U S M-1 Carbine 30 Caliber Review 

I bought one with a folding stock for my dad who was a WWII 101st Airborne paratrooper and gave it to him a few years back. He turns 100 March 26 2020

I was on the Houston Police Dept from 1964 to 1990. In 1968 we had a riot at one of the local colleges. Our dept was completely unprepared and it was a mess. A short time afterwards we were contacted by a branch of the military and were offered surplus carbines. They were brand new, in crates. we contacted all the officers and purchased two hundred of the carbines for $47.00 each. Mine is a National Postal Meter brand. It took me two days to clean all the grease off of it. At one time I added the folding stock with a compensator. I also added and M-2 kit which I eventually sold. I still have this rifle and still shoot it. I can't believe what price they bring now. Great review.

After sighting in at 60 feet, I could easily cover 5 shots with a nickel ru-vid.comUgkxQt2uORDRfFOVSrO4idv4B90ThT6EOnEL ! Truly a pleasure to shoot! Scope was easy to adjust for eye relief. Only problem the varmints must have seen it delivered lol!Update: So impressed with shot groups at 30 yards I purchased a Hammers 3×9 with adjustable Objective scope! Now a true nail driver!

I touched it for the first time 40 years ago and fell in love with it, and I still want it .

I love my old M1 .30 cal.One of the benefits that wasn't brought up is that it's brilliantly simple to strip and clean.Another missed point is reliability. I tried to see how many rounds I could fire without cleaning it. I gave up when I ran out of money to keep perforating logs and still hadn't stovepiped.Simple, light, maneuverable, accurate and reliable.

I just found and bought a Underwood M1 carbine the other day at a local pawnshop for 600 bucks with most of the early features intact and appears to have the original barrel & stock and no import marks and in excellent condition to boot..Six hundred for one in that condition and still retaining most of the early WW2 features is a steal in 2018!!

I worked with a old guy who served in Korea. He was a little man and he said he hated the Garand because it was too big for him. He opted for the carbine. And he said depending on where you shot the Chinese soldiers determined how many times you shot him. He just pulled the trigger twice in succession.

I still have my father's. He was a Lance Corporal in the Marines. He was in DeNang from 69 to 72

Unlike some others on you tube, you are versed in what you are showing. No giggling and guessing. Great video, thanks.

I shot the M-1 during Air Force basic training. Great carbine,light, accurate. Only drawback was the spent shells ejected towards the back. Nothing like hot shell casing on your neck!

My Dad was a 1Lt. In the engineers in WW2. He carried a 45 and was issued a M1 when he landed on Utah Beach on D-Day. He liked the weapon and carried it for the rest of the war. The lighter weight was good for him since he carried a lot a maps and manuals.

The M1 Carbine was a favorite among soldiers during WW2 and after the war into Korea and the 1950s with it's versilitility being an advantage over full sized rifles and submachine guns.

My father was an infantry lineman during the Korean War. He carried the M-2. He had nothing but praise for that rifle.

I just bought a WW2 Winchester M1 Carbine in very good condition, it cost me approx. 530$ (USD). Greetings from Denmark :)

The sound of the slide clanging is beautiful music to my ear (the only ear that works after decades of fun).

So simple , reliable and ideal for bush or town use . Still one of the best to carry in the farm truck.

Great review. I love my new Auto Ordinance M1 carbine. Small, light, handles well, carries in car, on tractor, over shoulder well. And fun to shoot. My uncle carried one in Korea and loved it.

Very good review! This guy is knows the weapon and a good speaker as well. I have had 3 of these. My dad brought a Winchester from the NRA in 1967, An IBM I bought in 1985 and a Saginaw GM purchased in 1990. Loved them all! Good offhand shooter and light to carry. Wonderful review of a wonderful bygone era rifle! Keep up the good work and thanks.

Why were they popular with soldiers? Here’s 300 rounds of carbine and here’s 300 rounds of .30-06. Which would you prefer to carry? Never underestimate a soldiers desire to carry less weight.

Citizen Soldier by Stephen Ambrose had a story about an American Captain doing reconnaissance D-Day plus one or two, I can't remember. I am telling this by memory. Anyway, this Captain happened on a German Machine gun nest that opened fire on him from about hundred yards out. He took out BOTH gunners with head shots using his M1 Carbine. I was very impressed with that story.

looks like a good apocalypse gun. Simple, rugged, accurate.

