View source for Engineering:M1 carbine

{{short description|Auto-loading rifle}}
{{Infobox weapon
| is_ranged          = yes|
| image              = File:M1 Carbine Mk I USA Armémuseum noBG new.png
| image_size         = 300
| caption            = M1 carbine
| name               = Carbine, Caliber .30, M1
| type               = * M1, [[Engineering:Semi-automatic firearm|semi-automatic]] [[Engineering:Carbine|carbine]]
* M2/M3, selective-fire [[Engineering:Carbine|carbine]]
| origin             = United States
| designer           = {{plainlist|
*Fred Humeston
*William C. Roemer
*David Marshall Williams}}
| design_date        = 1938–1941
| manufacturer       = {{plainlist|
*''Military contractors''
*''Commercial copies''}}
| production_date    = {{plainlist|
*July 1942 – August 1945 (U.S. military)
*1945–present (commercial)}}
| service            = {{plainlist|
*1942–1973 <small>(United States)</small>
*1942–present (other countries)}}
| used_by            = See ''Users''
| wars               = {{Plainlist|
* [[Social:World War II|World War II]]
* Hukbalahap Rebellion
* Chinese Civil War (limited)
* First Indochina War
* Indonesian National Revolution{{sfn|Bloomfield|Leiss|1967|pp=80-81}}
* Korean War
* Malayan Emergency
* Second Taiwan Strait Crisis
* Algerian War
* Suez Crisis
* Cuban Revolution
* Vietnam War
* Laotian Civil War
* Bay of Pigs Invasion<ref name="Pigs"/>
* Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation
* Ñancahuazú Guerrilla<ref>{{cite web|url=https://carbinesforcollectors.com/boliviapage1.html|title= Rifles of Bolivia 1900-1990}}</ref>
* Six-Day War
* Cambodian Civil War
* The Troubles
* Angolan Civil War
* Black September<ref name="Arabs2">{{cite book|title=Arab Armies of the Middle East Wars (2)|series=Men-at-Arms 128|first= Sam |last=Katz |date=24 Mar 1988|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn=9780850458008|pages=40–41}}</ref>
* Lebanese Civil War
* Insurgency in Aceh<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gorontalo.antaranews.com/berita/60405/warga-aceh-serahkan-delapan-senjata-api-ke-tni-ad|title=Warga Aceh serahkan delapan senjata api ke TNI AD|website=gorontalo.antaranews.com|date=3 January 2019|access-date=3 May 2021|language=id}}</ref>
* Mexican Drug War
* Syrian Civil War<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://silahreport.com/2018/08/07/small-arms-captured-by-saa-during-operation-basalt/|title=Small Arms Captured by SAA During Operation BASALT|date=Aug 7, 2018|access-date=Jun 20, 2020}}</ref>
}}
| part_length        = {{convert|17.75|in|abbr=on}}
| range              = {{convert|300|yd|abbr=on}}
| cartridge          = .30 Carbine
| feed               = 15- or 30-round detachable box magazine
| sights             = Rear sight:  aperture; L-type flip or adjustable, front sight: wing-protected post
| action             = [[Engineering:Gas-operated reloading#Short-stroke fixed|Gas-operated (short-stroke piston)]], [[Engineering:Rotating bolt|rotating bolt]]
| rate               = {{plainlist|
*60–70 aimed rounds/min (M1/A1)
*750 rounds/min (M2)<ref name="Leroy_M1"/>}}
| velocity           = {{convert|1990|ft/s|0|abbr=on}}
| weight             = {{convert|5.2|lb|abbr=on}} empty
{{convert|5.8|lb|abbr=on}} loaded w/sling
| length             = {{convert|35.6|in|abbr=on}}
| variants           = M1A1, M1A2, M1A3, M2, M2A1, M2A2, M3
| unit_cost          = About $45 (WWII) ({{Inflation|US|45|1943|r=-1|fmt=eq}})
| number             = 6,121,309 (WWII)<ref name="Leroy_M1">{{cite book |url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12225400-the-m1-carbine |last=Thompson |first=Leroy |title=The M1 Carbine |publisher=Osprey Publishing |date=22 November 2011 |isbn=9781849086196 |pages=25–30, 32, 41–56, 57–70}}</ref>
}}

