M1 Carbine Family – a Brief Introduction & History

By Marc Cammack

Writer Marc Cammack gives AmmoLand readers some history on the prestigious M1 Carbine Family .
If you like this article be sure and read Tom Mchale’s review of the M1 Carbine Rifle.

World War II Saginaw M1 Semi-Automatic Carbine
World War II Saginaw M1 Semi-Automatic Carbine **

AmmoLand Gun News

Bangor, Maine -(Ammoland.com)- Prior to America’s entry into World War Two the United States Army realized that a light rifle was needed.

The .45 1911 pistol was thought to be inadequate as a weapon for non-combat personnel, and the standard M1 Garand rifle was too heavy and cumbersome to carry with other equipment.

The M1 Carbine was designed primarily to offer noncombat and line-of-communications troops a better defensive weapon than a pistol or submachine gun.

M1 Carbine Family Creation

The Ordnance Department under Rene Studler, began to seriously search for such a weapon in 1940. The weapon had to be effective out to 300 yards, and it had to weigh about 5 pounds. The cartridge for this new weapon was a .30 caliber pistol round developed by Winchester and the Ordnance Department. The new .30 caliber round was based on an older Winchester round called the .32 caliber Self-loading round.

Jonathan Edmund “Ed” Browning, firing the first prototype of what would later become the Winchester G30 rifle. Image source: familysearch.org
Jonathan Edmund “Ed” Browning, firing the first prototype of what would later become the Winchester G30 rifle. Image source: familysearch.org

Several companies and designers submitted light rifle designs including Savage, H&R, and John Garand. The design that would ultimately be adopted by the US government came from Winchester. The half brother of John Moses Browning, Jonathan Edmund Browning had been working on a .30-06 semi automatic rifle for the military before he died in 1939. A former Moonshiner named David Marshall Williams was hired to improve the weapon after the death of Browning. Williams had previously served time in prison for the murder of a Deputy in North Carolina, who had made a raid on his whiskey operation.

Williams redesigned the rifle with his own short stroke gas piston, which resulted in a rifle called the Winchester G30 in .30-06, it was tested by the Marines in 1940, but ultimately was found to be unsatisfactory. When the chance arose for a lightweight rifle, a team at Winchester under Edwin Pugsley, was tasked with scaling down the G30 to the .30 Carbine round. The first prototype was completed within 13 days, by the Winchester team.

After approval from Rene Studler, a team at Winchester began to work on a 2nd prototype. This 2nd prototype was to be completed by September 15th, 1941. David Williams became part of the team which worked on the 2nd prototype, and it was this weapon that became adopted by the US military as the .30 Caliber M1 Carbine. The M1 Carbine unlike the M1 Garand, was fed from detachable 15 round box magazines, and weighed about 5.5 pounds.

Winchester M1 Carbine with M1A1 Paratrooper Stock
Winchester M1 Carbine with M1A1 Paratrooper Stock **

M1 Carbine Mass Production

Despite the fact that Winchester submitted the design, it was the Inland Division of General Motors that produced the largest number of M1 Carbines. Some sources state that the number of Inland carbines of all types (M1, M1A1 M2, M3, etc.) was 2.4 million and others state that the number was about 2.6 million carbines. Inland was also the only company to produce the M1A1 Carbine which was made for paratroopers. The M1A1 carbine featured a wire folding stock for compact storage.

The total production of the M1A1 Carbine is estimated in the neighborhood of 140-150,000 carbines. After World War Two many M1A1 Carbines were reworked and had their stocks replaced, and today surviving M1A1 Carbines fetch a large premium.

There were a total of 10 companies that made M1 Carbines for the US government including Winchester and Inland. Many of these companies seem like unlikely manufacturers, as they made things like typewriters, or jukeboxes. The other eight companies were Underwood, Rockola, Quality Hardware, IBM, National Postal Meter, Standard Products, Saginaw Steering of General Motors, and Saginaw Steering’s Grand Rapids Plant. Irwin Pedersen also made a small number of Carbines, none of which were accepted by the government due to sample Carbines not passing government endurance tests. Because of this the Saginaw Steering Grand Rapids plant was given a contract to make M1 Carbines.

Not every company producing the M1 Carbine made their own barrels. These companies were Quality Hardware, Standard Products, National Postal Meter, and Irwin Pedersen. They had barrels made by other Carbine manufacturers such as Inland, and in some cases barrels made by companies that did not make M1 Carbines like Buffalo Arms, or Marlin. Other parts for the M1 Carbine were made both by the manufacturer and by many subcontractors. For example Auto Ordnance produced receivers for both IBM, and Saginaw. Springfield Armory also made replacement Carbine barrels from 1950 until 1954.