I have a Winchester 30 carbine next to my bed. My daddy bought it Surplus through the mail in the mid-sixties for $50.00 I helped my dad wash off the cosmoline with gasoline, it's one of my great memories. The M1 carbine is a simple, lightweight reliable and hard-hitting round. I like reloading 30 caliber carbine ammunition, because of the straight case design, the brass doesn't distort easily and can be Reloaded many times.

Very informative, I have had one for many years. Love it, it is what I carry on trips with me as well as a 45 on a model 1911 frame.

My uncle had one as a squad leader in the Pacific. Hit a Japanese Soldier multiple times center mass (8 times as I remember) with no stopping power. Threw it away and took up a Garand from one of his unfortunately killed Marines. “Threw it in the surf” as I recall him saying. They also “dum dum-ed” their 306 rounds with bolt cutters as many engagements were up close. Garand ate them all and spit out death. When he went to Korea as a Plt Sgt, he held on to the Garand at Chosin. Killed a lot of CHICOMs.

No one does a better job at describing weapons like you. Great job man

I carried an M-1 Carbine during the L.A. Riots. Worked out great. I had no problem carrying 2-300 rounds. Mostly 15 round magazines. Ball and some AP.Most engagements were at less than 200 feet. 2 or 3 guys can lay down a pretty good base of cover fire from almost any shooting position. Forget folding stocks, the standard stock is much better balanced and easier to aim. Just to the north of us, the Koreans on roof tops were working mainly with UZIs which I didn’t think was particularly efficient. But in general they did exhibit good fire discipline.

Love the M1 Carbine! Other than an Underwood M1 I inherited, my favorite is an Inland M1 with Detroit Police Department markings I found at a pawnshop in Indiana. Fantastic littleshooter that rode around in a squad car in my hometown decades before I was born and could have seen deployment during the riots in the 60's.

i like when you talk about history back in the day sootch. keep up the good work you do.

I love the metallic sound that weapon made every time you pulled back the charging handle!

Keep in mind with inflation $45.00 USD in 1940 is about $768.55 USD today.

Hell Yes! Somebody finally mentioned Sgt. Rock!!!!!

One of my favorite rifles. Never misses the mark. 🎯

That lightly oiled wood work says military origins. I went through a few surplus M1 carbines back in the sixties. All the stocks had been oiled as a finish. I can still smell my first M1 carbine.

Nice video. I really like the M1 Carbine too. Just a polite FYI. "Corrosive" center fire cartridges only have a corrosive primer that releases corrosive salts into the firearm when fired. It wouldn't have any effect on the outside appearance of the bullet or case.

Really enjoyed your comments on the much loved M1 carbine. So much history behind it and so much maligned by some. Mine is a WWII issue made by Inland but or course most likely with a combination of parts by other manufacturers from that time. It still is a good weapon as home defense as it has the stopping power equal to a 357 for close quarters. Keep those videos coming!

One day I hope to save enough to buy one, this is my dream gun

I have a auto-ordnance Worcester MA and I love it, soon I'll be getthing a M1 carbine paratrooper stock can't wait for it

Thx for doing this review sootch00 one of my favorite per-war weapons

Good and fun little gun that packs plenty of power at intermediate ranges. The really cool thing is that Ruger actually produced Blackhawk revolvers for the 30 carb. That would be a neat pair.

Came into possession through an estate settlement. Quite unexpected and after cleaning the dust bunnies and taking it down, I cleaned it up, refinished the stock and have a beautiful unit with a Winchester stamp under the rear sight. This is a welcome addition to my small cabinet of arms. I intend keeping it the family as it is truly an excellent piece.

SGT. Rock! Great reference to a comic book classic. Someday I'd love to own a vintage M-1 Carbine, the patina on the wood and metal telling a story or two.

Excellent review! Thank You! I have my Fathers M1 Carbine, it is a Winchester he brought back from the War in Europe, I treasure this above all my other rifles and would not part with it for the world. Still shoots like the day it was made!

If yours is a postal meter you actually have a more collectable and highly saught version than a winchester because winchester made more.

Thanks to share the M1 Carbine 30 rounds for us to see that M1carbine is my favorite Carbine in 1968-1980 in Laos I very miss my Carbine I very like your Carbine 2.

I have one from my dad. He was in Vietnam as an MP for the Air force. And I LOVE it!!!! Great video Sootch 00 thumbs way up 👍👍

After my two years active duty were completed in 1966 I was attached to an active reserve unit and we fired these carbines . They were extremely accurate up to about 100 yards and the recoil was negligible .

