M1 Carbine as AR / AK alternative
- Thread starter Smith357
- Start date
Out of all of us, Ron H is the only one who actually answered the original post. Smith 357 wants an M1 Carbine and he asked what he needed with that purchase. I'm guilty of making a suggestion as to the effectiveness of the Carbine and not following thru with the answers that he was looking for. What he is doing is the same as I've done on more than one occasion, decide that I "need" a new gun and then justify it with a proposed use when all I should really do is just buy it because I think it would be neat to have, and I can tell you Carbines are just plain fun to own and shoot.
I might also suggest that he get the paperwork in order and go to the CMP northstore at Camp Perry Ohio and perhaps pick one out. To the best of my knowledge there are some available and with his DD214 papers he should have no trouble. Once again, All My best, Joe.
amd6547
Member
Audie Murphy preferred, and did some of his best work with the M1 carbine...Hardly a pipsqueak.
Yes, if alquaeda is doing drive bys on my street, I'll grab the AK or AR
Yes, if alquaeda is doing drive bys on my street, I'll grab the AK or AR
Cocked & Locked
Member
thumbs up for the M1 Carbine
As per your posted "need", the M1 carbine is my preference. Plus, it will continue to increase in value. I've never had to "test" it for home defense but I feel it fits my needs. Mine resides over a doorway in the house with Winchester JHP's in the magazine.
Ammo is out there as are the magazines. Stick with GI surplus 15 round mags and you're good to go. New GI magazines still covered in cosmoline and in the wrapper are still available. I just unwrapped and cleaned one a week ago.
For me, an AK wannabe style carbine/rifle handles like 2 X 6 board as compared to the carbine.
As per your posted "need", the M1 carbine is my preference. Plus, it will continue to increase in value. I've never had to "test" it for home defense but I feel it fits my needs. Mine resides over a doorway in the house with Winchester JHP's in the magazine.
Ammo is out there as are the magazines. Stick with GI surplus 15 round mags and you're good to go. New GI magazines still covered in cosmoline and in the wrapper are still available. I just unwrapped and cleaned one a week ago.
For me, an AK wannabe style carbine/rifle handles like 2 X 6 board as compared to the carbine.
oldRoger
US Veteran
The why of the alternative to the 1911 is important. Many could not keep an M1 handy due to size, weight, etc. the 1911 was considered hard to shoot and not effective at longer ranges (20-100 yards?). So the M1 Carbine filled the niche. Many, many people carried a Carbine in addition to not instead of a 1911.
My uncle used to hunt rabbits with his, very effective he said. Even with the GI sights, I think it’s a really easy gun to shoot well.
I always liked the M1 Carbine, though the M2 was nearly worthless in auto mode as far as I was concerned.
My uncle used to hunt rabbits with his, very effective he said. Even with the GI sights, I think it’s a really easy gun to shoot well.
I always liked the M1 Carbine, though the M2 was nearly worthless in auto mode as far as I was concerned.
Pilgrim
US Veteran
Yup one of the best man stoppers is a 357mag but more powerful 30carbine won't kill nothing. Total drivel.
I shoot eggs at 50 and have no trouble hitting them.
The M1 carbine is a perfect for what you want. Small accurate and dependable.
JcMack
Member
I've been looking at a Ruger .40 CARBINE for months now. It's sitting in a shop down the street. Now thanks to this thread I have to go buy it. Companion to my G23.
safearm
US Veteran
The M1 Carbine does not have the EBR stigma, however, it doesn't have the ballistics either. While I have owned M1 Carbines, I think a Ruger Mini-14 gives the best of both worlds, in either 5.56mm of 7.62mm. If you want it to be more "tacticool," you can always change the stock and add stuff.
I don't see any need to get into the debate here. Personally, I like the M1 carbine a lot. I also like the AR's, and I have several of each. I will make one point, though. Get some of the CorBon DPX ammo for the carbine. It takes that little rifle into a whole 'nother realm as far as effectiveness. I believe it turns a rifle that is a fairly marginal defensive weapon with ball ammo into a perfectly viable defensive rifle to at least 100 yds. if not further. It's expensive but it is well worth it.
amd6547
Member
I dont agree as to corbon being worth it...at a dollar or more a shot. I am perfectly satisfied with generic 30 carbine SP at $25 for a 50rd box.
