[hps1]

Has anyone ever succesfully done anything to improve the accuracy of their M1 Carbine?

One area that I am sure could be improved upon is the patent breech. Have considered either glass bedding or perhaps drilling and tapping for a set screw in bottom of the female half to essentially make the barrel and block one piece. I am sure this would help accuracy; any other ideas?

Regards,
hps

[Jim K]

What "block" are you referring to? The gas cylinder either is one piece with the barrel or is swaged on so that it is one piece for practical purposes. The only other "block" is the slide and it moves to operate the gun, so it can't be fixed to the barrel.

I think trying to really accurize the carbine would be a fruitless exercise. The light barrel, combined with the type of stock and the limitations of the ammunition all combine to make the gun what it is - a short range defensive weapon. I have no doubt that some improvements could be made, but I think the idea of a really accurate carbine is a dead end.

Jim

[ksnecktieman]

I LOVE my carbine,,, but it is a cartridge that is effective at 150 yards maximum,,, and 100 yards realisticaly,,, mine will stay in three inches at 100 yards,, so is there a reason?

Yes, I have had a scope on it, yes, I use it for deer,,, but, it is a short range weapon, and I think it is already "optimised", as needed for accuracy.

[hps1]

I think trying to really accurize the carbine would be a fruitless exercise.

You are probably right, Jim, but can't help but think I can improve it a bit. My GI carbine is quite loose in the stock, so think bedding the patent breech or tightening up w/a set screw couldn't hurt anything. Will probably try Accraglass first, as I can always remove that. The "block" is probably not the correct name for the piece screwed to the stock into which the patent breech on back end of receiver fits. Started to call it a receiver, but that would really be confusing. :)

mine will stay in three inches at 100 yards,, so is there a reason?

Ksnecktieman:
I don't think my carbine will hold 3" @ 100, but will put it on a bench and find out before and after I try to tighten it up a bit. If it will, that's probably good enough to serve my purpose as that's about a half minute of coyote. ;)

I do a lot of coyote hunting, some at night, and since I can no longer see iron sights, have put a Millet red dot on the carbine. Since the carbine is so short & light, figured it would be a really nice coyote gun, especially at night w/the red dot. Problem is, doubt I can count on it to hit a coyote beyond 50 yards and I can use a 10 ga. at that range.

regards,
hps

[Randy in Arizona]

IIRC Gun World did an article on the subject back in the 60s or 70s.

Only things I can recall was they (Tommy Bish?) drilled and tapped the Recoil Plate for a setscrew that had a nylon pellet (Self locking?) in the side of it. The setscrew was adjusted to give a moderate amount of push to the receiver when the receiver and barrel were clamped into the stock by the bayonet band. (Barrel band & bayonet lug assy)

If you use a cup point or cone point setscrew, grind or machine the end to a flat or domed configuration to allow maximum contact with the receiver without having such a small contact area that the area on the receiver is battered or deformed by the setscrew.

I think this gave about a 40% to 50% group size reduction - - 6” or 7” to about 4” at 100 yards.

Just remember; it was designed as a weapon for people that couldn’t master the 1911 pistol. :o

[hps1]

Just remember; it was designed as a weapon for people that couldn’t master the 1911 pistol.

:D :D

Yep, the M1 Carbine was the only individual weapon I did not qualify expert with! Came close twice but weapon malfunctions blew both scores. :(

I figured that was an area that could stand some improvement. If I understand the alteration made, that would still leave the patent breech operational while taking out all the play. Will have to give that a try. I had thought of putting screw thru bottom of the plate to push upward but that would defeat the patent breech and might not snug things up at the barrel band either. Thanks for the information!

Regards,
hps

[BBBBill]

Kuhnhausen has an excellent manual out for the Carbine that covers accurizing. Glass bedding is one of the steps covered. A bit different from the usual intent for the little beast, but you can improve it to a degree.

[hps1]

Kuhnhausen has an excellent manual

Not familiar with Kuhnhausen........where is it available? Thanks, BBBBill.

Regards,
hps

[Sunray]

Glass bed the recoil plate and load your own ammo. IMR4227 using 110 grain HP's is good for the .30 carbine. A decent barrel and a bit of trigger work is important too. Machining 5 thou off either side of the front sight blade will give you a better sight picture as well. Makes it the same width as a NM front sight. The operative word is 'machining'. No files. Mind you, I've done all this to my Plainfield. It may not work as well with an issue rifle. In any case, good ammo is the quickest way to improve accuracy.
"...designed as a weapon for people that couldn’t master the 1911 pistol..." No. It was designed to be issued to troopies who would normally be issued a pistol. It's far easier to train a non-shooter to effectively shoot a rifle than it is a pistol. It had nothing to do with their ability with said pistol.

[hps1]

Glass bed the recoil plate and load your own ammo.

Sunray:

Thanks for the suggestions. Did you glue the receiver to the recoil plate in order to reduce play between male and female halves of the patent breech or just bed the recoil plate to the stock on your carbine?

Haven't been able to see iron sights for a number of years :( , but appreciate the NM front sight width from years past. Heck, I even liked the 03 Springfield sights when I could still see them . That is why I installed a Millet red dot sight on my carbine.

I aleady load for mine using 110 SP and the 100 gr. "plinkers" and H110 but may play w/loads some more. Believe most of my problems is w/stock to barreled action fit. Have a good looking barrel and the trigger is fair to middlin'.

Think I'll begin by bedding the thing and work from there.

Regards,
hps

[BBBBill]

...Not familiar with Kuhnhausen........where is it available?...
Sorry for the delay in answering. Couldn't log in for some reason. :scrutiny: Brownells carries the whole series of Kuhnhausen manuals. You can also order direct from Heritage Gun Books, the publisher.

[hps1]

Thanks, BBBBill! Will dig out my Brownell's catalog in a few minutes.
Regards,
hps