+68+100% critical damageGun Nut: 4Adhesive x7
Aluminum x13
Gears x8
Oil x6
Screw x7
0018895E
Hardened piercing auto receiverImproved rate of fire and armor penetration. Reduced damage. Inferior range.Hardened piercing automatic-3+73-10-1+3.1+78+35% AP cost
Penetrates armor (-40 DR)
Gun Nut: 4Adhesive x7
Aluminum x14
Gears x9
Oil x6
Screw x11
00188956
Advanced receiverExceptional damage. More sensitive trigger. Better rate of fire.Advanced+22+19+3.5+83Gun Nut 4Adhesive x9
Aluminum x15
Gears x7
Oil x6
Screw x10
00188951
Powerful automatic receiverImproved damage and rate of fire. Inferior Range.Powerful automatic+4+73-12-1+3.9+88+25% AP costGun Nut: 4Adhesive x9
Aluminum x16
Gears x8
Oil x7
Screw x10
00188957
Barrel
ModDescriptionWeapon prefixDamage per shot changeFire rate changeRange changeAccuracy changeMagazine capacity (shots per reload) changeWeight changeWeapon value change in capsEffect(s)Perk(s) requiredComponentsForm ID
Short barrelStandard.Short-10% AP cost
+10% accuracy
-10% recoil
Adhesive x1
Screw x6
Steel x4
0018894A
Long barrelSuperior range and sighted accuracy. Better recoil. Poor hip-fire accuracy.Long+84+2+2+10+10% AP cost
+3% iron sights transition
+40% sighted accuracy
-50% hipfire accuracy
-15% recoil
Adhesive x2
Screw x10
Steel x8
00188948
Ported barrelSuperior recoil.Ported+20+10% AP cost
+3% iron sights transition
+40% sighted accuracy
-50% hipfire accuracy
-15% recoil
Gun Nut: 4Adhesive x5
Aluminum x8
Screw x6
0018894B
Vented barrelSuperior recoil, range and sighted accuracy. Poor hip-fire accuracy.Vented+84+2+2+30-10% AP cost
+10% accuracy
-25% recoil
Gun Nut: 4Adhesive x6
Aluminum x10
Screw x8
Steel x5
00188949
Stock
ModDescriptionWeapon prefixDamage per shot changeFire rate changeRange changeAccuracy changeMagazine capacity (shots per reload) changeWeight changeWeapon value change in capsEffect(s)Perk(s) requiredComponentsForm ID
Short stockStandard.+5% iron sights transition
+7% stability
+40% sighted accuracy
-15% recoil
Adhesive x2
Screw x7
Steel x6
0018894E
Full stockBetter recoil.+0.9+10+20% AP cost
+10% iron sights transition
+7% stability
+40% sighted accuracy
-20% recoil
Gun Nut: 3Adhesive x4
Screw x8
Steel x8
0018894C
Marksman's stockSuperior recoil. Better aim with scopes.Marksman's+1.6+20+20% AP cost
+10% iron sights transition
+9% stability
+40% sighted accuracy
-25% recoil
Gun Nut: 4Adhesive x5
Aluminum x8
Rubber x2
Screw x10
Spring x5
00245F88
Recoil compensating stockExceptional recoil.Recoil compensated+2+30+20% AP cost
+10% iron sights transition
+7% stability
+40% sighted accuracy
-30% recoil
Gun Nut: 4Adhesive x6
Aluminum x9
Rubber x3
Screw x12
Spring x8
0018894D
Magazine
ModDescriptionWeapon prefixDamage per shot changeFire rate changeRange changeAccuracy changeMagazine capacity (shots per reload) changeWeight changeWeapon value change in capsEffect(s)Perk(s) requiredComponentsForm ID
Standard magazineStandard.+3% iron sights transitionAdhesive x3
Screw x4
Spring x4
Steel x4
0018897A
Drum magazineExceptional ammo capacity. Inferior reload speed.Maximum capacity+50+2+20+10% AP cost
+3% iron sights transition
Gun Nut: 3Adhesive x4
Screw x6
Spring x6
Steel x6
00188978
Quick eject magBetter reload speed.Quick+0.5+35-5% AP costGun Nut: 4Adhesive x5
Aluminum x4
Oil x3
Screw x4
Spring x8
0018897B
Quick eject drum magExceptional ammo capacity. Improved reload speed.Quick maximum capacity+50+2.5+55+3% iron sights transitionGun Nut: 4Adhesive x6
Aluminum x6
Oil x5
Screw x6
Spring x10
00188979
Sights
