M1 Carbine Ballistics

Chris78

A friend of mine just bought a M1 carbine from a local pawn shop. Haven't seen it yet, not sure of manufacturer or date, he says its in good condition. I want to know what, if any, other cartridge would the m1 carbine be close to ballistic wise? Also, I was told that some of the newer imports of these guns are less valuable than previous, is this correct?

Laredo Lefty

Chris.... The standard round for the carbine is a 110 grain ball bullet going about 1990 fps.

The round most similar to it in performance, in my opinion, would be the .357 mag, or maybe the .41 mag.

Original U.S. GI carbines are the most desirable. Many carbines were sent over seas years ago and have been returned, but are stamped with the importers name. This detracts from its value.

Chris78

Thanks for the fast response Laredo! I'm not sure if his is an original or not. Supposing it is, do you think $375 out the door is a bad price in good shape? Also if this cartridge is similar to a .357 am I correct in assuming that its range say for hunting is not too great?

gap1916

The 110 grain semi jacket soft nose hits as hard at 100 yards as the .357 125 grain semi jackt hollow point hits at the muzzel. Not bad for a round designed for WW2.

Greg

nmyers

There's not a whole lot of hunting for which the .357 mag or the M1 carbine is suitable. Certainly not deer; it's illegal for that purpose in many states. Maybe coyotes, if they are close enough.

Be sure that the carbine is USGI. Tell your buddy to run if it is a Universal.

Neal

Hangfire

I agree with Neal- run real fast if its Universal!!!.Don't slow down if its Alpine,Plainfield and /or Iver Johnson.

Gun control is a steady hand

Laredo Lefty

Chris... These other posts have good info. Universal carbines are "no bueno". If the gun is a GI in good condition, then $375.00 is a very good price, I would jump at it.

Look under the rear sight for the manufacturers name.
USGI guns were made by:

Inland Div of General Motors
I.B.M. 'yes the business machine people'
Irwin Pedersen
National Postal Meter
Quality Hardware
Rock-ola the juke-box makers
Saginaw
Standard Products
Underwood
Winchester

The Inland Div of General Motors made over 2.5 million carbines, with the others all under a million, so your chances of encountering an Inland gun is greater.

I have hunted coyotes with a carbine and it packs enough power to put'em down, but it is not a flat shooter. Its ok out to 100yds or so.
They are death on jack rabbits.
Its quite a sight to see a running jack get hit with a carbine bullet.

Its interesting to note that most states outlaw hunting deer with the .30 carbine as it is not powerful enough to be humane, but our military has killed thousands of people with them.

Joe

bambihunter

If legal in your state, the .30 carbine should give you at least 75 yards of effective distance. Think of it as shooting an accurate magnum pistol...
I sometimes use a .44 mag carbine and I've taken a deer cleanly at a little over 60 yards. I definately wouldn't shoot over 100 yards, don't be afraid of using the .30 carbine on whitetails, just know its limitations.

TED GAR

This is an excellent two hundred yard gun. It will be 13.8 inches low at 200 yards with 375 foot pounds of energy. That is good enough for deer. Use remington softpoints. There will be others that will say that is not enough..But 375 pounds of energy is what a 357 pistol has at 100 yards. Aim at the backbone at two hundred, and you will ok.

Chris78

Thanks again for the info guys. Still havent gotten a chance to peek at this carbine. I didn't realize how many different companies made these rifles. It will be interesting to see if this is indeed a great shooting piece of American history, or one of the less popular wall hangers!