Kenshin
Member
In A SHTF scenario, how hard do you think it'll be to find ammunition, spare magazines, and perhaps spare parts?
Finding M1 Carbine stuff during SHTF
- Thread starter Kenshin
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Mannlicher
Member
Pretty hard. Thats why you buy some in advance. Its all easy to come by now. Although I have several USGI carbines, I don't think they are really the best platform for hard times.
rockstar.esq
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I'd have to agree. The M1 Carbine just isn't all that common in general.
rustymaggot
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yeah, but in a true hitting of the fan situation im sure you could get a more common rifle pretty easily with your m1 carbine. its too bad more people arent into the m1 carbines. they are really handy.
ribbonstone
Member
Think the only good plan would be to have a good set of spare parts on hand (and the tools to install them) along with the mags. and ammo you're able to carry. Planning on as mush stealth as possible, so little contact until things settle out a bit.
kentucky_smith
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I love my M1 carbine. I just got an Ak and was amazed that the size is comparable. I've shot many Sks, and thought the AK was close, but I was wrong.
That would probably be the way to go. You could always fabricate parts out of scrap metal and a file.
That would probably be the way to go. You could always fabricate parts out of scrap metal and a file.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
Not much there that's really likely to break. And if resupply on ammo could be a problem, it seems to me that you're talking about a lot longer time of stuff hitting the impellers than is probable...
ARt
ARt
beerslurpy
member
M1 supplies during SHTF should be located with all your SHTF supplies. You should gather magazines and ammo long before you need them. At least 1000 rds of your primary go-to rifle. Wolf sells 1k boxes of m1 carbine for cheap, though I have heard it is kind of weak compared to milspec (according to box of truth).
Priorities:
Water (because you will need water no matter what)
Food (because you will need food, but it isnt super urgent- you can scrape by with less, especially if you are a plump american)
First Aid (because you might get somewhat injured and this will help it from geting worse through infection or bleeding. Honestly I have enough duct tape, paper towel and alcohol lying around that this isnt something I worry about. I'm an engineer, I can improvise.
Firearms (because you might get attacked by other people). I keep an AK handy with a few loaded mags.
I rate food and water as being likely to be needed in any given SHTF situation. I view first aid and firearms to be less likely, though it will depend entirely on teh type of situation you anticipate. Spare parts for your guns should be at the bottom of the list. If your gun really breaks that often, get a new one for emergency service.
Priorities:
Water (because you will need water no matter what)
Food (because you will need food, but it isnt super urgent- you can scrape by with less, especially if you are a plump american)
First Aid (because you might get somewhat injured and this will help it from geting worse through infection or bleeding. Honestly I have enough duct tape, paper towel and alcohol lying around that this isnt something I worry about. I'm an engineer, I can improvise.
Firearms (because you might get attacked by other people). I keep an AK handy with a few loaded mags.
I rate food and water as being likely to be needed in any given SHTF situation. I view first aid and firearms to be less likely, though it will depend entirely on teh type of situation you anticipate. Spare parts for your guns should be at the bottom of the list. If your gun really breaks that often, get a new one for emergency service.
Dave Markowitz
Member
I don't regard common availability of parts, mags, or ammo as a plus or minus for any weapons platform for a SHTF situation. If you're worried about it now, stock up. And how much shooting do you anticipate you'll be involved in in the aftermath of a hurricane, etc.?
Now, TEOTWAWKI, that's a horse of a different color. If it's the end of the world, it would be prudent to have a good flintlock musket in your arsenal for long term use.
Now, TEOTWAWKI, that's a horse of a different color. If it's the end of the world, it would be prudent to have a good flintlock musket in your arsenal for long term use.
beerslurpy
member
Why a flintlock musket? Making gunpowder isnt exactly easy. If you are really worried about super long term availability of ammo (such that your existing stockpiles run out), you might as well invest in a bow and lots of arrowheads. Besides a bow, there arent many ranged weapons that you can really make supplies for without a fairly significant expenditure of effort. Modern smokeless powder requires mass produced chemicals and expensive equipment to make.
And if you need to become a hunter-gatherer to survive, you might as well invest in wire to make snares from and 22LR for bird hunting.
And if you need to become a hunter-gatherer to survive, you might as well invest in wire to make snares from and 22LR for bird hunting.
The extractor is the known weakness of the M-1 carbine. You should get one or two spare extractors and know how to swap them out. Even in a limited duration emergency, like NOLA after Katrina, you could break the extractor and be SOL until you get a spare. Better to have it ahead of time.
Personally, I'm a huge fan of the carbine. It's light and easy to use and surprisingly accurate out to 200 yards. But, I wouldn't expect to find any parts for or even ammo if I had to scrounge parts. Be prepared ahead of time or pick a more common firearm and caliber if your plan is scrounge parts. An AR in 5.56 would be a better choice. The most common firearm and ammo your likely to find is 12 gauge and pump shotguns.
Personally, I'm a huge fan of the carbine. It's light and easy to use and surprisingly accurate out to 200 yards. But, I wouldn't expect to find any parts for or even ammo if I had to scrounge parts. Be prepared ahead of time or pick a more common firearm and caliber if your plan is scrounge parts. An AR in 5.56 would be a better choice. The most common firearm and ammo your likely to find is 12 gauge and pump shotguns.
