SKS: Rifle or Carbine?
- Thread starter cyclone
- Start date
Actually, carbine refers to the length. It has nothing to do with the weapon being rifled or not. The original carbines were smoothbores issued to calvary. For example: http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/489/1/AAM-530
Considering that the Russians developed it and officially named it a carbine, then I guess we could be safe in calling it that. Carbine is really a loose term. It is usually refered to as a shortened version of an existing rifle. Or, a shorter than normal rifle that is presently carried. The second term may apply more than the first to the SKS. However (there is always a however), the design was taken from an earlier developed anti tank gun. So the first defenition would apply. Take your pick but it is a carbine.
BeaverMeat
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nanaimo, B.C.
I believe, by definition it's a rifle. But, the modified Chinese Type56s for the U.S. market; SKS-M and paratrooper variants are carbines.
Think Gew98 and Kar98K. Same design, but one has a shorter barrel.
Think Gew98 and Kar98K. Same design, but one has a shorter barrel.
Eaglelord17
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Sault Ste. Marie
The SKS is a carbine because it was designated a carbine.
A VZ 24 is a rifle because it was designated a rifle despite being basically the same length as a K98k which was designated a carbine.
Carbines is a general term originally used to signify a shorter rifle (or musket) for use with cavalry. Over time we have adapted this definition to just signify a shorter rifle.
A VZ 24 is a rifle because it was designated a rifle despite being basically the same length as a K98k which was designated a carbine.
Carbines is a general term originally used to signify a shorter rifle (or musket) for use with cavalry. Over time we have adapted this definition to just signify a shorter rifle.
gewehr76
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
If length is a determinant, is the M-16 a rifle ?...
Original M16A1 was a 20 inch barrel carbine. Because the common length of all carbine barrels at the time was roughly 20". Now its considered to be a rifle.
If you put together side by side M16A1, SKS, Jungle Carbine, Mosin M44 and Swedish M38 and lean them against the wall , they all will be almost same length. That's why M16 is a carbine
Original M16A1 was a 20 inch barrel carbine. Because the common length of all carbine barrels at the time was roughly 20". Now its considered to be a rifle.
If you put together side by side M16A1, SKS, Jungle Carbine, Mosin M44 and Swedish M38 and lean them against the wall , they all will be almost same length. That's why M16 is a carbine
Last edited:
Ar180shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ottawa, ON
Just curious how you'd really categorize it...and why.
...........................
Самозарядный карабин системы Симонова
Self-loading carbine, system of Simonov.
Ar180shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ottawa, ON
If length is a determinant, is the M-16 a rifle ?...
Carbine is a relative term, and it's hard to determine a hard definition. I would classify the M16 as a rifle because of the prevalence of the M4 Carbine.
