M1 carbine as home defense?

[E150GT]

Is it a bad idea? I live in an apartment and I dont have a shotgun(yet). I do have a nice M1 carbine at my disposal with a few magazines. What do you guys think? Stick with the Glock for now and forget about grabbing the M1 in the event I need it?

[G26ster]

Is it a bad idea? I live in an apartment and I dont have a shotgun(yet). I do have a nice M1 carbine at my disposal with a few magazines. What do you guys think? Stick with the Glock for now and forget about grabbing the M1 in the event I need it?

I have 3 M1 carbines, and even with the lower powered .30 cal round, in an apartment I think it would be a bad idea. it will go through sheet rock quite easily and perhaps into another apartment. Get a shotgun!

[threoh8]

In combat, the .30 Carbine was more criticized for lack of penetration (and lack of "stopping power") than overpenetration, although they were more concerned with helmets, trees, and crude body armor. Inside an apartment, shotguns can overpenetrate too. Load selection is critical with any defensive firearm.

A good, reliable M1 Carbine with bullets that feed and actually expand would be far from the worst choice you could make.
I'd consider it a backup to the Glock, for when things get really Western.

[Purplehood]

I would only consider it as a last resort due to the possibility of penetration mentioned previously.

[aaangel]

sheeesh.....where in san antonio do you live? from your signature, (well except the taurus..JK) you have more than enough. Now if and when zombies attack.....then grab your M1

[E150GT]

sheeesh.....where in san antonio do you live? from your signature, (well except the taurus..JK) you have more than enough. Now if and when zombies attack.....then grab your M1

Well to be honest, the glock and the M1 are the two most reliable. The taurus and the sig, not so much as id like em to be. The beretta? forget about it! Looks like I have a good excuse to get a pump action 12 gauge when the money rolls in!

[aaangel]

sheeesh.....where in san antonio do you live? from your signature, (well except the taurus..JK) you have more than enough. Now if and when zombies attack.....then grab your M1

Well to be honest, the glock and the M1 are the two most reliable. The taurus and the sig, not so much as id like em to be. The beretta? forget about it! Looks like I have a good excuse to get a pump action 12 gauge when the money rolls in!

what's wrong with the sig? i was actually looking at that. ended up with the LCP instead.(much cheaper)

[cajunautoxer]

I see old Mossberg 500s in pawn shops all the time. I think they average $150. Thats with the 19" barrel

[E150GT]

sheeesh.....where in san antonio do you live? from your signature, (well except the taurus..JK) you have more than enough. Now if and when zombies attack.....then grab your M1

Well to be honest, the glock and the M1 are the two most reliable. The taurus and the sig, not so much as id like em to be. The beretta? forget about it! Looks like I have a good excuse to get a pump action 12 gauge when the money rolls in!

what's wrong with the sig? i was actually looking at that. ended up with the LCP instead.(much cheaper)

Failures to eject and to fire are common with it. Thats usually ok with my practice ammo but it has had FTE's with some self defense ammo too. I haven't carried it in a while because I like back pocket carry and it tends to release the magazine while in my pocket. I do like it though, My brother has an LCP and it is flawless

[MoJo]

Your M1 Carbine, if loaded with the proper ammo, will do yeoman service as a self defense carbine. stay away from FMJ and JSP ammo except for range and hunting get some CorBon DPX for HD and you'll be just fine. In an apartment, any gun will penetrate the walls you have to be aware of your target and what's behind it.

[RECIT]

I agree about over penetration...but a 9mm or .40 are going RIGHT through an apartment wall. Any 00 buck load in a shotgun will go through most walls too. I have fired all calibers I own at a car door off of an Acura and EVERYTHING ripped right through it. From .22lr, 5.56, 9mm, .45acp, 7.62x39, and .308 it all went through like butta...

[WildBill]

I agree about over penetration ...

I don't think the M1 carbine would be any worse that a 9mm, 40 S&W, .357Mag or .45ACP, but IANAL or LEO.

[KFP]

I don't see any problems using it.

My take on the rifle vs. shotgun for home defense echos the beliefs already listed by others:

1) If I am forced to defend myself with deadly force, I'm less concerned with over-penetration, than I am with under-penetration. All guns will penetrate a wall.

2) If SWAT had some type of operation in your complex, I'd be willing to bet that they still use their rifles, rather than switching to something else. They are a larger (more profitable) target for lawsuits than an individual.

[Ameer]

30 carbine is similar to 357 energy. Ruger used to make the Blackhawk in 30 carbine.

[glbedd53]

If you have a Sig and a Beretta that are not reliable, somethings serious wrong.