In Case You Forgot Why We Love The Carbine

[INLAND44]

I don't pay any attention to my M1C anymore and I have been going through a period of sudden interest in .22 rifles and pistols. Plus I have also been taking my ARs and AK to the range, so I have been handling all kinds of long guns. Anyway, for some reason I got out my Carbine the other day, put it up to my shoulder and sighted on the mailbox. Wow. It felt so compact, light and just fit so well - I realized right then that I was most likely not going to dispose of it anytime soon and that if I did, I would really miss it. I have no plans to use it no matter what happens but I did have a case of HP ammo made for it 25 years ago (nickel brass/110gr jacketed HP bullet, Speer #1835) that functions fine in it. Whatever, this carbine is nothing to write home about, just a rebuild with late parts, but I guess its like an old mutt that you keep around.
Its easy to see why anyone that could get a carbine in WWII was crazy about it. Sure, just as many favored the rifle but the carbine was so much easier to live with day by day for those who didn't need the power of the rifle.
Now, with the popularity of the pistol-caliber carbine (PCC), the .30 Carbine round could possibly enjoy a new popularity if the platforms for using it existed. I've always liked the idea of an AR in the caliber and Olympic made a few. Still, no platform would have the feel of the original which is something unique in the world.

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[browningautorifle]

Yes, I'd like the AR in .30 Carbine. At least I'd like to ring it out. I'd think you'd want a mag housing that took the carbine mag, like the ones that insert for 9mm Colt mags... No reason with all the variables for AR calibers that a Carbine couldn't be popular.

[rcathey]

The 30 Carbine is often compared to 357 Magnum. An AR in something 357-esque sounds pretty cool. Too few people these days (especially the AR type crowd) give the Carbine round a fair shake. It’s rifle sized fun for a pistol ammo price.
I regularly buy it at auction for about $12 for 50 rounds. You can even find it at the big box places for $15. You won’t hear any complaints from me for that price.

[USGI]

I regularly buy it at auction for about $12 for 50 rounds. You can even find it at the big box places for $15. You won’t hear any complaints from me for that price.

Brass cases or steel? - Bob

That's still about double what 9mm is going for now - just bought a PC Carbine in 9mm.

[rcathey]

Brass cases or steel?

Brass. Bought a load of American Eagle from an auction in TN a month or so ago. Got it cheaper than Wolf goes for at the store.
Armscor, Fiochi, Aguila...they're all around 15 or 16 a box.

[browningautorifle]

.30 Carbine isn't available here at all in surplus or any reasonable prices either. I'd have to load it, as I always have.

[paulo57509]

The 30 Carbine is often compared to 357 Magnum. An AR in something 357-esque sounds pretty cool. Too few people these days (especially the AR type crowd) give the Carbine round a fair shake. It’s rifle sized fun for a pistol ammo price.
I regularly buy it at auction for about $12 for 50 rounds. You can even find it at the big box places for $15. You won’t hear any complaints from me for that price.

Not to get too far off the rails; how about an AR in 350 Legend?

[SHOT 2019] Winchesters NEW 350 Legend Cartridge

[browningautorifle]

Why not...there's .50 Beowulf...why not a .35?

[AmEngRifles]

Growing up in the 60s and 70s, the carbine was the “ weapon of choice” for many families who kept one behind the bedroom door, because most wives and even the kids of the family could handle the recoil and it gave pretty reasonable amount of firepower for the day, if you weren’t “ aware” of the AR-15s and other assault rifles hitting the US market in those days.

Guess those days have passed?

[rcathey]

Price probably has a lot to do with it. These days a cheap AR is only $400. I see even commercial carbines going for $500 or so at auction.