Opinions and stories from people who've actually used the M1/M2 Carbine in combat???

[gunnerbob]

If you don't mind sharing your stories or experiances about this little carbine I'd like to hear about it. What did you like/love about it or what did you hate about it?

Thanks guys

 

[Mobuck]

I'm not THAT OLD but my Mother's cousin was in the Pacific in WW2 and I heard a few of his stories.
They were issued 15 round magazines for the carbines. He said it was fairly common to fire a full mag at any visible Jap even if the first round looked like a hit.

 

[gunnerbob]

Thanks for the story Mobuck

 

[Bighouse Doc]

There is a book called "US Infantry Weapons in Combat."

It is full of stories and commentary by actual US soldiers.

-Doc

 

[gunnerbob]

Thank you for that

 

[Hamilton Felix]

I can only share secondhand. Fortunately, my own M1 carbine experience has been entirely limited to fun at the range and loading bench. My old gun show buddy, who got the expense paid tour of the Pacific with the Sixth Marines, said he want ashore on Okinawa with the carbine. A Jap came at him and he nailed him twice in the chest. The Jap kept coming. A nearby Marine nailed the Jap with a Garand. The 30-06 was decisive. Al said, right then and there, he "jammed that d----d carbine muzzle first into the sand, picked up a Garand and bandolier of ammo from a dead Marine, and continued inland."

I've done a bit of handloading for the .30 carbine years ago. I think, with a modern 110 gr. JHP it might compare favorably with a light bullet .357 JHP load. But apparently the small military FMJ wasn't much of a stopper.

 

[rjfleming]

During my first tour in Vietnam(1965-1966)I served as an advisor to the Vietnamese in An-Giang Province. As the VN troops were armed with US WW II era weapons the advisory team members were each issued an M-2 carbine. On the plus side it was very light and handy compared to the M-14 but other than at very close range the .30 carbine round was not a good performer. Midway through the tour I was issued an M-16 and never used a M-2 again.

 

[Hamilton Felix]

I've heard tell that at some times and places in Vietnam, the carbine was sort of a status symbol, a "cool thing." Personally, I've never thought of it as much more than a small game gun. Though, as I said, with modern bullets, I think it could get out there with a light fast .357 round. And it sure is fun to shoot.

 

[gunnerbob]

Insightful, thanks guys.

 

[hotti]

Audie Murphy and many other top soldiers preferred the Carbine to the Garand. Audie had more combat experience than anybody, too. While the .30 C ball rd aint great, men have failed to be stopped by the 308 and 3006 ball hits, even 12 ga blasts of buck or slugs, to the chest, on occasion. Nothing is 100% guaranteed to stop a man, except blowing off his head. Low velocity head hits sometimes dont splash his brain enough to have much of an effect, either.

 

[gunnerbob]

While I do not doubt the stories and experiances, becuase they are truth from the men who were there... I have done some personal testing with my M1 Carbines as of late. Now, I know this really doesn't relate to combat or shooting living tissue but it does give a little more appreciation for the little .30 carbine. At 75 yards(pretty close I know) the .30 Carbine FMJ went through 2-inch thick concrete step stones like they weren't even there... this gives some insight to what the .30 is capable of penetrating. However, this is also the problem I've read... is the round failing to expend its energy IN the target.

Please keep the experiances and stories coming.

Thanks

 

[-06]

A bud said he saw daylight through a VC from a 50 cal hit and he kept running a bit. Have had three carbines. The first two were stolen and I guard my Underwood now. Fine reliable little shooters for close in work.