M1 Carbine : Storied Guns of America

By Tom McHale
Review or the M1 Carbine.

A brand new 1945-style M1 Carbine from Inland Manufacturing
A brand new 1945-style M1 Carbine from Inland Manufacturing
Tom McHale headshot low-res square
Tom McHale

USA –-(Ammoland.com)- Recently, we discussed some other storied guns including the Remington 870 and Ruger 10/22. Both have been produced in quantities numbering in the millions over many decades.

The subject of this article, the U.S. Carbine, Caliber .30, M1 (that was the original official name) aka the M1 Carbine, reached a total production of over six million rifles in just 38 months. As a wartime project, quantity and speed were both production necessities.

The only other single WWII item made in greater quantities was the M1 steel helmet.

While the M1 Garand .30-06 was always intended to be the Army’s primary infantry rifle, a light rifle project was commissioned in 1942 to provide better defensive and even offensive capability to rear-echelon troops and others who couldn’t carry a full-size battle rifle and ammunition load. These other specialty weapon and support troops, like drivers, tankers, and artillerymen, normally would have been issued pistols as a defensive sidearm. Replacing the pistol with a small and light carbine would provide better defensive capability and relieve pressure on infantry units to provide security for support units.

As the M1 Carbine made its way into the ranks, others picked it up as a primary service weapon. Airborne Paratroops and even regular foot soldiers appreciated the light weight of both rifle and ammo. Being able to shoot 15 rounds between easy and fast box magazine reloads was considered to be an advantage by many who sacrificed the power of a .30-06 Garand in return for volume.

This short stroke piston rifle has enough similarities that it was often called "the baby Garand"
This short stroke piston rifle has enough similarities that it was often called “the baby Garand”

What is an M1 Carbine?

Besides being about the most fun rifle ever, this portable little carbine weighed just more than half of the standard issue M1 Garand, coming in at about five pounds versus over nine for the M1 Garand. That’s a big deal, but the weight of ammo is also significant. A single .30 Carbine round (.44 ounces) weighs less than half of a .30-06 cartridge (.91 ounces), so a soldier can carry twice any many rounds with no increase in their overall load.

The standard M1 Carbine uses a 15-round box magazine.
The standard M1 Carbine uses a 15-round box magazine.

While weight varies just a hair depending on the variant, my National Postal Meter model weighs in at 5.5 pounds with an empty magazine. Overall length is just 36 inches. To put that in perspective, it’s an inch shorter than a standard Ruger 10/22 Carbine.

The rifle is short-stroke piston operated, with the gas port and piston apparatus on the underside of the barrel. One notable difference in the design is that gas is bled from the barrel much closer to the chamber than with other rifles. The idea was that the very hot gas wouldn’t create as much carbonization in the gas port and piston system, and that would mean lower maintenance.

The standard magazine is a 15-round box but different variations with more and less capacity have been used over the years. It probably goes without saying this is an iron sighted rifle. The front post is solid and well protected by wings on either side, unlike the 1903 Springfield’s thin blade. The rear is an aperture sight, originally a flip model for short and long range, then later upgraded to one adjustable for windage and elevation.

Who really designed this handy little rifle?

There are a number of myths floating around that the M1 Carbine was designed by some guy in prison for murder and such, but that’s not true. As you’ll hear in any post-game interview, it was a team effort.

The original rear sight was an "L" type flip sight for dual range. Later, the windage and elevation adjustable aperture sights were phased in.
The original rear sight was an “L” type flip sight for dual range. Later, the windage and elevation adjustable aperture sights were phased in.

The legend is that David Marshall (Carbine) Williams designed the M1 Carbine while in prison for the 1921 murder of Deputy Alfred Jackson Pate during a raid on Williams’ illegal still operation. Like most myths, there is a bit of truth to this one. Williams did serve time for that murder, from 1921 to 1929, and while he was in the Caledonia State Prison Farm, he worked in the machine shop. While there he not only serviced the guards’ firearms, he designed numerous components and at least four semi-automatic rifles. The truth part of this story is that while there, he perfected his short stroke gas piston design, which was later used in the M1 Carbine project. In 1938, Williams joined Winchester to work on a scaled down .30-06 semi-automatic rifle for the military. This rifle was originally designed by Ed Browning (yes, related as half brother) and evolved into the Winchester Model G30M after browning’s untimely death.

