M1 Carbine as a truck/shtf gun?

[davek]

I'd like a carbine type rifle for a utility/SHTF fighting rifle. I'd just about talked myself into an M1a Squad Scout. The only problem is that that would preclude me from getting a standard M1A any time in the forseeable future because I wouldn't be able to justify the cost of both (read as the wife would never go for it) and I really do want a full length M1a eventually. Then it struck me. What about one of those repro M1 carbines that Auto Ordnance makes? How does the .30 carbine cartridge stand up as a fighting round?

It was good enough for my Grandaddy during WWII...which brings up another point. It would go well with my Grandad's service 1911 that I inherited. He kept his m1 carbine as well, but it disappeared around the time of his death...but that's another story that I won't get into now.

 

[Ant Mod]

If the funds allowed, you could also go with a Ruger Blackhawk chambered for the same round. Less things to worry about when on the run.

 

[R.H. Lee]

I think .30 carbine ammo is expensive. How about an SKS? The 7.62x39 is a good intermediate cartridge and cheap to boot. The SKS was designed for peasants to fend off an invading army, so it's nearly indestructable.

 

[davek]

Actually, I already have a Yugo SKS and I love it. However I was thinking of something shorter and a little more handy.

Thanks!

 

[R.H. Lee]

Actually, I already have a Yugo SKS and I love it. However I was thinking of something shorter and a little more handy

Big 5 has some shorty lever actions right now in .38/357, .44mag and 30-30. I can't remember if they're Marlin or Winchester, but they're priced at $299.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Handles like a .22, hits like a .357 with softpoints.

Wouldn't use it on a deer... but as a fun gun/shtf gun.. why not?

 

[George S.]

Look at a Ruger Mini-14 in .223 or the Mini-30 in 7.62x39. You can get cheap ammo in either caliber and the rifle is about the same size as a 10/22. Both are fun to shoot and the operation is very similar to the M1/M14. The Mini-14 Ranch version comes with a set of scope rings.

While the Mini only comes with a 5-round mag, pre-ban large capacity mags are available for the Mini-14 and the Ruger pre-ban mags (while expensive) are very reliable. Hi-cap mags come in 10, 20 and 30 round capacities. 10 rounders are available from the various shooting supply catlaogs like Midway, Brownells or Cabelas.

With just a bit of work, the Ranch is pretty accurate out past 100 yds and the .223 / 5.56mm round is what the military uses in the M16 and its variants.

 

[Wildalaska]

Jungle Carbine

200-400 rounds of ammo in strippers...

Thats what I have...


Thats also my bear baiting rifle...

WildfatboyAlaska

 

[spacemanspiff]

shall we mount an alarm clock to that rifle?



good job sneaking up on me last night.

 

[yankytrash]

My experience is thus far is:
If you're gonna throw an M1 carbine in the truck, you better duct tape the top handgaurd in place.
If you go with a lever action, watch that mag tube don't get bent.
SKS is a decent choice, just make sure the gas tube is a tight fit, even if you have to shim it.



If you aren't swayed by the choice of a bigger-caliber pistol, at least go with something a little more rugged, like Wildalska's choice of the Jungle Carbine. I personally prefer whatever my flavor-of-the-day carry piece is. Easy to store in the truck away from the rest of the junk that could damage it.

Disclaimer - I'm a slob, and my truck has a lot of crap in it that I need for work. It's no place for anything that would be considered "delicate".

 

[Penman]

Corbon is working on a Powerball load for the .30 Carbine. Low recoil, less noise than a .223, and good stopping power with the right loads. When Jim Cirillo was with the NYPD Stake Out Unit, they used the M1 Carbine to very good effect.

 

[davek]

Thanks for all the replies!

George S. You make a good argument for the Mini 30 (I'm not really interested in a .223 right now).

Other than price of ammo, how does the Mini 30 compare against the M1 Carbine with regards to accuracy, recoil, stopping power, reliability, etc?

Thanks again.

 

[Soap]

Nay, as I can't slay beasts with it.

 

[LynnMassGuy]

George S. You make a good argument for the Mini 30 (I'm not really interested in a .223 right now).

Mini-14 is .223. Mini-30 is 7.62X39.

 

[Roadkill]

I met a great WWII Vet yesterday, talked with him about 45 minutes. He was in France/Germany from July 44 until end of war with a Infantry Division. In open country fighting the BAR was king, the M1 Garand Queen. In house to house the M1 carbine and Thompson or M-3 ruled. I specifically asked about the stopping power of the carbine. His reply was that it wasn't as powerful as the Garand or BAR but whoever got the first shot off was what counted. You could always follow up with more if necessary. It was fast, accurate, easy to move through houses and rubble with, and he always fired four or five shots anyway.

rk

 

[PO2Hammer]

My everyday truck (van) gun is a Ruger PC9 9mm carbine. I consider it the equal of the .30 carbine round only because of the quality of the hollowpoints in 9mm.
A .30 Pow'rball would probably beat the 9mm, but a 9mm 124 gr JHP at 1,450 is nothing to sneeze at.
The Ruger is very rugged, it's been dropped and smashed between my floor sanders during a quick stop and it's like new. No gas system to clean.
Very accurate to 100 yds (relativly accurate, 3" groups with Corbon 124's and a red dot).
I wouldn't want to be without it.

 

[Sunray]

"...30 carbine ammo is expensive..." So are the rifles. Mind you, hand loading takes care of the ammo price. You don't want surplus ball anyway. 110 grain HP's.