M1 Carbine v. AR-15

You can't look as tactical in clearing a room with a M1 carbine like you can with a AR with all kinds of attachments on it.
Unless your M1 had a fixed bayonet!

Rule3 said:

You can't look as tactical in clearing a room with a M1 carbine like you can with a AR with all kinds of attachments on it.
Unless your M1 had a fixed bayonet!

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You aren't wrong
Spend enough time of the innernets and one finds that being tacticool is far more important than reality to many folks

So's being "tacticoolly nostalgic".

For HD? Given those two choices I'll take an M1 Carbine. I used to own one when I was a teen. I sold it when I was 17 or 18. Wish I still had it. We're not limited to milspec 110 gr fmj ammo anymore, and haven't been for a long time.

Well, I like the AR just fine, and have owned a few over the years…I still have one I put together.
But, I have always liked the little M1 Carbine. I’ve owned three… A Plainfield that was my first longarm years ago, a CMP USGI Inland, and a more recent acquisition, an Auto Ordnance.
My experience with these three carbines has been excellent reliability, no problems with any of them.
I bought the AO because I didn’t want to subject my CMP gun to abuse or confiscation. Saw the AO, used, for a decent price on Armslist, at a gun shop, and took a chance on it.
I feel pretty well armed with the Carbine loaded with 110gn Hornady Critical Defense with the polymer filled HP, but I’d be just as happy with any pedestrian old 30 carbine soft point. BTW, those old soft points were widely available for $19/50rd, pre-plandemic/ammo shortage. I haven’t priced them lately.
The AO came in an OEM Choate folder, and fits in a tennis racquet case.
When the plandemic started and I could see the crazy in peoples eyes, and then we had our local blm riot, with rumors of more to follow, it was the AO Carbine I tossed in the car.

For me, it's without a doubt the AR15 in either 5.56 or .300AAC. Both calibers have increased effectiveness over the .30 carbine, both can be had with ammo that doesn't over penetrate.

I don't know, nor have I even heard of any agency, military, etc. still using M1Cartbines. During the early 80s when stationed in South Korea, the police had them, but I think even they've moved on. Bottom line, it had it's day. IMHO, take the nostalgia out of it, and it's simply not the most effective tool for the job.

And honestly that's what really matters, the most efficient/effective tool for the job.

The AR15 is just too flexible a platform; adjustable LOP for family members of different stature, and ease of mounting an optic & white light, highly effective calibers with ammo easily available. Personally after taking multiple defensive shooting classes, a couple of which were low-light, I won't maintain a firearm for HD without a white light on it. Just not worth the risk of screwing up TGT ID and threat level.

From a training stand point, the majority of carbine classes are geared towards the AR15, that's the gun most of the instructors have experience with. From a practice standpoint, AR15s come in .22LR, and 9mm, both economical to practice with. .22LR conversion units are cheap and reliable. I can spend (and do) an afternoon running CQB drills and not break the bank, nor screw up my AR500 steel.

My then 11 year old with a S&W M&P15-22 set up similar to my HD carbine, same basic function as the real deal:



My Colt AR6951 in 9mm, also set up similar to my HD AR15 (I also use it for PCC matches), my wife easily can run a plate rack with it:



Colt LE6920 as it sits in V-Line vault:

Definately not a pistol cartridge. 110 gr fmj at 1900 fps isn't very common in pistols. i prefer shooting my carbine over any of my ARs but as been said I don't want to bet my life on a 40's manufactured semi auto.

The AR is immensely popular for a reason. It is all that and a side of fries. But...

My M1 hasn't had a single malfunction that wasn't Aguila induced. (And one bad magazine)
I really appreciate how naturally it points for me and I love the way it handles.
I actually have more trigger time with the M1 than the AR since I grew up with them, so they are generally my preference.
I carefully roll my own 110gr SP, and reliability has not been an issue.

if you know what you're doing, either one will work.

Given what you're after (home defense), it's a Mini-14 for me.

Quick reminder... this is an M1 Carbine v. AR-15 for home defense question. Niether of those would be my first choice for HD, but that's the question.

Ironicaintit said:

The AR is immensely popular for a reason...

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Because it's a Barbie Doll for boys

SwampWolf said:

Given what you're after (home defense), it's a Mini-14 for me.

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Perfectly fine choice
As are so many other options, all the handwringing and debate over such things is quite frankly rather silly
I've yet to see an example where someone defended themselves with firearm _____ and the bad guy just laughed

Both will work.

Though the AR will be far easier to set up with a flashlight (mandatory) and optic (optional but highly recommended).

Also the M1 Carbine isn't known for its reliability and the magazines are kinda crappy.

Here’s an M1 Carbine I kitted out for social work:



Loaded with soft points, it’s an adequate choice. Mine has been perfectly reliable in over 3,000 rounds fired.

With that said, the ballistics and decreased penetration risk of the 5.56 expanding ammo of today is compelling. You can get an AR, such as the WWSD 2020, that weighs in a 5 lbs naked yet is effective out to 500 yards or better. The AR really is the better choice. Just so much more modern and able to be tailored to any need.

The above carbine has been since changed back to its original configuration (no permanent mods done) and its really better that way.

jski said:

Or if you want to go heavy:
View attachment 1059551
BUFFALO BORE FULL POWER+ U.S. 30 M1 CARBINE AMMUNITION
125 grain Hard Cast, Flat Nose, Gas Checked @ 2,100 fps

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How many of these have you ran through your carbine to test reliability? That trumps any wonder ammo.

bannockburn said:

jski


Yes and that would be the more modular and adaptable AR platform versus the 80+ year old design of the M1 Carbine.

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You know the ar is only about 20 years younger. Admittedly, those were big years, but it's not like the ar is particularly "modern"

Chuck R. said:

View attachment 1059482

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Your light is mounted upside down...
All the lumens are going to leak out

bannockburn said:

jski
the 80+ year old design of the M1 Carbine.

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The AR design is nearly 70 years old

Skinny Pete

The AR design is nearly 70 years old

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Actually I believe it's more like 60 years old but even so in that time a great deal of new technology had been applied to small arms design; way ahead of the weaponry the U.S. armed forces had used in WWII.

I would prefer to use the newer design of the AR15 rather than go with the older design of the M1 Carbine.