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M1 (Carbine): Collector only or Utility

iupetre
I've inherited an M1 carbine rifle (US Army .30) in great condition with the original stock and strap; however, it has rubber pad on the stock (sporterized?) from the 40s added by my grand father. I don't have a clip or ammunition for this gun.

My question:
I want to have a rifle for home defense / hunting, but I'm not collector. Should I sell this gun or should I use it?
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Comments

12 comments

Date Votes
  • countryfarmer
    Use it, it is still a functional weapon for home defense. It is ideal, small size and no overpenertration worries with the ammo.
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  • 11b6r
    Magazines for M1 carbines are readily available, as is .30 Carbine ammo- altho not the ocean of milsurp ammo that WAS out there some years back. In my opinion, the .30 carbine is on the light side for deer and larger critters- it is basically a fairly hot pistol cartridge- but deer HAVE been taken with the carbine. Recoil is moderate, rifle is light and handy. surplusrifle.com has some good info on a LOT of milsurp rifles and handguns for further reading.
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  • nmyers
    Despite the recoil pad, I can't tell you that your carbine is beyond collectibility without seeing close-up photos.

    An M1 carbine would be at the top my list for home defense; handy, powerful, & reliable, it's just about ideal.

    I can't think of much that I would hunt with it. Close to a .357 mag in power, it's probably not a good deer rifle; in many locales it is not legal due to low muzzle velocity.

    Neal
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  • idahoducker
    Provide pics if you can but for starters, what is stamped on top of the receiver just behind and under the rear sight and also on top of the barrel just behind the front sight? Anything stamped on either side or the bottom of the barrel?
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  • dcs shooters
    You have a very good rifle for home defense. As said it is a little lite for hunting much. if you can post some good close up pictures, we can tell you more about it. If the stock was not cut when the recoil pad was installed, you might be able to take it off and get a butt plate for it to put it back in collector condition.
    Magazines for carbines are not expencive to get off the auction side or a gun show or some gun shops.
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  • fastcarsgofast
    Carbines are always utility to me. They are great guns.
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  • the yooper
    I've got a drawer full of mags. Depending on where you live and the possible limitation on magazine capacity in your state or city, email me your mailing address I'll send you a 15 and a 30 rounder. Kind of like a Karma. My email address is in my profile. The M1 carbine is a GREAT little weapon and a lot of fun to shoot.
    yooper
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  • slumlord44
    Just because it is a collectable does not mean you can not use it as a home defense gun. You already got an offer for a clip. As stated earlier, depending on what was done when the recoil pad was added, you may be able to just replace the butplate to bring it back to original. If this is not the case, good original stocks are available. Since you inherited the gun, you can afford to spend a few bucks for a stock if you have to. I would definately want to keep Grandpa's gun.
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  • clownboy
    Just my tiny thought on a defense weapon...
    In the unfortunate case that you may have to use the weapon in a defensive position the weapon could be confiscated by the authorities and possibly never returned. This would remove it from passing down to other family members. I would suggest finding something a little less valuable to you and your family as a defense weapon.

    Great rifle though and if it was in my ever so tiny arsenal, I would spend hours plinking with it. Enjoy it and look forward to passing it down to the next generation!

    Brad
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  • quickmajik
    Both. M1 carbines make great utility guns.. Light and handy. I carry one slung all day on ocasion, with a couple extra mags on my belt I can forget I'm carrying it until there is something to plink.

    there are plenty of aftermarket stuff to make an M1 carbine into a personalized all purpose gun. Not that they arent perfect the way they are.
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  • iupetre
    quote:Originally posted by quickmajik

    there are plenty of aftermarket stuff to make an M1 carbine into a personalized all purpose gun. Not that they arent perfect the way they are.


    Yea I'm thinking after reading all the replies that I might buy newer stock for the gun, foldable, with a pistol grip.
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  • dcs shooters
    There a few folding stocks listed on the auction side. If you can, please post some close up pictures showing all the markings for us.
    This post will be locked after 10 posts, so another one will have to be started.
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