The '''M1 carbine''' (formally the '''United States Carbine, Caliber .30, M1''') is a lightweight<ref name="M1_Collector">{{cite web |author1=Meche, W. Derek|title=M1 Carbine: The collector's item you can actually use|website=Guns.com|date=6 June 2013|url=https://www.guns.com/news/review/m1-carbine/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304083429/http://www.guns.com/review/2013/06/06/m1-carbine/ |archive-date=2016-03-04|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Engineering:Semi-automatic firearm|semi-automatic]] [[Engineering:Carbine|carbine]] that was a standard firearm for the U.S. military during [[Social:World War II|World War II]], the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The M1 carbine was produced in several variants and was widely used by paramilitary and police forces around the world, and also became a popular civilian firearm after World War II.

The '''M2 carbine''' is the selective-fire version of the M1 carbine, capable of firing in both [[Engineering:Semi-automatic firearm|semi-automatic]] and [[Engineering:Automatic firearm|full-automatic]]. The '''M3 carbine''' was an M2 carbine with an active [[Physics:Infrared|infrared]] [[Engineering:Telescopic sight|scope]] system.<ref name="Century 2000. page 290">{{cite book |title=Military Small Arms of the 20th Century |edition=7th |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=teAAHt1GaE8C|author1=Hogg, Ian V.|author2=Weeks, John S.|publisher=Krause Publications |date=10 February 2000|page=290|isbn=9780873418249 }}</ref>

Despite having a similar name and physical outward appearance, the M1 carbine is not a carbine version of the M1 Garand rifle. On July 1, 1925, the U.S. Army began using the current naming convention where the "M" is the designation for "Model" and the number represents the sequential development of equipment and weapons.<ref>International Encyclopedia of Military History. James C. Bradford. Routledge, Dec 1, 2004. p. 886</ref> Therefore, the "M1 carbine" was the first carbine developed under this system. The "M2 carbine" was the second carbine developed under the system, etc.

==Development history==
===Limitations of weapons in the U.S. arsenal===

[[File:Garandcar.jpg|thumb|The M1 rifle and M1 carbine share only a buttplate screw and use different-sized .30 caliber ammunition]]
[[File:Jedburghs get instructions from Briefing Officer in London flat. England, circa 1944. - NARA - 540064.tif|thumb|Briefing for staff personnel. Folding stock M1A1 carbine on the table]]
[[File:81 m-m Mortar crew in action at Camp Carson, Colorado - NARA - 197171.jpg|thumb|81&nbsp;mm mortar crew in action at Camp Carson, Colorado, April 24, 1943. The soldier on the left has a slung M1 carbine.]]
[[File:Infantry anti-tank crew fires on Nazis.jpg|thumb|right|A U.S. anti-tank crew in combat in the Netherlands, November 4, 1944. The soldier on the far right is holding an M1 carbine]]

Prior to World War II, the U.S. Army Ordnance Department received reports that the full-size M1 rifle was too heavy and cumbersome for most support troops (staff, artillerymen, radiomen, etc.) to carry. During pre-war and early war field exercises, it was found that the M1 Garand impeded these soldiers' mobility, as a slung rifle would frequently catch on brush or hit the back of the helmet and tilt it over the eyes. Many soldiers found the rifle slid off the shoulder unless slung diagonally across the back, where it prevented the wearing of standard field packs and haversacks.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}}

