I keep coming back to the M1 Carbine as my GO TO HD Weapon

[imarangemaster]

Being of the "Peace through superior Firepower " mentality brought on by 20+ years as an LEO and 7 year as military, I have no shortage of martial type weapons to choose from for my home defense carbine. Besides my pet 6 digit Inland mix-master, I have two AR15s (a retro 603 build and a Mid-length 1/7 twist carbine), a PTR91 HK G3 clone, a featureless AK (Stock Saiga Sporter), and most recently a new 582 Series Mini-14 with a wood handguard.

I REALLY love the Mini-14, and actually prefer shooting it to shooting my AR15s or AK. The tapered, heavier barrel, and the ghost ring rear sight coupled with the M1 Carbine style post and wing front sight make it much more accurate than the old Minis. I really thought it would replace the Carbine as my HD (Home Defense) Carbine. But something happened. I don't know if it was tradition (my dad and Uncles fought with M1 Carbines in WW2), practicality (the Min weighs over two pounds more with a mag in it and a stock pouch with mags), or habit (the fact I carried an M1 carbine as my trunk weapon for much of my LEO career.)

With that said, my Inland is coming out of the safe, and going to be the ready weapon for me. I just need to stop buy and buy a box of Hornady Critical Defense ammo for it. I figure the top 20 in the O-Kay or SEY 30 rounder will be Critical Defense, and the bottom 10 will be 110 R-P FMJs for when the Goblins retreat behind barricades!

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[jmoore]

So the Critical Defense ammo has been reliable for you? I bought a box to try last week. My main drama with the Carbine versus some other rifles are the sights. Just haven't found a good way to get hits in low light. ACOGs work regardless of lighting, and I have tritium sights for other rifles.

[shadycon]

My main HD weapon [weapons] are ankle bitters, they bark at anything!! Back up is the good ole' pistol.

[imntxs554]

Bernie, You can't go wrong with Hornady Critical Defense ammo for HD. Just get you a couple of 20 Round Boxes and do like you said and if anyone on your property that has Bad Intentions that Round will do its job. I wouldn't use it for Target Shooting. I always keep a 15 Round Mag with it in my Carbine for Home Defense. I also use DRT ammo in my my Carbine and my Concealed Handgun.

I don't know if you have one or not, but If you don't you should pick up a Ruger Blackhawk in 30 Carbine. There fun to shoot at least I think they are. I have the Old 3 Screw Ruger Blackhawk before it was converted with the Transfer Bar. Every now and then I take it out of the Safe and go to Western night at the Range. It's a blast to see some old timers come ALL dressed up in Western Garment like the old Western Movies just having a blast.

[Mizzouboy]

Bernie, You can't go wrong with Hornady Critical Defense ammo for HD. Just get you a couple of 20 Round Boxes and do like you said and if anyone on your property that has Bad Intentions that Round will do its job. I wouldn't use it for Target Shooting. I always keep a 15 Round Mag with it in my Carbine for Home Defense. I also use DRT ammo in my my Carbine and my Concealed Handgun.

I don't know if you have one or not, but If you don't you should pick up a Ruger Blackhawk in 30 Carbine. There fun to shoot at least I think they are. I have the Old 3 Screw Ruger Blackhawk before it was converted with the Transfer Bar. Every now and then I take it out of the Safe and go to Western night at the Range. It's a blast to see some old timers come ALL dressed up in Western Garment like the old Western Movies just having a blast.

I like the Critical Defense in my carbine, but I have ejection problems in my Ruger Blackhawk. Most commercial ammo is no problem, but the CD requires a sharp tap on the ejector rod to knock it out. Surprised this happens with a nickeled case. Sometimes I get enough case setback to cause the cylinder to bind. Could this be a higher pressure round? I notice the advertised velocity is also a bit high. BTW some LC72 military surplus gives the same problem.

[imarangemaster]

I like the Critical Defense in my carbine, but I have ejection problems in my Ruger Blackhawk. Most commercial ammo is no problem, but the CD requires a sharp tap on the ejector rod to knock it out. Surprised this happens with a nickeled case. Sometimes I get enough case setback to cause the cylinder to bind. Could this be a higher pressure round? I notice the advertised velocity is also a bit high. BTW some LC72 military surplus gives the same problem.

Rugers have relatively rough chambers. I had the same problem in my 1970 Super Black hawk with hot handloads. I have seen chrono reports of Critical Defense showing about 100 FPS more than R-P's 1935 FPS.

[AFJon]

I like the Critical Defense in my carbine, but I have ejection problems in my Ruger Blackhawk. Most commercial ammo is no problem, but the CD requires a sharp tap on the ejector rod to knock it out. Surprised this happens with a nickeled case. Sometimes I get enough case setback to cause the cylinder to bind. Could this be a higher pressure round? I notice the advertised velocity is also a bit high. BTW some LC72 military surplus gives the same problem.

For what its worth lightly oiling my LC72 ammo before loading the cylinder of my Blackhawk helps with the ejection after firing.

[us019255]

"...So the Critical Defense ammo has been reliable for you?..." I'm sure this is not news for many here but I found out many years ago one solution to carbines not liking sof point or hollow point ammo. The WWII carbines I own have been reparked (some by me some by others) as a result the feed ramp is quite rough. I simply used a Dremel with a rubber wheel, followed by a polish with a buff wheel. The smooth and shiny feed ramps feed just about any ammo.

[imntxs554]

I've used many different types of ammo in one of my M1 Carbines. Never with a Parked or a gritty Feed Ramp, I always polish them after each use, but as much as I like to shoot I seem to always go back to S & B 110 gr. for Range Shooting. I just Clean my Carbine right when I get home.

[USGI]

I seem to always go back to S & B 110 gr. for Range Shooting. I just Clean my Carbine right when I get home.

S&B may have been corrosive at some time in the past, but I've never seen any evidence of it. Wish it was still around $8.00 per box! - Bob