Inland M1 Carbine vs CZ EVO Scorpion carbine

[Corn-Picker]

Good afternoon Everyone. I'm looking for a range toy that will double as a home defense weapon for the wife when I'm out of town. Before anyone says Colt 6920, that's too much bark (muzzle report) for her. I've been looking at the Inland M1 carbine (new reproduction) and CZ EVO Scorpion carbine. I've got a list of pros and cons for each, but I can't decide.

Specifically, I was hoping someone had some real world experience on the reliability of these firearms. The M1 is obviously battle tested, but I've heard they sometimes have trouble feeding due to the magazine design? Are the 15 round mags reliable? How about the 30s? If she's going to use it for HD I want it to be simple to operate and reliable to feed.

M1 pros
Lighter weight (by a pound)
Maybe lighter recoil? (Lighter bullet and not a blowback action)
Sexier (I don't buy rifles that don't turn me on, at least a little)
30 carbine has 2x the energy of 9mm

EVO pros
Maybe more reliable feeding?
20 round mag vs 15 for the M1
Ammo costs $0.16/round for steel cased (30 carbine is 2x as much at $0.32/round)
Less muzzle blast

I'm not turned on at all by the CX4 or I would consider it, and most of the other carbines don't seem as battle tested as the Scorpion/CX4. The MPX is nice but heavier than I'd like for her. I find most black rifles unattractive. I'd consider a PS90 if it weren't so pricey to feed (3x 9mm cost and 1.5x 30 carbine costs).

 

[C-grunt]

I'm a big fan of the Scorpion as they work and shoot very well.

I think a good M1 would probably be a great home defense weapon however I've heard from several sources that the new production ones have problems. No hands on experience with them though.

 

[CoalTrain49]

I wouldn't buy a new M1. I've heard they have problems. I don't own one but the design is ancient and there are better (newer designs) out there. I own an original and they are damn particular about magazines. I finally located some originals for my carbine and things improved but I still wouldn't rely on it for SD. 9 mm is going to be the winner for SD if you don't reload. My home defense is a 38 special revolver and a 9 mm Sig. Go with something you know is going to work every time.

 

[Olympus]

There is nothing really "wrong" with the design of the M1 carbine. Sure, there are newer designs on the market, but newer doesn't mean better. The M1 would make a great home defense rifle and with the right ammo should be a good ballistic choice. The issue is with the new Inland company. I came really close to ordering one myself, but in my search I found mixed reviews. Some really good and some not too good. I decided the cost of the new Inlands was too much for me to gamble my money with. There isn't really a lot of information to be found, at least there wasn't when I searched. So I don't really know what to tell you there. The design is a good choice and the caliber is a good choice. That specific brand may or may not be a good choice.

As for the Evo, I had the pistol and it was a neat little gun. The ergos just didn't quite fit me for some reason though. But aside from that, I never had any problems with the gun. At one point, mags were hard to find and rather pricey, but that may have changed now. I've read some people talking about feed lips on their mags cracking, but the mags seemed to still work so I'm not sure how serious of an issue that ever became.

 

[Tommygunn]

Good afternoon Everyone. I'm looking for a range toy that will double as a home defense weapon for the wife when I'm out of town. Before anyone says Colt 6920, that's too much bark (muzzle report) for her. I've been looking at the Inland M1 carbine (new reproduction) and CZ EVO Scorpion carbine. I've got a list of pros and cons for each, but I can't decide.

Specifically, I was hoping someone had some real world experience on the reliability of these firearms. The M1 is obviously battle tested, but I've heard they sometimes have trouble feeding due to the magazine design? Are the 15 round mags reliable? How about the 30s? If she's going to use it for HD I want it to be simple to operate and reliable to feed.

M1 pros
Lighter weight (by a pound)
Maybe lighter recoil? (Lighter bullet and not a blowback action)
Sexier (I don't buy rifles that don't turn me on, at least a little)
30 carbine has 2x the energy of 9mm

EVO pros
Maybe more reliable feeding?
20 round mag vs 15 for the M1
Ammo costs $0.16/round for steel cased (30 carbine is 2x as much at $0.32/round)
Less muzzle blast

I'm not turned on at all by the CX4 or I would consider it, and most of the other carbines don't seem as battle tested as the Scorpion/CX4. The MPX is nice but heavier than I'd like for her. I find most black rifles unattractive. I'd consider a PS90 if it weren't so pricey to feed (3x 9mm cost and 1.5x 30 carbine costs).

