M1 Carbine as AR / AK alternative

[Faulkner]

I tried the m1A1 folder, and didnt care for it...I much prefer the standard M1 stock.

I've gone back and forth on the standard stock and the M1A1 stock. The folder is conveniant for storage but I gotta admit I shoot with the standard stock better.

Also, one advantage of the standard stock is it's use as a weapon. I was holding another deputy's M1 carbine once while he performed a Terry search on a suspect. An altercation ensued and I butt stroked the suspect and knocked him down, wouldn't have been able to do that with my folding stocked carbine.

 

[amd6547]

I usually like folders, but the m1A1 grip is fat, yet the bottom part of the folder and the sling swivel make it a tight fit for my medium sized hand.
Still, it was fun to try out the weapon of the paras at normandy...

 

[Smith357]

I would like to thank everyone for the input, and after seeing the pretty pics I'm pretty much sold on the M1C as a decent close quarters rifle. To those who are against the idea I understand the ballistic limitations of the .30 carbine and have other full sized .30 calibers to reach out far beyond the M1C.

I have an old 100 grain .30 cal bullet mold laying around here somewhere. If I were to make up light plinking loads to prevent leading will the M1 Carbine cycle properly without a lot of spring modifications?

 

[Bullet Bob]

I think the .30 will do you fine. Most "battle rifle" wants I see on the Net are from people that have an infintesimal chance of being in a battle, and really want a gun to play with; not that it couldn't be used in an emergency, and if it gives someone confidence, go for it. In the 1% or less of the cases where a gun would be used in anger, over 90% of those can be handled just by having a gun, type doesn't matter much. But it's a never-ending discussion/argument for folks, and we enjoy that.

 

[Jellybean]

You made a good choice Smith357. I tried to stay out of this melee, except for that one snide remark, because I know there will be a lot of opinion based on non-factual information. Faulkners post was excellent by the way. The M1 Carbine was not intended to replace the M1 Garand and it never will, and neither will the 5.56 or 7.62X39. However at ranges out to about 30 yards it is probably more lethal than the Garand due to its bullet design using fmj ammo, and it is still quite effective out to 100 yards. It is not a "rifle" as many seem to think, it is a "carbine" in the truest sense of the word, and one of the best ever made. I have firearms in a wide variety of calibers, .223, 7.62X39, .30 M1, .308, 30-06 and etc. Don't be fooled by ballistics alone, most of these are good calibers but each one also has limitations and there will be circumstances where each one will be much better than the others, the M1 Carbine is included in this and it is hard to beat at close ranges.

To answer your question about reloading, no...you will more than likely have problems with light loads. I have several Lyman manuals laying around and if your mould is one of theirs I can look up some data for you if you give me the mould number.

 

[sw44spl]

I have a winchester carbine and it is very accurate at 100yds.and it is a good round.many deer have been killed in my area with one for many many years.and there are a lot less germans and japs and commies due to the old carbine.it was the most widley produced rifle in history.

 

[Pilgrim]

it was the most widley produced rifle in history

yup, there were more carbines produced in a shorter time than any other rifle...ever.

There are several books available on the carbine and they make really interesting reading.

 

[M29since14]

I have an old 100 grain .30 cal bullet mold laying around here somewhere. If I were to make up light plinking loads to prevent leading will the M1 Carbine cycle properly without a lot of spring modifications?

Yo can try it, but I think you may eventually just end up buying some Speer "Plinkers" and be done with it. I know it will be more expensive, but in the long run, probably a lot less trouble. Gunking up the carbine's gas system with lead bullets and lube may not be a great idea.

I reload for my carbine and use various 110-gr. JSPs and H-110 powder. I don't shoot it a lot, but this combination works very well, and is surprisingly accurate.

There is always a lot of whining about the M-1 Carbine. Anyone understands it is not a .308 or .30/06, but for what it is, I have always admired it. It is fun to shoot, and a supremely handy little gun. I have been hauling one around (cased, in the back of the car) since I was a young fellow. I always feel comfortable having it along. A Mini-30 might be a better choice, but the one I had was a miserable shooter. I guess the newer ones are much better.

 

[gregintenn]

His-n-Hers. I like em.

 

[dave2010]

I realy enjoy shooting my carbine and it is nice having a rifle with such a significant historical footprint. It is frustrating that the ammo has been harder to find since the start of the current administration but it is getting a little bit easier now. ~$160 for a box of 500 when I was able to find it last. but haven't seen it at Walmart for over a year. also, since the local gun shop closed down I haven't seen soft points at a brick and mortar store. I haven't had any problem finding parts and accessories as long as I used the net or gun shows. Under powered ammo does tend to cause troubles and don't detail strip the bold unless you have time for a fun project putting it back together.

Since everyone else is putting in their two cents for alternatives, the M1897 is a nice choice to clear "unwelcome guests". But between my 1911, M1 Garand, Carbine, and trenchgun, I would definately go with the carbine in a case where I had to deal with multiple targets in a hypothetical sustained engagement.

 

[Faulkner]

it was the most widley produced rifle in history.

That used to be an accurate statement, and indeed, the fact that 6 million were made in less than 4 years is a significant feat.

As for total quantity manufactured, though, there are other rifles that have been more widely produced. The M16, for example, has exceeded 7 million, but it took nearly 20 years. It is my understanding that Winchester's model 94 also exceed 7 million before production ceased, but that was well over a 100 year period.

I have seen reports that well over 20 million AK47's have been produced in the past 50 years.

 

[sw44spl]

yes I agree the ak,mod94,and m16 were more in number but like you said it took a long time to catch up with the carbine.I have a big attachment to the old carbine. because its basic idea was designed in a NC prision by carbine williams.he came up with the short stroke pistion.it got him a pardon and he worked for winchester as a designer.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I had a Winchester M1 carbine. It was handed down from my grandfather. I have since passed it to my little brother.

It was amazingly accurate. Dependable and reliable. My father reloads 30 carbine so I always had plenty of ammo on hand. Also bought some Corbon DPX for more serious work. Stuff is expensive but much better than anything else you can find.

Each self defense firearm must file a role that the user determines. I think the little carbine will work great for you.

Also, I have no use for pistol caliber carbines except for plinking.

 

[cowart]

Any sourcing insight or other general information from the shooters here would be welcome.

One of the best places is Fulton Armory at M1 Carbines

The only advantage I can see to the M-1 Carbine vs. the Mini-14 is that you can buy one direct on a C&R FFL, or maybe from the CMP. Note that a *good* M-1 Carbine is going to cost a lot more than a NIB Mini-14 or Mini-30.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

For a cast plinking round, I think you need to use a gas checked slug. The Lyman 117gr. 32-20 gas checked over H-110 worked very well over the last 25 plus years. I was instructed the piston would lead-up w/o the checks, and would be horrible to fix/clean. Also, don't plan on buying used brass [hard to find] and the Carbide sizer is worth the extra $! US ammo never was mercury primed. There is "Clone" China ammo from years back with US headstamp that is verry corrisive and Berdan primed and reportedly not accurate. Federal HP's are around and are great.
My wife has a diffacult time holding up alot of rifles including the Minis, however the M-! Carb has no such problem. You will end up with 2 or 3 in the long run, they're that much fun!