Difference between rifles and carbines

[Croyance]

More precisely, what is the difference between a "short" rifle and a carbine? I have seen some lever action guns refered to both ways, and am confused.
Presently, there seem to be rifles with carbine versions, but no short rifle variant.
What is the technical definition of the two? The practical differences?
Thanks.

 

[winstonsmith]

I believe is a concrete barrel length number, EG carbines are 24 and under, and rifles are higher.

Be interesting to find out, though

 

[Kaylee]

no hard and fast rule, other than (I believe) carbine typically used to refer to a smaller version of a rifle in service, usually for cavalry use. Thus you had Sharps rifles and carbines, Krag rifles and carbines, etc.. the US broke with that trend with the '03 Springfield and peeved both the infantry and cavalry.

Barrel length varies a lot -- there are early "carbines" that are substansially longer/heavier than today's "rifles." Mauser 98k (Karabiner) vs. the 20" M16 for example.

 

[E=MC^2]

From Webster

Main Entry: car·bine
Pronunciation: 'kär-"bEn, -"bIn
Function: noun
Etymology: French carabine, from Middle French carabin carabineer
Date: 1605
1 : a short-barreled lightweight firearm orig. used by cavalry
2 : a light short-barreled repeating rifle that is used as a supplementary military arm or for hunting in dense brush

 

[El Tejon]

It depends; what exactly is the standard for each.

Croy, lots of gray. Just think of a carbine as a "reduced rifle."

I only use carbine when I know it gets at someone. Then I use it exclusively!

 

[ajacobs]

I think in lever actions a carbine has a barrel band and a short rifle does not.

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

Carbines are a subset of rifles. They are all rifles. The carbine moniker is somewhat subjective, but it usually means lighter and shorter.