M1 Carbine as AR / AK alternative

[Smith357]

I can see a certain need for a small light combat rifle, but because my Govt issue M16A1 left a bad taste in my mouth I really loath the AR platform. (personal issues ) Also being a former US Marine I really can't see myself carrying a communist rifle.

I like the spartan lines of the M1 Carbine and I don't want or need any add on capability, the bayonett might be nice. Ammo may be an issue at start up, but I do plan on reloading and eventually will have enough. All I reaaly see myself needing is a hi capacity rifle, that is rugged and reliable, that with out glass or batteries can hit a dinner plate at 50

Now here is the rub, I don't know squat about the M1 Carbine and will have to go to school. I'll have to seek out a serviceable shooter M1 and a parts supply chain for it. Any sourcing insight or other general information from the shooters here would be welcome.

 

[Evil One]

I think you have made a great choice.
Also, you can look into a ruger 10/22 as a trainer with cheap ammo.
You can get the M1c stock for it.


Jim

 

[Joe Kent]

Smith357 , while I appreciate your desire to own an M1 Carbine{ earlier this week I bought an original 2nd production M1A1 all correct Inland} I would not recomend one for your stated use. I would instead suggest you look at one of the current Ruger Mini-14's. They are the modern M1 carbine for handling properties and you can much more easily and cheaply acquire the quantity of effective ammo that you will need. My own personal preference {at a much higher cost however is the M1A Socom 7.62 Nato}. That being said, 35 to 40 years ago { God I'am getting old} when I carried a long gun,while I was on duty, it was either an M1 or M2 Carbine and I felt quite comfortable with my choice. What ever you decide, Semper Fi and thank you for your service to our great country.

 

[PDL]

Personally, I think you'd do better looking for one of the used LE or camp carbine types in 9mm, .40S&W, or .45. Just my opinion, but you're not gonna get that much performance out of the M1 carbine round.
Gotta agree that a mini 14 would be better all around.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Get a Sig 556, FN SCAR, or FN P90 or a gas piston M4 clone...
The M1 carbine was meant as a substitute for a 1911 pistol, it was never intended as a front line weapon. The FN P90s in 5.7mm, most useful if converted to an SBR and registered as such, is the modern rendition of such. Of course you can also get a 5.7mm FN.

Or, yeah, a Mini 14 of the present generation. Beats an M1 carbine.

Problems with the M1 carbine - ammo is expensive, it lacks terminal performance, it isn't really readily adapted to modern optics/lights/accessories, the ammo lacks penetration, lacks range, and there is no good source for first line mags save taking a chance on 60 year old GI mags or Korean imports (or Promag...).

It doesn't even take rifle plates to stop .30 caliber carbine bullets, military grade IIIA soft armor will stop it.

I'd even take a Marlin Guide Gun as customized by WWG in the niche you want over the M1 carbine.

And yes, I have an M1 carbine, my second. Fun guns. Not something I want to get into a fight with. I have four ARs, a Sig 556, and a Mini 14 as well

 

[P&R Fan]

I think the M1 carbine is a great rifle. I shot one the first time when I was a kid and have loved them ever since. The last gun my Dad bought before he died was an M1 carbine, a 1945 issue. I keep it in the bedroom with a couple of loaded mags. It shoots great. The most frequent complaint against it was stopping power issues related to military ball ammo. I have heard reports that good hollowpoints are very effective. I have a quantity of Federal HPs that function very well that I recently bought at a chain sporting goods store. They should be easy to find.
The carbine came initially with 5,15 and 30 rd. mags. These are widely available. I have seen new carbines advertised in gun magazines recently that were reviewed quite positively. The originals are getting much more expensive however. If you decide to get one I think you will really like it, plus you'll look cool too. Can't beat that.

 

[rocketdog]

You could get a nice M1 Carbine from CMP.

M1 Carbine

 

[Grayfox]

Like the original poster, military service left me with bad feeling toward the M-16/AR type rifles (Army 1972-75). Likewise, I've never cared for the AK. I think the M1 Carbine is an excellent choice for a light defensive rifle and its what I use for that role. I have two. One stock G.I. version and the other has been dressed up a bit with some modern upgrades. I jokingly refer to the latter as my "Zombie Rifle"
The .30 Carbine is a poor stopper? I call BS! FMJ ammo isn't the first choice for a defensive round in any caliber. Simple enough to solve. Soft point and hollow point ammo and bullets for the .30 Carbine are avalible today.
Low power? My pet handload uses a 110gr Soft Point bullet at 1945fps. That translates to 924 ft lbs of energy. Or twice the energy of the of the 125gr .357 Magnum which is touted as an excellent man stopper.
The M1 is a carbine. Its not intended for long range work. But it can be quite effective out to about 150 yards. My G.I. version will hold the "A" zone on a stardard cardboard silhouette target at 100 yards all day long.
No, its not a full fledged battle rifle. It was never intended to be. But for close to medium range defensive weapon the M1 Carbine is an excellent choice.
Btw: all my mags are used G.I. Many are 60 years old and they all function perfectly.

it isn't really readily adapted to modern optics/lights/accessories,

Oh really?