Strangely enough, Winchester’s original role in this project was to design the cartridge only, and they did. It was derived from the 32 Winchester Self-Loading cartridge introduced in 1906. At the request of the Army, Winchester entered the light rifle trials program literally at the very last minute. Perhaps due to his “prison time” sense of urgency, Williams was unable or unwilling to work under time and contract pressure, and shortly after taking leadership of the project, he was assigned to other duties within the company. With others in charge, Winchester managed to complete a working prototype in just 13 days.

Over the span of days, Winchester engineers traveled back and forth between New Haven and Washington to get working carbines into the test program, often machining revised or replacement parts from memory of original specifications. All that chaos paid off, however, as the Winchester light rifle dominated the tests, completing 1,000 rounds of fire with just four stoppages.

Dangerous and scary bayonet lugs were phased in during 1944.
Dangerous and scary bayonet lugs were phased in during 1944.

Who made all those carbines?

Making over six million rifles in just 38 months is no small feat. In fact, it took ten different companies operating in 11 different facilities, not counting subcontractors. The interesting thing is that only one of these ten companies was in the business of making firearms before the wartime contracts – that would be Winchester, who designed it in the first place.

The other producers, and number of carbines made included:

  • Saginaw, General Motors (automotive steering gear and components): 517,212
  • I.B.M. (typewriters and data processing equipment): 346,500
  • Inland, General Motors (automotive steering wheels): 2,392,388
  • Irwin-Pederson (household and office furniture): 3,542*
  • National Postal Meter (office equipment and meters): 413,017
  • Quality Hardware & Machine Co. (sheet metal forming equipment): 359,666
  • Rock-Ola Manufacturing (jukeboxes and arcade games): 228,500
  • Standard Products Company (automotive window parts): 247,155
  • Underwood-Elliot-Fisher Co. (business machines, cash registers): 545,616
  • Winchester Repeating Arms (firearms): 865,404

* The government never ended up officially accepting any of the Irwin-Pederson carbines.

If you were adding along with the list, you might have noticed that those numbers only total 5.9 million and change. That’s because Inland also produced another 300,000 some odd M1A1, M2, and M3 variants, bringing the grand total up to about 6.2 million carbines.

The rear sling "pin" is actually a small oil canister. Clever.
The rear sling “pin” is actually a small oil canister. Clever.

Literally hundreds of subcontractors in a wide array of industries produced component parts for the M1 Carbine production effort. For example, if you have a Saginaw model in your gun case, it’s entirely possible that the Wadsworth Watch Case Company made the magazine catch, ejector, extractor and firing pin for your particular rifle.

The number of contractors, the speed of production, and sheer volume makes collecting “correct” models exceedingly difficult. In the wartime rush, it was a regular practice for companies to swap parts, mix barrel and receivers from different manufacturers and so on. In fact, that was part of the plan – to be able to produce tons of rifles quickly without the normal bottlenecks. Additionally, most M1 Carbines have been through at least two major overhauls since the 40s, where more mixing and matching of stocks, barrels, and component parts occurred. Oh, and over five million of the total six million rifles have been shipped overseas at some point for use by United States Allies.

As a result, if someone wants to sell you an “original” M1 Carbine in its native and correct configuration, be very wary as you’re getting into expert collector territory.

The .30 Carbine Cartridge

The “standard.30 Carbine cartridge uses a straight-walled case that holds an 110-grain, .30 caliber (.308) projectile. While there is no bottleneck, the case is slightly tapered towards the mouth. Average velocity is right around 1,900 feet per second as originally designed, although modern loads move a little higher and lower than that. This yields a muzzle energy level of 881 foot-pounds. With those figures, and even with the light weight of the M1 Carbine, recoil is exceptionally light. Firing an M1 is louder than a .22, but almost as pleasant. Metal butt plate or not, you can shoot this rifle all day with no ill effects.

