What’s the difference between a carbine and a rifle? Or is there really a difference at all? Is this simply a case of To-may-to or To-mah-to?
This question is the source of a confusion for many people. And with good reason. Over the years, the term carbine has been used inconsistently by weapon manufacturers and their customers.
Some Myths About Carbines
There are a number of myths about carbines and their relationship to rifles (and even to pistols).
Ammunition
Myth: A carbine uses the same ammunition as a pistol. During the American Wild West, many cowboys carried a rifle (or carbine) and a revolver that were chambered for the same sized round. This allowed for an efficiency in ammunition. He didn’t have to carry two different sized rounds and risk being caught short of one or the other. On long trail rides, having one calibre was a benefit. However, carbines do not necessarily use the same calibre ammunition as a pistol.
Mini-Rifles
Myth: A carbine is a shorter version of a longer rifle. Long rifles have their advantages. They give the projectile a longer plane in which to gain velocity and direction and they offer the shooter more stability for a more accurate shot. However long rifles are not convenient in close quarters or while riding on a horse in the calvary. So, many years ago weapons manufacturers began offering shorter versions of their rifles. At one point there was a pretty close parellel between the shorter rifles or carbines and their longer counterparts. But that’s wasn’t always the case then. Nor is it now.
Pistols of Unusual Size
Myth: Carbines are extended pistols. At times, militaries have attempted to replace handguns for some non-frontline soldiers with very short weapons there were almost a cross between a pistol and a short rifle. These weapons, at times, were called carbines. But carbines does not refer to only pistol replacement weapons.
So What Is A Carbine?
Still today there is no well-defined criteria for delineating a carbine from a rifle. Generally speaking, carbines are very similar to rifles and the distinction tends to be the barrel length and the weight. Rifle-like weapons with a barrel length of less than 20 inches are typically considered to be carbines. Weapons with barrels greater than 20 inches are usually called rifles unless specifically called carbines by the manufacturer.
By this definition, many so-called “Assault Rifles” would technically be carbines.
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September 29, 2014 at 4:19 pm
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February 9, 2018 at 4:36 am
I would just like to say that it is cavalry, not calvery.
July 2, 2020 at 1:29 pm
Calvary. The hill outside Jerusalem which is traditionally held to be the location of the crucifixion of Jesus.
Cavalry. Historically, soldiers mounted on horseback. In modern times, soldiers who fight from (usually armoured) vehicles (as compared to “Infantry”, who fight on foot, “foot soldiers”).
July 19, 2020 at 10:31 am
Love people who take language seriously.
December 1, 2022 at 5:28 pm
I think you need to clarify that assault rifle is a made up term by people trying to vilify a particular style of firearm. If an official designation would be defined ,it clearly would be a full automatic sb rifle intended for military attack squads. Not just a firearm that resembles one. If you put Racing stripes on a family car, it doesn’t make it a competition Race car. And if we’re talking 2nd amendment, having an assault rifle would necessary to take back a countries government from tyrants who Unconstitutionaly take away the Rights of it’s Citizens, if not more, including tanks, artillery and smart bombs if the situation is legal and necessary. Let’s hope they surrender peacefully,(every 2-4 years) we don’t want to harm our own people even if they are out of control. The Freedom to say and think wrongly is an American Right. People in power do it all the time, doesn’t mean we have to agree with them either.