Workers assemble Garand M1 rifles in the Springfield Armory's Building 104.
Workers assemble Garand M1 rifles in the Springfield Armory’s Building 104.

The M1 Carbine was intended as a weapon for non combat personal, vehicle crewmen, and other troops who couldn’t carry a full sized rifle. Despite this many frontline infantrymen carried the weapon and it became the most widely manufactured American small arm of World War Two, with over six million M1 Carbines were produced by the time production ceased in August, 1945. The M1 Carbine saw action in many battles during World War Two, and was even used by German troops who captured the weapons from American soldiers.

M1 Carbine Later Models

Most M1 Carbines that were used in World War Two, featured a flip sight and a push button safety. Later M1 Carbines featured an adjustable rear sight, and a rotating safety. Earlier push button safeties could be mistaken for the magazine release under stress. Also added later was a bayonet lug. The M1 Carbine had its own bayonet designated the M4 bayonet. The M4 bayonet was based off of the M3 Fighting knife and was made starting in 1944 with a leather handle. Later M4 bayonets had plastic handles starting in 1953. Many M1 Carbines were later rebuilt and had bayonet lugs, adjustable sights, and rotating safeties installed.

National Postal Meter M1 Carbine with M4 Bayonet Scabbard and Canvas Sling
National Postal Meter M1 Carbine with M4 Bayonet Scabbard and Canvas Sling **

In late 1944, a selective fire M1 Carbine was adopted and designated the M2. The M2 featured a 30 round magazine, and was only produced by Winchester and Inland. Estimates vary of just how many M2 Carbines were made, but Inland made the vast majority of M2 Carbines. The M2 Carbine was widely used in the Korean War, and had a less than stellar reputation. The M2 Carbine had a lot of muzzle climb and was not well liked by many troops.

Rare Late WWII Original Inland "T3" Carbine with M2 Infrared Sniper Scope, Power Pack, Battery and Accessories
Rare Late WWII Original Inland “T3” Carbine with M2 Infrared Sniper Scope, Power Pack, Battery and Accessories **

Late in World War Two a version of the Carbine was made for fighting at night. The M3 Carbine was fitted with an infrared scope. The infrared scope is large and heavy by today’s standards but for 1945 it was quite advanced. These early scopes were effective only out to 100 yards, but for the Carbine this was enough. Some of these M3 Carbines were used at the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, against the Japanese. Later versions of the infrared scope were used in the Korean War as well.

The M1 Carbine family has a controversial reputation as being a poor man stopper, and as an unreliable weapon. Most of this reputation came during the Korean War, where Carbines failed to function in harsh cold temperatures. Some said that the Carbine’s round lacked the range or power to stop Chinese or North Korean troops. Others praised the M1 Carbine such as John George author of the book “Shots Fired in Anger: A Rifleman’s View” a recount of the war in the Pacific during World War Two. George thought the carbine was a perfect weapon due to its weight, for fighting in the jungles. Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, was also fond of the M1 Carbine. In the 1960’s,the NYPD Stakeout squad, found the M1 Carbine to be an effective weapon when used with soft point ammunition.

Two M1 Semi-Automatic Carbines of the M1 Carbine Family
Two M1 Semi-Automatic Carbines of the M1 Carbine Family

Both the M1 and M2 Carbine were used widely after World War Two. The US military used them until the early part of the Vietnam War. Allies of the United States used the Carbine widely during and after World War Two. The French used M1 Carbines alongside their MAS-36 bolt action rifle in the Indochina (Vietnam) Conflict of 1945-1954, and the South Vietnamese Army used them during the Vietnam War. Carbines were also provided to West Germany, Israel, South Korea, and many other countries.

M1 Carbine Family Today

In the 1960’s several M1 Carbines were released for sale by the NRA to the general public. Also several companies made commercial Carbines such as Plainfield, National Ordnance, Universal, and Iver Johnson. The m1 Carbine Today USGI M1 Carbines are highly sought after and command big prices. The supply of USGI M1 Carbines has also dried up. As a result both Auto Ordnance, and the commercial Inland Mfg. make reproduction M1 Carbines for the shooting public.

Inland MFG M1 rifle and 1911A1 handgun
Inland MFG M1 rifle. IMAGE : LooseRounds.com

** Images: Rock Island Auction Company ( www.rockislandauction.com )


M1 Carbine Rifle How does it shoot?

About Marc Cammack:

Marc Cammack has been collecting firearms since he was 14 years old.

His interests are primarily military surplus firearms of the late 19th into the 1950’s. He has studied these in depth, and currently volunteers at two local museums providing them with accurate information about their firearms.

