The M1 Carbine was so ineffective in Korea

[DaveHH]

Units like the 1st Cav who trained and deployed with the M16s had very few problems because they had used them prior to deploying in 1965. They also were a very strac unit and had good weapons discipline. Units like the 1st Div were given their M16s in country and had zero training about how to use them and no equipment to clean them. A team of vet NCOs sent by Colt to assess the issues found that the weapon maintenance for the division was horrible and that all weapons were poorly maintained. That is a unit problem not an equipment problem.

American units who didn't have M16s used the M14. I was there in 1966-67 and M16s were in short supply with almost all going to mobile Infantry battalions, the rest of us just used our good M14s which were wonderful weapons. SF and advisers may have carried Carbines and Navy personnel (like Jim) used them by choice. But it was never an issue of only the M16 or carbine. By 1969 or so everyone had M16s.

It is my understanding that the Marines resisted giving up their M14s with a vengeance and considered the M16 to be a poor substitute.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

We had 50 cals on the boat. We carried a carbine and 45 acp for close, quicker action. It's hard to run off the boat to support extracting a team with a Ma Deuce. M-16's were in short supply, M-14's went to the Infantry units.
These guys were drafted right after school. Eighteen to twenty year olds with their first weapon, basic training only. Cleaning, what cleaning. The M-16 seemed to foul quicker then the M-14. Guys I knew liked the M-14 early on for better reliability, but later the M-16 for the size and weight. Almost two pounds lighter loaded and 39" verses 44".
I saw a lot of different weapons go off my boat. Some I remember, not all inclusive, M-60's, M-14's, M-16's, M-1 Garands, Carbines, Thompsons, M-3's, M-79's, shotguns. But no kitchen sink! You used what you brought.

[PBI]

2014 btt

[INLAND44]

'Carbine/M-16 debate': I would love to see that solved with an AR15 in .30 Carbine. I've thought about it a lot and I believe it would be an easy one to make. In fact I have contacted a manufacturer that makes regular ARs plus several pistol calibers to see what they think. I believe the 5.56 bolt can be used without modification and a 30-round carbine mag fits inside a 30-round AR mag so its just a matter of blocking it in. This means the conversion could be an upper half with a magazine, to fit any standard AR lower. What's the point? To be able to use the incredible .30 Carbine round without putting wear on a valuable collectible. This round has some very interesting properties for a PDW, sub-gun and many other uses. 110 gr at 1990 fps and 950 ft lbs.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

Didn't Olympic Arms make one years ago that didn't take off?

[browningautorifle]

What Inland says has merit, the mag fits the ammo and it would take firing to see what actually happened. Does it creep forward? Do you block front? You can't push the rounds forward because of the vertical rib...and the bolt face fits fine, again whether they actually extract...all you need is the barrel blank and I'll turn it out right here...what is that...1 in 20 blank...? Carbine length of course, maybe PDW? 7.5 for Canada? Don't remember the Olympic one Jim...

[INLAND44]

Don't misunderstand; I took it for granted that anyone would know the carbine mag would be mechanically fixed inside of a modified AR-15 mag. The AR-15 mag would have its follower and spring removed and the feed lips cut off. The carbine mag exact position within the AR-15 mag would be determined partly by experimentation after which it would be made permanent. After thinking about it more, I realized that they would most likely make a new AR-type mag body for this purpose, most likely of polymer, but shorter so the floor plate serves as the floor plate of the carbine mag so you can clean it replace the spring.

[deldriver]

I had a Colt 9mm AR-15 at one time and loved it at short range. It was one of those weapons that was simply hard to miss your target with. I am guessing that an AR-15 chambered in .30 carbine would have some of the same characteristics at short range as the 9mm. Lots of fun no matter what!

[PBI]

Isn't the 300 BLACK OUT close to the round size of a .30 carbine?

[browningautorifle]

Same bore, different cartridge shape. I'd need a barrel blank still. The twist might be wrong, although they make them in several. Mine here is a 7 inch twist so I can use big long bullets going sub...

---------- Post added at 07:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:44 PM ----------

carbine mag would be mechanically fixed inside of a modified AR-15 mag

True, I'd try the original first just to see if I can get away with it. 'Cause I'm cheap like that...