Riffles Long Guns and Short Guns
The terms “rifle,” “long gun,” and “short gun” are often used interchangeably, but they actually have different meanings.
- Rifle: A rifle is a long gun that has a rifled barrel. A rifled barrel is one that has spiral grooves cut into it, which imparts a spin on the bullet as it travels down the barrel. This spin helps the bullet to stay stable in flight, which improves accuracy.
Rifle gun
- Long gun: A long gun is any firearm that has a barrel that is longer than 16 inches. This includes rifles, shotguns, and some types of carbines.
Long gun
- Short gun: A short gun is any firearm that has a barrel that is shorter than 16 inches. This includes pistols, some types of carbines, and some types of shotguns.
Short gun
In the United States, the terms “rifle” and “long gun” are often used interchangeably, but there is a legal distinction between the two. In the United States, rifles are classified as “long guns,” but not all “long guns” are rifles. For example, a shotgun with a barrel that is longer than 16 inches is considered a “long gun,” but it is not a rifle.
The term “short gun” is not as commonly used as the terms “rifle” and “long gun,” but it is still a valid term. Short guns are typically used for self-defense or for hunting small game. Riffles Long Guns and Short Guns
It is important to note that the terms “rifle,” “long gun,” and “short gun” can vary depending on the country or jurisdiction. In some countries, the terms may have different meanings.