Even if you are savvy about firearms, there is far too much information to possibly know it all. Whether it is different classes and categories of firearms, ammunition, shooting tactics or accessories, the number of products available and the history of firearms is so vast, that even the most knowledgeable enthusiasts come across questions they do not know the answers to. However, if you’re like most gun owners, questions that seem they should be common knowledge often aren’t. One popular question regarding rifles is what is the difference between a carbine and a rifle? The differences between the two firearms may surprise you. 

What Is A Rifle

First, let’s get on the same page with the definition of a rifle. According to the technical definition, a rifle is the following:

  • Portable firearm
  • Long barrel for increased accuracy
  • Held with both hands and typically braced against the shooter’s shoulder to increase stability 
  • Grooves (rifling) are cut into the barrel to create a spin on the bullet for more accuracy

The earliest accounts of the first rifles can be traced back to Europe during the 17th Century with the flintlock musket. Over the centuries, rifles have adapted in significant ways and become highlight-specialized. From special military-grade firearms to hunting or sporting rifles, there are several categories and types available today. With the continued advancement in technology, rifles continue to improve all the time to meet the needs of military and civilians alike. 

Rifle VS Carbine

There are several categories of rifles today in a large array of calibers. Whether for hunting, target shooting, self-defense or even military operations, choosing the right rifle can be a difficult decision. Here are the main types of rifles available today:

  • Automatic/Semi-automatic – these rifles are perhaps the most-known about due to the news coverage, use in action films and video games. The difference between automatic and semi-automatic is that in an automatic rifle, the trigger can be pulled and held to fire multiple rounds. In a semi-automatic rifle, the trigger has to be pulled for each shot to be fired. Unlike other manual action rifles, these kinds utilize the recoil or energy from the expanding gas from a fired round to cycle the action and chamber the next round. 
  • Break-action – these single-shot rifles are loaded through the receiver that hinges the barrel downwards. Very similar to the break-action shotguns. 
  • Bolt-action – these are an extremely common type of rifle and have a metal receiver surrounding the bolt. The bolt is pulled back to open the breech (single shot or can carry a magazine), the round is loaded into the receiver and the bolt is pushed forward to chamber the round. This type of rifle is a very reliable design.
  • Lever-action – popularized by the cowboy-era, lever-action rifles operate by the lever being pushed down, forward and then back to chamber the round. 

Different Carbine Types

Now that we’re all on the same page with the types of rifles available, let’s discuss carbines. While there are a few main differences, the biggest is the length of the barrel. The history of the carbine dates back to the 18th Century in France. They were designed to be used for cavalry troops that needed a shorter, lighter firearm that could be loaded and fired from horseback, if necessary. The downside of these early versions was that they were far less accurate and less powerful than the traditional muskets of the time. The projectiles leaving the shorter barrel had less velocity, which meant less power, distance, and accuracy. 

Over the years, the carbine-style rifle underwent several design changes and during the Civil War, the Spencer carbine was one of the first repeating, breechloading firearms. The tube magazine held seven rounds and could be reloaded by inserting a new tube. This helped pave the way for modern magazine loading for all rifles. Some of the most popular and revolutionary carbines throughout history include:

  • M1 carbine – 1938
  • M4 carbine – 1994
  • Marlin Model – 1894
  • Mosin-Nagant M44 – 1907
  • AKS-74U – 1979

As mentioned above, one of the differences between the rifle vs. carbine was the barrel length, but let’s go into more detail. Originally, a firearm was called a carbine when it was modeled after an existing design but only shorter. This term transitioned to just meaning a shorter, more compact rifle, regardless if it had a larger design model. 

Common Carbine Misconceptions

  • Carbines use only pistol-sized rounds – while some carbines do shoot the same calibers as pistols, this is not always true. They can be chambered for full-sized rifle rounds or intermediate rounds designed for carbines. 
  • Carbines are extended versions of pistols – as mentioned above, this isn’t true either. While some designs may have been adapted from pistols, most were designed to be downsized rifles or new designs.

In general, a carbine has come to be defined as a semi-automatic rifle with a barrel under 20 inches long and utilizes a magazine that can carry up to 30 rounds of ammunition. 

Hopefully, this resolves some of the questions that you had revolving around the differences between carbines vs. rifles. If you’ve been trying to decide whether to purchase a rifle or a carbine, there are several considerations you must make. What your intended purpose is, what type of round you wish to shoot, budget, state laws, etc. all make it a difficult decision. But once you find your dream rifle, visit our website, Ammoforsale.com, for a huge selection of rifle ammunition for all uses and calibers at incredible prices!