My dad pick me one up in 1982 as my first gun, and I loved it. It was stolen along with all my dad's guns in 1984. Never recovered as far as I know!

My dad was in the Signal Corps in WWII as a radio repairman, mainly tank radio repairs. He was issued an M-1 carbine and somehow made a deal with a supply sergeant to trade it for an M-2 with a folding stock. His buddies all wanted to borrow it for guard duty since it had a canvas holster for hip carry. I have no idea how he traded the rifles and whether or not he let his friends borrow the M-2 for guard duty. He told me this story back in the early seventies. I really enjoyed the video, keep up the great work!

old school cool

At 250 yards, the energy is equivalent to a 9mm at point blank. Bayonet lugs are only on the ones that went back thru arsenal Original ones made during the great war did not have them. . The rear sight you show is the second generation of sights. Defiantly thumbs way up. Got mine for 25.00 w/ shipping to my door in the late 60's. Was just sitting there on my door step, unmolested, when I got home from work in Chicago of all places. LOL How times change.

When I shot mine for the first time I was only used to bolt actions and lever actions besides a shot gun I would shoot for skeet and trap that was the only semi auto gun I shot so when I shot my M1 I pulled it back and chambered a round shot it and then tried pulling it back again and then I remembered it was a semi auto

The m1 carbine and the m14 are the two rifles I would love to have . 2 awesome service weapons , The M1 is light weight , accurate , 200 yards , 30 cal. Just incredible design for back then . Timeless perfection. I'd take it over the garrant. The m1 is very nice with the punch of a 357 .Well done on this video , thanks for the great historical info.

always excellent video, and description of item. one of the most important upgrades that this rifle could handle.... is to change the ammo, load it up with Winchester 296 Magnum powder full loads and ball ammo. makes it shoot really flat at 200 yards!

This is a fantastic video. Informative at all levels. Concise and well delivered speech. Kudos 👍

I really like what you do on your show!! ThankQ very much. GOD bless you and America long live the Republic 🇺🇸

One of the very best reviews on any type of forearm : no BS, straight to the point, extremely comprehensive, excellent camera work.

It was really cool seeing this review. The M1 carbine is the same rifle that I carried in 2008 when I was a Detroit police officer. Believe it or not I work at a specialized unit in Detroit and we carried the M1 Carbine and a Remington 870 12 gauge shotgun.

That is the best gun! I absolutely love mine, i got it from my husband 28 years ago!

My Pop had one. Loved it, beautiful weapon.

I love these guns. They are one of my favourites

I bought recently an auto ordanace M1 and it functions great. And shoots well.

What you have is the Korean War config of the M1 carbine. The WW2-era Carbine did not feature bayonet lugs and adjustable rear sights. Such a classy looking work of art.

I have an M1 Carbine I got around 2 years ago, needed some fixin up, and cost a good bit of money but it was worth it! Fun to shoot in the backyard with our 12 gauge as well.

I had one. Nice gun. Mine was parkized. I love that the oiler was what hold the sling on. Awesome gun! Mine was made in Saginaw Michigan.

Sootch00: I have to stop watching your vids, you're breaking my bank account! Now I have to go out and get the U S M-1 Carbine, "IF" I can find one....Keep up your great vids!

Great review. Wish I had picked one up back in the late 80's and 90's when they were cheap!

My older brother was a radio man driving big brass around in his jeep in Korea. He carried a 1911 45 Cal. in a shoulder holster, and always had a M1.30 cal. within reach. He liked that carbine so much that when he got home, he bought a 44 Magnum Ruger carbine which looked similar, for deer hunting.

I heard about massive amount fully equipped M1 's Korea wants to ship but are told illegal . Ohh would love to see they come home. Seeing them will make you cry .

My favorite rifle hands down. This is the best video I've watched on the M1 Carbine and I've watched many. You're a natural with that weapon.

I live in Greenville. Would love to meet you one day sootch. One of the most informative, well produced youtubers out there. Keep it up man

What a great rifle !!! My dad carried one in WW 2! It was with him when he Utah beach on D day. I wish I could find an original from WW2 in decent shape!!!

My grandfather gave an M-1 for my high school graduation! I still have it and it's a lot of fun to shoot!

Love my M1 carbine, she's an Inland, 1944 and her name is "Sweetheart"! Will keep her till the day I die. Way easier to maintain and use than my service M16.

I own a M1 Carbine and the M1 Grand I love them both

Thank you for the review. I love my M1 Carbine. It is a lot of fun to shoot. I think my dad carried one in World War II, along with his Smith and Wesson revolver.

