If you’ve recently taken an interest in firearm training, there’s a lot to learn. For instance, you may not have even chosen a weapon yet. While many beginners find themselves deciding between carbines and rifles, there are very subtle differences between the two to understand. Learn more about the distinctions and how to identify them below.

What Is a Carbine?

The confusion surrounding carbines comes from the fact that they're technically rifles. A rifle is simply a long gun with a spiraled barrel, designed to be held at the shoulder. Carbines match this description, but the differences come down to the length and weight. In general, a carbine is a compact rifle with a shorter barrel, making it more lightweight and more comfortable to handle. Carbines are also more maneuverable than longer rifles and have milder recoils.

Other than firearm training classes, carbines are commonly used for hunting and home defense. A carbine uses the same ammunition as standard rifles, but due to their shortened barrels, they have comparably less power and a lower muzzle velocity. That means lightweight bullets, which are most effective when fired at high velocities, won't have the same range in a carbine as they would in a rifle.

How Can You Identify Them?

All carbines are rifles, but not all rifles are carbines. However, even weapons manufacturers and gun owners can use these terms inconsistently, furthering newcomers' confusion. If you're trying to distinguish whether a gun is a carbine, the main tell is the barrel's length. Rifle-style firearms with a barrel length shorter than 20 inches would be considered a carbine, and anything longer is usually referred to as a rifle.
 

If you're interested in learning how to handle a carbine safely, Runenation in Gilsum, NH, offers firearm training and self-defense classes for people of every skill level. Taught by experienced and highly trained instructors, their gun safety courses are available on the range and at home with remote, one-on-one weapons coaching. Call (781) 346-9839 or visit their website to sign up for carbine training classes today, and check out their YouTube channel for updates and additional information.