Additionally, Germany's use of glider-borne and paratrooper forces to launch surprise ''[[Social:Blitzkrieg|blitzkrieg]]'' attacks behind the front lines generated a request for a new compact infantry weapon to equip support troops.<ref name="George, John 1981 p. 394"/><ref name="Weeks">{{cite book|author1=Weeks, John S.|title=World War II Small Arms|url=https://archive.org/details/worldwariismalla0000week|url-access=registration|publisher=Chartwell House|isbn=978-0-88365-403-3|date=1 May 1989|page=[https://archive.org/details/worldwariismalla0000week/page/130 130]}}</ref> This request called for a compact, lightweight defensive weapon with greater range, accuracy and firepower than a handgun, while weighing half as much as the [[Engineering:Thompson submachine gun|Thompson submachine gun]] or the M1 rifle.<ref name="George, John 1981 p. 394">{{cite book |author1=George, John|title=Shots Fired In Anger |edition=2nd Revised & Enlarged |location=Washington, D.C.|publisher=National Rifle Association of America|isbn=978-0935998429 |date=1981|page=394}}</ref> The U.S. Army decided that a carbine-type weapon would adequately fulfill all of these requirements, and specified that the new arm should weigh no more than {{Convert|5|lb|kg|abbr=out}} and have an effective range of {{Convert|300|yd|m|abbr=out}}.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/2ozvYaxr6iQ Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20170503094206/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ozvYaxr6iQ Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ozvYaxr6iQ|title=M1 Carbine at 300 Yards|date=2 October 2012|website=YouTube|format=Video}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="Ruth">{{cite book |author1=Ruth, Larry L.|title=M1 Carbine: Design, Development & Production|publisher=The Gun Room Press|url=https://www.abebooks.com/M1-CARBINE-DESIGN-DEVELOPMENT-PRODUCTION-Ruth/22379562692/bd |date=1988 |isbn=0-88227-020-6|quote=contains many Ordnance documents related to the "Light Rifle" specification that led to the M1 carbine}}</ref> Paratroopers were also added to the list of intended users and a folding-stock version would also be developed.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}}

===Design===

In 1938, the chief of infantry requested that the ordnance department develop a "light rifle" or carbine, though the formal requirement for the weapon type was not approved until 1940.

Winchester developed the .30 Carbine cartridge for the ordnance department. Winchester at first did not submit a carbine design, as it was occupied in developing the .30-06 Winchester M2 military rifle. The M2 rifle originated as a design by Jonathan "Ed" Browning, brother of the famous firearm designer John Browning. A couple of months after Ed Browning's death in May 1939, Winchester hired David Marshall "Carbine" Williams who had begun work on a [[Engineering:Gas-operated reloading#Short-stroke fixed|short-stroke gas piston]] design while serving a prison sentence at a North Carolina minimum-security work farm. Winchester, after Williams' release, had hired Williams on the strength of recommendations of firearms industry leaders and hoped Williams would be able to complete various designs left unfinished by Ed Browning, including the Winchester .30-06 M2 rifle. Williams incorporated his short-stroke piston in the existing design. After the Marine Corps' semi-automatic rifle trials in 1940, Browning's rear-locking tilting bolt design proved unreliable in sandy conditions. As a result, Williams redesigned the M2 to incorporate a Garand-style [[Engineering:Rotating bolt|rotating bolt]] and operating slide, retaining the short-stroke piston. By May 1941, Williams had shaved the M2 rifle prototype from about {{convert|9.5|lb|abbr=on}} to a {{convert|7.5|lb|abbr=on}}.

Ordnance found unsatisfactory the first series of prototype carbines submitted by several firearms companies and some independent designers.<ref name="Ruth"/> Winchester had contacted the ordnance department to examine their rifle M2 design. Major René Studler of ordnance believed the rifle design could be scaled down to a carbine which would weigh 4.5 to 4.75&nbsp;lb {{nowrap|(2.0–2.2 kg)}} and demanded a prototype as soon as possible. The first model was developed at Winchester in 13 days by William C. Roemer, Fred Humeston and three other Winchester engineers under the supervision of Edwin Pugsley, and was essentially Williams' last version of the .30-06 M2 scaled down to the .30 SL cartridge.<ref name="Canfield, Bruce N. 2009">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2016/4/7/carbine-williams-myth-reality/|author1=Canfield, Bruce N.|title='Carbine' Williams: Myth & Reality|magazine=The American Rifleman|publisher=NRA Publications|date=7 April 2016 |format=February 2009 Reprint}}</ref> This patchwork prototype was cobbled together using the trigger housing and lockwork of a Winchester M1905 rifle and a modified Garand operating rod. The prototype was an immediate hit with army observers.<ref>{{Cite book| last = Bishop| first = Chris| title = The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II| place = New York| publisher = Orbis Publishing Ltd| year = 1998| isbn = 0-7607-1022-8}}.</ref>