A great review, I have a matching part # Inland in perfect condition. A well designed rifle for its intended use. Sootch you did it again!

scooth: if this rifle could tell a story. m1carbine: i was in a box for 60 years, what do you want from me!?

Be strong, be of good courage, God bless America, and God bless my M1 carbine.

The official weapon of the USAF when I was a member 1956 - 1959. Loved it then and love it now.

Great video, good details on showing the sites, good learning experience from you sir, Keep up good work.

Never owned a gun but I’m leaning towards one of this

I remember some South Vietnamese had these in the1960s!

That rifle is one of the reasons I liked the mini 14 back when they first came out.

My pops served in the Vietnam war always talked about his favorite m1

- If i had to only keep one gun, this is the one! I would never sell my Rock-ola!

Great video! Thanks!

You are a very good teacher sir. Very well made video very informative. Thank you. In the 80s and 90s it was so common to see local patrols usually young adults carrying these in Israel. Was super common. You would see them all the time. This is when the Galil rifle was the standard military rifle as well. You don’t see them in Israel anymore as most carry M4 today and fits both roles. I don’t know what the standard military issued rifle is anymore in Israel.

When I was in basic training USAF in 1966 we trained with the M16 which was newly introduced to the USAF ... however, when I entered the Security Police Tech School they trained us with the M1 Carbine and we were shooting out 100-200-300 yards out. I always loved the M1 Carbine growing up and its design and lightweight and very versatile, so finally getting to shoot it was great. When I moved on we always used the M16 as our duty weapon of choice. I later was stationed at Clark AB in the Philippines when we also trained and used the Thompson Submachine Gun and the Grease Gun. Found that very note testing since they were sort of our dated and used in WWII and Korea. Also, the Philippines military was using the M1 Carbines at times. During that tour I was deployed to Suwon AB, Korea because of the capture of the Pueblo and we carried out M16 along with us and later trained with the M60 machine guns and XM148 grenade launchers. We were later replaced by state side reserve units and they brought with them M1 Carbines. They were taken from them and hey were trained with M16 rifles. There was a warehouse hat had at least 500 plus M1Carbines stored in it ... a M1 Carbine lovers paradise 😎 .... knowing the US Government they probably turned them over to South Korea. They also were using the M1 Carbines. In a later tour in Vietnam they also used the M1 Carbine. So the 6 million plus made surely got around. I’m still looking for an M1 Carbine reasonably priced and all original manufactures parts and in good condition. Most have found are $1000 plus. Great presentation with you video THANKS!

I have one of those "sweeties' that I purchase after I got out of the service and it is a lot of fun. Especially when I want to take my grand kids out to teach the firearm safety and shooting. The recoil is mild and they love it also. I also have a .22 caliber carbine that is even more fun for them to shoot and they are getting pretty good at hitting targets out to 100 yards now.

1968 they were advertised at $50 in Ye Old Hunter inside back cover of the American Rifle magazine

Another excellent review from sootch00

Was a train guard in Korea 1957. Loved it when a PX car would get a hot box ( wheels catching fire) they put one guard off with the weapon usuallu the M2 with two shelter halves two cases of C Rats and a couple of canteens of water. You could get ANYTHING for one carton of C Rations. ANYTHING!

At 5:03 "They removed these later on". Only the early M1s in WW2 didn't have bayo lugs. By Korea, they were standard issue. I'm not nit-picking.

I like the consent and the design of the weapon, would love if somebody make a modern version of this.

It is very handy and easy to handle. I was used this when i was in Airforce service in Korea since 1975

Love mine. Fine piece of history and nice balance overall.

I inherited an IBM version that my Dad bought in the mid-sixties. It was the first rifle I shot. I was 10.

After a recent visit to friends in Oregon, we spent a day at the range. The M1 was suggested to me, by a range instructor, due to the fact that several years ago, in my army days, I broke my shoulder and had it pinned back together after an incident with an booby trap and a wall whilst in the sand pit (iraq). The M1 is a perfect little rifle for an old grunt like me with shoulder problems After an hours practice, I was hitting a 6-inch circle at 100 yards, 43/50. And no shoulder problems :)

One error is that the bayonet lug was removed by the military and replaced with a simple band. That bayonet band was a late feature and was added to every M1 carbine during rebuild.

Just doing catchup on videos and came across this gem. I fired one of these babies here in the UK before the ban. Beautiful weapon to not only fire but an iconic 'John Wayne in the Pacific' look.