Ablaster carbine was a shortened variant of an already existing weapon, traditionallyblaster rifles. An individual who specialized at using carbines was known as acarbineer.
A blaster carbine had a shortbarrel and compact two-handed grip, making it look more like a long pistol than a rifle.[2] Carbines offered distinct advantages from other weapons. First and foremost, they were generally shorter and lighter than their heavier cousins, and allowed for more capabilities especially in confined environments;[1] they also had a faster rate of fire than a typical blaster rifle. In addition, carbines were often cheaper to produce than ordinary rifles. In exchange for these advantages however, they had a shorter range, less accuracy[1] and less stopping power. Blaster carbines had a short-rangestun setting as well as an autofire setting, which allowed the weapon to fire multiple shots at a greater area instead of the more accurate single-shot mode. The blaster carbine cost 850credits without a retractable stock and 900 credits with that accessory. Its ownership and use was regulated by local authorities.[2]
Some blaster carbines, such as theE5 blaster carbine used byB1 battle droids, had aretractable stock. When the stock was folded, it allowed the user to treat the weapon as a one-handed pistol. When the stock was extended, the user could treat the weapon more like a rifle with greater range. However, the extended stock required that the weapon be used with two hands to be used properly.[2]
History[]
Despite these disadvantages, carbines were generally simpler and easier to use thanrifles, and were therefore very popular with unskilled thugs or civilian owners looking for simplicity, ruggedness and ease of use. They were frequently used by nomads such as theTusken Raiders ofTatooine.[1] Many a frontier homeowner had a carbine for home security.Owen Lars owned a blaster carbine at hishomestead on Tatooine for defense against marauding Tusken Raiders. However, many people skilled in ranged weapons often preferred these weapons as well. They were often issued to walker assault teams.[1]
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