LenS made a comment on the "First AR" thread to the effect that ARs were the most fun centerfire rifle/carbine to shoot. I was about to disagree, since I think the M1 carbine holds that title, when I figured I'd start a new thread.
Here's an Underwood carbine with an interesting telescoping stock:
I like the M1 carbine. A lot. Sadly, of the two that I have access to, one has a cracked receiver (the one pictured here) and the other is a Universal with a poorly-fitted USGI stock (and I use "fitted" in the loosest sense of the word...)![[hmmm]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/009.gif "Hmm [hmmm]")
I checked out Universal stocks from Numrich and they're upwards of $100. Ouch. Not sure I want to spend that kind of money on a gun I'm not 100% sure is even functioning (I've never shot it).
IOW, I need another one. Actually, I need two - one that I can keep bone-stock as a mil-surp, and another that I can "play" with (at the very least, a synthetic stock with accessory rails and such). IMHO, the M1 carbine makes a FINE home defense or SHTF gun - with pre-ban 30 round magazines in plentiful abundance (heck, I've got a half-dozen or so just waiting to be filled), a round with comparable ballistics to a .357 Magnum, and the light weight and low recoil, it's just about the perfect combination.
In standard mil-surp guise, it's fairly non-threatening (certainly less so than an AK or AR) to the GFWs; there's a large aftermarket for parts and accessories (although admittedly an order of magnitude or two less than the AR...); and the ammo is reasonably priced (I've seen 50 rounds for well under $10) for CF.
Another thing I really like about the M1 carbine is that most pistol-caliber only ranges will allow them (at least that's been my experience). Bob's Tactical in Salisbury (when they are open) allows them, as does the Firing Line in Manch-vegas. It's nice to be able to practice with a carbine in the middle of winter without freezing one's digits off...![[smile]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/001.gif "Smile [smile]")
Here's an Underwood carbine with an interesting telescoping stock:
I like the M1 carbine. A lot. Sadly, of the two that I have access to, one has a cracked receiver (the one pictured here) and the other is a Universal with a poorly-fitted USGI stock (and I use "fitted" in the loosest sense of the word...)
I checked out Universal stocks from Numrich and they're upwards of $100. Ouch. Not sure I want to spend that kind of money on a gun I'm not 100% sure is even functioning (I've never shot it). IOW, I need another one. Actually, I need two - one that I can keep bone-stock as a mil-surp, and another that I can "play" with (at the very least, a synthetic stock with accessory rails and such). IMHO, the M1 carbine makes a FINE home defense or SHTF gun - with pre-ban 30 round magazines in plentiful abundance (heck, I've got a half-dozen or so just waiting to be filled), a round with comparable ballistics to a .357 Magnum, and the light weight and low recoil, it's just about the perfect combination.
In standard mil-surp guise, it's fairly non-threatening (certainly less so than an AK or AR) to the GFWs; there's a large aftermarket for parts and accessories (although admittedly an order of magnitude or two less than the AR...); and the ammo is reasonably priced (I've seen 50 rounds for well under $10) for CF.
Another thing I really like about the M1 carbine is that most pistol-caliber only ranges will allow them (at least that's been my experience). Bob's Tactical in Salisbury (when they are open) allows them, as does the Firing Line in Manch-vegas. It's nice to be able to practice with a carbine in the middle of winter without freezing one's digits off...
![[mg]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/036.gif "Machine Gun [mg]")
![[laugh]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/012.gif "Laugh [laugh]")
![[grin]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/041.gif "Grin [grin]")
