Carbines

Factions	Weapon	Icon	Classes	Ammo	Damage
					Normal	Headshot
VC	AMD-65		Assault Radioman	30+1 / 90	39	97
US	Gyrojet Carbine		Special Loadout Zombies	6 / 36	60	222
VC	Homemade Carbine		Special Loadout Zombies	8 / 24	38	91
VC	Karabiner 98k		Assault	5 / 20	65	156
VC	Karabiner 98k ZF-41		Assault	5 / 20	65	156
US	M1A1 Carbine		Medic Radioman	15+1 / 45	36	86
US	M1A1 Carbine SOG		Medic Radioman	15+1 / 45	36	86
US	M2 Carbine		Assault	30+1 / 90	36	86
US	M2 Carbine SOG		Assault	30+1 / 90	36	86
US	M60 Reising		Medic Engineer Radioman	20+1/60	40	104
VC	Mosin-Nagant M38		Assault	5 / 20	65	156
VC	SKS		Medic Radioman	10 / 40	43	108
US	Stoner 63A Carbine		Assault Radioman	30+1 / 90	33	82
US	Stoner 63A Car. Drum		Special Loadout Zombies	150+1 / 150	33	82
VC	Shanxi Type 17		Medic Radioman	10 / 40	42	100
VC	Type 63 Paratrooper		Assault	20+1 / 80	43	108
US	XM177E2		Assault Radioman	30+1 / 90	35	87
US	XM177E2 4x		Assault	20+1 / 60	35	87
US	XM177E2 OEG		Assault	20+1 / 60	35	87
US	XM177E2 SOG		Assault Radioman	30+1 / 90	35	87
US	XM177 OEG		Assault	20+1/60	35	87
US	XM607		Assault Radioman	30+1 / 90	35	87
US	XM607 4x		Assault	20+1 / 60	35	87
US	XM607 OEG		Assault	20+1 / 60	35	87

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Carbines are shorter, lighter long guns derived from (or comparable to) full-length rifles, intended to be easier to carry and handle in tight terrain or by troops whose primary job is not front-line rifle fighting. They often trade some muzzle velocity and long-range performance for portability, and may be chambered either for the same cartridge as a standard rifle or for a less powerful round depending on the design and era. In the Vietnam War era, compact carbines were valued for patrol work in dense vegetation, vehicle/crew use, and special operations where a full-length rifle could be cumbersome.

DEFINITION & CHARACTERISTICS

A “carbine” describes size and handling more than a single cartridge or firing system: it is typically a shortened, lighter version of a long gun meant to be handier than a standard rifle. Historically, carbines were closely associated with mounted troops and specialists who needed a compact long arm, and the concept persists in modern military usage wherever compactness is prioritized.

Common traits

• Role: A handier long gun for mounted troops, vehicle crews, support personnel, and situations where a full-length rifle is inconvenient; sometimes also issued broadly when compactness is desired.
• Typical cartridges: Varies widely—some carbines use the same cartridge as the parent rifle, while others use intermediate or otherwise reduced-power rounds depending on design and era.
• Typical fire modes: Depends on the underlying weapon family (bolt-action, semi-automatic, selective-fire, etc.); the “carbine” label does not require a specific fire mode.
• Typical feeding: Varies (internal magazine, detachable box magazine, etc.), commonly mirroring the parent design.
• Common engagement ranges: Generally emphasizes close-to-mid range handling; shorter barrels often reduce velocity and effective terminal performance at longer ranges compared with full-length rifles.
• Notable tradeoffs: Improved portability and handling versus reduced ballistic performance (velocity/energy) and sometimes increased muzzle blast/flash, depending on cartridge and barrel length.

HISTORY

The carbine concept dates back centuries as armies sought a compact long arm for cavalry and other troops who needed a firearm that was easier to carry while mounted or performing specialized duties. Over time, many military rifles appeared in both full-length and shortened “carbine” forms, reflecting ongoing tradeoffs between handling and ballistic performance. In the 20th century, the role expanded beyond cavalry: carbines became common for paratroops, vehicle crews, support troops, and any unit operating in environments where compact weapons offered practical advantages.

In the Vietnam War era, carbines appeared in multiple forms and roles. On the allied side, the U.S. M1 Carbine (and selective-fire M2 variant) continued to see service and was widely associated with advisors and South Vietnamese forces due to its light weight and compact size. Specialized compact 5.56mm carbines in the AR-15/M16 family were also developed and issued for close-in fighting and special operations, where a shorter weapon improved movement and handling in dense terrain. On the communist side, the Chinese Type 56 Carbine (a Simonov SKS-pattern semi-automatic carbine) was a widely encountered shoulder arm and was commonly described in museum collections as a favored, easy-to-use weapon among Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces.

Sources

• https://www.britannica.com/technology/carbine-weapon Carbine | Encyclopaedia Britannica
• https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carbine carbine | Merriam-Webster Dictionary
• https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object/nmah_1062834 Winchester US Carbine Model M1 Cal. .30 | Smithsonian National Museum of American History
• https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/the-m1-carbine-in-vietnam/ The M1 Carbine In Vietnam | American Rifleman
• https://museum.nps.gov/ParkObjdet.aspx?rID=SPAR++++3292%26db%3Dobjects%26dir%3DCR+AAWEB%26page%3D1 U.S. “Commando” XM177 (museum record) | National Park Service Museum Collections
• https://www.usmcmuseum.com/uploads/6/0/3/6/60364049/vietnam_marine_weapon_descriptions_-_copy.pdf Marine Corps Vietnam Gallery Weapons (Type 56 Carbine note) | National Museum of the Marine Corps

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