What does "fire rate" indicate in a firearm's specifications?

In the context of firearm specifications, "fire rate" specifically refers to the number of rounds a firearm can discharge within a given timeframe, typically expressed in rounds per minute. This measurement is crucial for understanding a firearm’s performance and capability in different situations, such as combat scenarios or competitive shooting. A higher fire rate can indicate a firearm's ability to deliver rapid succession of shots, which can be advantageous in both tactical and practical applications.

This understanding of fire rate helps shooters and military personnel assess how effectively they can use a firearm in various environments. It is important to note that this does not relate to a firearm's effective range, ammunition size, or the stopping power of rounds, which are separate specifications altogether. Each of those criteria measures different characteristics of a firearm and its ammunition, rather than its rapidity in discharging rounds.