why would anyone collect M1 30 caliber carbines?

[Nuclear]

Great little guns, easier to shoot at handgun distances, pretty accurate out to say, 100 yards or so, will take a deer effectively under that distance (where I hunted as a teenager you never saw a 100 yard shot anyways), and you know it was manufactured for WWII during WWII.

 

[Zeke/PA]

I recently researched an inherited M-1 Carbine (Saginaw Steering Gear) and found out that the variations in this weapons manufacture are what's making them collectors items.
The Carbines DO have a following.

 

[BBQLS1]

It's the sexiest lookin' weapon in WW2, bar none.

Eh, I think it's the Thompson.

 

[BBQLS1]

At the muzzle it has 1/3 MORE momentum and 80% of the energy of a 5.56 round. Out to 150 yards it will do quite well. After that it bleeds energy and drops like a rock due to its low sectional density.

Give me 5.56 all day every day.

 

[Husker_Fan]

Hey, the 5.56 is ballistically better, especially out past 100 yards or so. But, for my needs, .30 carbine will do fine.

 

[CZguy]

Hey, the 5.56 is ballistically better, especially out past 100 yards or so. But, for my needs, .30 carbine will do fine.

It might be difficult to convince a jury that you were taking defencive shots past 100 yards, so I have to agree the M1 Carbine is just fine for my needs.