The long rifle, also known as the Kentucky rifle, Pennsylvania rifle, or American long rifle, is a muzzle-loading firearm used for hunting and warfare. It was one of the first commonly-used rifles. The American rifle was characterized by a very long barrel of relatively small caliber, uncommon in European rifles of the period.
Long rifle
Long rifles of various Pennsylvania and Massachusetts manufacturers displayed at the Huntington Museum of Art
A rifle is a long-barreled firearm designed for accurate shooting and higher stopping power, with a barrel that has a helical pattern of grooves (rifling) cut into the bore wall. In keeping with their focus on accuracy, rifles are typically designed to be held with both hands and braced firmly against the shooter's shoulder via a buttstock for stability during shooting. Rifles are used extensively in warfare, law enforcement, hunting and target shooting sports.
Common rifles from the mid-to-late 20th century of various types and configurations, displayed at the National Firearms Museum in Virginia, United States. From top to bottom: FAMAS, vz. 52 rifle, CAR-15, M40, SVD rifle, RK 62, Type 56
Names of parts of the M1 Garand rifle, World War II era, from US Army field manual
Rifling in a .35 Remington microgroove rifled barrel
Girdled bullet and twin rifle groove of the Brunswick rifle, mid-19th century