Understanding the Term 'Small Arms' in Military and Security Contexts

When discussing weapons in military and security contexts, the term 'small arms' often arises. This article aims to clarify the meaning of 'small arms', providing a comprehensive overview of the types of weapons that fall under this category, their defining characteristics, and the technical definitions used by organizations such as the US Army.

What Constitutes Small Arms?

Small arms are man-portable, individual-service weapons designed for one-person operation. They include a variety of firearms and non-firearm devices. This includes handguns, rifles, shotguns, submachine guns, machine guns, and grenade launchers.

When you think of 'small arms', think of guns that a person can carry into battle alone. A tank, for example, is not a small arm although it is man-portable. Instead, crew-served weapons like mortars, artillery, and heavy machine guns fall into a different category. The key characteristic of a small arm is its portable nature and the ability of a single individual to handle and operate it effectively.

Defining Small Arms by Caliber

The term 'small arms' is closely tied to the concept of caliber. Caliber refers to the diameter of a gun barrel or the size of the ammunition. In general, any weapon with a caliber under 25mm is considered a small arm.

Logisticians and military experts often use the Department of Defense Item Coding (DODIC) system to classify ammunition types. The US Army Technical Manual TM 43-0001-0027 specifically defines small arms as those with a caliber of 25mm or smaller.

Examples of Small Arms

Here are some examples of what would be considered small arms:

Handguns: Revolvers, semi-automatics, and other types of pistols. Rifles: Sniper rifles, battle rifles, assault rifles, and anti-material rifles. Shotguns. Submachine guns and machine guns, such as the PDW type, which are portable and operated by a single individual. Grenade launchers.

Some of these categories can vary based on the specific context, but the general definition remains consistent: any weapon that a person can carry and operate alone falls under the term 'small arms'.

Key Terms in Context

Understanding 'small arms' requires familiarity with related terms like 'man-portable' and 'crew-served' weapons. 'Man-portable' refers to weapons that a single individual can carry and operate in combat, while 'crew-served' weapons require multiple people to operate, including heavy machine guns and artillery.

The US Army's definition of small arms is 25mm and smaller, and this is further detailed in ammunition coding. For example:

n5.56mm M855 Ball 1305-A059 n7.62mm M61 Armor Piercing 1305-A120 nCaliber 50 M8 Armor Piercing Incendiary 1305-A531 nCartridge 25mm M791 Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot-Tracer 1305-A974

These codes provide a robust system for identifying specific types of ammunition used in small arms.

Conclusion

Understanding the term 'small arms' is crucial for anyone involved in military, security, or tactical operations. From handguns and rifles to grenade launchers and machine guns, small arms are a critical component of modern warfare and security. The definitions and classifications of these weapons are important for accurate communication and logistical support in the field.