M1 Carbine Carbcartridge / chamber / barrel Mods?
Anyone have information on M1 Carbines that were originally manufactured or have been modified aftermarket to fire another or an altered cartrige or round or both. It seems to me that someone mentioned a .357 Automag and a .223, there must be more. I have a couple of "plinkers" that I may consider "tinkering" with. Any first hand info, publications or websites would be greatly appreciated. Big gunshow (1500 tables) here (Portland, Oregon) this weekend. Life is good!
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
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I doubt that anyone would have attempted to convert an M1 carbine to .357 Automag (pressure too high) or to .223 (cartridge too long).
There have been other attempts, but the only practical one that I know is to 5.7 mm Johnson, which is basically a necked-down .30 carbine cartridge. Barrels and loaded ammo for this wildcat are currently available from Gun Parts Corp. This conversion was developed in 1963, but has never been popular. Guns in this caliber are quite difficult to sell.
But, if this sort of thing is fun for you, it's neither difficult nor expensive.
Neal0 -
Some time back there was an attempt to do the M1 in 9mm parabellum, I have a bolt for the carbine with the bolt face modified for that cartridge
stubtail@sbcglobal.net0 -
Iver Johnson made carbines in the 5.7mm caliber mentioned by Neal Myers, these were marketed as "Survival Carbines" (IJ models SC5.7S,7F,7SS and 7FS)and came in fixed or folding stock versions in either blue or stainless steel. There was also a 9mm version with a standard stock (IJ model G.I.9). Melvin Johnson's own Johnson's Guns Inc. manufactured a limited number of carbines chambered for his 5.7mm round and called the "Spitfire", using ex-GI carbine receivers. These are very rare guns and I've seen olny two, one of which was a special police model with a 12" barrel.
There were other proprietary caliber carbines such as the ".223 Scorpion" from Crest Carving Co. of La Habra, CA, the .22/30 from Johnson-Tucker of St. Louis, MO, from Plainfield, and A firm called C.C. Rhetts out of Indiana. Universal made a limited number of "Vulcan" slide action carbines in .44 magnum and the "Ferret" in .256 Win. during the late 1960's. These are seldom seen today as they cost $119.95...$10 more than the standard .30 caliber Universal carbine back in 1969 and attracted few buyers.
Now a days I have heard of a few firms trying to market carbines chambered for a version of the .221 Remington, a rimless cased .357 Magnum and the 10mm. Each version involves reworking the bore, bolt and trigger housing along with the magazine and there is no telling if buyers will be interested enough to pony up the bucks. I think Melvin Johnson's 5.7mm is still the best of the breed as far as "up dating" the carbine to a new caliber. Carbines are not my specialty but I hope this information helps you.
Mark T. Christian0 -
Thanks guys this gives me a base to build from. Maybe more will contribute............... 0 -
A number of years ago (probably more then 10, but can't remember clearly), a national gun magazine, probably Guns and Ammo, published an article on a gunsmith who was converting GI M-1 Carbines to fire .44 magnum rounds. I recall the article contained a photo of him firing such a rifle. I suggest that you send an inquiry to Guns and Ammo (see their section that replies to letters from readers). Even if they did not run the article, they still may have the info you seek. 0 -
Hi, I'am the guy with the converted carbine in 357 automag. Actually I found out it's chambered for 375/38-40 rimless. Basically a 357 automag necked up to .375. A wildcat older than the 357amp. I've looked and looked for info on it or other custom carbines and came up empty handed. I'am down to 25 loaded rounds for the thing and still trying to iron out the reloading for it. I can't find the light weight (158gr) bullets used in the origanal load. I'd save your money and buy a truckload or .30carbine and waist some cans and not your time. P.S. Iam a little leary of shooting it to much also. The guy who had the conversion done was thinking about useing it for a brush gun for deer. A 44mag ruger,marlin or winchester carbine would be better and cheeper. It's a heirloom now, so in the safe it sits.
spike0
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