USSR
Member
Hmm, my Italian built M1A1 folding stock doesn't have that problem.
Don
best M1 carbine conversion?
- Thread starter jason41987
- Start date
- Status
Hmm, my Italian built M1A1 folding stock doesn't have that problem.
Don
bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
Before anyone hacks, coverts, or otherwise messes with a M1 carbine pm me for a cash offer
jason41987
member
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2012
- Messages
- 1,293
i wouldnt do anything like this to a military rifle, if one at all... doesnt anyone sell reproductions?
jason41987
member
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2012
- Messages
- 1,293
it would appear auto ordinance M1 carbines are the same price as original WWII models.. so id get a brand new one if i were to do something like this.. save the originals for collections as they begin to get more and more rare
Not actually.
A Federal 150-grain SP (3006A) leaves the muzzle at 2910 fps.
A Federal .308 SP in same weight (308A) leaves the muzzle at 2820.
Granted, these are fairly close. The difference expands when you go heavier, though.
P308E (180-grain Nosler Partition): 2570 fps.
P3006F (same bullet): 2700 fps.
Not only is this a much larger velocity difference than that seen in the lighter bullet loads, but since the weight is 30 grains higher, the energy difference is even more significant, with the .308 delivering 2640 ft-lbs at the muzzle, vs. 2913 ft-lbs for the '06. That's 273 ft-lbs of difference, right there.
180 grain is the heaviest bullet Federal loads for the .308, while they load up to a 220 grain bullet for the .30-06. The 200 grain Bear Claw leaves the muzzle at 2540 fps, which gives it 2865 ft-lbs of energy, which is 225 ft-lbs more energy in a round with greater sectional density. These seemingly small differences may seem a lot more important if you're the type of guy who wants to be able to use one caliber for hunting heavy game in North America. With practice, a .30-06 seems like a reasonable round for just about any big game in North America, while .308 seems a little underpowered for the really big stuff.
If you're talking about defending against humans, on the other hand- hell, anything more powerful than a .22 Magnum rifle is powerful enough.
------
I used to really want a little 9x23mm carbine, but Winchester White Box 9x23mm (a soft point that actually expanded) is no longer the same price as 9x19mm ball!
There were several stories, some years ago, about caliber conversions being done on M1 Carbines, but I only really heard about one guy doing them.
John
RCArms.com
Member
I'm going to SBR one of mine into an "Advisors Carbine"
I've got three original Inlands, one Natl Postal Meter, and one IBM left to choose from. One of the Inlands is likely to get the axe. I don't think the world will miss one M1 Carbine.
velocette
Member
You talk about a conversion, well this one is still .30 carbine but it has been converted.
I traded for this rifle almost exactly as you see it, so don't have a hissy fit.
Roger
I traded for this rifle almost exactly as you see it, so don't have a hissy fit.
Roger
RCArms.com
Member
That is old-school workmanship.You talk about a conversion, well this one is still .30 carbine but it has been converted.
I traded for this rifle almost exactly as you see it, so don't have a hissy fit.
Roger
I got a slightly sported carbine as part of a trade that my daughter really likes, but it's no where near as elagant as yours.
Don
As kludge said, 45 Win Mag. There was an outfit (I believe Lemag was the name) in the 90's that was converting carbines to 45 WM, the 15 round mags held 7 and the 30 rounders held 15. The problem was that the bolts would eventually shear the locking lugs off. 
This outfit performed conversions in several calibers but 45 WM was the popular one. If a bolt was made andfitted that would hold up, a 45 WM conversion would make the little carbine an interesting close range thumper.
Variations of 22 carbine were done in the 60's...22 Casull, 22 Carbine, 22 Brown, 5.7 Spitfire. Also there was the 17 Pee Wee (that would be a fun little round for todays market).
Edit to add: Read this article, it is a good summary gunzone article
This outfit performed conversions in several calibers but 45 WM was the popular one. If a bolt was made andfitted that would hold up, a 45 WM conversion would make the little carbine an interesting close range thumper. Variations of 22 carbine were done in the 60's...22 Casull, 22 Carbine, 22 Brown, 5.7 Spitfire. Also there was the 17 Pee Wee (that would be a fun little round for todays market).
