DEFINATION

nadon

February 20, 2003 03:55

Does anyone know, by the Federal standards, at what point a carbine becomes a rifle and visa versa? I have asked the National Firearms Museum and they refered me to the BATF publication ATF 5300.4. I found this not to be very much help. Is the transition based on caliber, barrel length, etc. Thanks,

nadon

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  nmyers

  February 20, 2003 05:30

  There is no "standard" to distinguish a carbine from a rifle. Federal law & ATF regulations do not define a carbine.
  
  Neal

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  competentone

  February 20, 2003 05:36

  I don't believe there is a specific "legal" definition for the term "carbine."
  
  The government just designates between "long guns," handguns, shotguns and various "Class 3" (special licensing required) firearms--Class 3 includes a "short barrel rifle" catagory.
  
  I'd just rely on the dictionary for the "authority" definition of a carbine.
  
  If anyone knows otherwise, please correct me.

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  lrarmsx

  February 20, 2003 05:53

  A long gun must have at least a 16" barrel if it is a rifle/carbine and 18" if it is a shotgun. As to the specific difference between a rifle and a carbine, that is just a shorter or longer version of that particular gun. In certain models (AR 15's) the carbine is 16.5" and the rifle 20". In other guns (older lever actions) the carbine is 20" and the rifle 24". In newer ones, the carbine is 16.5", the rifle 20", and the long rifle 24". So there is no specific length that designates a carbine, just the shorter of the two or more options.

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