Nhsport said:
Something I wondered about for some time. I have understood that the m1carbine was supposed to be for support troops and others who would have trouble with a full sized rifle and still do their designated job. Whenever I have seen a movie or old photo all sorts of guns seem to be carried . Is this just a case of the rules being enforced less the farther from headquarters or what?...
I imagine fighting through the streets of some french town or walking in some nasty jungle somewhere in the pacific and I am not sure the m1 carbine would have had its uses as a weapon that was faster to get into action even with its wimpy cartridge (compared to the 06)
The M-1 Carbine was
intended for support troops and not as a primary battle weapon, but it wound up being pretty successful. This caused it to find its way from rear echelon up to the front.
One rather well noted marine said of the Pacific war theater, that the carbine was
"the ace weapon of the war."
Aside from arming "support" personnel, it also was used by commissioned officers as well as NCOs, who often would be up on the front or near the front.
"Whenever I have seen a movie or old photo all sorts of guns seem to be carried." Sure. A particular soldier might start out being issued one type of firearm, and then pick up another in the field. Thompsons could be picked up occasionally this way, and I've read stories of particular revolvers going through hands as one owner after another was succesively wounded.
As far as popularity, the carbine was both loved, and cursed. That depended, I suppose, on who was using it, and whether or not he was using it for what it was intended for. I imagine someone using a carbine on real long shots (where the Garand would be a better choice) might wind up cursing it, while OTOH, he might like it for close-in work, where it's 15 rnd. mag and quick handling might make it more efficient than the Garand.
Different soldiers, therefor would have different opinions, depending on their personal experiences in the war.