After the initial Army testing in August 1941, the Winchester design team set out to develop a more refined version. Williams participated in the finishing of this prototype. The second prototype competed successfully against all remaining carbine candidates in September 1941, and Winchester was notified of their success the next month. Standardization as the M1 carbine was approved on October 22, 1941.  This story was the loose basis for the 1952 movie ''Carbine Williams'' starring James Stewart. Contrary to the movie, Williams had little to do with the carbine's development, with the exception of his short-stroke gas piston design. Williams worked on his own design apart from the other Winchester staff, but it was not ready for testing until December 1941, two months after the Winchester M1 carbine had been adopted and type-classified. Winchester supervisor Edwin Pugsley conceded that Williams' final design was "an advance on the one that was accepted", but noted that Williams' decision to go it alone was a distinct impediment to the project,<ref name="Canfield, Bruce N. 2009"/> and Williams' additional design features were not incorporated into M1 production. In a 1951 memo written in fear of a patent infringement lawsuit by Williams, Winchester noted his patent for the short-stroke piston may have been improperly granted as a previous patent covering the same principle of operation was overlooked by the patent office.<ref name="Canfield, Bruce N. 2009"/>

In 1973, the senior technical editor at the NRA contacted Edwin Pugsley for "a technical last testament" on M1 carbine history shortly before his death on November 19, 1975. According to Pugsley, "The carbine was invented by no single man," but was the result of a team effort including: William C. Roemer, David Marshall Williams, Fred Humeston, Cliff Warner, at least three other Winchester engineers, and Pugsley himself. Ideas were taken and modified from the Winchester M2 Browning rifle (Williams' gas system), the Winchester Model 1905 rifle (fire control group and magazine), M1 Garand (buttstock dimensions, and bolt and operating slide principles), and a percussion shotgun in Pugsley's collection (hook breech and barrel band assembly/disassembly).<ref>E.H. Harrison, "Who Designed the M1 Carbine?", in ''U.S. Caliber .30 Carbine'', NRA American Rifleman Reprint.</ref>

==Features==
[[File:30 Carbine.jpg|thumb|.30 Carbine cartridge]]
[[File:WWII M1 Carbine.jpg|thumb|WW II M1 carbine with a magazine pouch mounted on the stock that held two spare 15-round magazines]]
[[File:Carbin IMG 2593.JPG|thumb|Closeup of M1 carbine receiver with original flip sight and push button safety]]
[[File:M1CarbineMagazinesCompare.jpg|thumb|Comparison of M1 carbine magazines.  Original 15-round magazine on left and 30-round on right.]]
[[File:Cliffs at Pointe du Hoc 02.jpg|thumb|U.S. Army Rangers resting in the vicinity of Pointe du Hoc, which they assaulted in support of "Omaha" Beach landings on "D-Day", June 6, 1944. Ranger in right center is apparently using his middle finger to push cartridges into an M-1 carbine magazine. The carbine and a backpack frame are nearby.]]
[[File:USA-PR-Japan-354.jpg|thumb|Paratrooper armed with a folding stock M1A1 carbine fires a bazooka at an enemy pillbox on Greary Point, Corregidor]]
[[File:Carbine-iwo-jima-194502.jpg|thumb|A marine armed with an M1 carbine and M8 grenade launcher attached to the muzzle, during the Battle of Iwo Jima]]

===Ammunition===
The .30 Carbine cartridge is essentially a rimless version of the obsolete .32 Winchester Self-Loading cartridge  introduced for the Winchester Model 1905 rifle.<ref name="BAR"/> The propellant was much newer, though, taking advantage of chemistry advances. As a result, the .30 Carbine cartridge is approximately 27% more powerful than its parent cartridge. A standard .30 Carbine ball bullet weighs 110 grains (7.1&nbsp;g), a complete loaded round weighs 195 grains (12.6&nbsp;g) and has a muzzle velocity of 1,990&nbsp;ft/s (610&nbsp;m/s) giving it 967&nbsp;ft·lbf (1,311 joules) of energy, when fired from the M1 carbine's 17.75-inch barrel.

