USMC M1 Carbines in the Pacific

[imntxs554]

If this has been posted before I'm Sorry I didn't check

I really enjoyed Reading and Looking at the Carbines and other Weapons.

Personally I've read different reasons why there was V notches on T1 Rear Sights. This might be one of the reasons.

M1 Carbine | USMCWeaponry.com

"The only attribute that can increase the likelihood of a given M1 Carbine being of USMC provenance, Marines in the South Pacific were keen to file their rear sights into a V to allow better target acquisition in the dense jungles and during the frequent nighttime banzai charge. This modification was not strictly Marine however, as US Army soldiers would do this modification as well. That said, it has been observed on M1 Carbines with strong USMC provenance."

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Woodsy]

Most of the type 1 M1 Carbines in NZ are ex-USMC, either left here by Marines posted here during WW2 or brought back by NZ troops serving in the Solomon Islands. I have owned three carbines with the V sight modification (2 M1's and 1 M1A1) plus seen others in collections. The NZ based Marines enjoyed pig hunting trips with local farmers and quite few carbines got 'lost' on these trips, as well as Garands and M1911's. The NZ camps were training camps before going on to the Solomons, and also R&R camps during the island hopping campaign. Several US hospitals were built as well, some still in use today after being handed over at the end of the war. I was born in one in 1947.

[Bruce McAskill]

While what the web site said are factors, one must realize that many men during WW2 hunted at home before going into the service. Most would have had standard sights on their .22 or 30-30 Winchesters or even bolt action rifles. They were used to these type sights and it was a natural thing to go back to ones roots so to speak feeling more comfortable with the V notch sight. This goes along with people cutting off the wing protectors on front sights claiming they did not get confused in low light which one was the front sight or that the sight did not get stuck on dense jungle growth. I think the low light is the more likely reason. But who knows.

[imntxs554]

While what the web site said are factors, one must realize that many men during WW2 hunted at home before going into the service. Most would have had standard sights on their .22 or 30-30 Winchesters or even bolt action rifles. They were used to these type sights and it was a natural thing to go back to ones roots so to speak feeling more comfortable with the V notch sight. This goes along with people cutting off the wing protectors on front sights claiming they did not get confused in low light which one was the front sight or that the sight did not get stuck on dense jungle growth. I think the low light is the more likely reason. But who knows.

Wow Bruce that is something that makes total sense on cutting off the ears to as not to deal with them getting caught up in that mess. I actually never thought of that and your so correct a lot of these Soldiers grew up using open sights than having to learn to use the peep hole. Thank You for this information.

[rcathey]

This goes along with people cutting off the wing protectors on front sights claiming they did not get confused in low light which one was the front sight....

I let a buddy at work borrow my carbine for some plinking.
When he returned it (God bless this older gentleman) he told me he had to adjust the sights A LOT. Sure enough, the rear sight was cranked wayyyy over to one side.

You guessed it. Next time I went to shoot it I realized he had been sighting off one of the front sight protectors.

It was working for him though haha.

[browningautorifle]

Good to see you back in here Frank...

[mrclark303]

M1 Carbine lesson for the day, always something new to learn....

[Sunray]

"...many men during WW2 hunted at home..." By far, most of the U.S. troopies had never seen a real firearm before being in the military. The idea of the U.S. being a "nation of riflemen" is a myth.

[StratA]

"...many men during WW2 hunted at home..." By far, most of the U.S. troopies had never seen a real firearm before being in the military. The idea of the U.S. being a "nation of riflemen" is a myth.

Huh. I guess all four of my great uncles were the exception to your rule.

[USGI]

I'll have to 2nd that. My Dad (standing) and his 4 brothers who served in WWII hunted. I had 3 uncles on Mom's side of the family and a cousin - all hunted and served. - Bob