Choice for personal defense rifle...don't laugh.
Most people would go with some variation of an AR15. A few favor the FAL. Some lean towards an AK type. But lately I'm thinking a rifle from the past might still be a good choice.
Maybe 40 years ago I knew a guy was a Vietnam vet (82nd Airborne) who kept an M1 Carbine ready for use. I thought it an unusual choice but he swore by it. Said he saw ARVN troops using them in the jungle and they worked every time they pulled the trigger. The M16s were breaking down regularly. The caliber isn't real powerful but we aren't talking about elephant hunting here, and men usually fold up when hit by anything. I saw some study where the 30C with ball ammo had an 92% one shot stop rating.
The M1 Carbine is super compact and lightweight. Recoil in minimal. The ammo is small and light so more of it can be carried. I prefer the 15 round magazines for compactness. Still a lot of firepower. I think a good soft point load would improve its effectiveness.
I think a case can be made for the M1 Carbine as defensive rifle. Anyone agree? Or am I kooky?
Maybe 40 years ago I knew a guy was a Vietnam vet (82nd Airborne) who kept an M1 Carbine ready for use. I thought it an unusual choice but he swore by it. Said he saw ARVN troops using them in the jungle and they worked every time they pulled the trigger. The M16s were breaking down regularly. The caliber isn't real powerful but we aren't talking about elephant hunting here, and men usually fold up when hit by anything. I saw some study where the 30C with ball ammo had an 92% one shot stop rating.
The M1 Carbine is super compact and lightweight. Recoil in minimal. The ammo is small and light so more of it can be carried. I prefer the 15 round magazines for compactness. Still a lot of firepower. I think a good soft point load would improve its effectiveness.
I think a case can be made for the M1 Carbine as defensive rifle. Anyone agree? Or am I kooky?
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I agree the carbine I have has been more reliable then the 2 AR's that I have plus the fact about 15 years ago I acquired a life time supply of 30 carbine ammo 0 -
Yes, but I?d be afraid I?d put a scratch on it. 0 -
Doc,
I agree with all of your reasoning and that is why I bought one for my wife to use.
It is my favorite plinking gun and it is my ready long gun for if/when its needed.0 -
Ballistics speak .. a hunters rule of thumb is to have a firearm that has at least 1000 ft #'s of energy to kill a deer or animal ethically. Look at the charts of calibers and determine for yourself. That energy would start at 100 yd in my opinion.
http://guide.sportsmansguide.com/ballisticscharts/0 -
What brand of shoulder holster does it call for? 0 -
What brand of shoulder holster does it call for? 0 -
I agree 100%; light, reliable and effective for the purpose. 0 -
Excellent choice, that's what I have in my house. And if worse comes to worse, you can always butt stroke a bad guy if needed. Wooden stock would definitely put a hurt on someones jaw. Ammo is available and reloading is a breeze. 0 -
I love my 1943 Inwood. The cartridge compares ballistically to the .357 mag. It will get the job done.
It would most definately be in my SHTF go to gun stash. I'm very comfortable with it. Very accurite little rifle. The size/weight vs. the lethality is very impressive.
I'd have no problem relying on the little M1 Carbine, and do.0 -
M1 Carbine is a great choice and I would not feel under-guned with one.
I keep a Marlin 30-30 as my HD rifle. I also have one in my truck or car when I travel.0 -
The carbine was intended to replace the pistol for support troops who needed something to defend themselves with, and it will work fine for that purpose...if you happen to already own one. If you don't already own a carbine then you can expect to spend the same (for a Universal) or a lot more (for any USGI) money on a carbine than it would take to purchase an entry level AR, which is every bit as light and as easy to handle as the carbine, as well as using less expensive ammo with superior ballistics. Toss in the price of spare parts and I just don't see any clear advantage the carbine has over an AR. For folks who live in areas where black rifles are frowned on, a case can easily be made for the Mini 14 over the carbine.
The issues with the M16 in Vietnam were solved 50 years ago and are about as relevant today as talking about the 7th stoppage with the M1 Rifle. 90% of all M1 Rifle owners won't even know what that was. The 10% who do don't care.0 -
Given the choice between 30 Carbine and 308/7.62 Nato, I'd go with the 308/7.62.
Don't get me wrong, I've loved the M1 Carbine since I was a kid. However, as I grew and learned, I learned there are better cartridges for 'defense'. It's too bad that the Carbine wasn't chambered for 45 ACP. Then we'd have a real man stopper.
M60 Riesing anyone?0 -
I have never owned one but my dad had one. Fun to shot, he sold it before I was old enough to object.
If was ok by the infantry, I would trust one.
May have to start looking, dang it, how am I going to get it in the house.
I think my wife needs one!0 -
I knew a guy that fought the Japanese on the islands during WWII.
He swore that the M1 Carbine was the perfect rifle for shooting Japs.
He carried his hate for Japanese to his death.0 -
quote:Originally posted by 84Bravo1
I love my 1943 Inwood. The cartridge compares ballistically to the .357 mag. It will get the job done.
