why would anyone collect M1 30 caliber carbines?

Status
Not open for further replies.
If you consider 500-800 bucks "cheap", I would hate to see what you call expensive. I bet you drive a Chevy. Why anyone would drive a car built by obama motors is beyond me. And, I like Mosin Nagants and Enfields too....chris3

Forgot to add that I own two Underwoods and an early Universal M1 carbines and I love them......chris3
 
Last edited:
"why would anyone collect M1 30 caliber carbines?"

For the same reason people collect 'beenie babies', spoons, books, and all manors of other items. They like them.

I am no great fan of the little 30 cal. Had one issued to me in the late 60's, well it was actually an M2 version. Had a few from time to time when on the Sheriff's Department. Still not a fan, but they are a handy, small, light, functional and historical weapon.

You don't want one, no one is forcing you.
 
Got one with a '42xxxxx military serial number on it. Dad did some from trading for it. Nice little gun.

I like to think of it as a great piece of history and hope it was used to defend the world against the powers of evil.

Plus it's a hoot to shoot.
 
I would love to own an M1 carbine, in fact the local mom and pop has an original one, for $700! Its a shame that an American military rifle is so much more than ones from other countries. The poor thing has been sitting there for at least 5 years. Got a question about it, like mentioned before this one you cant tell who made it due to the sight overhang, so is there an easy way to tell in the gun shop?
 
Yes--ask to see it and look. Bring a small flashlight with you and shine it under the rear sight from the side; unless there is significant wear or rust, you should be able to at least make out the first few letters of the mfg. name and first few numbers of the serial. As long as you have it in your hands, check to see if there are any markings on the barrel by the front sight or stamps in the sling well.
 
Why does anyone like AK's?
Why does anyone like AR's?

Point is, people do. As said on here all the time different strokes for different folks.
 
Can see a serial number and U.S.Army on top of the receiver.
Click to expand...

It shouldn't say "US Army" anywhere.

It should say "US CARBINE, CAL .30 M1" on the forward top of the receiver, in two lines perpendicular to the barrel, then have two lines on the aft top of the receiver just behind the rear sight. The top line is the manufacturer (and is usually covered up on carbines that have late-model sights by the aft part of the sight), and the bottom line is the serial number.
 
Having a piece of military history in your hands just feels good. It is the same reason they still sell new manufacture 1911's that look like the original. People get that feeling of patriotism when they have an M1 carbine, garand, or 1903 springfield. A feeling that seems to be lacking these days with the way things are in the world. These weapons have seen war, with soldiers that fought and died for the freedom of the world from tyranny. It is the same reason we have memorial day. The men and women who fought bravely deserve to be remembered and honored. It could just be that having a piece of metal and wood that is fun and relatively cheap to shoot is just plain awesome. We don't really need a reason, we live in The United States of America so we can!
 
In addition to being a collectible piece of US Military history, it is the most prolifically manufactured US rifle ever with just over 6 million manufactured in just over 4 years.

Light, accurate, and reasonable powerful (think .357 Magnum Auto-loader), it is an effective anti personnel weapon at close range out to about 100 yards. It's more of a SMG than a rifle, so don't compare it to a battle rifle, but compare it to a MP-40, Thompson, MP5 or a PPsH-41.

Given those conditions, I'd choose the M1 Carbine hands down. Close range, rapid semi-auto shots are more controllable that full auto fire. Firepower is rounds hitting the target and rapid semi auto will always outperform full auto. Move the range to 100 yards, hitting targets with the carbine is fairly easy while a SMG would be much more difficult to be effective with.

Don
 
I'll say why. It's the gun my wife can handle very comfortably, and shred targets at close range. The cartridge is only weak when compared with full-size rifles. It has more muzzle energy than a .357.

My grandfather's Inland is under the bed on my wife's side, with two magazines of Winchester HP ammo in a pouch on the butt.
 
The Marines on Iwo Jima were being killed at a rapid rate. Anyone that didn't like their M1 Carbines could easily drop them for a M1 Garand.
The fact that these Marines were still using their M1 Carbines by the time they got to Mt Suribachi says a lot for the little rifle.
IwoJimalflagi.gif


I have 11 M1/M2 Carbines.:)


I'll say why. It's the gun my wife can handle very comfortably, and shred targets at close range
Click to expand...

The Carbine was my Wife's favorite gun.
(Click on picture)
th_HazelshootingtheM2.gif
 
Last edited:
As this did not die I will toss in a few of my own reasons....some very intresting companies made them....IBM, Rockola, IH, winchester....just to name a few. That is all part of the cool factor in them.

