TheGunMag: "M1 Carbine the Most Versatile Rifle"

[painter777]

The only real problem I have with the article is his insistence on cleaning the gas cylinder.

Agreed Jim,
I do understand the need for some cases of R and R of the gas piston and nut, just like the example Eb shared with us about the heavy lead fouled gas cylinder.

But in the article... Where the Author states:
"The reliability of the M1 carbine has never been a problem."

Further down the Author talks about A:
"Most jams with the M1 carbine can be traced back to not using a gas piston nut wrench to take the tappit gas system apart for cleaning."

My understanding was the Gas Piston and Nut were to be serviced by the Armorer or at least not by the regular GI. Likely because of the Nut being Staked.

That said, I'd think most Jams would lead back to: B: weak Op spring, lack of lube, or dirty.
The most common Jamming or FTF cause we hear about are usually Magazine Related Issues- Some having sagging magazines with worn mag catch nubs. Or Magazines with weak or backward installed springs. And sometimes bent in or out feed edges.

When Troubleshooting: Where Most jams with the M1 carbine can be traced back to... (?)

I'd start with B over A first.

YMMV,

@ Eddie, Thx for the article ...
Try our SEARCH FEATURE for some great posts about Audie Murphy, pictures, etc.

Good Week All

[EddieM]

The only real problem I have with the article is his insistence on cleaning the gas cylinder. They were designed to be self cleaning. Out of the 30+ carbines that I've owned over the years, only 1 ever needed to have the piston pulled and the port/cylinder cleaned and that was the one Saginaw that didn't like cast bullets. I just wish I could use mine for deer hunting here in Ohio. .357 revolvers are allowed and the carbine has more power than that. And our ranges for deer are usually pretty short. I guess I'll just have to stick to my 1873 Winchester clone in .45 colt.

Hey Jim,
Do you remember if that Saginaw nut cylinder was kind of untight right?
From those 30+ M1 carbines wich were your favorites and why? Which do you still keep?
Regards

[EddieM]

Somehow we have gone from the generation where the gun was a tool (think rusty shovels, dull axes, bent rounded screwdrivers) to the I have to always take everything apart and get every bit of gunk out of it generation. Yes I obsess at times, but the M1 Carbine is best set up right and left intact when it comes to cleaning. The M1 Carbine always elicits either praise or scorn. Used in it's intended purpose: as pistol replacement that everyone can shoot well it excels. When you start to get out of that comfort zone and get into Battle Rifle replacement, Assault Rifle, Sub-machine gun, long range weapon or target rifle you start to see the faults. Paper power is fine, but the 357 out of a rifle has more weight and more diameter, maybe not as fast. However, an SP Carbine bullet is no slouch either. Either way a good shot has venison in the freezer. I have loaded for the M1 since I was 16 but if I had to live with it day to day, it would be Winchester, Remington or Federal 110 SP's all day long.

Dave

Hey Wineman,
I´m with you, I think a gun is a tool, I really enjoy taking everything apart to clean. Wow for sure you know well the M1 carbine, do you feel confident using the carbine for all the purposes you mentioned?
I´ve seen some videos where the authors state that the 30 carbine out of the M1 is similar to the 44 magnums in a revolver.
Have you tried Aguila ammo? They meet SAAMI and CPI (European) standards.
Regards

[EddieM]

Agreed Jim,
I do understand the need for some cases of R and R of the gas piston and nut, just like the example Eb shared with us about the heavy lead fouled gas cylinder.

But in the article... Where the Author states:
"The reliability of the M1 carbine has never been a problem."

Further down the Author talks about A:
"Most jams with the M1 carbine can be traced back to not using a gas piston nut wrench to take the tappit gas system apart for cleaning."

My understanding was the Gas Piston and Nut were to be serviced by the Armorer or at least not by the regular GI. Likely because of the Nut being Staked.

That said, I'd think most Jams would lead back to: B: weak Op spring, lack of lube, or dirty.
The most common Jamming or FTF cause we hear about are usually Magazine Related Issues- Some having sagging magazines with worn mag catch nubs. Or Magazines with weak or backward installed springs. And sometimes bent in or out feed edges.

When Troubleshooting: Where Most jams with the M1 carbine can be traced back to... (?)

I'd start with B over A first.

YMMV,

@ Eddie, Thx for the article ...
Try our SEARCH FEATURE for some great posts about Audie Murphy, pictures, etc.

Good Week All

Hola Carlito,
Thx for the very interesting reply.
I will try the search feature

[browningautorifle]

Which were your favorite ones?

I liked them all.

[eb in oregon]

Somehow we have gone from the generation where the gun was a tool (think rusty shovels, dull axes, bent rounded screwdrivers) to the I have to always take everything apart and get every bit of gunk out of it generation. Yes I obsess at times, but the M1 Carbine is best set up right and left intact when it comes to cleaning. The M1 Carbine always elicits either praise or scorn. Used in it's intended purpose: as pistol replacement that everyone can shoot well it excels. When you start to get out of that comfort zone and get into Battle Rifle replacement, Assault Rifle, Sub-machine gun, long range weapon or target rifle you start to see the faults. Paper power is fine, but the 357 out of a rifle has more weight and more diameter, maybe not as fast. However, an SP Carbine bullet is no slouch either. Either way a good shot has venison in the freezer. I have loaded for the M1 since I was 16 but if I had to live with it day to day, it would be Winchester, Remington or Federal 110 SP's all day long.

Dave

I agree with every thing you have said with the exception of the M1 Carbine not being a good "sub-machine gun" as the M2 is every bit as capable as any sub-machine gun with the exception of the newer subcompact versions of sub-machine guns. That's a size issue that can be addressed, but still bigger than the newer sub compacts. It's more accurate than a 9x19 or a .45acp gun (and half the weight of a Thompson) in my opinion and reaches out there a bit further, but unfortunately our military decided to merely obsolete the M1 and M2 Carbine and give it to numerous country's and then replace the several weapons of an infantry squad with only full caliber rifles and the accompanying machine gun. And as more modern times have demonstrated the M2 is still a viable firearm for personal protection and other needs.

Edit: And truthfully the sub compact sub-machine guns aren't meant for anything but close up work and do poorly at distances longer than 50 yards.

[W5USMC]

My understanding was the Gas Piston and Nut were to be serviced by the Armorer or at least not by the regular GI. Likely because of the Nut being Staked.

Charlie, page down to the gas piston section of this thread. Seems that a regular G.I. was able to do it but under supervision of an armorer.
PS Magazine the Prnthly - The Carbine Collector's Club

[browningautorifle]

Seems that a regular G.I. was able to do it but under supervision of an armorer.

That would be unrealistic. That's why the tool was taken off the back of the trigger housing. Armorers have better things to do than supervise mudrollers...

[jimb16]

I don't have a favorite carbine. If I did have to choose one, it would likely be Underwoods due to the fact that I think the barrels are slightly better than any others. Otherwise, I think they are all pretty much equal. I do have to agree with Painter. Nearly all of the problems that I've had with carbines over the years have been mag related.

[W5USMC]

Armorers have better things to do than supervise mudrollers...

Maybe so at times, but I distinctly remember many times when the armorers were busy playing spades in the armory while "supervising" Unit weapons cleaning sessions.