The M1 Carbine cartridge is less than half the weight of a .30-06
The M1 Carbine cartridge is less than half the weight of a .30-06

M1A1, M2 and M3 Models

During the year of introduction in 1942, a request was made for a variant even more suitable for paratroops of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions. The Inland production team designed a folding wire stock model that was later designated the M1A1. Inland ultimately made 140,591 of these. They remain a hot collector’s item today, so beware of fakes. It’s entirely possible that there are more “assembled” M1A1 guns on the open market than correct originals.

Late in World War II, the M2 model was introduced. The M2 added select-fire capability and 30-round magazine capacity. The rate of fire was in the 850 to 900 rounds per minute range.

In the same general time frame, the M3 variant was issued. This model added an infrared SniperScope setup that allowed effective use against targets in the dark. “Scope” is not quite a descriptive term as the 30-pound system included a lamp hung under the barrel, a scope on the receiver, and a battery backpack. According to reports, the M3 models proved incredibly effective in the Okinawa campaign against night infiltration attacks. Some estimates claim that up to 30% of all enemy small arms casualties were inflicted by the M3 with night vision apparatus.

Want a brand new one just like the original?

While you can still find M1 Carbines at local guns shows without too much trouble, you can also buy a brand new one, manufactured just like the originals. At this year’s Shooting Industry Masters fundraising event, I had the opportunity to shoot the brand new, but old, Inland Manufacturing M1 Carbine. ( www.inland-mfg.com ) You can buy one modeled after the very last model manufactured back in 1945 or an authentic 1944 version without the scary bayonet lug. The 1944 model serves a dual purpose as it’s legal in some states that get upset about the possibility of antique bayonet crime.

While I’m a sucker for interesting historical guns, the M1 Carbine just might be my favorite. The history is fascinating, but better yet, this gun is exceptionally fun to shoot. It’s like a handy .22 rifle with just a bit of added gorilla juice.

About

Tom McHale is the author of the Insanely Practical Guides book series that guides new and experienced shooters alike in a fun, approachable, and practical way. His books are available in print and eBook format on Amazon. You can also find him on Google+, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

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Gspotts

I have shot the M1 a number of time over the years they are a light fast rifle that if setup right is very quick to deploy. A gun writer once was ask what’s the best rifle, he said that the best rifle to have in an emergency was the one you had. So if you wanted a rifle to keep in your car trunk or locker at work it’s the M1. I knew a guy that worked on top a mountain at a TV transmitter he kept one in his locker. The other issue is carry weight if you… Read more »

Pete

If I were to buy a newly manufactured M1 Carbine, I think I’d go for one of the IWI made ones. Israeli-made weapons are normally superb. Also, I somehow feel one made by Inland today spoils the value of the originals.

The article talks about the lack of originality of some Carbines that were sent to foreign countries. The Carbine, being short, fit in a duffle bag, unlike a 1903 or a Garand. I have seen “bring-backs.” These are far more desired by many collectors than import-marked or even DCM/CMP guns.

alphonzo yates

i have a rocola i cut highwood 2 rivet hand guard ist block cartoughe,cross cannon flat bolt rmc slingwell barrell band type 1 marked mr shiny bore,shoot great no front and rear sight

Mitch

Love the stories, LOVE the rifle! It was the first rifle I shot that was more powerful than a .22 back in the early 60’s. Unfortunately, I have only been able to acquire 3, two being copies made by Universal. The other, a great replica made by National Ordnance, which has a barrel sleeved from a Springfield 1903. All shoot great and are a blast! And, yes I have taken a deer or two with them! I wish we could have imported more of them back into the U.S. No thanks to the Sec of State (guess who).

