Carbine

[Uncle Bob]

M16s are called "Rifles" by the U.S. Army, but are often considered carbines. I deliberately put the break at 50 cm (20 inches) because of the ambiguity. Much shorter is definately a carbine, longer is definately a rifle.

The Kar 98 may have been called a Karbiner, but it had a 60 cm barrel, compared to 61 cm for a M1903 Springfield or M1 Garand. The SMLE no 4 was 64 cm, but French rifles, Moisin Nagants, the FN FAL, and the M14 have barrel lengths between 50 and 60 cm. I think the 98s designation as "Karabiner" as an aberation.

The AR18 and the G3 are between 45 and 50 cm, so 50 cm may be a bit high. The American M1 carbine has a 46 cm barrel, the SKS 52 cm, SMGs ("Machine carbines") 20-30 cm. The StG 44 and the AKM 42 cm, the American M4 37 cm. Lever-action Winchester rifles had 60 cm barrels, Winchester carbines 50 cm (Trapper Carbines, IIRC, 33 cm.)

That 50 cm division is looking less arbitrary the harder I look at it.

 

[Uncle Bob]

This could be a Traveller Carbine, but using TL7 engineering and materials
KelTec SU-16CA empty weight of 2.1 Kg. 30 rd of 5.56 and a 41 cm barrel.

CA stands for "California". Fixed not folding stock, 10 rd magazines for people living in the People's Republic of Kalifornia.

 

[mike wightman]

The same site also offers this.

And it's worth taking a look at the other members of the SU-16 family - the delta model looks neat.

 

[Uncle Bob]

I am not impressed with pistol-cartridge carbines. How about a carbine-cartridge pistol the plr16 long-range pistol.

 

[mike wightman]

Hmm, recoil aside, what would the muzzle flash from this thing look like?

It looks quite futuristic though.
Bet it appears as a prop in a sci-fi TV show or movie before too long...

 

[mike wightman]

I wonder if you could attach an M203 or an XM-26 to it?

 

[Uncle Bob]

Recoil about like a 3 lb .45 ACP, not bad at all. Muzzle flash and blast horrendous. The friend who told me about it wants one. He has enough disposable income he might do it. I will report if he does.