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International Conference KNOWLEDGE-BASED ORGANIZATION Vol. XXVII No 3 2021

MODERN APPROACHES REGARDING CLASSIFICATION AND TERMINOLOGY OF UP TO 20MM IN CALIBER

Florin ILIE, Dănuț-Eugeniu MOȘTEANU, Bogdan-Mihai GEORGESCU

“Nicolae Bălcescu” Land Forces Academy, Sibiu, Romania [email protected] , [email protected] , [email protected]

Abstract: One would outright tell the differences between a and a machine . But what if the things get so much complicated so that only a minuscule detail becomes the key into telling if that piece of ordnance pertains to a specific category of arms, more precisely if it fits into a distinguished subcategory of armament. At the moment, there are indefinitely many ways of structuring firearms into certain categories, but the methods are vague and imprecise when it comes to types that are strongly related or similar. Thus, combining history records and the official texts of various institutions ensue a more complex and plausible method of firearms classification and terminology registering alike.

Keywords: , small arm, light , rifle,

1. Preliminary Terminology and the other hand, each country has its own Definitions regulations regarding civilian usage of Small arms are to be used individually and armament and it is universally accepted that light are designated as crew- a firearm means small arms and - served ordnance, while both of them are based light weapons. The same 20 mm in man-portable (figure 1). Described as such, caliber restriction applies too, but the they are systems of armament used by aspects of portability and utilization as armed forces. Small arms can occasionally purpose are not taken into consideration [1]. be met in infantry regulations as light Further on, one last class of armament can infantry weapons, whereas light weapons as be described which is not included in the heavy infantry weapons. Cartridges are UN regulations. Since it is not relevant to used by both classes, restricted to 20 mm, this study, it will only be mentioned as but grenades, rockets, missiles and heavy non -portable weapons covering projectiles are used too by some types of -like pieces, anti-aircraft and light weapons in different kind of tasks. On vehicle mounts, naval , etc. [4].

DOI: 10.2478/kbo-2021-0087 © 2015. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 3.0 License.

40 Figure 1: Small arms and Light weapons distribution, (upper blue scheme) and civilian (lower green scheme) circumstances

2. Firearms Structuring Stages repeating firearms. A self-loading firearm Diving deeper into more precise details is used when addressing the firearms that about firearms, the complexity of self-reload after each pressing of . classification increases. Once a firearm has Within this group there are mainly two been designated as whether a small arm or a types of firearms, semi-automatic and full- light weapon, the next stage will require automatic [3]. sorting it as either a or a . The fifth and the last stage into identifying The simplest distinction that confirms the and classifying a firearm will address the belonging group states that a firearm is a whole nature of it, structuring all of them handgun if it was designed to be fired from on certain categories and subcategories by one hand, not taking into consideration the merging aspects of the steps mentioned use of the second hand for damping. above. This represents the most demanding Otherwise, that piece of ordnance is a long process and also the most relevant to the gun [5]. actual study. As for every domain, there are The subsequent step will require to identify outliers and troublesome items that may the type of barrel by the presence of . divert the whole process to an inconclusive A rifled barrel will contain lands and result. The main reasons are based on lack grooves, whereas a smooth-bore barrel will of information, proprietary manufacturing not. Categories full of rifled barrel firearms or peculiar designs of firearms. can be found especially across the military For structuring a set of firearms on specific armament, but also special cases where a categories, there has to be taken into firearm may use combined types of barrels consideration certain historical limitations on civilian market [3]. as well and not just the physical The analysis continues by indicating the characteristics of a gun. The historical main type of gun by its behavior avenues will add up a new requirement: the after taking a shot. A manually-operated way it was designed and designated to be firearm refers to the case when the shooter used on the battlefield based on the conflict is required to operate the action after every era. Their evolution can be developed shot. The types of firearms that fall under around the manufacturing patterns of this specific requirement are also called firearms industry and the functionality it

41 had in relation to both world and described in the introduction of the study present day. This way, the classification can (figure 2). be organized on four historical stages, as

