Faulkner,Very informative post.Thank you

I have no experience with the rifle or cartridge but I have been using the Hornday 90 gr. XTP in other .308 rifles including .30-30, .300 Savage and .308 Winchester. I think this bullet should be perfect in the .30 Carbine, if the rifle will feed it.

Dave Sinko

I recall reading that the problems incurred with the failures to kill in Korea against the enemy wearing quilted coats was that our troops were not properly trained or equipped to fight in this element, and many of them uh, improvised solutions to meet their tactical needs. One of these solutions included stretching springs to increase the cyclic rate of the m1 carbine probably in hopes of making a semiautomatic function somewhat more like a fully automatic weapon, or perhaps to encourage better function from a weapon that was functioning sluggishly due to the wrong type of lubricant for that type of weather.

I have giving thought lately to building an AR-15 rifle from scratch as a project, but I'm a real tight-wad as well as a pragmatic, and I already own a nice inland M1 carbine for recreation and HD. I am thinking more and more of devoting the AR-15 build funds towards a Choate folding stock, a nice red dot scope, and a stock pile of ammo and reloading supplies first. Any advice from the forum would be welcomed and greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Regards,

Dave

1+ on Faulkner's post - thanks

Also check out: http://www.m1carbinesinc.com

I was considering getting one a while ago but opted not to after to talking to some folks and a friend who ones at least one. A few of the issues he mentioned were the magazines - feeding issues - he has several mags but basically has one or two he reuses/trusts. Buying ammo locally can be an issue at times. That said he enjoys shooting it and describes it as a fun piece.

Not being an armorer the age of the rifles/parts was a concern, I did not want my home self defense rifle to suffer a metal fatigue/breakage issue when I need it the most. Kahr arms, under one of their affiliates, currently is the only company manufacturing new M1 Carbines, but from what I have read their parts are not interchangeable with older ones (not sure about the mags though).

Then there is the political concern over "assault" bans.

I think the ballistics of the M1 carbine for a home rifle are OK by me.

Another thing to I considered is how many calibers was I willing to keep around the house and in a pinch what will I be able to grab and go.

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When you tested it against armor, did you have the vests laying/hanging flat, or did you have them wrapped around a dead animal, block of clay or similar? Was it just straight on that penetratred, or angled shots as well?

You might want to test them against IIIA vests, or ones uparmored to the equivalent there of (extra panels inserted into German flak vests). Penetration is probably going to be iffy against these. This is roughly the standard protection level of the military vests that are all over Ebay and would be commonly encountered in the OP's "SHTF" clause.

What brand of commercial 20s did you find that worked?

I also believe that the M1 Carbine is more than adequate for self defense.
I have two. One is a box stock as issued Inland. The other is a Standard Products that has been modified for zombie duty.



BTW: my G.I. 30 round mags function perfectly.

With soft points it is a most reliable man stopper, lightweight, and accurate. If ammo price was a consideration I'd have to give the nod to an SKS but for coolness the M1 Carbine has it.

I don't see anything wrong with it. That 110gr bullet in the right configuration and velocity will certainly do the job. Light, handy and built to withstand combat,,whats not to like. Parts are still all over the place should you need any. Aftermarket accessorys too.

I took the mag followers out of a couple of 30rd mags and put them into 15rd mags so they hold the bolt open on the last shot. Still take 15rds, but maybe some of the followers might not allow it,,don't know for sure.

The 30rd mags look neat but the GI Issue 15rd mags always worked perfectly for me. Some of the 30rd mags work great,,others not so good.
If you do any follower switching, make sure they still do function 100% before you stake your life on them though.

I bought a Winchester with lots of GI ammo, mags, sling, canvas case,,etc back a ways for $400. Never tempted to sell that one but a couple of others have come and gone.

M1 carbine in tacticool garb. I like it.

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- Change it back -

Sometimes the followers are the only part of use in a cannibalization. Decent springs and feed lips that haven't been horked up. You can "make" last round hold open followers yourself out of the G.I. ones. Making that then a feature available for use in any round count magazine.

Personally, I don't get the purpose of the bolt hold open magazine follower for a M1 carbine. As soon as you pull the magazine out the bolt slams shut anyway.

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- Change it back -

I agree.
It seems to be a feature some like though?

Some people like the visual indication that the magazine has run dry and should be replaced with a full one as the situation warrants.

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You're shy a few manners.