In comparison, the .30-06 Springfield ball round used by the M1 Garand is almost three times more powerful than the .30 Carbine, while the carbine round is twice as powerful as the .45 ACP-caliber [[Engineering:Thompson submachine gun|Thompson submachine gun]] in common use at the time. As a result, the carbine offers much better range, accuracy and penetration than those submachine guns. The M1 is also half the weight of the Thompson, and fires a lighter cartridge. Therefore, soldiers armed with the carbine can carry much more ammunition than those armed with a Thompson.<ref name="George, John 1981 p. 394"/>

Categorizing the M1 carbine series has been the subject of much debate. Although commonly compared to the later German StG 44 and Russian [[Engineering:AK-47|AK-47]], the M1 and M2 carbines are under-powered and outclassed.<ref name="Rottman_Green"/> Instead, the carbine falls somewhere between the submachine gun and assault rifle, and could be called a precursor of the [[Engineering:Personal defense weapon|personal defense weapon]] since it fulfilled a similar role.<ref name="George, John 1981 p. 394"/>

One characteristic of .30 caliber Carbine ammunition is that from the beginning of production, non-corrosive primers were specified. This was the first major use of this type of primer in a military firearm.  Because the rifle had a closed gas system, not normally disassembled in the field, corrosive primers would have led to a rapid deterioration of the function of the gas system.<ref name="The_AmericanRifleman_to_War">{{cite book |last1=Roberts |first1=Joseph B. |title=The American rifleman goes to war: The guns, troops, and training of World War II as reported in NRA's magazine |date=1992 |publisher=National Rifle Association of America |page=20 |edition=First |isbn=0935998632 }}</ref>  The use of non-corrosive primers was a novelty in service ammunition at this time.<ref name="Dunlap">{{cite book |author1=Dunlap, Roy F. |title=Ordnance Went Up Front|publisher=R&R Books |date=1993 |pages=240, 293–297|edition=1st|url=https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=30503157727&tab=1&searchurl=sortby%3D17%26tn%3Dordnance%2Bwent%2Bup%2Bfront&cm_sp=snippet-_-srp1-_-seller6}}</ref>  Some failures to fire were reported in early lots of .30 caliber Carbine ammunition, attributed to moisture ingress of the non-corrosive primer compound.<ref name="Shore, C. 1988 pp. 191-195"/>

===Sights, range and accuracy===
The M1 carbine entered service with a simple flip sight, which had two settings: 150 and 300 yards.<ref name="FM23-7">{{cite web |url=http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/ref/FM/PDFs/FM23-7.PDF|title=BASIC FIELD MANUAL - U.S. CARBINE, CALIBER .30, Ml|date=20 May 1942|publisher=War Department |format=FM 23-7}}</ref> However, field reports indicated that this sight was inadequate, and in 1944, it was replaced by a sliding ramp-type adjustable sight with four settings: 100, 200, 250 and 300 yards. This new rear sight was also adjustable for windage.<ref name="Leroy_M1"/>

At {{convert|100|yd}}, the M1 carbine can deliver groups between 3 and 5 inches, sufficient for its intended purpose as a close-range defensive weapon. The M1 carbine has a maximum effective range of {{convert|300|yd}}. However, bullet drop is significant past {{convert|200|yd}}.<ref name="BAR"/> Therefore, the M1 has a practical effective range of about 200 yards.<ref name="Hogg_Gander_Jane's">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w2vcMiH4J1MC |title=Jane's Gun Recognition Guide |author1=Hogg, Ian|author2=Gander, Terry| publisher=Harper Collins Publishers |date=20 September 2005 | page=330|isbn=9780007183289 }}</ref>