I've seen versions of this discussion elsewhere, and the consensus there was that the extractor was most likely to fail, as Trebor said, and that the best way to handle it was to have a complete, pre-headspaced bolt to drop in. It's faster and easier than just replacing the extractor. Prices for complete USGI bolts are inching upwards, too; they'll pass a hundred in the next year or so.
This is mostly for emergency situations, of course. Otherwise replacing the extractor only is much better.
You may want to consider picking up spare mags now, and also some repack kits for fast 'n' easy reloading. Just avoid the aftermarket 30-rounders.
This is mostly for emergency situations, of course. Otherwise replacing the extractor only is much better.
You may want to consider picking up spare mags now, and also some repack kits for fast 'n' easy reloading. Just avoid the aftermarket 30-rounders.
Dave Markowitz
Member
It's harder to come up with the ingredients for powder than making the powder itself. Making replacement arrows for a box isn't trivial, however.
A flintlock musket is a more efficient weapon than a bow, and requires less muscle to use well. If you doubt me, consider that those in the know -- American Indians -- adopted flintlock trade guns as fast as they could get their hands on them. This was for both hunting and warfare.
I agree.
For SHTF guns/ammo choose common Military/Police calibers & guns.
I would choose common American and/or Nato Military & Police firearms and calibers and common sporting calibers/guns. That means choosing .223, .308, .30-06,7.62X39, 7X57 Mauser, .300 Winchester, .30-30 Winchester, .44 Mag, .357/.38, .9mm, .45 a.c.p./.45 Colt, .40, .380 & the .22 L.R. Anything else is not useable in a SHTF/end of world scenario.
I would choose common American and/or Nato Military & Police firearms and calibers and common sporting calibers/guns. That means choosing .223, .308, .30-06,7.62X39, 7X57 Mauser, .300 Winchester, .30-30 Winchester, .44 Mag, .357/.38, .9mm, .45 a.c.p./.45 Colt, .40, .380 & the .22 L.R. Anything else is not useable in a SHTF/end of world scenario.
mrmeval
Member
M1 carbine to other caliber
Can those be changed to .357? Or some similar round. Probably a common question. If there's a link send me it.
Can those be changed to .357? Or some similar round. Probably a common question. If there's a link send me it.
Roadwild17
Member
Simple, go to wally-world and look there. Everyone knows that the first place you break into after the s*** is scattered all over the room from hitting the fan!
Nearly impossible. Stock up now or don't worry about it.
Thin Black Line
Member
+1.
Marshall
Member
It's good to be prepared. However, I have one and it hasn't let me down in over 40 yrs. I still have the original 30 round banana mag. I shoot 2-3 50 round boxes of ammo through it 2-3 times a year. In other words, they're pretty study guns. 
The Grand Inquisitor
Member
Issues with reliabilty aside, I agree that the M1 Carbine would be a good SHTF weapon, but more as a back up than as the primary rifle; more or less similar to the role it was designed to play, except that the SHTF situation would be far different than a typical military situation, and therefore the role of the back up rifle would be changed.
I think the carbine would be good to accentuate the power of a pistol - the vast majority of us are not master competition shooters who can hit a target at 150 yards with a 9mm or .45ACP, so in a situation where you cannot hit with your side-arm, bringing out the carbine would be effective to neutralize whatever target you are shooting at.
Of course having a pistol, an M-1 Carbine, and a main rifle is a little excessive and probably impractical, I think the carbine does have its place, even though I wouldn't replace it for my pistol, nor would I replace it for my main rifle. It's an effective PDW for those of us without PS90's.
Also, I'd also like to throw in 5.45x39 in as an effective and viable SHTF round for those that are well prepared. I would always chose an AK for any type of nasty situation, and an AK-74 in 5.45 would be extremely effective for someone that is prepared with ammo stocked and ready in battlepacks/mags. 5.45 may not be available for easy looting at the corner store (which is sad) but it is deadly effective, easy to shoot, and very light-weight, making for easier carrying.
I think the carbine would be good to accentuate the power of a pistol - the vast majority of us are not master competition shooters who can hit a target at 150 yards with a 9mm or .45ACP, so in a situation where you cannot hit with your side-arm, bringing out the carbine would be effective to neutralize whatever target you are shooting at.
Of course having a pistol, an M-1 Carbine, and a main rifle is a little excessive and probably impractical, I think the carbine does have its place, even though I wouldn't replace it for my pistol, nor would I replace it for my main rifle. It's an effective PDW for those of us without PS90's.
Also, I'd also like to throw in 5.45x39 in as an effective and viable SHTF round for those that are well prepared. I would always chose an AK for any type of nasty situation, and an AK-74 in 5.45 would be extremely effective for someone that is prepared with ammo stocked and ready in battlepacks/mags. 5.45 may not be available for easy looting at the corner store (which is sad) but it is deadly effective, easy to shoot, and very light-weight, making for easier carrying.
mrmeval
Member
LOL I'll stay FAR away from walmart and gunstores. If you have an Aldi it's pretty easy to keep a months supply of canned food on hand and rotate it out. They have other long storage foods as well.
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