Ed Roessler

At one time I owned 4 M1 carbines that included an IBM, Rock-Ola, Inland and a Saginaw. I was trying to collect each manufacturer but to my misfortune I reside in the Peoples Republic of New Jersey and the carbines where outlawed in the early 90,s by a one term Governor, Jim Florio. They where all sold off to dealers. I sure miss those carbines. They where really fun to shoot and I have no idea how many rounds of ammo that I reloaded and fired in them. I served in the Marines, 1961 to 67. The carbine had been… Read more »

Phillip Wallace

I have an Underwood M 1 Carbine and have owned it 50 years. I was a senior in high school and another student brought the rifle into mechanical drawing class and wanted to sell it.. The class teacher and a couple of other guys were making offers and I finally told the student I would give him $5.00 for it ( a lot of money for a student in 1965) SOLD! I still have it with two clips. I get a lot of enjoyment out of just plinking around with it. Can you imagine bring a military weapon into a… Read more »

Ron

of all the guns I own the M1 carbine is my favoret. I own and have loaded the M1 carbine for over 50 years and have used it for deer hunting. it is an excellent rifle for deer out to 100 yards as long as you use bullets with a lot of lead exposed. I started hunting with it when I first got married I have bagged seven deer with it and only one was not a one shot kill, only ran 50 yds.I stopped using it when I got a 270 Winchester for the longer ranges. the first deer… Read more »

Charles Gallo

My father was in Korea , e carried a M-1 Carbine on guard duty ! I bought him one for his 81 Birthday ! It wasw good to see that youthful look in his eyes n face ! My dad was in the Air Force ! Thank you to all Veterans ! The M-1 Carbine is a nice lite gun for shooting upto 100 yards at critters too !!

Jim Cox

I am also a 100% disabled A.F. Vet now confined to an electric wheel chair. When I first got to Viet Nam in 67 we still had a mix of M1 carbines and M16s. Later in Germany, we only had M1 carbines. I really liked that weapon. I would like to own one, but on a fixed (and very low) income, I can’t afford the current asking prices. But I still can dream!

Jim S

I’ve had good luck on gunbroker dot com for those looking to acquire a good M1 Carbine.
And on the subject. The M1 Carbine is a great rifle for it’s intended purpose…close up and personal combat where the ability to carry lot’s of ammo counts…And also where rifle accuracy over pistol accuracy is important…mid range….If I were forced to only carry one weapon….I’d have an argument on my hands for sure….Everyone has a rock solid opinion on that one….but for our discussion…The M1 Carbine would not be a bad choice at all…

Joe

Was stationed at Ellsworth AFB in 1969 as a SP and was issued an M2 for Aircraft Security duty. Had 52’s and 135’s on alert. Don’t remember if we ever got issued M16’s before I went PCS to the ROK.

MyGunCulture

Petru sova – The M1 Carbine was never intended to be a battle rifle – that’s what the M1 Garand was for. It was originally issued to troops who would normally carry only a pistol. The idea was to provide a little more capability and ease of use over a…. pistol.

SSG 11B3P

Interesting that nearly every posted note says, “carried, read, was told”, etc. Nobody says they actually USED the carbine in combat. In RVN, I was assigned as an RTO with a recon unit, and carried and fired the weapon in combat. Yes, the M16 was more effective, but the carbine was handier for some of us. Oh, and no one ever complained that what I shot them with wasn’t powerful enough.

F Riehl, Editor in Chief

“and no one ever complained that what I shot them with wasn’t powerful enough.” — Great line you made us laugh.

Jack

To the question of whether you can hunt deer with this rifle, yes you can. My first deer hunt after Vietnam I borrowed an M1 carbine from my fathers friend. I took down a six point buck with one shot with open iron sights.

Harry Paulsen

I was in the Marine Corps in March of 1951 and traded a case of Canadian Club fo an Air Force supply Sergeant for a M2 Carbine (had a full auto switch) …. was stationed a K-1 AIR STRI P(KOREA) – went deer hunting with some buddies.

We gave the deer we got to some local Korean’s who were very happt and carried the deer home.

Kav McGeady

Could never figure why the M1 Carbine was banned in Maryland for deer hunting but was a U.S. issued arm for many a year; ostensibly for more grave use?

