m1 carbine

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yotesmoker

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Thinking about buying an m1 carbine but only if i can shoot cheap steel case ammo in it.I would shoot brass also but not as much. I've heard that the steel stuff is bad for the carbine and might break parts in it.If it was not so costly shooting the brass stuff I would use it but I shoot a lot almost every day and it can get expensive.Would like to hear from some carbine shooters for input.
 
Ahhh, the old "steel cases break extractors", "steel cases wear down chambers", etc myths that seem to get re-told. Not true, fortunately.

For the OP: Why the focus on steel ammo? If you're hard-over on shooting something that is "cheap", the M1 Carbine isn't the platform you're looking for.

If you buy an M1 Carbine, you're signing up to feed it with ammunition that is just inherently more expensive than many other cartridges in a similar class of power/performance.
 
The only problem that I've seen so far with steel case, more specifically Wolf, is that it seems to be underpowered. I've got a couple boxes which I've neglected to run through my carbine yet but with my buddy's we had a number of FTE's and the recoil was noticeably less.

Also, as far as I can recall, the accuracy wasn't exactly something to write home about.

If you don't reload, one recommendation that I can make is to look for Magtech ammo. It's not quite hot as GI ball, but it runs quite well in my carbine and the price difference between that and Wolf is only a couple bucks per box (at least for me).
 
The PPU ammo is brass cased and gets good reviews. It also is cheaper than most.

I reload my once fired factory brass, and as that goes, it is much simpler than reloading bottle necked rifle cases.
 
Mine is a family heirloom, and I'm not going to take the chance. I suppose if I had a second one, I would be less persnickety about it.

Incidentally, Santa Claus just heard that I needed a set of .30 Carbine dies and is looking into it for me.
 
I'd like to know where you're planning on finding Steel Cased .30 Cal ammunition? I've never seen it, but I guess that doesn't mean it doesn't exist somewhere. I wouldn't shoot steel through my WW2 rifle, just to be on the safe side.
 
+1 for reloading. If you shoot a lot and want to shoot more affordable, quality ammo, it's time to invest in some reloading equipment. :)
 
All these carbine threads lately is giving me the itch...I think after work I will go out and run a few rounds in mine. I have always said it is a super fun little rifle to shoot, I should do it more often.
 
US issues a LOT of steel cased ammo in WW2/Korea. Brass was needed in large quantities and was recycled for artillery shells. I had a box of vintage (had the 2nd Lt's to/from Korea shipping label) 45 ball ammo that I fired off in 91.. no failures to fire.

I don't doubt carbine ammo was made in steel case form at some point.
 
The US did use some steel case .30 carbine ammo in WWII. It was almost exclusively used in training and the brass used in theater.

I shoot brass because I reload, but if I was going to run another carbine class with my M1, I'd likely pick up some steel case ammo that I wouldn't feel bad about leaving behind.

Cabela's sells it under their "Herter's" line.
 
yotesmoker;
If you choose to begin reloading for the M1 carbine, be sure to follow the rules, don't reduce W296/H110 (the powder of choice for the .30 carbine) charges and be absolutely certain that you trim your cases to the proper length.

Roger
 
If it's a USGI there is a good chance it's had a lot worse than steel case ammo thrown at including a few battles and war. The steel won't hurt anything. Those little bangers are tough. The steel cases are not hard steel.
 
There was a LOT of steel case 30 Carbine ammo made in WW2, here is some pictures of a box and loose rounds from a bunch that I bought a couple weeks ago. The old WW2 steel case is probably worth more to collectors than shooters I would guess. Biggest difference is that it has a zinc was rather than the copper or polymer coated stuff made now. I have seen some that is fairly corroded and probably would avoid shooting it.

I have shot plenty of Wolf/Tula steel cased ammo through a CMP purchased M1 Carbine and it has functioned perfectly. Don't let people scare you with internet rumors about guns being worn out/broken from steel case ammo. The accuracy seems good and it's nice to not be one of those people who is always scrounging for those empty cases and worried about things.

As for protecting a family heirloom I would venture to say that way more guns are damaged by bad reloads than new production steel case ammo. Unless reloading is something you are proficient and familiar with I would say shoot regular production ammo.
 

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Biggest difference is that it has a zinc was rather than the copper or polymer coated stuff made now.
Click to expand...
like Silver Bear (does the Silver Bear line include .30carbine?)

CMP sells Aguila brass-cased M1 carbine ammo; 500 round case for $200.
Click to expand...
Quiet you! That's my secret in my backyard, quit telling everybody!
(mostly kidding)
 
I know, I hate myself every time I tell someone about it.

I even told a few people about the CMP having Carbines last time they did ... screwed myself out of another one (or two or three)
 
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