Figure 2. Stages of a firearm classification within SALW combined class of armament

As mentioned above, structuring firearms principle of intersection which states that on categories and subcategories represents the subcategories that fall under the main the ending phase of the analysis, but it may categories overlap with the other stages of also proceed with linking the respective classification (table 1). However, they can piece of ordnance to particular be arranged in such a way to be subdivisions. This may include criteria like independent, but not to a full scale which is subtypes of gun actions, country of origin, the aim of this part of the study. Both manufacturer, caliber, etc. [1]. groups of categories classification can be accepted when researching and studying 3. Categories and Subcategories of firearms but the level of accuracy is Firearms determined by the user need-to-know A principle to approach in this case is the criteria.

Table 1 Simplified version of firearms categories classification [3] Rifled Smooth-bore

Self-loading *Other rifled handguns *Smooth-bore handguns

Long guns Rifled Smooth-bore *Other *Other Sub- Self- Manually- Self- Manually- Machine rifled smooth- machine loading operated loading operated guns long bore long guns rifles shotguns guns guns

42 The second variant of classification is special purpose guns, manually-operated nothing more but an extended version of handguns, one-shot smooth-bore handguns, the first one. It can be observed that the etc. (table 2) [3]. third classification row can be further For every each one of the categories there expanded with rows of subcategories, thus will always be some outliers that may making it more detailed. In this case, the represent a different subcategory or may main categories have been colored in red, come as a discrepancy, different therefore it can be seen how the categories generations for a specific subcategory and intersect with the classification stages. versions likewise. A further Furthermore, the extended variant lacks the analysis will also take into account the presence of ‘other types of guns’ which possibility of structuring a subcategory of came in the last table as a completion with firearms based on their action type and also other peculiar and rare sources of on different parts that define its particular ordnance, such as handcrafted guns, characteristics as a subcategory.

Table 2 Extended version of firearms categories classification Handguns Rifled

Self-loading pistols Revolvers

Semi-automatic (MP) −

Long guns Rifled Rifles Anti-materiel Self-loading rifles Manually-operated rifles rifle (AMR) Designated Semi- Assault Battle Repeating automatic rifle − rifle rifle rifle rifle rifle (DMR)

Machine Guns General Squad Heavy Light purpose Medium Submachine automatic Automatic machine machine machine machine gun gun (SMG) weapon rifle gun gun (LMG) gun (MMG) (SAW) (HMG) (GPMG)

Smooth-bore Shotguns Self-loading shotguns Manually-operated shotguns Semi-automatic Full- − −

