Editing Carbine (section)

==Usage==
The smaller size and relative lighter weight of carbines makes them easier to handle in close-quarter situations such as [[urban warfare|urban]] engagements, when deploying from military vehicles, or in any situation where space is confined. The disadvantages of carbines relative to rifles include inferior long-range accuracy and a shorter effective range. These comparisons refer to carbines (short-barreled rifles) of the same power and class as the regular full-sized rifles.

Compared to submachine guns, carbines have a greater effective range and are capable of penetrating [[Combat helmet|helmet]]s and [[Personal armor|body armor]] when used with [[armor-piercing ammunition]].<ref name="defensereview.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.defensereview.com/submachine-guns-smgs-outpaced-by-today%E2%80%99s-modern-short-barreled-rifles-sbrssub-carbines-or-still-a-viable-tool-for-close-quarters-battleclose-quarters-combat-cqbcqc/ |title=Submachine Guns (SMG's): Outpaced by Today's Modern Short-Barreled Rifles (SBR's)/Sub-Carbines, or Still a Viable Tool for Close Quarters Battle/Close Quarters Combat (CQB/CQC)? |last=Gurwitch |first=Jeff |date=December 11, 2011 |website=Defense Review |access-date=September 26, 2018}}</ref> However, submachine guns are still used by [[special forces|military special forces]] and [[SWAT|police SWAT teams]] for close quarters battle because they are "a pistol caliber weapon that's easy to control, and less likely to over-penetrate the target."<ref name="defensereview.com"/> Also, carbines are harder to maneuver in tight encounters where superior range and [[stopping power]] at distance are not great considerations.

Firing the same ammunition as standard-issue rifles or pistols gives carbines the advantage of standardization over those [[personal defense weapon]]s that require proprietary [[Cartridge (firearms)|cartridges]].

The modern usage of the term carbine covers much the same scope as it always had, namely lighter weapons (generally rifles) with barrels up to {{convert|20|in}} in length. These weapons can be considered carbines, while rifles with barrels longer than {{convert|20|in}} are generally not considered carbines unless specifically named so. Conversely, many rifles have barrels ''shorter'' than 20 inches, yet are not considered carbines. The AK series rifles has an almost universal barrel length of {{convert|16.3|in}}, well within carbine territory, yet has always been considered a rifle, perhaps because it was designed as such and not shortened from a longer weapon. Modern carbines use ammunition ranging from that used in light pistols up to powerful rifle cartridges, with the usual exception of high-velocity magnum cartridges. In the more powerful cartridges, the short barrel of a carbine has significant disadvantages in velocity, and the high residual pressure, and frequently still-burning powder and gases, when the bullet exits the barrel results in substantially greater [[Muzzle flash|muzzle blast]]. [[Flash suppressor]]s are a common, partial solution to this problem, although even the best flash suppressors are hard put to deal with the excess flash from the still-burning powder leaving the short barrel (and they also add several inches to the length of the barrel, diminishing the purpose of having a short barrel in the first place).