best M1 carbine conversion?

[Texan Scott]

I've seen old promo stuff from a now-defunct company (can'tremember name) thatconverted m1s to 10mm auto, which didn't seem like a bad idea. As i recall, it wasn't a HUGE difference in the light end, but for 180-grainers it seemed really good.... wish someone would build one from scratch, maybe matte stainless over fixed polymer. sounds like a job for Ruger?

 

[Nuclear]

I'm thinking that if the lightweight bullets that are being developed for the 300 Blackout are compatible with the cartridges and feeding mechanisms of the M1 Carbine, they will make a world of difference in the long range ballistics and terminal effectiveness.

 

[303tom]

I load .30 carbine that will put .357 mag. to shame

 

[desidog]

At current rates, you're into a Mini14 or Mini30 for less than messing with an M1 and destroying it's resale and collector's value. The Mini is very similar in size, controls etc.

 

[USSR]

I load .30 carbine that will put .357 mag. to shame

What do you fire it in? No way that round's gonna fit in a M1 Carbine mag.

Don

 

[kanook]

I load .30 carbine that will put .357 mag. to shame

Did you make that one. I've got one and have never seen another till now.

 

[unlimited4x4]

Rauwolf Armaments .357 m1 carbine

I searched a while ago for a .357 conversion and came across a video from the Philippines supposedly showing a converted rifle. The video is still up, search on you tube for .357 M1 and it should be the first to pop up. The group is called Rauwolf Armaments. Not much on them, but it does appear they did do it. Search Facebook for Rauwolf Nadala Pamaran to find the FB page of the owner. The R. Armament stuff is mixed in with the personal stuff on his page. Does alot of "pimping out" of weapons when you see his work on the FB page. If in fact these guys did do this, I don't think they realize the possible gold mine they have.

 

[303tom]

What do you fire it in? No way that round's gonna fit in a M1 Carbine mag.

Don

NO, but these do.......

 

[303tom]

I love reloading.............View attachment 166166

View attachment 166167





These right here will even make the .300 AAC stand up & take notice, I shoot them in my .308 Handi-rifle with an adapter..............

 

[sempai9]

.357 carbine surprise

I just picked up a $500 Inland M1 carbine with IBM barrel from a shop and bought some boxes of ammo, went to the range, loaded the 5 round mag. Decided to unload the chambered round and run a bore snake with CLP first. The cartridge did not eject and after shaking the gun around it dropped out of the chamber. So I held the cartridge to the muzzle and found that it would easily get lost there too! A guy next to me in the lane suggested it might be a .38 size hole. He pulled out a .38 SPL, it chambered fine, extracted fine, looked good at the muzzle too. Thinking I might have a .357 chamber, I dared to touch off that 38 cartridge and it hit my 50 yard target. I suspect that some old timer had this rechambered, but no markings on the gun that I can find anywhere. The empty did not auto eject. The .357 cartridges do not like to feed into the chamber with out helping them get their noses pointed straight each time. I have not fired it again. I heard that PO Ackley did some M1 carbines reworked into .357 mag. I wonder if anyone has one of those.

 

[bigfatdave]

I just picked up a $500 Inland M1 carbine with IBM barrel from a shop and bought some boxes of ammo

you need to go back to that shop and have a talk with them

 

[grendelbane]

The M1 carbine has been chambered for cartridges that are simply insane. I remember one that was a .50 caliber. There was one that was a shortened .308, called the .30 Kurtz. A similar cartridge was made by necking up to .357".

Now, the big kickers tend to break stocks, bolt lugs, and who knows what else. That is not the gun's fault, though.

Like others, I would be reluctant to rechamber a GI, and reluctant to risk money on a clone. The 5.7 mm Spitfire looks like a cute package, though. There was on on a shelf at a gun store for several months that tempted me.

In the end, the JHP .30 carbine is pretty effective. If I were going to consider my Saginaw Steering for serious purposes, I would use that load.

Remember, when Maj. George C. Nonte and others were converting these carbines, they were widely available and relatively cheap. No wonder people use the AR15 platform for so many conversions today.