43 Handguns Rifles Semi-automatic pistols are divided by their Semi-automatic and repeating rifles refer to trigger action, more precisely traditional everything that has to do with civilian double-action (TDA) (also called single- ordnance whether they come with action/double-action (SA/DA) or reversed) attachments like scopes and or if and double-action only (DAO) (also they are built in a carbine variant. They can encountered as simply double-action). In a also be used in relation with the old service traditional double-action, the user has rifles of both world wars. Those rifles come access and can manually-operate the in three different versions: full length (total hammer even though it is not required, thus length between 760-810 mm), universal combining the ability of a gun to fire both short (total length between 610-660 mm) in single-action and double-action as well. and (total length between 430-510 As for double-action only, the hammer is mm). A carbine, in general, can either be a found inside the frame (‘hammerless’, as it short version of a rifle or a smaller caliber is sometimes called), it is not exposed version of a rifle, used in both civilian and outside the gun so the user cannot cock it military contexts [3]. manually at his wish. Hence, the visual and sniper rifles are difference between the two is based whether military type-only of guns when using such the gun’s hammer is visible or not to the terminology. In principle, a DMR will outside of the frame, behind the slide [5]. always be semi-automatic with a detachable Machine pistols (MP) do not benefit of any box designated to be used at a subclassification like their semi-automatic platoon level to engage targets not further counterpart, but they can be met in a carbine than 800-1000 m. It may however evolve variant too. Both types of self-loading pistols from a or be a stand-alone may come with an additional and other model. Sniper rifles are usually bolt-action possible attachments, that can be mounted to with an integral box magazine with reduced the gun, therefore transforming it into a capacity used by special trained that carbine. The only objection here is that this work in a team with a spotter to engage type of carbine does not comply to the basic targets at long distances with more definition as it only covers the fact that it precision. A is also capable to renders the gun a little longer to a carbine’s use more powerful cartridges, such as those dimension. The same applies in the case of a with 8.6 mm in caliber. The biggest modern ‘carbine conversion kit’ which only misconception between them is that a converts the handgun by mounting it into a sniper rifle can also be semi-automatic, metallic frame or assembly in order to depending on the respective army table of improve its accuracy and handling. organization and equipment, but it can as Moreover, self-loading pistols can be found well be an anti-materiel rifle used by case. in another variation that takes into Therefore, both terms are relative to how consideration the hammer design, a pistol they are actually distributed by armies and being either hammer-fired or striker-fired. used on the battlefield by their operators. The striker-fired ones are true ‘hammerless’ Anti-materiel rifles have been manufactured since the hammer is missing and the main across the years both in semi-automatic and spring is acting directly on the firing pin, a repeating actions, hence, they could not be variation that can be found on the newest cataloged in one of the latter categories. designs of double-action only semi-automatic They are a special type of rifles primarily pistols. On the other hand, a hammer-fired used by snipers either to engage targets at type has its sequence of fire realized after the long-range or behind soft armor or to use hammer interacts with the firing pin, driving against military equipment. Their history is it into the cartridge primer [1]. that they evolved from the now obsolete anti-

44 tank rifles used in the last century against taking into account the SMGs) only the enemy armored trucks and tanks. Their light, medium and heavy ones, there are caliber is the largest to be found for the outliers that may form other different infantry that does not exceed the 20 mm gap subcategories [3]: between light and heavy weapons, although - : there are anti-material rifles developed in 20 intermediate caliber, magazine and belt fed, mm caliber, but they are rather called fired; ‘’ instead of ‘rifles’ [1]. - : rifle caliber, The last but not the least, the assault and magazine fed with limited capacity, battle rifles were and are standard army rifles shoulder or hip fired, minimal sustained fire used since the Second World up to capacity; today. An must be capable of - : rifle caliber, belt , to use intermediate cartridges fed (magazine in certain instances), bipod via detachable box magazines and to have an fired; effective range of at least 300 m. They have - General purpose machine gun: rifle carbine versions as mentioned some caliber, belt fed, bipod and tripod fired, paragraphs above and a civilian variant of an quick-change barrel; assault rifle is often called . In - Medium machine gun: rifle caliber, contrast, a battle rifle is more powerful using belt fed, tripod fired, air cooled; rifle-caliber cartridges thus attaining longer - : rifle caliber, effective ranges, but their selective fire belt fed, tripod fired, water cooled, minimal capability is not a must anymore. They were portability, later evolved into large caliber, used as standard rifles only during the Cold air cooled heavy machine guns. War Era as they were gradually phased out by the more maneuverable assault rifle. There Shotguns are instances in which an old war semi- Firstly, shotgun barrels can be full length or automatic rifle may be called a battle rifle can be sawn-off which dictate the gun’s only for its specifications, the misconception overall dimension. Even though a sawn-off here being the fact that its period of usage has shotgun is still a debatable subject been wrongly admitted [2]. nowadays whether it is to be categorized as a handgun or as a long gun based on its Machine Guns dimension, a sawn-off shotgun is still a Sub-machine guns were first developed shotgun after all. Secondly, they may come during WWI, gradually evolving through in different numbers, one (often named as the last century. They can be structured on single-shot shotgun), two (double-barreled three main generations, more precisely the shotgun) or more (rare and peculiar First World War and Interwar period as the occasions), or even combined (smooth-bore first generation, the Second World War and and rifled barrels together, but the gun is Postwar period as the second generation still considered a shotgun). Lastly, a and the modern-day period as the third shotgun can have its barrels positioned in generation. One particular subcategory of two ways, side-by-side and over-under SMGs is known as Personal defense (when considering a double-barreled weapon (PDW), is included in the third shotgun) [5]. The latter two instances are generation and is divided in two types: with only applied to the shotguns which have a armor-piercing capability and as a break-action/open (breech-loaded) type of holsterable SMG not intended for front-line action and all cases of barrels types are combat (bigger than pistols, smaller than together analyzed only for manually- SMGs, but not a machine pistol) [2]. operated shotguns. Even though the entire machine guns Shotguns borrow the rifles’ action types in category of arms can be composed of (not the exact same manner with little to no

