Auto Ordnance M1 Carbine

[Olympus]

Anyone have any experience with these guns? I've always wanted to have a M1 Carbine. I love the way they handle, look, and shoot. I really enjoy the sound of the action cycling. It doesn't bother me that the round is weak. I'm just looking for fun shooting.

I don't know enough about the real deal military versions and the ones that are affordable seem worn out and loose. The nice ones are selling for over $900. I'm only looking for a shooter that I can enjoy, not a collector. Is the Auto Ordnance a good choice to consider?

 

[Tommygunn]

The round is only "weak" if you think it should be an M-1 Garand. The carbine was developed for "rear-echelon" troops who would not likely see combat as their main duty. Teaching them to handle and accuratly shoot a longarm is easier than a handgun; the carbine was to suplant the 1911 pistol and even submachineguns in some purposes -- mainly the pistol.
The fact that it did see front-line usage and did kill a lot of enemy soldiers on both fronts is a tribute to its success. It did lack performance when it was used in situations where the Garand was called for; long range hard hitting firepower. I like the carbine too but the reality is "long range hard-hitting" is a descriptor the of M1 Garand, not the carbine.
I know some later commercial carbines don't measure up to GI ones very well but I am not sure about Auto Ordnance.

 

[rule303]

The newer AO guns are decent if you are set on a new gun. You should be able to find an original GI "shooter" for about the same price though. An original gun will be worn and scaped up, but has some history, and most are reliable shooters which hold their value very well.

 

[cfullgraf]

I got the Paratrooper AO carbine a few months ago and have 300-400 rounds though it so far.

For the most part, it has not been any more problematic than the USGI carbines that I have.

The main problem with the AO has been reloaded cases will not eject after the rifle heats up. Maybe one every 15 or 20 rounds. The cases sticks in the chamber after firing and the bolt just does not cycle. (It sounds different with the bolt fails to cycle).

I do not seem to have the problem with factory new rounds so i am investigating the cause. I think he rifle may be sensitive to oils/polish left on the case after reloading. The residue along with the heat "glues" the case in the chamber. My next batch of reloads have been wet tumbled and the cases are squeaky clean.

I have not seen this with my USGI carbines but they have other idiosyncrasies.

I have fun shooting the carbines even with the little hiccups.

 

[bikerdoc]

LGS has an AO carbine with folding stock for 699.99.
Seems a little high especialy in relation to the price of the real ones.

 

[Olympus]

LGS has an AO carbine with folding stock for 699.99.
Seems a little high especialy in relation to the price of the real ones.

Yeah, that's pretty steep.

 

[Batty67]

I got one second hand AO with a nice Choate stock and came with 10 of the Korean magazines (most 15-rders) at a price too good to pass up. Great accuracy (I've got a front rail and scout-mounted red dot) out to 150m or so. Too finicky with soft tip ammo (Speer gold dot has worked flawlessly so I keep a magazine loaded with it for HD), and the Cor-Bon hollowpoints were an unmitigated disaster (1 rd and jam almost every time). And very expensive jams for that matter. I polished the heck out of the ramp so with FMJ it only jams only rarely with 15-rd mags (acceptable), but still more than I'd like with the 30-rounders. I've had the same jamming rates with USGI mags, I was told you *HAVE* to use USGI mags as they are SO much better. Not in my experience.

Still, I really enjoy shooting it, points easily, compact, light, and hits plenty hard. I'd like to get a vintage M1 carbine but they're just too collectable/pricey these days...

 

[cfullgraf]

I'd like to get a vintage M1 carbine but they're just too collectable/pricey these days...

That is one reason why I got the AO carbine. I can wear it out and bring out the USGI versions once in a while.

 

[mmitch]

Had one, it was a dog, after it came back from AO the second time, I sold it with disclosure.

Mike

 

[DougW]

Bought mine when they first came out. Works flawlessly, Great accuracy too.