I have been thinking about this a lot lately since my friend has gotten an AR-15.
Just exactly what are the differences and origins of each the carbine and the assault rifle?
I have heard that the carbine was originally a shorter barreled light rifle that was chambered in either a pistol round or a light rifle round.
Now that brings us to the M16, which is commonly called an "Assault Rifle". The common definition of this is a lighter rifle and caliber than a normal battle rifle which can be select fire (much like the carbine). Sounds almost like a carbine, right? So how come a 20 or 16" M16 is considered a rifle but a 14" one is considered a carbine? A few inches of barrel shouldn't be able to change the classification of a gun.
Conversely, though, if a 14" AR is a carbine than why is a 16 or 20" an assault rifle? Both assault rifles and carbines can be select fire, the same with sub guns.
Guess I am just a little confused at the different classifications and how they seem to blend into each other.
Heck, an MP5 seems an awfully lot like a select fire M1 Carbine to me!
Just exactly what are the differences and origins of each the carbine and the assault rifle?
I have heard that the carbine was originally a shorter barreled light rifle that was chambered in either a pistol round or a light rifle round.
Now that brings us to the M16, which is commonly called an "Assault Rifle". The common definition of this is a lighter rifle and caliber than a normal battle rifle which can be select fire (much like the carbine). Sounds almost like a carbine, right? So how come a 20 or 16" M16 is considered a rifle but a 14" one is considered a carbine? A few inches of barrel shouldn't be able to change the classification of a gun.
Conversely, though, if a 14" AR is a carbine than why is a 16 or 20" an assault rifle? Both assault rifles and carbines can be select fire, the same with sub guns.
Guess I am just a little confused at the different classifications and how they seem to blend into each other.
Heck, an MP5 seems an awfully lot like a select fire M1 Carbine to me!