How many of you old time Police Officers carried either an M1 or M2 carbine with you when you were working? When I started in 1969 I carried a personally owned Model 19 and a folding stocked M1A1 GI carbine as well as an 870 Pump 12 bore. I felt well armed then and would be well armed today. How about you?
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LE use of M1/M2 Carbine
- Thread starter Joe Kent
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In my Department M1 carbines were kept in the trunks of each patrol Sergeant’s marked unit. The only one I ever handled was a WW2 era carbine with the “L” sight and no bayonet lug. They were sold off in the mid-80’s.
I know of one motor who kept a folding stock carbine in the saddlebag of his bike. It was personally owned and had the folding Universal stock not the military paratrooper version.
I know of one motor who kept a folding stock carbine in the saddlebag of his bike. It was personally owned and had the folding Universal stock not the military paratrooper version.
usmc2427765
US Veteran
I carried an M-1 Carbine in the early 1970's and it was in use until the department ruled rifled long arms were too dangerous to the public and shotguns were used instead. I purchased my M-1 Carbine from the NRA in 1965 and carried it in my patrol car with 2 bandoleers of loaded magazines with tracers. It made quite a show when in use.
The Chief Deputy had a M2 carbine in his patrol car. I took it home once and cleaned it for him. Of course, I had to fire it to make sure it functioned! 
They do climb. The 3rd shot was at a 45 degree angle.
They do climb. The 3rd shot was at a 45 degree angle.
Broke Hoss
Member
We had some rough going in the late 80's. Back when we still carried S&W mdl 66 & didn't know what "patrol rifle" was. Several got permission to carry what was their deer rifle. Most were Winchester mdl 94 or Marlin 336 in 30-30. Well, I had a .30 M1 & talked the rangemaster in okaying it ride along with me. We rode double in some areas & had our long guns in the cars for about 2 months & then got memos clearly stating that the rifles were to stay home.
vonn
US Veteran
Even the small departments seem to have swat teams today that are armed with enough firepower to handle a major threat. The times have certainly changed around here.
I didn't, but my father's department had a rack of Thompson .45 ACP submachine guns into the mid 1970's. They got a new chief, a retired Army colonel, and the Thompson's got traded for full-sized M16's at a fraction of each would be worth today. In hindsight, the fella' that got the Thompson's got the better deal . . .
In the 1960s I had a M2 Carbine, a M3 .45acp SMG, and a 9mm German SMG (M38) . During the Riots I carried all three (in Patrol Car) with a load of ammo
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keith44spl
Member
Joe,
I carried this in the trunk of my un-marked unit for a spell....
Dave
.
I carried this in the trunk of my un-marked unit for a spell....
Dave
.
Texas Star
US Veteran
We had them in the USAF as std. issue for flight line and missile security and for base defense, for those men assigned that task.
I was an Air Policeman but mostly assigned to law enforcement and interior building security, like at the Air Intelligence and Nuclear Weapons schools, so used them only during expanded security alerts and for annual qualification.
My normal weapons were a .38 revolver (occasionally a .45 auto) and a nightstick. We had 12 ga. pump shotguns when indicated.
I had first learned about them in HS ROTC and a pal had one that he tried to kill a burglar with. Found blood, but the target escaped.
I had read enough about their limited stopping power, at least with FMJ military ammo, that I had little confidence in them and they weren't very accurate, either.
I was very pleased when the AR-15 replaced them.
I was an Air Policeman but mostly assigned to law enforcement and interior building security, like at the Air Intelligence and Nuclear Weapons schools, so used them only during expanded security alerts and for annual qualification.
My normal weapons were a .38 revolver (occasionally a .45 auto) and a nightstick. We had 12 ga. pump shotguns when indicated.
I had first learned about them in HS ROTC and a pal had one that he tried to kill a burglar with. Found blood, but the target escaped.
I had read enough about their limited stopping power, at least with FMJ military ammo, that I had little confidence in them and they weren't very accurate, either.
I was very pleased when the AR-15 replaced them.
