Carbine Question

[joshuarwright]

I am working my way into a set of firearms to take out to the range that will cover, in my mind, the four major types of today's guns. Included in this are Handguns, Shotguns, Carbines and Battle Rifles (or Designated Marksman Rifles, basically a high caliber rifle that isn't a precision sniper rifle). Respectively my choices are a Springfield 1911, Ithaca 37 Defense 20.1'' bbl, Unknown and a Springfield M1A.

The Carbine I am thinking of getting (Carbine by my definition being a rifle with an intermediate cartridge) might end up being an Arsenal Arms AK47 of some kind.

The reason for my choices are that these are all classic looking guns but are all still new production so I won't have any qualms with taking them out and using them. The reason I have this posted as Carbine Questions is because the AK really just does not fit with the rest of those weapons, and I was wondering if anyone had any advice on what Carbine could fill that spot. The obvious choice would seem to be an M1 Carbine but I just can't seem to sell myself on them, so maybe one of you can.

Any advice is helpful.
-JRW

 

[Carne Frio]

A quality AK should be a good "fit" for the purpose you state.
I notice you didn't mention AR15. Is that because of the gun
or the cartridge ?

 

[docnyt]

I was about to ask the same thing.

 

[joshuarwright]

For the set I am looking at I wanted guns that all had the classic wood and metal look. When I started this list I had put down and AR15 as a choice but then I started to realize what style I was kind of after and had to take it off. An AR15 is a top of the line Carbine with a cartridge to match it just didn't fit is all. What are your thoughts on the M1 Carbine though?

 

[USSR]

...I was wondering if anyone had any advice on what Carbine could fill that spot. The obvious choice would seem to be an M1 Carbine but I just can't seem to sell myself on them, so maybe one of you can.

If you don't mind limiting yourself to 150 yards and closer, the M1 Carbine can be an excellent choice. One nice thing about the M1 is, if you are a caster, you can cast bullets for it quite cheaply and run them at full speed. Also, it is a very light weapon with very light recoil that is easily handled by women and youngsters. It is without a doubt my daughter favorite.

Don

 

[docnyt]

I think the M1 carbine is an excellent choice. Lots of history, still pretty accurate with ammo that can still be found on the shelves. Easy to use, relatively light and not hard to disassemble. Mags are plentiful. What more can you ask of a carbine?

 

[joshuarwright]

Don,

That it has light recoil and you say your daughter likes it might actually be a selling point for me. I want to start taking my girlfriend out to the range and she has absolutely no experience with firearms but really wants to come with. She is built real small so maybe having one of those around can give her some trigger time till I think she can handle the M1A. The last thing I need is to bring her out and have her not like the recoil and refuse to try it again.

Plus I know it to be a competent Carbine even if here and there reports were made saying the 30 carbine couldn't stop heavily clothed soldiers

 

[joshuarwright]

Doc,

you make some good points as well. I think the problem is I have never seen one in person, and all the pictures of it make it looks so... well, for lack of a better term, wonky, it just isn't as aesthetically pleasing as the other weapons I want. I know in practical terms that is nonsense to bring that up as a complaint but that second type of cool gets to me sometimes.

 

[9mm+]

While not exactly a classic like the M1 Carbine (which is excellent), you may want to also look at the Ruger Mini-14 or Mini-Thirty (if you want a 7.62x39). These are excellent carbines that have a "classic" look and I believe you can get the Mini-14 Ranch with hardwood stocks (the others are synthetic, I believe...don't quote me on that).

 

[bigfatdave]

reports were made saying the 30 carbine couldn't stop heavily clothed soldiers

Yes, it was the gun and ammo that made those heavily clothed soldiers not explode when they were MISSED at ranges beyond the skill and hardware of the M1 Carbine's users.
It never WAS a battle rifle, it was never intended to be a battle rifle ... it is a PDW and a superb one.

 

[docnyt]

Well if you're into the milsurp been there done that type of look, I suggest you google the Chilean Mauser carbine, the Swiss K31 and the more modern SIG 550 series.

 

[henschman]

The AR is the obvious choice for a carbine... how about an AR with wood furniture, lol! Really, I think a regular old aluminum and plastic AR fits your lineup just fine... american made historic arms and all. If you want to keep it classic, you could buy or build an A1-style rifle with the triangle handguards, A1 carry handle, and maybe even a 3-prong flash hider. Do it Nam style.

Or how about a shorter-barreled M1A, like the Scout, with a wood stock? There is always the Mini-14 or 30, though they were never GI and aren't really known for great accuracy and reliability.

 

[joshuarwright]

Henschman,

when I read wood furniture on an AR15 I couldn't help but chuckle a little until I google imaged just that and now I am kind of turned on to that idea. I can just imagine the looks from the guys at the range when I saunter up with that piece of work haha it is certainly a rare look for just such a weapon. I thought about the Ruger Mini series but it just isn't the same. I am stuck between getting used to the look of an M1 Carbine or just "Naming" an AR15 as you put it.

Doc,

I am all for milsurps and own a few myself already but right now I am looking into new production classic guns. Next on my list as far as a milsurp is a Springfield 1903 though

 

[joshuarwright]

Dave,

I am just saying what I read, I would never use a carbine as a battle rifle and hadn't claimed as much. My battle rifle (DMR) is going to be the M1A.

 

[Tommygunn]

..... I know it to be a competent Carbine even if here and there reports were made saying the 30 carbine couldn't stop heavily clothed soldiers.

This was proven to be a myth during the Korean War, which is also where this myth started.
The round is not a powerhouse but it is a decent round for close encounters.
As said earlier, if you're farther away than 150 yards you're going to need a bigger gun.

 

[kali13]

I like my M1 carbine. Mine's an Inland made in 1943. It's compact, light, little recoil...within it's performance limits, it's a good little rifle.

 

[memphisjim]

with the ak , ar,and m1 off the list
id say mini14 or a lever action
the sks might fit the bill as well

 

[Rich223]

meph shhhhhhh mini is best secret in auto rifle world.

 

[ifit]

another to consider is the vz 2008, century arms version of the vz58. very light carbine cosidering it has a milled receiver, lighter than an AK. more natural point of aim as compared to my AK, at $359 its actually a good deal.