M1 cabine vs ARs

[rice 123]

how would the m1 carbine compare to an AR for home defense or possible katrina or LA riots type of emergencies

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[INLAND44]

It would do great, but I wouldn't use a G.I. carbine and the replicas are not that dependable. Actually, an AR in .30 Carbine would be ideal. Olympic used to make one but dropped it when it didn't sell. That was back when G.I. carbines were $200. They were 20 years too early. The round itself is perfect for those uses and a hollow point or soft point might be even better. I had a case of HPs made years ago now I have no use for them as the M1 carbine has no place in my tactical plans. This discussion always ends with the AK; ammo is affordable, it has more power than the carbine, big magazines are cheap and the guns are available although kind of expensive at this time mainly due to trade restrictions with Russia and of course China as well as many kinds of import restrictions.

[browningautorifle]

I wouldn't use either for home defense as they will way over penetrate. AK too... Neither would I use a 70 year old carbine to stake my life on when I could get a new AR.

Still, a shotgun with buckshot would be invaluable. Body armor you say? Buckshot touches many areas at once. Easier to hit with in low light when you're scared too...

[painter777]

how would the m1 carbine compare to an AR for

Try to keep the comparison with in the OP's parameters.

M1 Carb vs AR (can we assume 5.56?)

[Bruce McAskill]

Over all you would be better off with a carbine or an AR then a shotgun. It's one thing in a home for a shotgun to be of good value but once your past the 25 yard mark the shotguns value starts to drop off. The further away you are the more it drops real quick. Now an AR with FMJ rounds will penetrate the walls of a home from end to end. A carbine with FMJ rounds will penetrate from the outside of the house and out the other end and keep on going. Yes it will out penetrate the AR round out to at least 100 yards. Myself and 39 other range officers along with the FBI range officers officers tried many different firearms and rounds to find out what worked and what didn't. On glass the 30 carbine deflected less then a 30-06 or a .223. When it came time to put some old cars out of their misery, the .30 carbine would go into the trunk and came out the grill if it didn't hit the engine block. Engine kept running. The .223 didn't quite make it past the rear seat in the cars. But the engine kept running. So one of the instructors said he had the answer. Loaded his M1 Garand with 8 rounds of USGI AP. Started at 25 years and fired into the engine block. But the engine kept running in that old Ford Falcon straight six. His last shot was at point blank range but it did nothing to the engine. One of the instructors had a .458 Winchester and so he tried it out. That old Falcon finally met it's match and the block cracked with the first shot from five yards away. But the point is the out to 25 yards the shotgun is viable with double O buck. Past that and a 12 gauge slug is viable to 50 yards. Out to 100+ the carbine is viable and past that the AR 15 is viable. So it all depends on what your going to use your firearms for. But remember that the carbine will penetrate more out to a farther distance then most people realize. Could be good and could be bad.

[browningautorifle]

for home defense

It's one thing in a home for a shotgun to be of good value but once your past the 25 yard mark the shotguns value starts to drop off.

That was exactly what he asked. In the field I'd use an AR.

[rice 123]

the reason I asked is I am slowly getting rid of my collection I have a CMP rock ola mixmaster and a colt SP1 from the early 70s . My grandson is turning 21 I was going to give him the carbine and keep the AR for home defense / emergencies. But when I had him over on the 4th I showed him both guns and he wanted the Colt SP1. So I was wondering if I should pic up another AR or just relay on the m1 carbine

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

Everyone has a different philosophy as to what is or would be "the best". Is there a right or wrong answer? To me the only wrong would be to not have anything for home protection. Folks have different comfort levels with different weapons. Practice and become accomplished with whatever choice you make.

Personally I think a carbine or AR is too much for home protection. Only for the reason of distance. The longest shot inside my home would be 65 feet from the front door to the patio door. For that reason I choose a 45 acp handgun, and a shotgun. My wife not liking a 45acp chooses a 9mm or 38 special. Once they are out of the house the threat has gone away. I'm surely not going to shoot them in the back as they high tail their butts off my property.

[browningautorifle]

Personally I think a carbine or AR is too much for home protection. Only for the reason of distance.

Zactly...

[Bruce McAskill]

I will tell you that a carbine with soft point ammo is very bad Ju Ju for varmints with two or four legs. It will put some large holes in their poor bodies. But again it is a penetrator. I have seen carbine soft point rounds go into the armor plate from a Battleship and penetrate a good inch and a half into it. FMJ and 30-06 AP just bounced off the backstop. So if your closest neighbor is a good mile away or so then use the carbine or the AR. But if your next door is only 75 feet away then think twice about it for sure as even a good handgun round with go through walls with ease. There really is no perfect answer.