M1 Carbine in an intermediate caliber

[eb in oregon]

I have several opinions, depending on which of my personalities you are speaking with! *LOL*

Well, there is "morning," "afternoon," and "relaxing" time. Three opinions there.

[lboos]

The M1 carbine and it's round are perfect,... there is no way for improvement.

[eb in oregon]

The M1 carbine and it's round are perfect,... there is no way for improvement.

I've an Inland (CMP purchase) and a Plainfield M1 .30 caliber Carbine, both which work "as advertised" but cannot be considered exceptional. I've an IAI 5.7MMJ that works with RN bullets of 40 grains and 35 grain Hornady "XTP's." I've an original Johnson Arms 5.7MMJ (I'm pretty sure the last of the lot) with it's Melvin Johnson designed feed ramp that feeds anything.

Both calibers are fine for what they were designed for, and I like them both. But I think the 5.7MMJ better in most applications. And in a select fire M2 version, better than some that were designed to replace it. My opinion, nothing more.

[lboos]

The Military M1 carbine [the only M1's] and rounds are exceptional, any changes would be nothing but Bubba mod's, jmo.

[Singer B]

The Military M1 carbine [the only M1's] and rounds are exceptional, any changes would be nothing but Bubba mod's, jmo.

But what if we could make it perform like a .357?....oh, wait.....nevermind.....

[eb in oregon]

The Military M1 carbine [the only M1's] and rounds are exceptional, any changes would be nothing but Bubba mod's, jmo.

Exactly, that's just your opinion.

[DaveHH]

Most of that has nothing to with the subject at hand, which is the M1 Carbine and what it can be chambered for. And just asking, but if .22 caliber hi-velocity cartridges are so bad why has virtually all the major military's of the entire world gone to .22 caliber battle rifles at present?

And try beating someone to death with an M4 Carbine or most modern battle rifles and see what you end up with. Trench warfare is long past, as is human wave assaults. We all know about opinions, everybody has at least one.

Wishing that the carbine had been made into something it wasn't is the subject. They all went for 22s because they weren't 22s, they were something far better, a varmit cartridge that is flat shooting with light recoil that is cheaper, easier to train soldiers with and allows the average doggie to pack 6-700 rounds with no sweat. If you think they are some wonder weapon, read "Blackhawk Down" the book which is far from "Trench Warfare", and ask the D boys how they liked the M16 and green tip ammo vs the M14. You couldn't beat your cat to death with any of the plastic three piece guns.

[eb in oregon]

My first issued rifle was an M16E1 made by General Motors Hydramatic Division. My last rifle was an M4 Carbine made by Fabrique National. I'm pretty sure I know the differences between them and the other rifles. Which I also used at different times.

[browningautorifle]

an M16E1 made by General Motors Hydramatic Division

You don't see many of those, really early and really scarce.

[DaveHH]

I arrived in may of '66 in II Corps, at that time the only units with the M16 (That I knew of) were the maneuver battalions in the big divisions 1st Cav at AnKhe, 101st at Tuy Hoa, 25th up in Pleiku. We had 5th SF in our camp and I'm sure they had them if they wanted, but they probably preferred the Carbine. Marines still had the M14 and loved it. I was drafted and trained Qualified Expert, with a Winchester M14, I don't recall what brand my M14 in the 5th Inf Div. Upon arrival in Vietnam I was issued a brand new in the box H&R M14. A few months later it was fitted with a selector switch like every rifle in our battalion. I left Vietnam and the Army in May of '67. I recall the first time I saw a Hydramatic M16, I was stunned when an automatic transmission company would make guns. But I later learned that TRW made M14s were the best by far. I wish I had that H&R M14 today, it was a sweet weapon. While at Ft Carson, I had guard duty one night and the OD, a new Lt, got drunk and decided to screw around with his guard personnel. He approached one of the guys and jumped him from behind and attempted to take his weapon away from him. The PVT E2 turned around and butt stroked the LT with that M14, breaking his jaw and knocking out many of his teeth. It was hilarious.