 

[Vaarok]

I bought one of the .44 Magnum Vulcans last year out of novelty as much as anything, but I'll be damned if I can find a use for it. Neat gun, works fine, fun, but I traded off my GI IBM for a Schofield revolver, sold the Irwin Pedersen I found to a collector for big bucks, and the Vulcan is probably going within the month in the hopes I can cash in on deer season rather than sell an oddball at a loss.

 

[unlimited4x4]

I know there is always the ballistics argument of .357 vs .30, to me they are close enough to be the same. I think the draw of a .357 conversion is the availability and price of .357/.38 vs .30. I'd love a .357 semi auto. The nextbest thing is a ruger pc4 in .40 cal. Small and lightweight like the M1, and SW 40 is still a good round. I really wish ruger would make them again.

 

[Trung Si]

My Question is, who would want to Butcher a perfectly Good M1 Carbine?

 

[USSR]

I know there is always the ballistics argument of .357 vs .30, to me they are close enough to be the same.

Yep! One ain't gonna kill something that the other won't just as well.

My Question is, who would want to Butcher a perfectly Good M1 Carbine?

Agree.

Don

 

[jimmyraythomason]

My Question is, who would want to Butcher a perfectly Good M1 Carbine?

face it,MOST M1 carbines are mixmasters. May are in less than perfect condition not to mention all of the commercial copies out there. A good,milspec M1 is a treasure but not all qualify. I have a General Motors milspec that will never be touched but would have NO compuction about converting a lesser example(if I so desired). Having said that,I think the little carbine and it's cartridge are a perfect match for each other.

 

[sempai9]

357 M1 carbine again

Ok, I called the place where I bought the carbine and they were not aware that it was not original .30 cal. I asked them to locate the previous owner and get information about the gun and conversion. Last night I played around with it testing to see if it was a rimless .357 style, using a .223 shell case but it truly is a .357 rimmed, as best as I can tell. The bolt face is opened up for the rimmed case too. I can't imagine some other wildcat that would fit with the muzzle diameter and the .357 case fitting the way it does, and .... it did shoot the one .38 SPL fairly accurately for me not aiming precisely at the bulls eye. It was 3" high from center at 50 yards. All things are pointing to this being a .357 carbine. That is kind of cool, but there are the feeding issues. you have to rack it 1-1/2 times to line up the cartridge. That is not cool. I don't know if anyone has worked out the feeding issues with these. I would have been content with the .30 carbine cartridge as it is close enough in performance to .357, and I am not afraid to reload for anything. I am even converting .223 cases into 7.62x25 for my PPSH-41, so straight walled cartridges are no big deal.

 

[USSR]

Didn't the bore diameter tip you off that it was not the original .30 caliber?

Don

 

[Snowdog]

Though the .30 Carbine round isn't exactly a powerhouse by rifle standards, I honestly think most woefully underestimate its potential. That slender straight-wall cartridge allows for 15 and 30 round magazine which are compact by comparison (to the AK, et al).

I believe if most detractors take the old Warbaby out to plink water-filled jugs, metal containers and the like, they might leave with a new respect for this particular carbine. The paper ballistics are lousy and somewhat deceiving; it does a number on things within 200 yards.

 

[unlimited4x4]

Some of you more knowledgable in the M1 history may have read this, but it was new to me and a good read for those of wanting to know about the conversion history of this rifle.

http://www.thegunzone.com/carbine-wildcat.html

 

[Mac Attack]

I have a Quality Hardware receiver that I picked up for cheap and would consider trying a .357 conversion. I don't have a problem with.30 carbine but is and not easy to find at your local Walmart like .38 special or .357. I already have 2 carbines so this would be a nice change pace.

 

[BBQLS1]

Not sure what you would be gaining with a .357 Magnum conversion that the Original .30 Carbine lacks. If there was a minor performance gain with the longer barrel, there woule likely be a trade off in reliability as the .357 Magnum rimmed cartridge that introduces a few difficulties to the verticle feed.

Would be interesteing to see the ballistics on that one though.

Don

.357 Mag ammo is easier to find.