Small arms

The term small arms describes firearms that an individual soldier can easily carry and operate by himself. These are generally weapons such as revolvers, pistols, submachine guns, shotguns, carbines, assault rifles, rifles, squad automatic weapons and light machine guns.

Related Topics:
Firearm - Soldier - Revolver - Pistol - Submachine gun - Shotgun - Carbine - Assault rifle - Rifle - Squad automatic weapon - Light machine gun

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

These are different from light weapons, such as heavy machine guns, grenade launchers, man-portable anti-tank and anti-aircraft guns and missile launchers, recoilless rifles, and mortars with calibers of less than 100 mm (3.9 inches). These weapons usually require a crew of two or more individuals to carry and operate, launch explosive projectiles, or both.

Related Topics:
Heavy machine gun - Grenade launcher - Anti-tank - Anti-aircraft - Recoilless rifle - Mortar - Caliber - Projectile

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

See small arms proliferation issues for the international movement to restrict the sale of military-grade small arms in conflict zones.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

See also: list of firearms

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~