Tactical M1 carbine project

[Maverick223]

If you load the .30Carbine hot it would do the same thing as the Buff Bores (though I am uncertain if the action could take the additional punishment)...my Lyman's 49th Ed. has the max loading at 1075 ft/lb of ME (when run through ballistics calculator)...what's your point the average load for .357Mag is still about the same as .30Car. (both out of a carbine)?

 

[foudufoot]

I'm not sure what Jack is saying either; that's it's safe to shoot 357 mag out of an M1 carbine? I have shot Buffalo bore out of my S&W 586. Nice ammo, although the recoil is stout in a revolver. Does anyone have experience with or comments on what Glamdring suggests.

 

[Travlin]

foudufoot

Many people have cautioned against the 30 round magazine for defense use. Real USGI 30 round mags are rare and expensive. There are many fakes. Many, but not all, commercial ones are not reliable. Thorough testing is required. You also need the M2 magazine catch with the third contact point on the side to hold it tightly and be reliable. The 30 rounders do complete the assault rifle look when you want just want to show it off.

USGI 15 rounds mags are easy to get and are universally considered reliable after a little testing. In a real fight 15 rounds are a lot, and changing mags is fast. Most consider the reliability more important than higher capacity.

With rare exceptions, all M1 Carbines are "parts guns" as the pieces were mixed up during the overhaul process they went through at least once, if not more. These are still valued by the informal collectors. If yours doesn't have an import mark on the barrel then you got a very good deal at $500. Still a decent price is it was imported. What can you tell us about the second carbine in your photos? Thanks for your post.

 

[USSR]

You also need the M2 magazine catch with the third contact point on the side to hold it tightly and be reliable.

Not necessarily. My M1A1 configured carbine does not have the M2 mag catch and operates just fine with USGI 30 round mags. Still, it is a good idea to get the M2 catch if possible.

Don

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Very cool. But they're ALL 'collectible'. Finite supply - Growing demand. That makes it collectible, frankengun or not, I do believe, at least in terms of how I define that word (but I could be wrong). I have no issues with modernizing; just a small point of clarification.

 

[SSN Vet]

random comments...

I think .30 carbine is just fine for a home defense weapon...

I thought the M-1 carbine was tactical to begin with

Who shoot's 110s in a .357.... look at those energy numbers again with 158s pushed up to the pressure limit.

How does making the M-1 heavier and bulkier and front heavy make it more tactical? Light and handy are key elements to "tactical" ... but you can't experience either concept on the internet.

M-1 Carbines in their origonal config. look really cool.... at least in my minds eye.

Pistol grips are primarily to give greater control to weapons that are to be fired in full auto.

It's a free country

 

[Maverick223]

Who shoot's 110s in a .357.... look at those energy numbers again with 158s pushed up to the pressure limit.

I have run the numbers and the standard FACTORY LOAD of a .357 Magnum is nearly identical to the .30 Carbine...loading one hot and leaving the other as a stock factory load is a pineapples to Ford comparison.

 

[amd6547]

The recently imported Korean 30 round mags are the best, IMHO. They have worked perfectly for me. It is not absolutely necessary to use the M2 mag catch with 30rd mags, but I put one on mine "just because". For most purposes, I do prefer the 15's. I have 10 15rd mags from the CMP, but I also have a few of the Korean 15rd mags, and they also are great.
I tried a repro M1A1 stock. Though I generally do like folders, I did not like the M1A1 folding stock, and sold mine. The standard M1 carbine stock works much better for me.
I use my Inland for my HD longarm, and the only "tactical" accessory I added was...a bayonet.

 

[CZguy]

I think you owe the firearms community in general a apology for Bubbaing up that Carbine.

Plus one.

I think modifying a classic like the M1 carbine will bring some sort of negative gun karma.

To each his own though...........it's a free country.....so far anyway.

 

[rondog]

I just got my first M1 carbine, an IBM. Life is good, the carbine rocks and it's gonna stay the way it is!!! A very handy little rifle, that I hope to become very good friends with.