Doug Bowers

The M1 carbine story is a great example of American ingenuity and manufacturing expertise. Inland here in Dayton worked with Winchester and the Ordnance Dept to develop the original drawings, develop initial manufacturing plans, establish safety protocols and established the first overhead manufacturing line. Further the Carbine Integration Board ensured 6M plus could be manufactured in just over 3 years by adding manufacturers, ensuring all parts were interchangeable between manufacturers and moving parts from one manufacturer to another to avoid delays. So even at Inland who made 2M+ carbines, sometimes new rifles came off the line with Saginaw Gear receivers.… Read more »

Bil

My Dad was a B-24 Liberator pilot in WWII. He was issued a Colt 45 pistol, which he said was shot out and couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn. Besides it only held 7 rounds. He met a GI in a bar and they decided “in the moment” that it would be a good idea to trade weapons, the GI’s M1 carbine for Dad’s 45. So they did. Dad liked the carbine and it’s 15 rounds, plus another couple mags, and he could easily carry it in his cockpit. He ended up bringing it home at the end… Read more »

G

275 yard kill on a white tail in East Texas……………..and legally blind ??? I’m gonna have to call bullshit on that one…….

Chris

I have read stories about the M1 Carbine in combat. You either loved it or hated it. It is great for a close combat weapon but other than that it falls short. My friends dad was in Europe WWll. He was issued a Thompson. The first chance he got he swapped it for a M1 Garand. He then proceeded to go around shooting trees. His buddy asked what he was doing and he said that wanted see what size of tree he can hide behind. He also told his son that he traded the Thompson because he did not want… Read more »

Walt

Do you still have the M1 Garand? Who is the maker? Where are you located?

Wild Bill

@zyck, I have several more CMP Garands than I need. What are you looking for?

Bill in Lexington,NC

Do you have any of the carbines? All I ask is a good barrel and function and intact wood. Pretty doesn’t matter. I’ve only ever shot one and it was as if it was custom made for me. By the time I get it locked to my shoulder and acquire the front sight, I’m on target. Boom. As fast as I can get back to the target, Boom. Freehand standing, in the 8 ring at 100 yds, on a pie plate at 50 — rapid fire.

[email protected]

warren tindale

I bought a M-1 carbine in 1995, in a gun shop in NY on the Penn border. I paid $150.00 dollars for it. It is a saginaw receiver upper, Buffalo Arms barrel with a 1943 date on the barrelI have the original sstock, but currently have a M-2 stock, purchaced in 1997 in NY. I to served in the Vietnam theater 1966-1967 with the US Air Force an carried a M-1 carbine. 34 years later I served in Iraq carring the perfected M-16. Carring the M-1 was a delight.

George Hower

I have a new in box m1 garand for sale 1500.00 still has cosmoline on gun from 1970s. Contact me at [email protected]

Roger V. Tranfaglia

GREAT…story!!
Maybe, one day I’ll have one…or BOTH!

usaf vet

Joined AF in 58 and well remember the Carbine. We used them in basic to “qualify”. These guns were sued nearly daily and had seen much better days, some looked like nearly smooth bores. Was great shot before but hardly qualified in basic with the beasts, would not hold zero, sights loose, bores worn and action more useful as bolt action then semi-auto. For years until we got the M16 every year of so had to “go to range” with the M1 and same issue with the “Range guns”, worn out. Later “qualified” M16 but that was days of wrong… Read more »

Jay Diers

I bought one on line from Guns International for $325. It is an Alpine .30cal M1. I love it’s weight and accuracy and have not seen another anywhere! Glad I picked it up

Dan Buie

I joined the Army in 1956. One of my first rifle qualification days was with a M1 Carbine at Camp Breckenridge KY ( Now closed and demolished ) I shot a 159 out of a 160 possible and that included changing rifles twice as two of the jammed. When the rifle jammed I received another one and had three shots to zero it in. I don’t think ever did as well on any other qualification attempt. Two years ago I was able to buy a M1 at a gun show, It has a special place in my thoughts.

John Routh

I worked for GM for over 30 years. I always wanted an M1 but could not afford one. In Northern Indiana I spotted an M1 Carbine and lo and behold it had Inland –1944 stamped on the front of the bbl. It was in great shape. Could not believe it came from the old Chevy plant. That was in 1970 paid $50.00 for it at a yard sale. Fired it a couple of times and it worked great.
The guy who sold it to me did know what he had.