The 30 round magazine was designed for the full-automatic M2 version. It was a "compromise" design because the top part of the magazine that fits in the well was straight while the lower was curved. This was necessary because the round does have a slight taper and by the time you have 30 rounds in a magazine, that taper must be taken into account, while the shorter 15 round could be straight and still work OK.
The 30 rounders were not as reliable as the 15s were in the M2. But I have fired many rounds in my semi auto M-1 and never had a problem with 30 round magazines. There are good Korean made 30 rounders available .... there are a number of questionable ones, and military issue ones (now rare I think) were said to be best of all.
If you go this rout then test the gun with the ammunition you want to use so you know it works before commiting it to self-defense purposes.

 

[Big20]

My repro Inland is totally reliable with FMJ, soft point or hollow point with the exception of Hornady Critical Defense which hang up on the edge of the jacket at the plastic tip. I suggest you consider the issue sights. The M-1 has small, black sights difficult to see even in good light let alone pick up in poor light under duress. Altering these sights with after market is, to my knowledge, not an option. On-the-other-hand, it does have a great "cool" factor!

 

[Ibmikey]

I have collected M1 Carbines on and off over the past fifty years, first when the only available ones came from a duffel bag, then my DCM and as the weapons became available to purchase by Police Officers the collection grew. At one point there were about fifty M1 and M1A1 Carbines in the racks. Fast forward to today and I can say that I know a bit about the weapon, the new Inland is a neat piece of retro work and will provide a great deal of fun for the owner, this statement is based on my firing of only one of the Inland's. Although a new company they are having the receivers cast by Kahr Arms, Kahr had some teething problems with their early productions but I believe most everything is working well these days. Cast receivers today are just fine for the Carbine as the metallurgy has made great advances from a few years back. Many firearms today (Ruger) use castings for many major parts with great success. Tales of 'I heard they have problems" is exactly that...hearsay. Some weapons of any mass producer will have issues, if the maker efficiently corrects this they should not be criticized.
The OP would be adequately armed with either of the weapons he suggested.

 

[rondog]

I personally wouldn't use a 30-rd mag in my M1 for h-d use, and I have several good GI 30's. They're too long and awkward IMO for home defense use, it would get in the way. Throws the balance off too. Who needs 30 rounds in the house anyway? I just keep a mag pouch on the buttstock with two more 15's in it.

 

[Deaf Smith]

My Postal Meter M1 Carbine is totally reliable with 15 round mags, be the US GI or Korean imports.

30s? I don't use 'em. Too heavy and not needed. M1 Carbine makes a outstanding HD weapon. Excellent accuracy, power, low flash, lower noise, low bore sight for precise close range shooting, plus small size and light weight for fast handling. And the peep sight can be opened up with a drill for faster sight acquisition.

Deaf

 

[kimberkid]

I'd say Scorpion EVO ... I have one, its totally reliable and easy to handle.

The only positive thing I can see about the War Baby is that if you ever had to go to court the M1 Carbine is traditional and less likely to be construed as an Assault Weapon ... even though it shoots a more powerful round it doesn't have the "evil" look to it.

 

[Jimster]

My Inland Mfg carbine only functions reliably with a Korean made magazine. I had returned it numerous times to the mfg to check it's reliability issue but the only fix was the GI type magazine. Now I love it.

 

[J_McLeod]

I have an EVO and I love it. It's new and only had a few boxes through, but has been very reliable with them. Plus, mags and ammo are cheap.

 

[Speedo66]

Well, the current Inlands were never "battle tested", they're replicas. How well they made them is, to a certain extent, yet to be determined.

I found the statement of one poster that he wouldn't rely upon an original for self defense a little humorous. I have to qualify that by not knowing the state of his particular example, but millions of GI's in WW2, Korea, and to a certain extent, Vietnam, trusted their lives to them. Wouldn't be my first choice, but my GI Underwood would certainly be an acceptable choice.

By the way, the Korean 30 rounders from AIM Surplus work perfectly in mine.

 

[Sunray]

"...trouble feeding due to the magazine design..." Nope, not the mag's design, but the lips can get bent in a tick and that causes feeding issues. Also easily fixed with needle nosed pliers. You just tweak 'em open a tick and they work.
If you opt for a Carbine(not entirely convinced about the quality of the current batch of copies either. Find a Plainfield in decent condition if you can.), don't even think about using Ball/FMJ ammo. HP's or SP's only. Felt recoil with a Carbine is negligible. Unless you hold you thumb in the wrong place. Thumps you on the snout. No damage though.
And there's nothing 'small' about Carbine sights. They're 300 yard battle sights.
I think the biggest down side to the CZ is the $1,049.00 MSRP. Mind you, a current Inland runs $1079 MSRP. Not a chance I'd pay that much. You can buy a real 1944 vintage Carbine for less on Gunbroker.
"...wouldn't rely upon an original for self defense a little humorous..." Yep. Knew a guy who was at Kap'Yong in Korea with 2 PPCLI when they stopped the Red Chinese Army's advance. Guy said he didn't care if it took 2 or 3 to put a ChiCom down he loved the M1 Carbine.