===Magazines===
The M1 carbine entered service with a standard straight 15-round box magazine. The introduction of the select-fire M2 carbine in October 1944<ref name="rjmilitaria.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.rjmilitaria.com/m1carbine.htm|title= The M1 carbine – short history|publisher=RJ Militaria|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref> also brought into service the curved 30-round magazine or "Banana Clip".<ref name="Rottman_Marines">{{cite book |title=US Marine Corps 1941–45|url=https://ospreypublishing.com/us-marine-corps-1941-45  |author1=Rottman, Gordon L.| publisher=Osprey Publishing |date=15 May 1995|page=14}}</ref> After WW2, the 30-round magazine quickly became the standard magazine for both the M1 and M2 carbines, although the 15-round magazine remained in service until the end of the Vietnam War.<ref name="Rottman_Green">{{cite book |url=https://www.amazon.com/Green-Beret-in-Vietnam-1957-73/dp/B001W0SF22/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= |title=Green Beret in Vietnam: 1957–73|author1=Rottman, Gordon L.|publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=9781782000518 |date=20 June 2012 |page=41}}</ref>

Perhaps the most common accessory used on the M1 carbine was a standard magazine belt pouch that was slid over the stock, and held two extra 15-round magazines. This field adaptation was never officially approved, but proved an efficient method to supply extra ammunition in combat.  After the introduction of the 30-round magazine, it was common for troops to tape two 30-round magazines together, a practice that became known as "[[Engineering:Jungle style (firearm magazines)|jungle style]]". This led the military to introduce the "Holder, Magazine T3-A1" also called the "jungle clip", a metal clamp that held two magazines together without the need for tape.<ref>{{cite book|title=The M1 Carbine|author= Leroy Thompson|page=57|isbn=978-1849086196|year=2011}}</ref>

The 30-round magazines introduced for use with the selective-fire M2 carbine would not be reliably retained by the magazine catch made for the original M1 carbine which was designed to retain a 15-round magazine, so the much heavier 30-round magazine would not be properly seated in the M1 carbine magazine well. The loaded 30-round magazine would typically slant (impairing feed reliability) or even fall out, which contributed to the poor reliability record of the 30-round magazines. Because of their thin steel construction, they were also more prone to damage due to their added length and weight when loaded. In response to these issues, early production M1 carbines had to be fitted with the type IV magazine catch used on the M2 carbine (and late production M1 carbines) if they were to be used with 30-round magazines in order to ensure reliable loading and feeding. The type IV magazine catch has a leg on the left side to correspond with the additional nub on the 30-round magazines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forums.thecmp.org/showthread.php?t=5377 |title=Carbine magazine catches |publisher=Civilian Marksmanship Program|date=January 2010 |access-date=10 February 2016}}</ref>

Initial combat reports noted that the M1 carbine's magazine release button was often mistaken for the safety button while under fire.<ref name="Leroy_M1"/> When this occurred, pressing the magazine release caused the loaded magazine to drop, while the safety remained in the ''off'' position. As a result, the push-button safety was redesigned using a rotating lever.<ref name="Leroy_M1"/><ref name="M1_Warrior">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gunsandammo.com/blogs/history-books/m1-carbine-americas-unlikely-warrior/|magazine=Guns & Ammo|title=M1 Carbine: America's Unlikely Warrior|author1=James, Garry|date=6 October 2014|quote=The M1 carbine (M1A1 shown) was one of America's most widely used arms in three major conflicts and a popular lend/lease item to Allied countries.}}</ref>

===Accessories===
Originally the M1 carbine did not have a bayonet lug, but personnel equipped with it were often issued with an M3 fighting knife. Due to requests from the field, the carbine was modified to incorporate a bayonet lug attached to the barrel band starting in 1945.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rjmilitaria.com/m1carbineb.htm|title= Collecting The M1 carbine|publisher=RJ Militaria|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref> However, very few carbines with bayonet lugs reached the front lines before the end of World War II. After the war, the bayonet lug was added to many M1 carbines during the arsenal refurbishing process. By the start of the Korean War, the bayonet lug-equipped M1 was standard issue. It is now rare to find an original M1 carbine without the bayonet lug. The M1 carbine mounts the M4 bayonet, which was based on the earlier M3 fighting knife and formed the basis for the later M5, M6 and M7 bayonet-knives.

A folding-stock version of the carbine, the M1A1, was also developed after a request for a compact and light infantry arm for airborne troops. The Inland Division of General Motors manufactured 140,000 of them in two product runs in late 1942.<ref name="rjmilitaria.com"/> They were originally issued to the 82nd and 101st airborne divisions but were later issued to all U.S. Army Airborne units and the U.S. Marine Corps.<ref name="rjmilitaria.com"/>  The folding-stock M1A1 is an unusual design in that the stock is not locked in the open or closed position, but is instead held in place by a spring-loaded cam.