Petru sova

A great collectors item. A lousy battle rifle. Gas system difficult to keep operational. Poor accuracy. Weak recoil spring that added to jams. Anemic cartridge not suitable for battle.

Louy Trammell

My Dad carried one all through WWII island hopping in the Pacific with the 101 C.B.s . He was a truck driver and equipment operator. The Navy said they were a replacement for the 1911A1 pistols, He said at any range at all (more than 50 or 60 yards) they were very un accurate. On 100 yard range a group would be 6 inchs to off the target. Another problem with them was when used on full auto after the first couple of rounds the bolt would start bouncing the rest of the bullets fell to the ground about have… Read more »

Bryan Bowlin

I will always have fondness for the carbine, as it is the rifle I was taught on as a boy. I have dropped east Texas whitetails up to 275 yds using the original peep sights. Other boys were brought up using 22s , but I being born legally blind could never shoot v sights. Therefore I was relegated to a 16 ga Fox until my grand father took time instructing me in firing the peep sights with my limited vision. I still get a kick out of showing up the young eagle eyes with their stone nerves. I’ll throw the… Read more »

Bullrhider

When I was a kid (about 50 years ago) I had an old, banged up Rock-Ola carbine I used to hunt squirrel, rabbits, and coons. That sweet old gun would drive tacks out to 50+ yards or so. And it never jammed regardless what sort of cheap, surplus ammo I fed it. My buddies had .22s… but my ‘targets’ never got up and ran away!

Bullrhider

The .357 is a rimmed cartridge… not to good in a semi auto. But your idea is right: why not have taken the .357 and knocked the rim off?

DFSmith

I also have one my dad bought in the sixtys. 17.50. I still have all paperwork and box it was shipped in. It’s a Underwood and in great condition. What a buy!

USNVET

I was a kiddie cruiser (3 year navy enlistment) The captain of the ship I was on loved firing small arms and his favorite was the M- 30-06 and the BAR On the fantail while at sea I was handed a Thomson 50 cal and being 130 pounds and 5′ – 6″ the kick was to much and everyone started to laugh. Being 17 years old I felt very embarrassed to say the least The captain said one minute lad and came back with a 30 carbine and handed it to me . When I finished firing 50 rounds and… Read more »

DaveW

I own a Saginaw version and love it. I noted no mention was made of the Singer Sewing machine Co version. In 1967, I entered the USAF and trained with the M-16. I was then assigned to the USAF Air Police (later relabeled the Security Police, and today it’s Security Forces). I was issued an M-16. In 1968, they took away all our M-16s and shipped them off to be refurbished for use in Vietnam, and for replacements we were issued the M2 carbine. I found it to be a heck of a lot easier to carry than the M-16… Read more »

Ron Anderson

My brother bought one from the NRA , back when ,. It was made by Rock-Ola. It was spanking new still in the old oil paper with all that cosmoline . We took it to a car wash an steam cleaned it .. He ended up selling it for a 100 dollars . I would sure like it today .

Freddie1941

The .357 Magnum is a rimmed revolver cartridge. Rimmed cartridges have less reliable feeding from semi-autos. Also a semi-auto cartridge must be designed with a powder type-quantity / bullet mass situation that produces consistent gas pressures at the gas port. The gas pressure must be consistent over various temperature/ humidity/ barometric pressure ranges that will be experienced wherever the weapon is in service all over the planet. The .357 cartridge does not do that. The .30 carbine cartridge does (with exception of extreme arctic/alpine conditions).

LH

While the excellence of the 357 Magnum cannot be challenged, its reputation was gained using hollow point bullets. In ball format, which would have been mandated by the Hague Convention of 1899, the 357 Magnum is much less effective. Further, it’s a rimmed cartridge which would have been difficult, if not impossible, to use in a high capacity double stacked magazine format. Since we are “what iffing”, how about the 45 ACP.? Ammunition supply is greatly simplified. It’s already being supplied to the troops for the 1911 and the Thompson. The 1911 was already considered an effective “man stopper”. A… Read more »

Irvan Robbins

Being my grandpa was in WWII & my dad was in Korea war . Both have past away sad to say.Herd vary little about the war ,I did hear about those guns they used .I only wishe they would make one for the state of Indiana special deer season .The “Indiana 358 Cal. Hoosier’s ” M1 ?