 

[CZguy]

Here's my CMP Underwood with it's "tactical accesories".

 

[amd6547]

Since we're showing pictures...My CMP Inland service grade--six-digit serial, RockOla I-cut stock, flat bolt, and early op slide:

 

[foudufoot]

A lot of good comments, pictures, and opinions. I wasn't aware of the M2 catch. Worth looking into. I have two USGI 30 round mags that feed fine, but I appreciate the comments about the 15 rounders. I have two other carbines, a Saginaw and an Inland. Those had mostly original parts, so I'm leaving them alone.

I love the original look as well, but for home defense, I wanted something with a bit more versatility than the original USGI version. At night, a good 125 lumens flash light beats a bayonet, red dot sight beats the original iron sights, and the folding stock helps in tight spaces. The 30 round magazine gives enough firepower, you probably won't need to reload. I agree the original one is pretty darn tactical to begin with, but it can still be improved for indoor and night use. I do agree the added weight from the folding stock, 30 round mag, and added extras is not a plus.

As a collector of Swedish Mausers, a collectible is something that is matching down to the firing pin, so I was a bit surprised by the strong feelings about what I consider to be a parts gun. To each his own, I guess. I feel no remorse at converting this one into its present form and I am willing to suffer the wrath of the carbine Gods if I brought bad JuJu on myself.

I'm still puzzled by the discussion about .357 magnum. Has ANYONE run that round through a carbine? Does it cycle, is it safe, is it accurate? It would offer some additional versatility for home defense ammo, IF it is suitable.

 

[CZguy]

As a collector of Swedish Mausers, a collectible is something that is matching down to the firing pin, so I was a bit surprised by the strong feelings about what I consider to be a parts gun. To each his own, I guess. I feel no remorse at converting this one into its present form and I am willing to suffer the wrath of the carbine Gods if I brought bad JuJu on myself.

I'm still puzzled by the discussion about .357 magnum. Has ANYONE run that round through a carbine? Does it cycle, is it safe, is it accurate? It would offer some additional versatility for home defense ammo, IF it is suitable.

.357 magnum will not chamber or fire through a .30 carbine. I suspect that negative carbine karma is behind your misunderstanding.

The 30 round magazine gives enough firepower, you probably won't need to reload.

I don't anticipate have my home broken into in squad strength.

 

[Glamdring]

foudufoot: in your first post you said:

It is similar to a 44 magnum round, which is a potent self defense and deer hunting round.

In rough terms the 357 mag is a common handgun cartridge that is close to the 30 carbine but everyone knows 357 magnum< 44 magnum that is why I mentioned it.

I'm still puzzled by the discussion about .357 magnum. Has ANYONE run that round through a carbine? Does it cycle, is it safe, is it accurate? It would offer some additional versatility for home defense ammo, IF it is suitable.

The 357 can't be shot thru a M1 Carbine but it can be shot thru a 357 Carbine
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/fryxell/marlin_1894.htm

Brian Pearce that writes for Handloader & Rifle http://www.riflemagazine.com/home/index.cfm is the one who has done the most writing about 357 magnum loads in lever guns that I can think of in a hurry.

***********

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How could I forget Paco
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/Default.htm
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/357_magnum_and_the_literature.htm

Think he mentions 357 in some of the other articles but I can't remember which ones.

 

[mljdeckard]

I would never ninja-up my grandfather's Inland heirloom, but I do find myself wondering what I might do if I had a spare. I doubt I will ever get a spare, but I find myself wishing I had snagged one when the prices were lower.

 

[foudufoot]

".357 magnum will not chamber or fire through a .30 carbine. I suspect that negative carbine karma is behind your misunderstanding."

"I don't anticipate have my home broken into in squad strength."

I don't either but, just in case.....here are some backup pistols you'll appreciate CZguy:

 

[CZguy]

I would never ninja-up my grandfather's Inland heirloom, but I do find myself wondering what I might do if I had a spare.

We all have these evil thoughts from time to time.......you just have to fight them.

I don't either but, just in case.....here are some backup pistols you'll appreciate CZguy:

Nice collection.