cover image

Carbine

Shortened version of a standard firearm / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:

Can you list the top facts and stats about Carbine?

Summarize this article for a 10 years old

SHOW ALL QUESTIONS

A carbine (/ˈkɑːrbiːn/ or /ˈkɑːrbaɪn/)[1] is a long gun that has a barrel shortened from its original length.[2] Most modern carbines are rifles that are compact versions of a longer rifle or are rifles chambered for less powerful cartridges.

Senior_Airman_Benton_Pohlman_fires_an_M4_carbine_rifle_%2834135723246%29.jpg
A Security Forces Airman of the Ohio Air National Guard fires an M4 carbine (a shorter and lighter variant of the M16A2 rifle) during target practice, 2017

The smaller size and lighter weight of carbines make them easier to handle. They are typically issued to high-mobility troops such as special operations soldiers and paratroopers, as well as to mounted, artillery, logistics, or other non-infantry personnel whose roles do not require full-sized rifles, although there is a growing tendency for carbines to be issued to front-line soldiers to offset the increasing weight of other issued equipment. An example of this is the U.S. Army's M4 carbine, which is standard issue.