Need some advice on .30 carbine
I have had my wife shooting 9MM handguns for years,she says she enjoys it but its always me who says lets go shoot a few rounds.I work nights and its just her and the Dobermans that hold down the fort.The dogs are fenced in of course,but in my line of work I worry about her being here alone.Ive tried to get her used to a 20GA shotgun,but its still to much for her.She dont like my AR-15 but does like my Mini-14s.I keep one loaded and in our bedroom at all times.Lately Ive heard some story's about the 223 being a disappointment?Our carbines are 223s and our swat uses 223s.But I was at the Gun store today and the owners wife was there and my wife came in to talk to her.I was looking at a brand new post war .30 carbine,and my wife liked it.I almost bought it but I remembered reading it didnt work well in Korea I believe as a man stopper.I have compared the Ballistics and the 223 out performs it.But I was wondering if anyone had any input on the .30 carbine as being or not being a good Defense gun?
Thanks in Advance.
Rugster
Toujours Pret
Thanks in Advance.
Rugster
Toujours Pret
0
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I happen to own two. There is more to a weapon than just ballistic charts. First the carbine is not the baddest boy on the block but it wasn't made for that. The story you are hearing is the fabled WW2 vets versus the Korean Vets over stopping power. The WW2 vets loved it and the Korean Vets hated it. Closer studies have shown why. The reason was the Carbines were basically all semi auto in WW2 and were selective fire in the Korean war. With that said I will go on record as saying I love the m1 carbine. They are fun, reliable and accurate. You can shoot them all day and they won't beat you up. For basic self defense I would pick them over a .223 because the .30 cal won't go through three walls and hit something you don't want to. They are handier to move around in close quarters. In the 25yd to 110 yd range they are as good as anything else out there for two legged monsters. Good luck and hope this helps. 0 -
As a combat weapon the M1 Carbine has little to recommmend it, but it was not designed with that function in mind. The failure of .30 Carbine ammunition as a man stopper was well documented in Korea, but that was mostly due to over expectations of both the round and the weapon. Unlike our troops, you are not going to be facing an mass of advancing enemy, many of whom were wearing some form of body armor.
The .223 rifle cartridge offers vastly superior ballistics but at the price of over penitration, muzzel flash, and noise. Both the noise and flash are tremedious and I doubt that an untrained individual could use such a firearm effectively in a confined space like a bedroom. You would also be risking have the bullets penatrating through any number of walls.
On the surface the M1 Carbine would be a very good choice for your wife's use; it is light, easy to handle, has a large magazine capacity, and the recoil is light. These are the reasons that it was adopted by our armed forces in the first place- it is a good personal defence weapon, but not a battle rifle.
I am more concerned with you statement about buying a "post war" carbine. I assume that means a commercial carbine? If it is one of the Universal brand carbines I STRONGLY suggest that you pass on purchasing it. These Universals are trouble prone and would not be suitable for defence. Now here is your problem: The G.I. Carbines would be fine for your wifes use but original M1 Carbines are rapidly becomming more and more expensive. Finding a good one at a low price is nearly impossible! The imports range from fair to poor and even at their best they usually require you replace a few parts to keep them working. Most were heavily used and are themselves not reliable.
If you can fine a good carbine at a fair price and your wife likes the way the little gun handles there is no reason not to use it. Just don't have high expectaions on its performance.
Mark T. Christian0 -
Are there any commercial "defense" type rounds loaded for the m1 ? Like a 100gr Starfire HP or some other nasty little thing ?
Second what Mark says about the Universal. I had one and it was JUNK !
I understand the new IAI are worthy guns though not much less than a "cheap" mil surp. Have been thinking about buying another one and would not hesitate to tell the wife to use it in self defense, though already have a .410 cruiser and Hi-point 9mm loaded in BR.
"A Fear of Weapons is a sign of Retarded Sexual
and Emotional Maturity" Sigmund Freud
"MOLON LABE !"0 -
I think she should stick to her 9mm with Corbon defense rounds. If you feel you need a long gun for home defense, buy a 12 gauge and put a cushy pad on it. Her life is more important than a bruise on her shoulder. I don't think a carbine of any caliber is ideal for close-quarters indoor combat and it certainly doesn't provide protection like a shotgun. If I had a choice between a 9mm pistol and a .30 carbine (for indoor work) I'd take the pistol because:
-Less chance of overpenetration
-Smaller, easier to conceal, harder for enemy to grab
-Less scary to a jury than something that looks like an "assault weapon"
-Less recoil, higher chance of putting more rounds on the target quickly
-Lighter, less personal fatigue and higher mobility (running away is a GOOD thing)
p.s. If she likes 9mm, have her shoot .40acp. It's a great round with about the same recoil as 9mm and more knockdown.
www.ebsart.com
"Live by the three 'R's: Respect, Responsibility and Residuals."0 -
my wife doesn't like to shoot because of recoil, but will shoot my carbine just like it was a .22. I have a 1943 inland with a fajen which stock fits her well. avoid the fmj, they do penetrate a great deal at close range in my experiance with 4 legged furry critters. I use the hornady 90 gr xtp in it over a healthy charge of 296 or h110. these loads make woodchucks litterally explode....
rich0 -
Let you wife try shooting a 20 or even 12 ga from the hip vs. the shoulder. My wife is small and she can handle her Mossberg quite well.
-Marcus
****Happiness is a new gun.****0
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