19th century carbine

A carbine is a type of firearm that is similar to a rifle but is shorter and has a shorter barrel. The word "carbine" comes from the French word "carabine," which means "small rifle." Carbines are typically used by military and law enforcement personnel, as well as by civilian shooters. They are often used by soldiers in situations where a full-size rifle would be too cumbersome, such as in close-quarters combat or when riding horseback. They are also used by law enforcement as a shorter alternative to a rifle for close-quarters combat or for non-lethal force. Carbines typically fire the same ammunition as a rifle, but due to the shorter barrel, they have less range and accuracy than a rifle. They also tend to have a slightly lower recoil than a full-size rifle, making them easier to control.