Carbine (redirected from Pistol-caliber carbine)

carbine

Light, short-barreled rifle. The first carbines, from the muzzle-loading muskets of the 18th century to the lever-action repeaters of the 19th, were chiefly cavalry weapons or saddle firearms for mounted frontiersmen. During World War II carbine versions of standard bolt-action or semiautomatic infantry rifles were carried by some officers, artillerymen, and other specialists. Carbine versions of modern assault rifles (such as the Russian AK-47 or the U.S. M16 rifle) are intended for close-quarter fighting, partly replacing the submachine gun. Carbine versions of hunting and target rifles are also made.

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carbine [′kär‚bēn]

(ordnance)

A rifle of short length and light weight.

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Carbine 

a short, lightweight rifle. The precursor of the carbine was invented at the end of the 15th century. From the 18th century through the first half of the 20th century it was included in the armament of the cavalry and artillery. After World War I1 (193945) the improved automatic carbine became part of the armament of most armies. Certain hunting rifles are also called carbines. [I 1–1 102–31