If You Could Only Have One...

I have a decent selection of M-1 Garands and 03 and 03A3 Springfields, but I have never really considered buying an M-1 Carbine. That is until recently. We hold a semi-auto rifle match in which you can use almost anything you want but it must be a military type rifle. Distances are at most 100 yds and targets are "hitable". The last time we held the match I noticed no one, not one single entrant used an M-1 carbine. Lots of AR's of course and a few M-1 Garands and some Soviet stuff. Total round count is kept to about 40 for the match.

If I wanted to use an M-1 carbine for somethiing like this does anyone have a suggestion as to what manufacturer would be a better choice for this type of shooting? In other words is a Winchester better than a Rock-Ola or Saginaw etc.

Thanks for any information you can offer.......

Rick H.

The name on the receiver is just that...........the name on the receiver. There is not one better than the other. If all you want is a decent shooting carbine, any late featured arsenal rebuild (t-3 band, adj rear sight, etc...) USGI carbine in good shape should provide what your looking for.

I relegated myself to just one and chose an Inland because my dad carried an Inland on Iwo Jima. I got a CMP Inland racker that was upgraded post war and kept it as the government issued it to me through CMP. It is a tack driver, BTW with a ME of just over 1.

I own a Underwood and have to say it is working great ( with friendly help of imarangemaster) and its accurate. So ireally can´t say that is good maker or this one isn´t that good. I believe any of this will be a good shooter as long as the perimeters will fit.

would be my choice. They (carbines) are all the same but all completely different in how they shoot. A late build would have a better chance of being fresh and have all of the accuracy enhancing features.

My best shooters have an Underwood barrel. Could be just luck of the draw.

Thanks Gentlemen for all the replies. With what has been said, how does one tell a "late" rebuild on one of these and what is a T-3 handguard? I gather there must be some sort of rebuild markings on them similar to refinished Garand? Thanks again....Rick H.

What they are saying is the adjustable sight is easier to sight in than the flip . The band with the bayonet lug will hold the front in tighter than the one without and both are better than the early type one. Newer barrels should have less wear so should shoot better. Most every carbine around nowdays will have the later trigger and one of the later style recoil plates. Potbellied stocks are also a plus . All of these will increase the chance the gun will shoot better , but nothing is set in stone . You can find late ones that don't shoot worth a toot and early ones that are tackdrivers.
Chris

Thanks guys for the replies. You have answered my questions and helped me a bunch. Now to find a good one with the information you have given me.

Rick

Yes Rick, as all of the above said:

1) Adjustable sight

2) T-3 barrel band with bayo lug

3) Four rivet HG

4) Pot belly stock can be a bonus, but whichever a good stock without a lot of wear.

5) The most important is barrel condition, whether early or newer. Measure the muzzle and check the crown.

Luckily, that later carbines are easier to find and usually less expensive. Some late ones will still be in original condition because they didn't have to go through the rebuild program. BUT, my most accurate shooter of all was a rebuilt IBM. It just felt 'solid' in it's stock and I believe it was never 'messed with' after the rebuild. (It had a mix of parts of all kinds) I don't believe it would have been so good if someone had jacked with it replacing parts, etc. like so many other carbines. You might even concentrate on finding one of the CMP carbines if you can find one that you're pretty sure hasn't been 'improved' recently. Maybe look for one that still has the M2 stock and FAT marking on the stock. Many people who bought the CMP carbines got rid of their FAT marked stocks before they took them to the range.

I'm with you about your quest - it would be really neat to be the only one shooting a carbine at your competitions. They aren't known to be as accurate as the others but they can be accurate out to 100 yards and you'd be proud if you beat the other guys!

Thanks again to all for your insight. Harlan: yes that is what I found out at the matches is that the "expert opinions" are that an M-1 carbine isn't accurate enough for this type of work. I find that somewhat hard to believe but never owning one I can't say for sure. The targets are pie plate sized and I would THINK a decent M-1 carbine SHOULD be able to connect with a target that size out to 100 yds. If I am wrong please let me know and my M-1 carbine quest will come to a quick end. I just think it would be really unique to be the only player shooting an M-1 carbine, at least from a historical aspect. Thanks again..Rick

We were shooting clay pigeons out to a 100yds. So you should certainly be able to hit plates!


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They can be very accurate out to 100 yards Rick. Find one with a good barrel and we can give you some other tips.

Imagine the fun you'll have showing the 'experts' up! :thup:

Rick

For what it is worth.............

I shoot a match at our club once a month and I started out with a Garand as most of the others as well.
My scores were not that good, but then neither are my eyes. So I switched to a carbine, and my scores went up dramatically. That's what I use now most of the time.

And it is a rack grade winney.

Find one and shoot it, you will have a ball.