38-44HD45
Absent Comrade
I love my ARs, I love my AKs, and I love my M1 carbines, though I don't view them as all having exactly the same functions. With the Federal softpoint load or the WW JHP, or the pricey Cor-Bon, I think the M1 will accomplish the original poster's task. Jim Cirillo liked the M1 with softpoint ammo, and that should be a worthwhile endorsement. I don't know how easy it is to get an IMI carbine, but I've owned two (gave my daughter one) and they are great guns. My old Plainfield is my most accurate, though, and I bought it from a foirum member here. Sure, it won't punch through body armor or auto bodies like 5.56 or 7.62, but in a Ram-Line stock, even with a full 30 round mag, it weighs about half what a loaded AK does, recoils almost not at all, and I find them to be reliable with good ammo and magazines.
I would suggest making sure to get an M-2 type mag catch with the extra lug, if you are planning on using 30-rounders. Also, and it's a matter of personal preference, I like the rotary safety selectors much better than the pushbuttons, simply because there is less danger of confusing the safety with the mag catch and dumping a loaded mag.
I would suggest making sure to get an M-2 type mag catch with the extra lug, if you are planning on using 30-rounders. Also, and it's a matter of personal preference, I like the rotary safety selectors much better than the pushbuttons, simply because there is less danger of confusing the safety with the mag catch and dumping a loaded mag.
The Last Standing Knight
Member
If you live in an urban enviroment, it is fine. Short, handy, light, medium range. Only problems I see with it are in areas of availibility (ammo, mags, etc)
My personal SHTF rifle is a Mini-14 with 20 round mags.
I have a Universal (I know...I know...) M1 Carbine that was a gift from my dad and it has never failed (at least after I removed the scope). I have USGI peep sights mounted from an ORIGINAL carbine.
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
I can't see why anyone would pick an M1 carbine over a Ruger Mini 14 in .223. Bulletproof action-same if not better accuracy as a .30 cal carbine and ammo a lot cheaper.
Faulkner
Member
Interesting thread. I note a lot of posts from some who know little about the M1 carbine.
The sheriff’s department I work for bought 60 surplus USGI M1 carbines in 2001. I had the privilege to overhaul these rifles and make sure they were in 100% operating condition so as to issue to sheriff’s deputies for patrol rifles/carbines.
The story behind these M1 carbines and the process of reworking them is interesting in itself, but the point I want to make is that we did extensive testing with the M1 carbine and the .30 carbine round before we issued them to for patrol. I'm not going to debate whether a AR or AK or even Mini-14 is "better" than a .30 carbine, but I can say that the M1 carbine can more than hold it's own as a very effective, modern use, patrol firearm.
My first hand test showed that the .30 carbine does defeat standard auto body and auto glass. It also defeats Level II body armor. With 110 grain Winchester soft/hollow points it is a very effective one shot stopper and I've taken a number of white tail deer with this round (I'm not recommending it as a deer rifle, but it can do the job at appropriate ranges). I've also had to down a charging bovin, two rounds and it was down.
After tuning these carbines with new springs and replacing worn parts as necessary, I was involved with sighting these rifles in and they can be very accurate. I found parts and magazines to be readily available.
For those who say the .30 carbine does not have the terminal ballistics to do the job, I can confirm it's not a main battlefield rifle by design. But it is certainly not whimpy, and if you ever shoot it next to a pistol caliber carbine in 9mm, .40 S&W, or .45 ACP, you will see that it is significantly more powerful. Significantly more. I am duty qualified with a number of firearms which include both a M1 carbine and a Ruger PC4 in .40 S&W, and though I really like the PC4, the M1 carbine is more accurate and produces less felt recoil. After shooting quarter inch steel targets and 100 yards and there is no doubt that the .30 carbine is the more powerful round by a wide margin.
