.30 Carbine Ammo Options

[FLRon]

I was hoping some of the members who have experience with the M1 Carbine can offer some guidance on ammunition selection.

I see there are many options in 110 gr. FMJ. I was wondering what some of the other good options in JHP or soft point ammo might be? I'm looking for the best options for a self-defense round.

Does non-FMJ ammo feed reliably?

Also, what 15 and 30 round mags are the most reliable?

Any input would be appreciated.

Thank you very much!

Ron

 

[bernie]

I think the most common soft point ammo that you will find recommended is Remington Jacketed Soft Point stuff. I have used it and never had any trouble with it functioning in the rifle. They say it is a decent stopper, but I have not way of knowing that myself for sure.

Soft point ammo has never been a problem in any M-1 Carbine that I have fired, but you need to run some through yours to be sure it will function reliably.

As for magazines, USGI is good, but Korean mags are now widely available and affordable. I have used the Korean mags quite a bit, and have had no problems with them.

 

[firesky101]

I have several boxes of Winchester "hollow soft points", I think that is what they are called. I am not at home to check, but I seem to remember they said hollow point and soft point on the box. Anyways they feed well, and I would prefer the hollow points to the soft point only for 2-legged predators. I think they would expand better.

 

[16in50calNavalRifle]

As posted above, and as you probably realize, you'll have to run anything you buy through your carbine - and not just one or two rounds - to confirm that there are no issues.

In addition to the ammo already mentioned, there are at least two self-defense rounds in this caliber. CorBon DPX, with an all-copper Barnes-type bullet, and Speer Gold Dot Hollow Point in 30 carbine, a fairly recent offering. Double Tap also has a jacketed soft-point in 30 carbine.

 

[FLRon]

Thanks for all the information!

Are the Korean magazines the most reliable that are available? Cheaper Than Dirt has some Korean made ones at a very reasonable price, but I wonder if all Korean mags are created equally?

Frankly I have no problem paying more for mags as long as I know they are reliable.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Winchester JHP's and GI Mags

I've got (had) two boxes of the Winchester hollow points mentioned in a post above. I shot one box thru my Inland GM 9-43 carbine and the fed and ejected fine...no problems.

I have the remaining box loaded in 15 round magazines for household defense purpose.

I prefer the 15-round GI contract magazines. They are fairly easy to find still in their original wrappers for a good price.

just my opinion though