The "Zombie Rifle"

 

[Joe Kent]

I do not believe anyone has said that an M1 Carbine would not "work" . I can name any number of friends , including my 86 year old father who most certainly knows that they"work", who have M1's as part of their home defense batteries. The key word here is Have. I would not in this instance recomend going out to buy , as a first choice, a carbine for the proposed use. If you want one , buy it, I'm sure you will enjoy, as I do, shooting it, messin' with it and collecting the many variations of it. Know though that there are better choices for your stated use.

 

[Harrison]

I carried an M2 carbine in 1969 when working with the ruff-puffs. No thanks, not again. They are a fun gun to plink with, but not for reliability and terminal affects. I will take a Mini-14, or a AR with 16" barrel. Both are a lot more serious and ammo is readily available.

 

[Jellybean]

If you can hit a dinner plate at 50 yds, the M1 Carbine is a fine weapon. If you can't hit a dinner plate at that distance you will "need" one of the other weapons listed.

P.S. stick with the 15 round mags for reliability.

 

[TennTony]

Look at ballistics

The M-1 Carbine has rotten ballistics. A .357 mag. from a 4" barrel is better. If you cannot go with a real .30 caliber then get one of those .223 squirrel guns. Or consider a .357 mag. lever action or Ruger's .44 mag. carbine.

As far as Communist guns go, remember that a capitalist probably made a nice profit importing and selling it to you.

Sarcastic? Yes, but not bad advice.

 

[amd6547]

I own both the AK and the AR...enjoy shooting both. But for Home Defence, my cmp carbine is my first choice. Hit a dinner plate at 50yds? I can do it at 100yds without trying hard...all 15rds.
ammo is around...prvi partisan makes the FMJ and SP...the FMJ was $20/box of 50 at this weekends gun show. I have fired this ammo and it is great.
The poster who felt a 9mm or 40 carbine would outperform 30carbine is so wrong.
15rd mags are great. 30rd mags also work great, particularly with the M2 mag catch, easily installed in any carbine. While I have a bunch of USGI 15's, I have also used the recently imported Korean 15 and 30rd mags, and they work great.
Get a carbine from CMP while you can.

 

[amd6547]

ummm, a 357mag has about 580ftlbs at the muzzle. 30 carbine has 977 ft lbs at he muzzle.

 

[m1gunner]

The M1 carbine would be fine for the purpose you describe.

Parts are easy to find, not so with the Ruger guns. Ruger is the only source for most of the hard parts, and some they won't sell unless fitted by them (bolt, and several other parts).

While more than 50 years old, the M1s use forged parts, Rugers are made from cast parts.

As to not defeating body armor, neither does 00 buck, and that is still a USGI round today.

 

[Joe Kent]

Gentlemen, we all have our opinions, but is it really your best advice that the M1 Carbine is the very best defensive carbine/rifle to go out and buy today?

 

[Ron H.]

I can see a certain need for a small light combat rifle, but because my Govt issue M16A1 left a bad taste in my mouth I really loath the AR platform. (personal issues ) Also being a former US Marine I really can't see myself carrying a communist rifle.

I like the spartan lines of the M1 Carbine and I don't want or need any add on capability, the bayonett might be nice. Ammo may be an issue at start up, but I do plan on reloading and eventually will have enough. All I reaaly see myself needing is a hi capacity rifle, that is rugged and reliable, that with out glass or batteries can hit a dinner plate at 50

Now here is the rub, I don't know squat about the M1 Carbine and will have to go to school. I'll have to seek out a serviceable shooter M1 and a parts supply chain for it. Any sourcing insight or other general information from the shooters here would be welcome.

Sir, the old M1 carbine would fill the role you describe pretty well, despite certain drawbacks.

As you're aware, ammo is harder to find than .223 or 7.62x39, but it's still available. Look for softpoints or hollowpoints for "social work," FMJ for practice. SPs and HPs are expensive.

Good USGI parts are readily available from numerous sources, which is good, because you might need to replace some things on a 65-year-old gun. Think springs, maybe firing pin and extractor, that sort of stuff. Bayonets are readily available--you want the M4. Stick with USGI magazines. FWIW, I've had the best reliability from 15-round mags; 30-rounders, not so much.

The biggest drawback to a .30 carbine is cost. The things have skyrocketed in price in the last few years. It's not unusual to see clean but otherwise ordinary GI guns priced from $650 to $750.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[buckeyeshooter1]

my understanding was the m-1 was a rifle replacement for a colt 45 autoloader. If 50 yards is the max range--- take the 45 autoloader! The 30 carbine round is anemic. Personally, I would buy an ak-47.

 

[Evil One]

my understanding was the m-1 was a rifle replacement for a colt 45 autoloader. If 50 yards is the max range--- take the 45 autoloader! The 30 carbine round is anemic.

Ummm... M1C has more punch than the 1911, is generally easier to shoot accurately, has more ammo capacity...

just seems like some BAD advice to me.

OP is looking for a "small light combat rifle" per his opening post.
He didnt ask about a full on battle rifle.

In a rifle "I" would prefer an M1A, but I can fully see the desire for... and the reasoning behind, getting a M1C.

They have their niche, 100 or less yards I would feel comfortable with one.
More than that, I would take my .300 WM... or a M1A.


Jim

 

[n4zov]

I suppose everybody loves the sleek lines and smooth handling of the carbine, and it makes a fine plinker. The only real problems are the pip squeak cartridge, overall inaccuracy, and difficulty in mounting optics. If you can live with those, it will serve you fine. However, it isn't a hunting an adequate deer rifle by any stretch.