carabine

A carabine, or carbine, is a firearm with a shorter barrel and overall length than a standard rifle, designed for easier handling, transport, and use in close-quarters or mobile situations. Carabines are typically chambered for the same rifled cartridges as their longer counterparts or for intermediate cartridges, and they usually feature a stock and a detachable magazine. The main distinction is size and weight, which improve mobility and rapid handling at the cost of some velocity and effective range.

Historically, carbines emerged to equip cavalry, scouts, and reserve troops who required lighter, more maneuverable firearms. They gained prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as military forces adopted shorter, easier-to-manage rifles for various specialties. In the mid-20th century, the M1 Carbine became a widely issued example in World War II and after, popular for its balance of light weight and firepower. In modern military and police use, carbines such as the AR-15/M4 family and various bolt-action designs remain standard for personnel who need a compact rifle with rifle-caliber performance.

Designs vary—bolt-action, lever-action, and semi-automatic or select-fire configurations are common. Barrels are typically shorter than those of full-length service rifles, generally around 16–20 inches, which reduces muzzle velocity somewhat but increases maneuverability and ease of use in confined spaces. Carabines are also popular in civilian hunting, sport shooting, and law enforcement for their versatility and controllability.

Overall, the carbine represents a class of compact rifles optimized for portability without sacrificing the fundamental characteristics of rifle cartridges.