M1 Carbine

[davidpt40]

Just saw some Korean War footage of what appeared to be M1 Carbines firing fully automatic.  I thought they were all semi-automatic.  

In one clip the soldier firing the weapon had his hand underneath the magazine (apparently holding it in).  Did the M1 have trouble with the magazine falling out?

[GRUNHERZ]

Heartbreak Ridge?

[davidpt40]

Yeah Grun.  I did some searching and found that it was most likely an M2 carbine I saw firing.  It had semi and auto capabilities.

The opening footage of Heartbreak Ridge is its only good quality.  The rest of the movie is too cheezy

[Erlkonig]

Originally posted by davidpt40
In one clip the soldier firing the weapon had his hand underneath the magazine (apparently holding it in).  Did the M1 have trouble with the magazine falling out?

I've never heard of that problem before.  However, some people prefer to shoot with the off-hand close or at the rifle's center of gravity - which is usually around the magazine.

[Slash27]

He may ave been trying to counter the muzzle climb.

[capt. apathy]

m1's can be made to fire fully auto quite easily.  never heard of any problem with the mag falling out.  actually you don't hear about much of any kind of trouble with the m1.

[Saurdaukar]

A buddy of mine who was in Korea said they routinely would wrap a string around the butt of the rifle, the trigger, and the bolt in some fashion to convert both the M1 and M1 Carbine to full auto.

[Mini D]

The only problem with M1's of old was the old "M1 Thumb" problem.  The bolt would release while loading the "clip" and catch the loaders thumb in it.

MiniD

[Slash27]

That was on the Garand and not the carbine correct?

[Bodhi]

Originally posted by Mini D
The only problem with M1's of old was the old "M1 Thumb" problem.  The bolt would release while loading the "clip" and catch the loaders thumb in it.

MiniD

"M1 Thumb" is caused by the bolt slamming forward, ONLY because the weapon is poorly maintained, or the retainer was not fully engaged when sliding the bolt back.  Otherwise a properly operated and operating M1 Garand is not going to give anyone "M1 Thumb".

[lazs2]

M2 carbine was very reliable.  It is said that they were highly prized as captured weapons by the germans.   M1/2 round has about the same muzzle energy as a .357 mag.    Oh.. Magazines are very reliable as is the gun.   All M1 carbine, Garrand, M14 and their clones such as the mini 14 are dead reliable.
lazs

[lord dolf vader]

m2 is the full auto m1 carbine the "full auto" version of the m1 was the m14 really. probly the best all around gun us military ever had. but heavy by todays cap gun is enough standards. but im not shure if they had m14s in korea. from what i hear they got acess to the stuff left over from ww2 and little more.

[Mini D]

Originally posted by Bodhi
"M1 Thumb" is caused by the bolt slamming forward, ONLY because the weapon is poorly maintained, or the retainer was not fully engaged when sliding the bolt back.  Otherwise a properly operated and operating M1 Garand is not going to give anyone "M1 Thumb".

LOL! Amazing how that statement can pretty much be applied across the board.

MiniD

[john9001]

Originally posted by Bodhi
"M1 Thumb" is caused by the bolt slamming forward, ONLY because the weapon is poorly maintained, or the retainer was not fully engaged when sliding the bolt back.  Otherwise a properly operated and operating M1 Garand is not going to give anyone "M1 Thumb".

M1 thumb
when the bolt on a empty M1 Garand (as on most semi-autos) is pulled to the rear it will lock in the open position,
 To release/close the bolt on a enpty M1, (after inspection/cleaning), the normal method is to place the edge of the right hand on the bolt operating handle and move the bolt slightly to the rear at the same time putting the right thumb in the magazine well to depress the spring follower to release the bolt lock.
Then wile holding the follower down you let the bolt come forward, if you don't get your thumb out of the magazine in time the bolt will smash it into the back of the chamber, and you will have a "M1 thumb".
most Marines learn fairly quickly and only get caught once or twice.

USMC
62-65

[davidpt40]

M1 carbine did not have good penetration abilities.  There are a few accounts of the bullets not even having enough power to shoot through the heavy winter clothing of Chinese soldiers.