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A carbine is a firearm similar to, but generally shorter and less powerful than, a rifle. There have been many carbines developed from rifles, being essentially shorter rifles firing the same ammunition, although usually at a lower velocity, and there have also been many where the carbine and rifle adopted by a particular nation were not technically related, such as using completely different ammunition or internal operating systems (though the carbine still being weaker, or of smaller size).

These days, the carbine is usually similar to its parent weapon, but often sports a shorter barrel (thus decreasing the effective range) and a telescopic or folding butt stock. Trading range for ease of use, the carbine is a popular weapon among special forces units, such as the Navy SEALs or the Special Air Service.

In the 1800s, carbines were generally smaller firearms used by cavalry. The foot soldiers would have a longer, more powerful firearm, and cavalry a shorter, lighter firearm. The shorter length and lighter weight of carbines makes them easier to handle in close-quarter combat situations (such as urban or jungle warfare), or when deploying from vehicles. The disadvantages of carbines, when compared with their longer counterparts, are generally poorer long-range accuracy and shorter effective range (both factors being a result of the shorter barrel).

Manually Operated Carbines

  • Lee Enfield Jungle Carbine

Automatic/Assault Carbines

Battle Carbines

Sources

Wikipedia - Carbine

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