Bernief

My father carried an M1 Carbine as a driver in the Red Ball Express. He liked it because of its light weight. My grandfather bought ten of them for his family members when the military first released them. I chipped in my $20 and still have mine – a low serial number Inland model that has the modern adjustable sight. It is a blast to shoot. Virtually no recoil and not very noisy. I acquired a Ruger Blackhawk in M1 Carbine. Pretty noisy but nice shooting out to 100 yards. I can hit a 1 foot square target at 100… Read more »

JamesC

Hi – you may not be aware of this but the M1 carbine was used in an anti-terror role in Northern Ireland during the mid – late 1970s. The Royal Ulster Constabulary (police force) purchased many of these weapons for use in anti-terrorist roles. They were handy for carrying in motor vehicles and proved very reliable. We had a “sporting” version which did not have a bayonet catch but the wood was inclined to be soft and easily damaged but otherwise it was a very acceptable weapon. It was later replaced by the Ruger Mini 14.

Hatman1793

While they were fiddling around creating a cartridge for this carbine, a perfectly suitable one already existed. And with better ballistics! Just imagine if the M1 Carbine had been adapted to use the .357 Magnum cartridge. (introduced in 1935) A 158 or 160 grain FMJ moving out at 1200-1250 FPS is no slouch. Besides, the M1 Carbine was never designed to be a long range weapon: out to 100 yards the 357 Magnum cartridge is superior to the faster but weaker stopping power of the 30 carbine.
I think it could work.

MyGunCulture

I’ll tell you what. Since I’m a nice guy, I’ll offer you $60 for that rifle. That’s TRIPLE you investment 🙂

Chaplain Dale Stearns

I’ll love to own one I used one before, I like it. Where can I get one. i’m a Disabled Veteran on a set income.

klesb

Hornaday now makes their critical defense ammunition for the M1 carbine.
https://www.hornady.com/store/30-M1-CARBINE-110-GR-FTX-CD

Pistol Packin Pentecostal Preacher

Oh yes the caliber 308 will bring down any deer if you place it right and I do understand the long shots up in flatland territory but we have killed many in the wonderful Appalachian mins. I love all the USA but just learn your weapon, in 1966 my uncle could hit anything anywhere in 1000 meters but I realize he was number two in the US Army. He was like good ol Alvin. God bless this article and the great Ammoland shooting sport news it was well written. I am in a hurry and some of my grammar may… Read more »

Pistol Packin Pentecostal Preacher

My uncle was in the Vietnam war for 3 tours. He was a staff Sergeant who trained many and many used a various kind of great weapons. He used the m1 carbine and was vert successful because he came back alive. He would only talk of those he killed after much drinking. I just listened. I believe he used the correct gun for his circumstances. The m16 was not yet fully developed. He was my hero and saved many lives as well as taking many which actually still sav s lives. It is biblical. I don’t want to get off… Read more »

Bob K

1967, I went to an NRA convention in Chicago. I picked up a brochure with the photo of a M1 carbine. I filled out the application and sent in to the Commanding General, Rock Island Arsenal. I was placed on a first come basis. They wanted 17.50, plus $2.50 S&H. I received my Carbine, a Winchester. It’s a beauty, which I still own to this day. Never a problem, shoots without a flaw. I have instructed my grandson to never sell this rifle, along with my M1 Garand. A treasure I was fortunate to acquire.

RickK

My dad started out with a M1 carbine when he was RTO in a forward observer team attached to an infantry company. The first time he saw Germans, they were standing in the open 250m away at the other end of a plowed field. The Germans didn’t notice the spitballs launched at them, but Dad said the supersonic 7.9mm rounds had a great sonic boom as they passed overhead in the opposite direction.

He swapped his carbine for a Garand with the first grunt he met. Both parties were happy with the transaction.