I keep coming back to the M1 Carbine as my GO TO HD Weapon
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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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.
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.
"...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.
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.
I polished my feed ramp with a Kraytex point and a Dremel. My 6 digit Inland feeds everything I have tried: Remington 110 JSP and FMJ, WW2 Kings Mill, Vietnam era Lake City, Prvi Partizan 110 JSP and FMJ, Magtech 110 JSP and FNJ (HOT STUFF!), and my reloads with Bear Creek moly coated 115s and Berry's 110 plated. I only use USGI 15s and 30s. My 30s are: AI, SEY, AYP, J, and OKay.
No joy on the Critical defense at the local Gun Shops. I'll use my 110 Remington JSPs until I find some. I killed a 200 pound Blacktail deer with the 110 Remington JSP with a single 100 yard (actually 97 yard) broadside heart-lung shot.
I did not realize until just a few weeks ago that Hornaday made the Critical Defense for .30 carbine. I've been using it in my carry handguns so now I picked up a couple boxes on-line to keep handy for my NPM to go along with my Sig 239 for home defense.
I use my Inland to see what ammo does what and if I'm going to like how it performs, but ever since I got my NPM in Great Shooting Condition, I'm a bit finicky about what I feed it. I don't want any surplus ammo and if I have to spends more than usual for a really good ammo for my NPM I'll buy it.