I often see threads on how underpowered the Carbine is and how it shouldn't be considered a valid battle rifle, yet I constantly see pictures of GI's carrying the Carbines in action. If it was unfit for front line usage as many seem to think, why would they have one?

So it makes me wonder, other than perhaps paratroopers, were M1icon Carbines actually issued to front line ground troops during WW2 or Korea as their primary battle rifle or were the ones you always see in pictures 'acquired' by the troops some other way other then being issued?
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