ModDescriptionWeapon prefixDamage per shot changeFire rate changeRange changeAccuracy changeMagazine capacity (shots per reload) changeWeight changeWeapon value change in capsEffect(s)Perk(s) requiredComponentsForm ID
Standard sightsStandard.Adhesive x1
Steel x2
001A8A4D
Short scopeImproved magnification. Superior sighted accuracy.Scoped+16+1.5+18-20% base stability
+30% AP cost
+10% iron sights transition
4x scope
+20% sighted accuracy
Adhesive x2
Glass x1
Screw x2
Steel x3
00188963
Reflex sightBetter focus and sighted accuracy.Tactical+5+0.7+23-15% AP cost
-10% iron sights transition
1.5x scope
+15% sighted accuracy
Adhesive x2
Aluminum x2
Glass x1
Nuclear material x2
Screw x2
Silver x1
00188967
Reflex sight (circle)Better focus and sighted accuracy.Tactical+7+0.7+23-15% AP cost
-10% iron sights transition
1.5x scope
+15% sighted accuracy
Adhesive x2
Aluminum x2
Glass x1
Nuclear material x2
Screw x2
Silver x1
001F425B
Medium scopeBetter magnification. Superior sighted accuracy.Scoped+23+1.9+38-20% base stability
+40% AP cost
+15% iron sights transition
6x scope
+20% sighted accuracy
Gun Nut: 3Adhesive x3
Glass x2
Screw x2
Steel x4
00188961
Long scopeSuperior magnification and sighted accuracy.Scoped+38+2.2+48-20% base stability
+50% AP cost
+20% iron sights transition
10x scope
+20% sighted accuracy
Gun Nut: 4Adhesive x4
Glass x4
Screw x4
Steel x5
0018895F
Short night vision scopeNight vision. Improved magnification. Superior sighted accuracy.Night-vision+16+1.5+63-20% base stability
+30% AP cost
+10% iron sights transition
4x scope
+20% sighted accuracy
Gun Nut: 4
Science!: 1
Adhesive x4
Aluminum x5
Circuitry x2
Fiber optics x1
Glass x2
Nuclear material x2
Screw x2
Silver x2
00188964
Medium night vision scopeNight vision. Better magnification. Superior sighted accuracy.Night-vision+23+1.9+73-20% base stability
+40% AP cost
+15% iron sights transition
6x scope
+20% sighted accuracy
Gun Nut: 4
Science!: 1
Adhesive x4
Aluminum x6
Circuitry x3
Fiber optics x2
Glass x4
Nuclear material x4
Screw x2
Silver x2
00188962
Long night vision scopeNight vision. Superior magnification and sighted accuracy.Night-vision+38+2.2+83-20% base stability
+50% AP cost
+20% iron sights transition
10x scope
+20% sighted accuracy
Gun Nut: 4
Science!: 1
Adhesive x5
Aluminum x7
Circuitry x4
Fiber optics x2
Glass x5
Nuclear material x6
Screw x4
00188960
Long recon scopeTracks targets. Superior magnification and sighted accuracy.Recon+36+2.7+98-20% base stability
+50% AP cost
+20% iron sights transition
10x scope (monochrome, target tracking)
+20% sighted accuracy
Gun Nut: 4
Science!: 1
Adhesive x5
Aluminum x8
Circuitry x4
Crystal x6
Fiber optics x3
Nuclear material x7
Screw x6
00188966
Muzzle
ModDescriptionWeapon prefixDamage per shot changeFire rate changeRange changeAccuracy changeMagazine capacity (shots per reload) changeWeight changeWeapon value change in capsEffect(s)Perk(s) requiredComponentsForm ID
No muzzle
CompensatorImproved per-shot recoil. Improved recoil control. Reduced range.Compensated-12+1.7+50+15% better recoil per shot
+75% better recoil arc
Gun Nut: 3Adhesive x3
Aluminum x5
0018894F
Muzzle brakeExceptional recoil control. Better per-shot recoil. Inferior range.Muzzled-18+1.7+75+20% better recoil per shotGun Nut: 4Adhesive x4
Aluminum x6
001916A1
SuppressorSuppresses sound from firing. Exceptional per-shot recoil. Improved recoil control. Poor range.Suppressed-30+2+100+25% better recoil per shotGun Nut: 4Adhesive x5
Aluminum x8
Plastic x4
Screw x4
00188950