45 difference. The self-loading shotguns are higher capacity magazine. Both are usually either semi-automatic or full-automatic, just encountered nowadays in 12-gauge caliber. like their rifled counterparts. A manually- shells can be used in both operated shotgun, on the other hand, may military and law enforcement contexts, in come down with variations regarding its the latter less lethal shells being used too. A action type, but with some principles of unique aspect for a is based operation developed for rifles too, bolt- on its capability of mounting , action and lever-action to be precise. There hence its name as ‘trench shotgun’ used are also two action types used only for during [1]. shotguns, break-action/open (breech- loaded) and pump-action (slide-action), the 4. Conclusions latter being the last one to be developed and Classifying ordnance has always been a massively used today and also the most troublesome operation as it does not rely on unique in terms of shotguns [5]. Breech- fixed definitions. Even if UN offer us some loaded shotguns may be considered an equal starting points regarding firearms, small with the rifles that are loaded through their arms and light weapons, there are still many breech part of the barrel. There are instances gaps to fill along the way. when history retained examples of revolving The actual study has its main aim into shotguns, the first models being developed taking those offered and completing them around the middle of XIX century, their with a full classification up the way to production continuing even nowadays. subcategories of armament. Stages of Usually, law enforcement has at its disposal classification have been followed through riot shotguns, also named defensive this process, thus establishing a guideline shotguns, whereas armies make use of for persons which show interest not only for combat shotguns. There is no straight line understanding how firearms have been that can divide the two terms. A riot manufactured across the years, but also for shotgun can have a usage by military professionals and historians who are personnel and law enforcement in door studying them. breaching applications and riot control, and All technical papers would not be complete civilians too as a home defense weapon. A without any historical reference. Firearms combat shotgun is typically used by armies history stretches for almost a millennium, either as an offensive gun or as a door but only starting with the Industrial breaching weapon. Characteristically Revolution they started to become more speaking, a has a shorter barrel diverse and complex. Both world wars and between 14 to 20 inches, reduced magazine the years that followed developed new ways capacity and it is considered less effective and tactics of waging war, directly in range compared to a combat shotgun that influencing the firearms industry. Not is made to be effective at around 70 m or considering such steps would only result in more depending on the pellet size, with its failure for a detailed classification. longer barrel, at around 20 inches, and a

References List [1] Ilie, F., Trocan, C., – Arme Mici (Small Arms) în Armatele Moderne, Editura Academiei Forţelor Terestre „Nicolae Bălcescu”, Sibiu, 2017. [2] Popenker, M. & Williams A.G. (2012). Sub-machine Gun: The Development of sub- machine guns and their from World War I to the present day. Ramsbury: The Crowood Press. [3] Small Arms Survey. (2018). An Introductory Guide to the Identification of Small Arms, Light Weapons, and Associated Ammunition, pp. 28-81. Geneva: Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies.

46 [4] United Nations. (2005). International Instrument to Enable States to Identify and Trace, in a Timely and Reliable Manner, Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons, A/CONF.192/15, pp. 2-3. [5] Walker, R.E. (2013). Cartridges and firearms identification. New York City: CRC Press.

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