Rifle vs. Gun

[Joe W]

I must admit that I have called "handguns" guns, "shotguns" guns and even some "rifles" guns, but I have never called the U.S. Rifle Cal. .30 M1, a gun. Guess because it was drummed into my head close to 60 years ago, by Parris Island D.I.'s, that "this is my rifle", and I had better never call my RIFLE a GUN. Some of these D.I.'s may have been uneducated, but that may have been because they were on some pacific island or defending some hill in Korea, while others were getting there college degree.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Seaspriter]

In the Navy, our terminology differed a bit from the Army. Our destroyer's "big guns" referred to our 5 inch 54 which could put a shell over a small mountain range on the Ho Chi Min Trail 15 miles inland, firing at 45-50 rounds a minute (it was designed for 60 r/m, but jammed at that speed). These were dwarfed by the "really big guns" on the cruisers. I recall the first time on duty on the firing line when eight ships -- several cruisers, destroyers, and frigates -- let loose with "gun fire support" barrage almost simultaneously that sent a shock wave that shuddered our ship.

Never did I hear the gunner's mates refer to our "guns" as "rifles" -- the differentiating term was "small arms" meaning anything that could be carried by hand. And small arms, including BARs, M-1s, and 1911 45 ACPs, were kept in the "weapons locker." Any handgun was referred to as a pistol, probably harking back to the days when pistols were flintlocks. Anyone specializing in weaponry was a "gunners mate."

Despite all these references, I must put the greatest credence in the observation of the well respected, indefatigable Mae West: "Is that a gun in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?"