Locations[]

Notes[]

  • The assault rifle is the only gun in the base game that utilizes 5.56 ammunition.
  • When used for sneak attacks in V.A.T.S., the assault rifle fires only one shot per action even when upgraded with an automatic receiver, a trait that goes a long way towards making the most efficient use of its scarce ammunition type. Outside of sneak mode, it will fire several shots per burst just like any other automatic weapon.
  • After reloading, the player character does not cock the gun with the charging handle.
  • When carried by companions in power armor, their walking animation may change, causing the ground to rumble while they walk as if they had jumped and landed from a height.
  • Concept art of the weapon appears in The Art of Fallout 4.[Non-game 1]
  • The ported barrel gives the same benefits as a short ported barrel, while the vented barrel is treated like a long ported barrel.
  • Despite using 5.56mm ammunition, the suppressor attachment for the weapon has text which reads "CAL .50" printed on it.
  • In reality, the term "assault rifle" refers to a rifle with the ability to shift between fire modes by a selector switch, while the in-game weapon is incapable of this and fire modes can only be changed by building separate receiver modifications.

Behind the scenes[]

  • The assault rifle is referred to as meshes/weapons/machinegun/ in Nifskope and audio files refer to it as RifleIstvan, in reference to Bethesda art lead Istvan Pely.
  • The "Army, Atom Cats, Gunners and Vault-Tec Weapon Paint Job" and "Brotherhood of Steel, Institute, Railroad, Minutemen Weapon Paint Job" Creation Club bundles, created by community modder Skidabaa in collaboration with Bethesda, identify this weapon as the M199 assault rifle mentioned in Fallout 3. The name can be seen when the "drum magazine" modification is applied to the weapon while one of the relevant paints is applied.
  • A recreation of an upgraded assault rifle from Fallout 4 in the hands of a Brotherhood soldier appears in a preview image for the upcoming Fallout TV series.[1]
Model names
  • machinegunreceiver.nif
  • mgbarrelcooled.nif
  • mgbarrelheavy.nif
  • mgbarrellong.nif
  • mgbarrelshort.nif
  • mgcompensator.nif
  • mggripmarksman.nif
  • mggriptactical.nif
  • mgmagdrum.nif
  • mgmagstraight.nif
  • mgmuzzlebreak.nif
  • mgreflex.nif
  • mgreflexcircle.nif
  • mgscope.nif
  • mgscopethermal.nif
  • mgsight.nif
  • mgstockcollapsed.nif
  • mgstockstandard.nif
  • mgsuppressor.nif

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. November 28, 2023 image releases of Fallout TV series preview.

Non-game

  1. The Art of Fallout 4, p. 20: "MACHINE GUN
    The first gun made for the game. We mainly wanted something beefy that would look right in the power armor's oversized hands. It was also a chance to explore modification and customization. We designed it to allow interchangeable barrels and magazines. At this early stage of the project, we didn't plan on giving the player too many options, but we'd go on to develop a deeper and more flexible system. This particular gun design would later become the assault rifle."
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