It would most definately be in my SHTF go to gun stash. I'm very comfortable with it. Very accurite little rifle. The size/weight vs. the lethality is very impressive.
I'd have no problem relying on the little M1 Carbine, and do.
Inwood?
I take it you have an Inland with Underwood parts?
Don0 -
quote:Originally posted by Don McManus
quote:Originally posted by 84Bravo1
I love my 1943 Inwood. The cartridge compares ballistically to the .357 mag. It will get the job done.
It would most definately be in my SHTF go to gun stash. I'm very comfortable with it. Very accurite little rifle. The size/weight vs. the lethality is very impressive.
I'd have no problem relying on the little M1 Carbine, and do.
Inwood?
I take it you have an Inland with Underwood parts?
Don
Miss-spoke. (Excuse me.) Inland.0 -
I have a Underwood early on in life a universal ( 69.00 at Woolworth [:D] )
would I trust my life to it sure . it was made as close combat add in a 30 round jungle mag and go
is it what I keep ready no I have a 870 12 ga 20" barrel and extended mag and a 45 acp xds for that
but you do a lot worse than the m1 carbine
as a kid I recall hearing they would not do well against the heavy winter clothing some wore but that was all rumor ? and stories passed on0 -
How accurately do you shoot it? 0 -
They are among the most reliable semi auto rifles.
The AK's internals copy some of the carbine's parts.
They have a higher 1 shot stop rating with ball than 45 and would probably profit from softpoint or hollowpoint ammo more because the velocity is higher.
The risk from overpenetration is lower than higher power rifles.
OTOH the AR15 is more ergonomic.0 -
I'd rather have a short barreled AR. Like an SBR short barrel.
At a glance, that carbine's kind of a curious choice. But it's light, quick handling, and reliable.
I like it. I wouldn't feel under-armed.0 -
If you want some class with your home defense rifle- I think a 30 carbine is a good choice.
If you want the latest technology there are better options. I think a 16? bbl 9mm carbine with a few 40 round mags and a red dot could really ruin a bad guys day.0 -
Always wanted one, never got one and at this point I don't know if I will. I have shot them and I think they are a good choice for a home defense carbine. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Warbirds
If you want some class with your home defense rifle- I think a 30 carbine is a good choice.
If you want the latest technology there are better options. I think a 16? bbl 9mm carbine with a few 40 round mags and a red dot could really ruin a bad guys day.
A 9mm carbine, handgun combo that uses the same mags is my thought.0 -
Not aware of M1C parts being hard to find. But truth is I have never needed to find any. BOOM!
The 223 has superior ballistics. But I suspect very few civilians shoot past 25 yards when using defensive rifles. Advantage in long range capabilities?
I don't think an AR handles as well as the M1C. Subjective of course, but the AR has stuff protruding in most directions while the M1C is rounder and smoother to the touch.
An AR probably is the best choice. But I pondered if the M1C is a good choice. I think it is.0 -
quote:Originally posted by SCOUT5
quote:Originally posted by Warbirds
If you want some class with your home defense rifle- I think a 30 carbine is a good choice.
If you want the latest technology there are better options. I think a 16? bbl 9mm carbine with a few 40 round mags and a red dot could really ruin a bad guys day.
A 9mm carbine, handgun combo that uses the same mags is my thought.
My Vehicle combo, is a Glock 22, paired with a Kel Tec Sub 2K. Both in the venerable .40 cal round. Shares mags. 31 rounders. Initially a 17 round mag in the Glock.
I'd still rather sport my M1 Carbine, if given a choice.0 -
I agree Doc. I frequently carry a Carbine as a car gun while out traveling. Yes, its not as powerful as an AR, but I believe its sufficient to get most jobs done.
A 110gr bullet going 1990 FPS packs a pretty good punch. I have used my carbines for rabbit hunting for decades, and the work great.
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quote:Originally posted by Laredo Lefty
I agree Doc. I frequently carry a Carbine as a car gun while out traveling. Yes, its not as powerful as an AR, but I believe its sufficient to get most jobs done.
A 110gr bullet going 1990 FPS packs a pretty good punch. I have used my carbines for rabbit hunting for decades, and the work great.
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Nice collection.
The M1 Carbine is very handy, portable, lethal, reliable. What more do you need/want?0 -
When I was a kid, 60 years ago, I asked my neighbor if he killed any Germans when he was in the war. He said yes and he said one almost killed me. One night the attack in the darkness. In the light of the flares, he started shooting his 30 carbine. He saw on huge guy coming straight for him. He shot him over and over till finally he fell 3 feet in front of his trench. In the morning, he pulled him in and found 9 shots all in the chest. At that point he decided he did not like it. 0 -
Good choice, I will keep it in mind. I like my 94 Win trapper in .45 Colt. 0 -
It's a great home defense weapon I think. Most home defense situations are well under 50 yards Nd the M-1 carbine has plenty of power in that range... Given it's light weight, low rexoil, fast follow up shots, and plenty of ammo before a magazine cha GE is required... And it's pretty short to help with getting through a hallway. 0
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