Interesting thread. My late father was the supply sgt for hdqtrs & hdqtrs co. in the 503rd. He didn't like the carbine and kept his M1 rifle. He also, late in the spwa campaign had a T-26 M1 rifle. He served from Nadzab (he said they called it Gnat's a$$ because that was about how big the DZ was)thru to the end including the action on Corregidor. One of my favorite pics of him was taken in July '44 on Hollandia. He's in complete jump outfit holding his trusty M1 rifle.
Jon