Well, 5.56 ammo shortages pose a problem, my Standard Products is an answer

[imarangemaster]

The stupid $1 a round prices for 5.56 have led me back to my Sandard Products M-1 for a patrol carbine!

I had switched to my recent M4gery build with red dot scope for a patrol carbine for my high country security contractor duties. I have a fixed amount of good 5.56 ammo (about 860 rounds of M193 LC), but I am hesitant to shoot much in practice because of my limited supply, and my refusal to pay $1 a round. I am set up to load 5.56 with brass, primers, dies, and powder, but NO 55 grain FMJ BT projectiles to found ANYWHERE! When my shift was almost all dark hours during the winter, it wasn't too much of an issue, as I had little opportunity to practice

With the long daylight now, though, I have half a shift in the woods when I could be sharpening (or even maintaining) my rifle skills. Also, with more daylight, the red dot is not as necessary.

The answer is to revert back to the old Standard Products again. I have about 1500 rounds of factory, and components to load another 1500 rounds. With that ammo stash, I can afford to regularly practice with the SP M1 as much as I care too.

Last month I switched to a Rock Island 1911A1 .45 ACP to replace my S&W as a duty sidearm. They should get along well together! It's funny, because my dad on Iwo Jima carried a 1911A1 along with his Inland M1 Carbine, too. Seventy years later, his son repeats his history! They kept him alive, they should do the same for me!

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[Maple_Leaf_Eh]

Does your employer give any guidance on their expectations for a long gun? I know an M1 is less gun than an AR, but if you are obliged to pay your own ammo, would they have any objection?

[imarangemaster]

No guidance at all. Any California legal long gun. I don't have a .308, so its the AR or the Carbine. It is an agreement between the utility we contract protection for and the local office of our company. Because we are in the National Forest, a long gun in the car is OK. Beside the terrorists I patrol for, we also potentially have Mexican cartel drug planters, and mountain lion to deal with. I ran into drug planters last summer, which I backed off and notified USFS LEO. I regularly run into cougar. Several nights ago, I got into a staring match with a large cougar, who was 10 feet from my F150, and only reluctantly vacating the narrow one lane road so I could pass! It was several miles from the powerhouse I was checking in the bottom of a canyon, so I did not send it to "kitty heaven." If they are menacing around the gates I have to dismount to unlock, they will be terminated. I am not getting paid to be kitty kibbles!

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

When does the law about detachable magazines take effect? That will take out the AR and Carbine.
You'll be back to a lever action. Maybe time I break out my Winchester 30-30, or Savage 45-70.

[browningautorifle]

law about detachable magazines

Just go back up to the M1 rifle...or tanker, even in .308...w/cartridge belt and .45. Then your dad would approve.

[Maple_Leaf_Eh]

People would pay to get that close to a mountain lion. You might want to rent your passenger seat out to the tourists! It could pay for a new rifle.

All joking aside, a one-man wilderness patrol with two recognizable threats should 'carry enough gun'. At close range either will work for short engagements. However, I am partial to the AR over the M1, simply on its more advanced ballistics. Considering the value of your hide, I would carry as much 5.56 as I felt I needed and keep scrounging for more. Hell! If there wasn't a border in the way, I might try to help a brother out.

In the meantime, stay safe and keep your top knot.

[Buntlineguy]

Don't get too upset just yet. In my area (Cleveland/Akron), ammo and reloading supplies are rebounding. Ammo is slowly falling in price. Last week i found .225 for about $.85 per and .308 for just over a dollar per. Not back to pre-panic prices, but improving. The only bad shortage now is .22 LR. Stores are limiting quantities and prices are between double and triple. At least they are starting to appear.
It would be interesting to hear what is happening around the U.S.

B

[imarangemaster]

I have a 12 gauge pump with ghost rings, which is good for bear and mountain lion with 1 oz slugs, but not enough for 100 yard work with 2 legged goblins. That's why I settled on 5.56 and 30 carbine. I've taken 200 pound deer at 100 yards with the carbine. One heart lung shot with 110 R-P JSP and it was DRT.

[imarangemaster]

Here's the duty set up and the old guy that wears it!

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

I just hope you never really need that vest.

Maybe someday swap that RIA for an Ed Brown or Wilson, fine pistols.