[ProCharger]

I have been checking out armalites, eagle arms, bushmasters.......I notice that in the same type of gun there are carbines as well as rifles.....the rifles usually have 20" barrels or so vs. the carbines 16" barrels. Are there any differences in the guns besides the barrel lengths that determine one as a carbine or a rifle? If I do not plan on match shooting or really any distance shots which would you recommend? Thanks in advance.

Brett

[rock jock]

Are there any differences in the guns besides the barrel lengths that determine one as a carbine or a rifle? Not really.

[GLOCKT]

The site picture between the 16" and the 20" is about the only difference I notice.
I shoot my Bushmaster/A3/Ak-break/carbine out to 200 yards fairly accurately.
Any further than that I switch to my 24" V-match barrel upper.

[jrpeterman]

The length of the barrel pretty much defines the difference between the rifle and carbine (20 v. 16 inches). I have both. I prefer the 16 inch for quick shots and faster target aquisition. It points really nice. The twenty inch points fine, but just isn't as quick lining up the sights. I really don't notice a significant difference between the two shooting at ranges out to 100 yards or so. Over 100 to 200 yards, the 20 inch will shoot a little bit better for me, but not enough to lose any sleep over.

[DMK]

Are there any differences in the guns besides the barrel lengths that determine one as a carbine or a rifle? If I do not plan on match shooting or really any distance shots which would you recommend? Keep in mind that aside from the distance between the front and rear sights (not even a factor if you are using optics), a longer barrel length usually does not increase accuracy. In fact a shorter barrel is sometimes stiffer.

However, usually a short barrel will decrease velocity and increase muzzle blast due to the powder not burning completely inside the barrel before the bullet leaves it.

[Kentucky Rifle]

I purchased a Bushmaster Shorty (16 inch barrel) instead of the 20 inch barrel model because the Shorty carbine fit behind the seats of my truck.
(Nissan Frontier. Kind of a "middle sized" pickup.)

Will

[BDM]

as was true 60 years ago is true today 95% of infantry engagements take place at 100 yds and under and in Iraq its even shorter range,shorter than 50 yds in many cases.So my advice go short it will serve you well.