My Carbines, Old and New - with a twist

[imarangemaster]

Here are the improved sights on the 580 series and above:

[browningautorifle]

try a newer, heavier tapered barrel 580 series Mini.

I know the ones.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

You can find a few people just frothing at the jaws about how bad the Mini 14 is. I've had a few and never had a problem. I could hit offhand at 200, which is about all I want now days and it never failed me. They handle nice and are light which also now days matters.

Light is relative. The M-14 weighs 9.2 lbs, the Garand 9.5 lbs. Both not exactly lightweights. But fine shooters.

[browningautorifle]

I carried the FN for my first 15 years, it's 11 lbs fully loaded with bayonet, which was at least on our person... I mean because we're not as young as we used to be...now it matters.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

I carried the FN for my first 15 years, it's 11 lbs fully loaded with bayonet, which was at least on our person... I mean because we're not as young as we used to be...now it matters.

Forgot you were up north of us. 11 lbs yikes!

[browningautorifle]

I'm across the straits from you...

[imarangemaster]

Wow! I feel like such a traitor to the one true path of the venerable M1 carbine! "Bless me Father, for I have sinned!"

Since I first started shoting my cousin's M1 Carbine around 1962, it has been my absolute FAVORITE long gun. Even before that, I grew up knowing my Dad's Inland M1 carbine brought him home alive from Iwo Jima in 1945. Since 1982, I have continuously had an M1 carbine (occasionally more than one, but usually just one). It has always been my first choice for home defense, plinking and casual shooting, and even as my primary LEO trunk weapon for much of my career (unless I had a department issued full auto!). I just loved having and shooting my little Carbine.

Then it happened. This new 582 Series Mini-14 snuck into my life, and is now top dog! I suppose I can ultimately blame it on "Carbine Williams" because of his design influence on the Winchester SCHV .224 Light Rifle, who I am sure Bill Ruger then stole the idea for the Mini-14 from. While the Mini-14 is a bit over a pound heavier than the M1 Carbine, it is just as handy to tote, and has the same ergonomics as my beloved M1 carbine. The sight picture is virtually identical, and the weapon's handling is identical, capitalizing on 50 years of M1 Carbine "muscle Memory".

The more I shoot this little weapon, the more I really appreciate it. The MK262 Mod1 77 grn 5.56 OTMs have 810 ft lbs ME at 300 yards, where the carbine barely make that ME at 70 yards!

Anyway, the 6 digit Inland M1 Carbine has been cleaned, oiled, and put in a silicone gun sock in the safe. As it is a pristine 50s rebuild in a high-wood, cartouched stock (and no import markings), it is probably worth more than, and harder to replace than the Mini-14. While I certainly don't plan on getting rid of it (it would seem right not to have an M1 Carbine after all these years), it will be preserved and cherished for its historical value and link to my father. It will not, however, be my favorite weapon to shoot anymore. My new Mini has stolen my heart...

I await your assignment of penance and absolution for my blasphemy!

[Sleeplessnashadow]

Attachment 66308 Attachment 66309

[imarangemaster]

Jim, did the Ingram Police rifle ever make it into production? I have seen reference to it somewhere else, but don't remember where.

[Sleeplessnashadow]

My understanding is it and it's variations never made it into production. Where you probably saw this is in War Baby III, pages 1477-1481. Larry went into a bit of detail describing Ingram's efforts.

My understanding is Ingram had troubles with the design he couldn't overcome. The folding stock was made and sold by National Ordnance under the Cadmus name, Sumdac and later Federal Ordnance. The front sight on the folding stock models was invented and used by by National Ordnance on their carbines. The receiver was cast and the source wasn't stated, though Ingram had to lengthen the receiver and strengthen the breech for the higher pressures so they were likely cast specifically for Ingram. Ingram knew the Los Angeles area gun manufacturers and wholesalers. He had worked with and around them in the 50's.

The two rifle pics below I shot for Larry during a time I was still learning to master lighting for gun pics. My work was voluntary and at my expense so the price was right. The other pics were sent to Larry. I'm headed to Larry's in November for 2 weeks of photos. Don't know if he kept this one in his state or relocated it to a state where it would be safe from politicians who make no exceptions for preserving and researching history. I didn't shoot more pics due to the number of items Larry wanted photos of demanded we keep the line moving.

Attachment 66319 Attachment 66320

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Attachment 66314

Attachment 66318

By the way, my favorite in his commercial carbine collection is the carbine converted to .45 Winchester Magnum by LeMAG.

For all the warnings published at the time, neither Larry or I have heard of one failing. I've been in contact with several owners who lived in Alaska and they swore by them. I haven't researched all the conversions as I have more than enough to do. Told Larry he could leave that LeMag to me in his will. In the meantime I'll have to get by with my Universal Firearms Vulcan .44 Magnum. I don't collect them, I shoot them. Pics and ammo.

Universal Firearms
Vulcan Model, pump action, caliber.44 magnum
(less than 3000 made)
Attachment 66321 Attachment 66322
Receiver and bolt milled from forged steel. 5 shot pump action. Anyone owns one of these and needs a replacement stock/handguard I have a couple extras.

Jim

P.S. I deleted the below attached thumbnail from the narrative and it showed up as an attachment instead. Could someone please instruct me on how to eliminate the attachment?