# Firearm Types There are several types of [[Firearm|firearms]] which can be distinguished by their intended usage or by the [[cartridge]] or [[calibre]] they fire. Firearms can also be distinguished by their configuration, which can be different between firearms of the same type. Additionally, firearms may be distinguished by the design of their [[action]]. ## Handgun In general, *handguns* are firearms which can be operated with a single hand. They are typically employed as sidearms or as concealed carry weapons. Handguns can be differentiated into two main types, pistols and revolvers. ### Pistol In colloquial usage, *pistols* are handguns which have a single [[Firearm#^175cb3|chamber]] integrated in the rear of the barrel, typically loaded with [[Firearm#^59a18a|magazine]]. The term 'pistol' is technically synonymous with 'handguns' and originally a revolver was described as a 'revolving pistol'. The most common form of modern pistol is a *semi-automatic* pistol, whilst automatic pistols are typically called *machine pistols*. ![[M1911A1.svg]] *M1911A1, a semi-automatic pistol* > [!List of pistols] > - [[Beretta 92]] > - [[Desert Eagle]] > - [[Five-seveN]] > - [[Glock]] > - [[M1911]] > - [[USP]] ### Revolver A *revolver* is a handgun containing several [[Firearm#^175cb3|chambers]] loaded with cartridges in a revolving cylinder and at least one barrel. Cocking the [[Firearm#^ecad38|hammer]] rotates the cylinder until the next chamber aligns with the barrel, readying the revolver in the firing position. In almost all revolvers the cocking of the hammer is done as a separate part of the action, as opposed to being automatic as in a semi-automatic firearm. The method in which the hammer is cocked depends on the type of trigger used. - *Single-action* - the trigger only releases the hammer and thus it must be cocked by the operator - *Double-action* - the trigger both cocks and releases the hammer in the same motion - *Double-action/single-action* - the hammer can be cocked by the operator or the trigger ## Long gun A *long gun* is a firearm with a longer barrel and is designed to be fired while held by two hands and braced against the body. The [[Firearm#^29db41|receiver]] is either mounted in a [[Firearm#^4d1a59|stock]] or forms part of the body with the stock at the rear. ### Rifle A *rifle* is a long gun designed for accurate long range shooting and higher stopping power [[Cartridge|cartridges]]. Originally, rifles were referred to as *rifled guns*, so called due to the rifling present in their barrels. However, rifling is now present in most modern firearms and thus the older term and definition is no longer used. There are several types of rifle, typically distinguished by their usage. #### Automatic rifle An *automatic rifle* is a rifle that has *automatic fire* capabilities. Automatic rifles are typically also capable selective fire and are further distinguished as assault or battle rifles. Today, the term is most commonly used to specifically denote rifles which are automatic fire capable, but not select fire. > [!NOTE] List of automatic rifles > - [[M1918 BAR]] #### Assault rifle An *assault rifle* is a rifle firing *intermediate cartridges* from a [[Firearm#^59a18a|magazine]] and has *selective fire* capabilities. The term is derived from the German word *Sturmgewehr*, first used to describe the StG 44 which was originally designated the Machinepistole 43, or 'submachine gun 43'. ![[G36.svg]] *G36* > [!List of assault rifles] > - [[AK-47]] > - [[AUG]] > - [[G36]] > - [[M4 Carbine]] > - [[M16]] #### Battle rifle *"Battle rifle"* is a retroactive term used to describe rifles chambered in *full power cartridges*. It was created to distinguish full-powered rifles from the then-new intermediate-powered assault rifles. Battle rifles are similar in design to assault rifles but are not always capable of fully automatic fire. The term typically includes full-powered semi-automatic rifles but excludes bolt-action rifles. ![[M14.svg]] *M14* > [!List of battle rifles] > - [[M14]] > - [[Mk 14 EBR]] #### Carbine A *carbine* is typically a rifle converted to a *shortened version* with a *reduced barrel length* and/or overall shorter bodies, though this is not always the case; some carbines are designed from scratch. Carbines are smaller in size and lighter than the rifles they are derived from while still firing the same cartridge, allowing for them to fill close-quarter combat roles without forgoing standardised ammunition. ![[G36CandG36.svg]] *G36C, 228 mm barrel; G36, 480 mm barrel* #### Designated marksman rifle A *designated marksman rifle* or *DMR* is a high-precision rifle designed for use by a designated marksman as a part of a squad. As such, these rifles are *typically semi-automatic* and less unwieldy than sniper rifles to allow for use at close quarters if necessary. By comparison they are more similar to sniper rifles than other rifles within a squad, and fill the range gap between those weapons. Most designated marksman rifles are designed based on existing assault rifles or battle rifles. ![[Mk14EBR-RI.svg]] *Mk 14 EBR-RI* > [!List of designated marksman rifles] > - [[Mk 14 EBR]] #### Sniper rifle A *sniper rifle* is a *high-power, high-precision rifle* with range capabilities exceeding that of other rifles. Although some rifles can adopt a sniper configuration with a telescoping sight and a bipod, most sniper rifles are purpose-built. ![[AWM.svg]] *AWM* > [!List of sniper rifles] > - [[Arctic Warfare]] ### Machine gun A *machine gun* is a long gun that is designed to provide *sustained fire* of intermediate or full-power cartridges, typically for the purpose of suppressive fire. Machine guns are fed from belts or larger magazines such as box and drum magazines and possess a high rate of fire. Machines guns are categorised into three weights: - *Light machine gun* - fires intermediate cartridges and can be operated by an individual, typically magazine fed - *Medium machine gun* - fires full-powered cartridges and is usually operated by a crew, typically belt-fed - *Heavy machine gun* - not infantry-portable and is mounted to a platform for use ![[M249.svg]] *M249 Para, a variant of the FN Minimi light machine gun* > [!NOTE] List of machine guns > - [[M1918 BAR]] ### Submachine gun A *submachine gun* or SMG is a long gun with automatic fire capability designed to fire *handgun cartridges*. They are designed for use in close-quarters combat and are small, light, and cheap. However, they typically lack the necessary penetration ability to defeat modern body armour. A submachine gun capable of operation with one hand may be called a 'machine pistol' instead. Personal defence weapons may also be described as submachine guns. ![[MP5.svg]] *MP5* > [!List of submachine guns] > - [[MAC-10]] > - [[MP5]] > - [[MP7]] > - [[MP9]] > - [[MPX]] > - [[Scorpion EVO 3]] > - [[UZI]] ### Personal defence weapon A *personal defence weapon* or PDW is a compact long gun designed to fire a cartridge between the size of a pistol and rifle cartridges, known as *sub-intermediate cartridges*. Compared to similarly sized submachine guns they are more capable of defeating modern body armour and compared to carbines and short-barrelled rifles they possess lower recoil. Personal defence weapons may also simply be referred to as submachine guns. ### Shotgun A *shotgun* is a long gun that typically possesses a *smoothbore* barrel, that is, it lacks rifling and are thus most effective at short ranges. They fire *straight-walled cartridges* which contain numerous spherical sub-projectiles combined as a shot or a single solid projectile known as a slug. ![[SPAS-12.svg]] *SPAS-12* > [!List of shotguns] > - [[Benelli M4]] > - [[SPAS-12]] ## Bullpup A *bullpup* firearm is a firearm configured such that the [[action]] and magazine is *behind* the trigger. Their receiver effectively serves as the rear of the stock. Bullpup firearms can preserve the *same barrel lengths* as other firearms whilst having a *shorter overall length*. ![[AUG.svg]] *AUG A1* > [!List of bullpup firearms] > - [[AUG]]