Edit to add: Read this article, it is a good summary gunzone article
Last edited:
.303
Member
I have an Auto Ordinance M1A1, and the stock exhibits none of those problems. I think you may have had a bad experience with a cheap repro, like a ramline. AO for classic and Choate for modern folders are the way to go!
moxie
Member
Actually I'm referring to an original I acquired in Vietnam in 1972. It looked like the stock in post #20.
RCArms.com
Member
USGI M1A1 stocks are not known for being rigid when opened. They do not have a spring or detent that locks when open.
jason41987
member
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2012
- Messages
- 1,293
what about .221 fireball?... would this fit in an M1 carbine action?... sure the muzzle energy is about the same between the two, but the fireball has much higher velocity, and bullets with much better drag coefficiencies meaning it would be much more powerful downrange as the .30 carbine bleeds its speed off in the first 100 yards
.303
Member
ahh, I see. my folder doesn't "lock" per se, but it has a detent. perhaps AO improved their M1A1 stocks?
In any case, the Choate stock *does* lock open, and locks up solidly. for a modern folder, it can't be beat, especially for the price.
moxie
Member
.303,
The Choate stock is totally different from the .30 Carbine issued folding stock made of bent steel rod and a leather patch. Totally different. Go to post #20 and look.
The Choate stock is totally different from the .30 Carbine issued folding stock made of bent steel rod and a leather patch. Totally different. Go to post #20 and look.
USSR
Member
moxie,
The M1A1 stock you were issued was at least 25 to 30 years old, and no doubt on it's last legs. The Italian made commercial ones seem to be holding up quite well.
Don
The M1A1 stock you were issued was at least 25 to 30 years old, and no doubt on it's last legs. The Italian made commercial ones seem to be holding up quite well.
Don
.303
Member
Yes, they are totally different beasts, which is why I made a distinction between them
Auto Ordinance makes a phenomenal walnut and steel m1a1 repro stock.
Choate makes a great composite/metal folder, that also locks open.
This is my AO carbine
Attachments
Little Wolf
Member
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2006
- Messages
- 43
If I knew of a source of converting the carbine to take .357 mag, I would of had it done yesterday. The rifle should have been chambered in that round to begin with.
I have heard, but not seen, of a couple people converting the rifle to take 10 mm.
I have heard, but not seen, of a couple people converting the rifle to take 10 mm.
RCArms.com
Member
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
Mickey Rat
Member
M1 Carbine conversions
I have always loved the 30 Carbine. I now have one in 5.7 Johnson and 256 Win Mag. There was supposed to be a 357 version out there, but I've never seen or heard of one.
Any 357 conversion would be dificult. The 256 Ferret (256 Win Mag) is a 357 necked down to 25 and magazines do not exsist. You have to make your own and it is a pain.
The 5.7 Johnson is easy to make, just lube 30 Carbine cases and run them in the resizing die. No trimming or neck thinning required. The case was designed to me made this way with no thinning of the neck required. Reloads are easy to make and quite accurate. A much better set up than the Ruger Mini 14. Standard Carbine mags work great.
I also have Marlin 61's in 30 Carbine & 256 Win Mag. Great rifles.
I have always loved the 30 Carbine. I now have one in 5.7 Johnson and 256 Win Mag. There was supposed to be a 357 version out there, but I've never seen or heard of one.
Any 357 conversion would be dificult. The 256 Ferret (256 Win Mag) is a 357 necked down to 25 and magazines do not exsist. You have to make your own and it is a pain.
The 5.7 Johnson is easy to make, just lube 30 Carbine cases and run them in the resizing die. No trimming or neck thinning required. The case was designed to me made this way with no thinning of the neck required. Reloads are easy to make and quite accurate. A much better set up than the Ruger Mini 14. Standard Carbine mags work great.
I also have Marlin 61's in 30 Carbine & 256 Win Mag. Great rifles.
http://securityarms.com/20010315/galleryfiles/2800/2803.htm
This thing struck me as interesting. Not something I'd do to a Rock-Ola, but defintely an attempt to modernize that really we haven't heard much about in the past few years.
This thing struck me as interesting. Not something I'd do to a Rock-Ola, but defintely an attempt to modernize that really we haven't heard much about in the past few years.
351 WINCHESTER
Member
I don't have a carbine, but I'm thinking the .351 Winchester is what the .30 carbine should have been.
- Status