Jim Cirillo of the NYPD Stakeout Squad in the 70’s, who was involved in numerous shootings, praised the M1 carbine so loaded with soft points. He claimed it the best stopper in use, superior even to 12 gauge buckshot. They are impressive little rifles and are imminently useful even today.
kpoesq369
US Veteran
We had 2 M2 carbines, and a 1928 Thompson. They mostly stayed in the station, but I would take an M2 when I got the chance! Somewhere I have a pic of me qualifying with the M2, I'll have to dig it out.
DWalt
Member
Many year ago back in my old home town we had a fairly large rail yard. I saw the railroad cops on yard duty carrying carbines.
30 years with the Mini 14 here.
oink
Member
I never carried or owned one but I knew some that did. I did carry a Mini-14 for many years. The Dept is now strictly M-4 type issued. No more bringing your own.
I was never a M1 carbine fan as I grew up hearing my father bitch about them several times over the years. He had his (apparently forward observer issue) fail on him at a very inopportune time in the European theater, France I believe. He lugged a Garand thereafter. I guess his opinion influenced me.
I have looked longingly at those nice new production versions but they do seem kind of pricey. The LGS that carried them (a Lotus) no longer does. They said they weren't selling.
I was never a M1 carbine fan as I grew up hearing my father bitch about them several times over the years. He had his (apparently forward observer issue) fail on him at a very inopportune time in the European theater, France I believe. He lugged a Garand thereafter. I guess his opinion influenced me.
I have looked longingly at those nice new production versions but they do seem kind of pricey. The LGS that carried them (a Lotus) no longer does. They said they weren't selling.
From what I have read, the .30 carbine round didn't do real well in the European theater, probably due to the heavy clothing worn there. I haven't read of as many complaints from the Marines and GIs in the Pacific theater.
DWalt
Member
For awhile during the late 1960s I worked with a retired USMC Colonel who saw considerable front line combat in Korea while carrying a carbine. He had nothing bad to say about his, and told me that every man he shot with his carbine (quite a few) went down. He said the stories about the carbine being unable to penetrate the quilted Chinese uniforms were total BS, and the people perpetrating such stories probably just missed their targets.
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oink
Member
I didn't hear him complain about ballistic performance, if he even had an opinion on that. his was a complaint about a failure to function. I don't know if there were other incidents that colored his opinion or just the one where his azz was on the line. I also don't recall his ever saying what sort of failure it was. It might have been a fluke that due to the circumstances made a strong impression.
As I recall the story, in support of the "Bulge" they had made a hurried nighttime move and redeployment. Being a Lt. in the Infantry Cannon Company (a WW2 structure) he had positioned a forward listening post of a couple of guys. Come daylight they discovered that the Cannon Company had deployed on what was then the front lines. When the forward post ceased reporting he, feeling/being responsible for them went to check and found them deceased and himself under direct rifle fire and as it turned out no way to return fire. The story is obviously longer and more interesting in detail but he ended up with a Purple Heart (his second) and a Bronze Star. I think he felt some guilt and regret the rest of his life for placing the two guys in that post but with a rushed nighttime redeployment miles from their previous location I doubt he should have. No more carbine for him though.
As I recall the story, in support of the "Bulge" they had made a hurried nighttime move and redeployment. Being a Lt. in the Infantry Cannon Company (a WW2 structure) he had positioned a forward listening post of a couple of guys. Come daylight they discovered that the Cannon Company had deployed on what was then the front lines. When the forward post ceased reporting he, feeling/being responsible for them went to check and found them deceased and himself under direct rifle fire and as it turned out no way to return fire. The story is obviously longer and more interesting in detail but he ended up with a Purple Heart (his second) and a Bronze Star. I think he felt some guilt and regret the rest of his life for placing the two guys in that post but with a rushed nighttime redeployment miles from their previous location I doubt he should have. No more carbine for him though.
I have my fathers carbine, he purchased it as a patrol rifles in the mid sixties and carries it during the riots in north Jersey.
DWalt
Member
Regarding combat weaponry, I once had another former ex-Marine friend who fought in the Pacific for most of the war. According to him, what every soldier under Japanese fire wanted wasn't an M1, carbine, or Thompson, but a BAR. The war had really messed up his head even when I knew him which was over 25 years after the war's end.
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