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M1 carbine as home defense?
Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 12:40 pm
by 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?
Re: M1 carbine as home defense?
Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 12:46 pm
by G26ster
E150GT wrote: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!
Re: M1 carbine as home defense?
Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 1:17 pm
by 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.
Re: M1 carbine as home defense?
Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 1:20 pm
by Purplehood
I would only consider it as a last resort due to the possibility of penetration mentioned previously.
Re: M1 carbine as home defense?
Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 1:26 pm
by 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

Re: M1 carbine as home defense?
Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 2:45 pm
by E150GT
can2boy wrote: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!
Re: M1 carbine as home defense?
Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 3:28 pm
by aaangel
E150GT wrote:can2boy wrote: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)
Re: M1 carbine as home defense?
Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 4:20 pm
by cajunautoxer
I see old Mossberg 500s in pawn shops all the time. I think they average $150. Thats with the 19" barrel
Re: M1 carbine as home defense?
Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 4:54 pm
by E150GT
can2boy wrote:E150GT wrote:can2boy wrote: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
Re: M1 carbine as home defense?
Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 4:58 pm
by 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.
Re: M1 carbine as home defense?
Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 5:12 pm
by 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...
Re: M1 carbine as home defense?
Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 5:36 pm
by WildBill
RECIT wrote: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.
Re: M1 carbine as home defense?
Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 7:38 pm
by 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.
Re: M1 carbine as home defense?
Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 8:13 pm
by Ameer
30 carbine is similar to 357 energy. Ruger used to make the Blackhawk in 30 carbine.
Re: M1 carbine as home defense?
Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 8:22 pm
by glbedd53
If you have a Sig and a Beretta that are not reliable, somethings serious wrong.