M-1 carbine for defence?

[patrick james]

Here in California just about everybody trying to buy a black rifle in case the SHTF.All I have is a lowly M-1 carbine.Whats your thoughts ?

 

[patrick james]

Here in California just about everybody trying to buy a black rifle in case the SHTF.All I have is a lowly M-1 carbine.Whats your thoughts ?

 

[Big Foot]

Sounds good to me. I have my Inland close by, <STRIKE>Condition 3</STRIKE>, but ready to go in case SHTF...With so many illegal scumbags wandering around in my area, you can do a lot worse....

 

[patrick james]

There letting 100,000 inmates out because Calif. can't afford to keep them locked up.

 

[Gutpile Charlie]

I've got an M1 carbine and I would trust it as a SHTF rifle. I've got plenty of mags, just don't have much ammo on hand right now!

 

[Pilgrim]

LOWLY M-1 carbine....shame on you.

It's short enough to handle in a house, fast, pretty darned accurate for a small rifle, powerful enough to do the job, holds a good bunch of ammo...what's not to like about it?

 

[m657]

..from what I've read about use in Pacific combat zones, it did just fine for it's intended use....

but I ain't no expert....

 

[38-44HD45]

I've got a couple of M-1s, and with Federal softpoint ammo, I trust them for mutt-whackers. My daughter has one of mine, also, which she keeps handy for whatever may need a dose of JSP out on the ranch. I like 'em!

 

[patrick james]

It's not black.I think the M-1 carbine is great,thats why I own one.Just don't hear much discussion about them as a pratical defence weapon.Personally I not a fan of the AR style rifles.The carbine was good enough for my Dad in WWII it should be all right for me.

 

[Spotteddog]

Fill it with a hollow or soft points if you can find or afford them. A Winchester 43' sits behind a door as this house's rifle. Remember, the .30 M-1 Carbine round has as much muzzle energy @ 100 yards, as a .357 Magnum handgun has at the muzzle. Along with holding at least 15 rounds.

 

[wbraswell]

I have never seen a more handy rifle than an M1 Carbine, i don't think. You know there have been a lot of gun writers bash the little .30 Carbine round, along with the 9mm Parabellum. Those gun writers have one thing in common. They were never shot with one. Those handy little pipsqueaks were responsible for a lot of Japanese fertilizer on Pacific Islands. They served us well in many other Theaters, too, like Europe, Korea, and Vietnam. For the Germans in WW2, it was one of the most coveted war trophies. I know I like mine.

 

[240grJHP]

The first centerfire rifle I bought was a carbine in 1974. I have always enjoyed it and my wife and daughter find it fun and easy to shoot. As an impoverished student the carbine caused me to start reloading in order to shoot. Winchester used to sell a 110gr. HP round and bullet for reloading. I do not know if those bullets are still available. A few years ago I was loading .308 90gr XTPs for a CZ-52. I called Hornady and asked whether they would be good in the carbine. They said that XTPs would hold up to carbine velocities. A bullet designed to expand at 1400 fps should be pretty nasty at 2000 fps. They shoot a little low and to the right in my gun at 50 yards. They grouped well and fed perfectly.

 

[38-44HD45]

Originally posted by patrick james:

It's not black.

Couple of mine are. I replaced their heavy wood furniture with Ram-Line black plastic. Handy carbines made even handier!

 

[Pisgah]

It's not hard to load a .30 Carbine to a level that has muzzle energy at 100 yards to exceed that of a .357 at the muzzle of a handgun. If a .357 at arm's length is adequate for defense, I see no reason why a .30 Carbine shouldn't be at 100 yards. So, yes, it is a viable defensive carbine.

 

[animalmother]

Great defense weapon in my book. Hi-cap and low recoil. I'd use Cor-Bon DPX. Over 1000 FPE.

 

[Spotteddog]

Been using Speer 100 grain "Plinkers" for 35+ years in mine for reloading. Copper base 1/2 way up to keep barrel clean and a lead round nose to give it a chance at expanding. Fairly cheap too!

 

[NFrameFred]

Deadly little pea shooter - used to good effect in the Pacific by one John George (Shots Fired In Anger)

 

[perpster]

Originally posted by wbraswell:
For the Germans in WW2, it was one of the most coveted war trophies. I know I like mine.

I didn't know that. Interesting.
T'aint nothin' wrong with an M1 short for personal defense. If you've got the rounds and the mags I'd say you're good to go. If you've got a bayonet lug and a matching bayonet even better.

 

[Ron H.]

Sir, the M1 carbine is a good little gun: light, handy, reliable, quick to reload, and accurate enough most realistic civilian defense scenarios.

Sometimes you'll run into issues from worn parts because the guns are so old (the GI models were all made during WWII), but quality parts are readily available. GI 15-round magazines usually are more reliable than 30-rounders or anything aftermarket. As has been noted, softpoint or hollowpoint ammo would be preferable to FMJs for defense use.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[safearm]

My father was issued one in Korea, where he was the 1st Sgt, and later battlefield commissioned commander, of an infantry company. The one time I remarked that I thought the carbine was a neat gun, he told me that he had smashed his against a rock, so that he could turn it in and get a rifle, i.e., M1 Garand. When he became company commander, he ordered all of the carbines out, and made everyone carry a Garand. He stated that the carbine round would not penetrate the quilted jackets of the Chinese soldiers. That was the only time he ever mentioned it, and since he's deceased I can't ask him to clarify anything. He served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, and was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Silver Star, and Bronze Star with V for Valor, so I know he knew about combat. I'm convinced he told me the truth as he knew it.