 

[1KPerDay]

I have not been able to get my GI Inland or GI NPM to run 100% with any mags or any ammo I've tried. GI 15 rounders are most problematic. Korean mags are better but still have problems. I would not use either rifle as is for defense.

 

[montesf1030]

Scorpion Evo Carbine all the way !!! I luv mine ...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[CoalTrain49]

Well, the current Inlands were never "battle tested", they're replicas. How well they made them is, to a certain extent, yet to be determined.

I found the statement of one poster that he wouldn't rely upon an original for self defense a little humorous. I have to qualify that by not knowing the state of his particular example, but millions of GI's in WW2, Korea, and to a certain extent, Vietnam, trusted their lives to them. Wouldn't be my first choice, but my GI Underwood would certainly be an acceptable choice.

By the way, the Korean 30 rounders from AIM Surplus work perfectly in mine.

I think that was me.

I've gone thru mine and upgraded springs and rebuilt the bolt. Still get failures to eject from time to time, maybe one in 50. Could be a mag issue but all of them are USGI. I sold the first one I bought that was 100% reliable after I went thru it. I expected the same from the one I have now but no cigar. Eventually I will get it straight but it requires time, parts and a bit of skill rebuilding bolts. Not everyone is inclined to trouble shoot and correct a 72 YO relic with god knows what problems it may have.

That's why I said I wouldn't recommend using one for SD. The military surplused them for a reason. The CMP went thru every one and rebuilt it to an arsenal standard but they are no longer available from the CMP.

I equate them to 1911's. The M1 carbine is a relic and an enthusiasts rifle.

If you want to get into a fight with one you certainly have that option, but I would recommend that you don't use ball ammo.

 

[Ibmikey]

I took one of my many M1 Carbines (Inland serial 58xxx made 10-42 with the original flip rear sight) to my shooting placeand shot a 2" group at 25 yards and busted 2" size rocks at 100 yards. The Carbine, as always shot flawlessly with GI ball ammo. I am not one to have long guns on hand for home defense (over thirty AR's in racks but none loaded, Carbines not loaded either) and depend upon a pistol ( G 19 or Hi Power) with which i am quite capable and have no concerns about neighbors safety where i live.

 

[Tommygunn]

"...trouble feeding due to the magazine design..." Nope, not the mag's design, but the lips can get bent in a tick and that causes feeding issues. Also easily fixed with needle nosed pliers. You just tweak 'em open a tick and they work.
...........

Problems with the 30 rnd mag were noted during the Korean War when the M-2 carbine got its first real wartime workout. While bent lips can cause problems on any magazine, the fact that the M1 mag was part straight/part curved received the blame by people who know much more about the issue than I.
I have used 30 round mags with not a single problem -- in my M1 carbine, semi auto. Semi auto is much more forgiving than full auto.

I tend to agree, however, with those who say 15 round mags are better for home defense use. I don't find the 30s cumbersome or awkward myself, but I find it a stretch of the imagination to consider why I'd need a 30 rounder for any reason other than to annoy liberal politicians.

 

[Corn-Picker]

I tend to agree, however, with those who say 15 round mags are better for home defense use. I don't find the 30s cumbersome or awkward myself, but I find it a stretch of the imagination to consider why I'd need a 30 rounder for any reason other than to annoy liberal politicians.

I like to err on the side of caution The stats I've seen suggest that trained personnel (cops) have a hit rate of 15%. If you fired 15 rounds, statistics tells us there's an 8% chance that all fifteen will miss. With 30 rounds, that chance drops to less than 1%. I suspect the hit rate with a long gun would be higher than 15%, but I don't have any stats to back that up. I also believe that most home invaders would turn around and leave after hearing one shot...

 

[Chuck R.]

Another thing favoring the CZ is "modularity". I prefer to have HD weapons with mounted lights, and while an optic isn't a requirement at HD distances it does speed things up. I'd also factor the cheaper ammo as a huge plus for anything you plan on (or should) practice with. Add to that the availability of suitable defensive ammo in 9mm VS 30 carbine and to me the decision becomes clearer.

So I'd go with the EVO.

Chuck