I do not agree with your view on them, but I would also say you need to find out what you have....if it is a rockola that is one thing.....if Iver Johnson that is another....and the price swing is only going to be a few thousand +-
 
I don't own one but I've always wanted a Rock-ola. Just something amusing and yet serious about a juke box mfg. making rifles. Reminds you just how much ww2 changed America, and how much people 'chipped in.'
 
I was issued one (actually a M3, but for all practical purposes the same animal) back in 1959 or 60 as a "sniper" rifle. It had a large infrared night scope on it attached to a battery pack that weighed more than the rifle. Sweet shooting rifle, would love to have it today. Fun to shoot but not to carry.

Stay safe
Kyle
 
Dr.Rob said:
I don't own one but I've always wanted a Rock-ola. Just something amusing and yet serious about a juke box mfg. making rifles. Reminds you just how much ww2 changed America, and how much people 'chipped in.'
Click to expand...
Out of the 10 prime contractors, only one had firearms experience:

Inland Manufacturing: General Motors Truck parts plant
Winchester Firearms: Commercial Firearms manufacturer
Underwood: Typewriter Company
IBM: International Business Machines
National Postal Meter: Mail sorting machines.
Rock-Ola: Jukeboxes
Standard Products: GM Bumper and trim plant (they were awarded a contract to make M1903 Springfield rifles, but the M1 Carbine was deemed to be needed more and the contract was ammended)
Quality Hardware and Machine: Machine tools and hand tools
Saginaw Steering and Gear: GM Steering gear plant
Saginaw S.G., Grand Rapids. GM Steering gear plant, assumed the failed Irwin Pedersen contract.

Very interesting to see that companies with light manufacturing capabilitys with no firearms experiece were able to successfully produce vast numbers of this carbine during WWII. I doubt this feat could be accomplished as easily today...

Don
 
Last edited:
Why do people collect stamps, coins, or shoes? people are just weird thats why. Why do people pay crazy prices for dumb these things? people are just weird.
 
The only M1 Carbine I own is the first gun I ever got - Crossman M1 Carbine BB gun. My dad bought it for me in 1970 or something. Loved it when I was a kid and figured that by now I'd have a "real" one. Took out lots of insects and small game as a kid.

But alas I sold the only .30 Carbine I had in my safe - a Marlin 62 lever gun that was a blast to shoot, accurate, short-throw lever without issues. I was neglecting it in favor of others and decided that someone else would give it a better home and use it more. As a reloader, .30 Carbine is a pain since you have to lube the cases and use carbide dies, not the normal routine for pistol calibers (or straight-walled cases more accurately).

Almost bought an Automag III myself after seeing the fireball .30 Carbine blows out of a pistol! Flamethrower! But again I decided I'd prolly shoot it little, then it would linger in the back of my safe...

I like military history and would buy a M1 Carbine for that reason alone.
 
I was thinking that international harvester also made them...perhaps my old memory is in fade mode.
 
fpgt72 said:
I was thinking that international harvester also made them...perhaps my old memory is in fade mode.
Click to expand...
International Harvester made tanks and LCVT Tractors during WWII. However, IHC did recieve a contract to produce M1 Garand rifles in the 1950's.

Don
 
Why? Because those little suckers are fuuuun to shoot. I mean F.U.N. fun.

Used to be cheap too, time was. Get one of each if ya can.

If ya don't like them, that just means there's more for others to enjoy. ;)

A Win Win situation to be sure. :D

(haters gonna hate, lovers gonna love and life...? It goes on no matter what)
 
Even if the M1 Carbine wasn't well received when it was standard issue (not saying this is necessarily true....speaking hypothetically), the reasons for wanting one today are completely different. Some just want it as a range toy. Some just want it because it's a part of history.

The same is true of flintlock muskets. Compared to today's firepower, you would lose in a gunfight, but people aren't buying them to go to war.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Poper
  • Locked
Auto-Ordinance M1 carbines
Replies
11
Views
769
DougW
DougW
B
  • Locked
.308 M1 vs. .30-06 M1 - Which do you prefere and why?
Replies
17
Views
2K
Slingster
S
L
  • Locked
Would the M1 Carbine had been a better performer if....
2
Replies
26
Views
2K
Grump
Grump
R
  • Locked
M1 .30 Carbine OR SKS?
2
Replies
37
Views
3K
MudPuppy
M
N
  • Locked
Why should we own M1 Carbines?
2 3 4 5
Replies
105
Views
6K
lencac
L
Back
Top