He is a graduate of the University of Maine with a bachelor’s degree in history. He has studied modern European and American history since the age of 9, and has been shooting since the age of 11. He currently resides just outside of Bangor, Maine.

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Robert Lambert USA Ranger

I recently bought a Universal M-1 30 Caliber carbine, from the serial number I believe it to have been manufactured around 1964. I took it down and examined all internal parts. This gun is a mixture of parts made by the original Mfg’s of the war year carbines 41-45. After thorough cleaning and inspection. The only problems I have encountered are magazine problems, it performs functions as it should for the money it is a good firearm. As a retired Army Ranger I can see why the M-1 30 Caliber was the preferred weapon of the Airborne Troops. Granted the… Read more »

alphonzo yates

recoil plate marked r-Q

alphonzo yates

inheirited rocola m1 ser #1729XXX FROM MY DAD ALL PARTS MARKED ROCOLA EXCEPT RECOIL PLATE MARKED R-O SHOOT FINE NO FRONT AND REAR SIGHT,

Charles

I purchased my IBM M1 in the early 70’s and have done a lot of reloading and shooting with it, I love that little gun.
The picture showing the MFG M1 and the 1911 hand gun is interesting since I have everything shown in the picture except the gernade and helmet. My 1911 was a Marine issue and I have the original holster. I also have the original M4 bayonet with the leather grip in my collection along with the canteen first aid kit and belt.

vincent

I purchased a M1 carbine over3 years ago. Traded 3 shot guns & a 22 pistol. I just love it.I fired 2000 rounds with zero problems. This carbine is made by the Rocola corporation Came off the ;line in 1943 per the SN My wife also loves firing this weapon.
Thank for the article!.

Rattler

Have a Quality Hardware M1 Carbine that is my constant companion when out on my quad.

steve

The Legion, and many others LOVED the select fire carbines. While I have only fired one once in my whole life, I can see why they liked it and why it, with a 20 or 30 Rd mag became the genesis point for a small light carbine/”assault rifle” like the AR15, 18, and so on. Everyone yaks about the Tommy gun, etc. which I have also fired and compared to the Greaser, my pop carried in Korea, it is a swiss watch, and weighed more than a fcckn M14!! I got to fire a Tommy while at the Cook County… Read more »

NORMAN HOLSTER

No such thing as a Universal carbine with all GI parts. Even the stocks are different.

Universal Carbine Dude

Actually there were, Iver Johnson used Universal receivers with a combination of G.I Surplus and G.I. pattern but aftermarket made parts to complete many carbines and pistols.

Mitch

Great little article and great little gun!! It was the first “high” powered rifle I shot when I was 11 y.o. and loved it ever since. Now, at age 60, I would not give up or sell any of mine. It is a shame and an outrage that Slithery C. made it illegal to bring some of these back home to the U.S., where they were made and where they belong! Well, her “just” rewards are coming!

2War Abn Vet

One small comment – “noncombat troops” do not carry weapons. that would include medics and conscientious objectors. The terminology you’re seeking is “combat support troops”.

Grey Beard

I picked one up in 1966 ± and have shot it extensively. I think it was a bring back from Korea, but don’t hold me to that. Back in those good old days I cast my own bullets from wheel weights (Ideal 311 359 PT GC if you’re interested) and I hand loaded ammo for about 1.5 cents each. The bullet mould is a pointed 115 grain and goes through about everything in its path. Very accurate out to about 150 yards and accurate to 1 minute of carbine beyond that. VERY fun to shoot – NO recoil and knocks… Read more »

JD

I picked up a Universal with all GI parts for my wife as a home defense gun. She loves it. It’s small size fits her well and a controllable round lets her shoot pretty accurately

Alan

Nice article,thanks for some additional info on the developers of the rifle. I just picked up an Inland manufactured Carbine and plan on restoring it to original as the stock had a recoil pad installed by the previous owner. Nice rifle and though not a tack driver by any means you can still hit the black at 100 yards.

BOB

I purchased my M1 Carbine when I was 21, I’m now 70. I went down to the Edgewater hotel which had the NRA convention. I picked up a application form for the M1. filled it out and waited for a reply. Weeks later I was told to send $17.50 plus $2.50 S/H to the Rock Island Arsenal, US General. I received my Carbine and have had it since. Winchester, sling and oiler. It’s one of my most prised guns I own, besides the M1 Garand I own. I have instructed my grandson to never sell these rifles as they are… Read more »

Joe

I picked up a Khar Arms M-1 Carbine (after market) for $650.00, NIB, it is a lot of fun on the range. We have run over a 1000 rounds through it, no problems, and fairly accurate groups too. I picked up two 30 round magazines that are made in South Korea, per original US Military specs. Might not be the most powerful round ever but it do in a close range self defense situation.