Unrifled (Adjective)
Meaning
Of a firearm; not having rifling or internal spiral grooves inside the barrel.
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- Shotguns were traditionally unrifled, relying on the spread of shot as it left the barrel to increase the chance of hitting a target.
- Many older smoothbore muskets were unrifled and relied on a limited range for accurate shooting.
- The unrifled barrel of the muzzle-loading cannon caused its projectiles to travel in unpredictable paths.
- Early firearms often had unrifled barrels, making them less accurate than their modern counterparts.
- The unrifled shotgun barrel spread the shot over a wide area, making it ideal for hunting small game.