which would be better

mg357

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which would be better to arm a world war 2 marine with who is fighting on guadalcanal and m1 carbine or a 1903 springfield
 
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At that point in the war I think the 03 was still issue with the Marine's as the new fangeled Garand was issued the the Army first. No doubt the average Marine would want the 03! But I suspect with all the CQC the firepower of the carbine (not withstanding the caliber) would be welcome.
 
I assume you are talking about the .30 caliber carbine as opposed to the great M1 Garrand.
'03 of course. Who would give up the manly .30/06 round for the pipsqueak .30 carbine? May Sgt. York have mercy on your soul for even asking.
 
According to my cousin, who fought with the USMC on Guadalcanal, the weapon eveyone wanted was the Thompson submachine gun, or the BAR, but both were in short supply. The 03, Garand & Carbine were there, and it was probably split between the Garand & Carbine as to what you wanted to have, depending on your assigment & unit. He was an old China Horse Marine, so was used to the Springfield 03 for ranges over 100 yrds. Don't underestimate the M1 Carbine, it's no pipsquak in close combat. 30 rds instantly available beats 8 rds and then have to reload, when a Chinese regiment is closing on your position in Korea. (Unless you had a Grease Gun, like me) Ed # 15
 
The USMC refused the M1 Rifle and landed on Guadalcanal armed with the M1903 Rifle. (The Army, by the way, had to "sell" the M1 Rifle to their soldiers.) Doubt there were many, if any M1903A3s issued by that time, nor would the Marines have bought any.

Much of the USMC came OFF Guadalcanal armed with the M1 Rifle, at least after the Army landed and these rifles were discovered just laying around unguarded.

The M1 Carbine is loved by everyone who never had to shoot it in combat and very few who did. It's a pistol substitute, not service rifle substitute. There are documented cases of the little bullet being unable to penetrate the winter clothing of Chinese during the Korean war.

The M1 Carbine didn't have a 30 round magazine! Not in this era. 15 rounds is certainly handy though vs 8 in the M1 Rifle.

To answer the question: Arm your Marines with the M1 Rifle if this is for real. If this is a computer game you're stuck with what ever the game designers think is a good weapon. They're rarely combat vets. ;)

-- Chuck
 
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