[Colt4thHorseman]

What is the difinition of the word carbine.? The dictionary says "short or light rifle". There are many short and light rifles that aren't called carbines. Can you give me some info on this please? Thanks :) Forum leader, please move to proper forum.

[ 10-14-2001: Message edited by: Colt4thHorseman ]

[ 10-14-2001: Message edited by: Colt4thHorseman ]

[Baba Louie]

from OLD FRENCH "carabin", Cavalryman.

So a short, light rifle (shouldn't this be in the Rifle Aficianado section?) is a correct definition. A sword, a brace of pistols and maybe a long(er) gun thats easy to manuver/aim/fire whilst charging on your steed.

Adios Qweeksdraw

[Grayfox]

Moving to the Rifle Forum. ;)

[Grayfox]

This question can indeed be confusing. In general the word carbine is used to describe a rifle with a shorter than standard barrel. For example, the Springfield "Trapdoor" rifle of the 1860s-1870s period. The standard rifle for infantry use was a rather long and heavy firearm, while cavalry troops were issued the much shorter and lighter "carbine" version to make for better handling while on horseback.
Sometimes the carbine version proved to be much more popular than the standard rifle. The Winchester Model 94 "rifle" has a 24 to 26" barrel depending on caliber. However, the 20" carbine length has become so popular than the full size rifles are all but gone and rarely seen.
Then there are rifles that were originally designed in carbine configuration and no "full size" model was ever produced. The U.S. M1 Carbine is an excellent example of this type.
As far as I know, there is no exact definition of what makes a carbine. Just these general guidelines which are subject to interpretation.

[Cliff C]

Colt4H - Baba and Gray both gave good answers.

The BATF definition for a short-barreled rifle is another way to describe a carbine (with a BIG qualifier... read it after the definition), to wit:

The term "short-barreled rifle" means a rifle having one or more barrels less than sixteen inches in length and any weapon made from a rifle (whether by alteration, modification, or otherwise) if such weapon, as modified, has an overall length of less than twenty six inches.

The QUALIFIER: This definition was adopted as part of the 1968 GCA. It describes a rifle that is "illegal", per Federal law, for the average Joe or Joanne Citizen to own.

If it has a 16 to 18 inch barrel and an OAL of 34 to 38 inches, it can probably be reasonably considered a carbine.

Like Gray said, they're just guidelines.

Cliff

[Colt4thHorseman]

That diffinently clears it up. Thanks guys. :)

[Tony from Finland]

Interesting. I always thought a carbine was a rifle chambered for a handgun cartridge.

[Cliff C]

Tony - Actually, that's true more often than not.

However, there are too many exceptions - such as:

M-N M44 chambered for 7.62X53(54)

Enfield #5 chambered for .303

Winchester .30-30

Etc...

Cliff