In summary, I would heartily recommend a M1 carbine as a home defense or even as an effective LE patrol carbine. I'm not going to debate it's merits as compaired to black rifles, AK's, or even the .30 carbine vs .223. There are pro's and con's both ways. I've carried a M1 carbine in M1A1 configuration as a patrol rifle for 9 years and I have never felt undergunned with it. I have shot mine competively in LE compititions and have been able to hold my own. I'm not saying it's the best LE carbine out there, but for those who say only a .223 type will do, I would have to disagree.
The sheriff’s department I work for bought 60 surplus USGI M1 carbines in 2001. I had the privilege to overhaul these rifles and make sure they were in 100% operating condition so as to issue to sheriff’s deputies for patrol rifles/carbines.
The story behind these M1 carbines and the process of reworking them is interesting in itself, but the point I want to make is that we did extensive testing with the M1 carbine and the .30 carbine round before we issued them to for patrol. I'm not going to debate whether a AR or AK or even Mini-14 is "better" than a .30 carbine, but I can say that the M1 carbine can more than hold it's own as a very effective, modern use, patrol firearm.
My first hand test showed that the .30 carbine does defeat standard auto body and auto glass. It also defeats Level II body armor. With 110 grain Winchester soft/hollow points it is a very effective one shot stopper and I've taken a number of white tail deer with this round (I'm not recommending it as a deer rifle, but it can do the job at appropriate ranges). I've also had to down a charging bovin, two rounds and it was down.
After tuning these carbines with new springs and replacing worn parts as necessary, I was involved with sighting these rifles in and they can be very accurate. I found parts and magazines to be readily available.
For those who say the .30 carbine does not have the terminal ballistics to do the job, I can confirm it's not a main battlefield rifle by design. But it is certainly not whimpy, and if you ever shoot it next to a pistol caliber carbine in 9mm, .40 S&W, or .45 ACP, you will see that it is significantly more powerful. Significantly more. I am duty qualified with a number of firearms which include both a M1 carbine and a Ruger PC4 in .40 S&W, and though I really like the PC4, the M1 carbine is more accurate and produces less felt recoil. After shooting quarter inch steel targets and 100 yards and there is no doubt that the .30 carbine is the more powerful round by a wide margin.
In summary, I would heartily recommend a M1 carbine as a home defense or even as an effective LE patrol carbine. I'm not going to debate it's merits as compaired to black rifles, AK's, or even the .30 carbine vs .223. There are pro's and con's both ways. I've carried a M1 carbine in M1A1 configuration as a patrol rifle for 9 years and I have never felt undergunned with it. I have shot mine competively in LE compititions and have been able to hold my own. I'm not saying it's the best LE carbine out there, but for those who say only a .223 type will do, I would have to disagree.
gaucho1
Member
Faulkner
Thank you for a broad and comparative post.
I enjoy and respect my AKs and mini-14s.Definitely more poop.
The carbine is by far the handiest and most agile rifle
I have fired. .30 carbine seems to be much more effective than it feels.
I recently fired the small folding kel-tec 9mm and was very surprised at how easily I could hit a can at 45yds.
The carbine was much better though.
Thank you for a broad and comparative post.
I enjoy and respect my AKs and mini-14s.Definitely more poop.
The carbine is by far the handiest and most agile rifle
I have fired. .30 carbine seems to be much more effective than it feels.
I recently fired the small folding kel-tec 9mm and was very surprised at how easily I could hit a can at 45yds.
The carbine was much better though.
canoesmith
Member
So a few years ago one of my employees father passes away. He was an avid gun collector. My employee brings in a trunk full of long guns and lets me browse. Near the bottom is a 1943 Winchester M1 Carbine in perfect condition. He had paper on it and it was/is all original all together. I paid $300 dollars for it. I cannot even imagine what it is worth - but it is a lot more than $300. I love shooting that rifle. I have a black gun too, but everyone prefers shooting the M1.
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When facing the same dilemma, my head said "get the AK", but my heart said "get something that you'll enjoy shooting". I fully agree with Faulkner on this one. Here's mine:
Fits great in the trunk. -S2
Fits great in the trunk. -S2
cmort666
Member
The M1 Carbine in 10mm Magnum would probably be a decent gun.
amd6547
Member
I tried the m1A1 folder, and didnt care for it...I much prefer the standard M1 stock.
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