As carbines were reconditioned, parts such as the magazine catch, rear sight, barrel band without bayonet lug, and stock were upgraded with current standard-issue parts. Also, both during and after World War II, many semi-automatic M1 carbines were converted to select-fire M2 carbines by using the T17 and T18 conversion kits.<ref name="Firearm_ID">{{cite book |title=Cartridges and Firearm Identification |author1=Walker, Robert E.|publisher=CRC Press|edition=1st |page= 254|isbn=978-1466502062|date=2012-11-26}}</ref> The conversion included a modified sear, slide, and trigger housing, and added a disconnector, disconnector lever, and selector switch that could be set for semi-auto or full-automatic fire.

During World War II, the T23 (M3) [[Engineering:Flash suppressor|flash hider]] was designed to reduce the muzzle flash from the carbine, but was not introduced into service until the advent of the M3 carbine.<ref name="Ruth, Larry L. 1992 pp. 621-623">{{cite book |author1=Ruth, Larry L. |title=War Baby: The U.S. Caliber .30 Carbine, Vol. 1|publisher=Collector Grade Publications |isbn=978-0-88935-117-2 |edition=1st Limited|date=1992|pages= 621–623}}</ref>  With the exception of T23 hiders mounted on M3 carbines, few if any T23 flash-hider attachments saw service during the war, though unit armorers occasionally hand-built improvised compensator-flash-hiders of their own design.<ref name="Ruth, Larry L. 1992 pp. 621-623"/><ref name="Dunlap"/>

Combat tests of the M2 carbine resulted in an Army Ground Forces request that led to development of the T13 [[Engineering:Muzzle brake|recoil check]] adopted September 1945.<ref>Larry L. Ruth, ''M1 Carbine: Design, Development & Production'', The Gun Room Press, 1979, {{ISBN|088227-020-6}}, p.193</ref>

The M1 carbine was used with the M8 grenade launcher (see [[Engineering:M7 grenade launcher|M7 grenade launcher]]), which was developed in early 1944. It was fired with the .30 caliber Carbine M6 grenade blank cartridge to launch [[Engineering:22 mm grenade|22 mm rifle grenades]]. However, the stress from firing rifle grenades could eventually crack the carbine's stock, and it also could not use the launcher with the M7 auxiliary "booster" charge to extend its range without breaking the stock. This made the M1 carbine with M8 grenade launcher a type of emergency-use weapon.

==Production==
[[File:American 290th Infantry Regiment infantrymen fighting in snow during the Battle of the Bulge.jpg|thumb|American infantrymen of the 290th Regiment fight in fresh snowfall near Amonines, Belgium. Soldier in foreground is armed with an M1 carbine.]]

A total of over 6.1 million M1 carbines of various models were manufactured, making it the most produced small arm for the American military during World War II (compared with about 5.4 million M1 rifles and about 1.3 million Thompson submachine guns). Despite being designed by Winchester, the great majority of these were made by other companies (see § Military contractors below). The largest producer was the Inland division of [[Company:General Motors|General Motors]], but many others were made by contractors as diverse as [[Company:IBM|IBM]], the Underwood Typewriter Company, and Rock-Ola Manufacturing Corporation. Few contractors made all the parts for carbines bearing their names: some makers bought parts from other major contractors or sub-contracted minor parts to companies like Marlin Firearms or Auto-Ordnance. Parts by all makers were required to be interchangeable. Often one company would get ahead or behind in production and parts would be shipped from one company to the other to help them catch up on their quota.  When receivers were shipped for this purpose the manufacturers would often mark them for both companies.  Some of the strangest combinations were the M1s made by the combined efforts of Underwood and Quality Hardware, resulting in the manufacturer mark "Un-quality".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cmpauction.thecmp.org/uploaded/2013-1-21/c912644d2Dfc9b2D418d2Db7d72D5741cbccf5e6DSC5F0020.JPG|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111230959/http://cmpauction.thecmp.org/uploaded/2013-1-21/c912644d2Dfc9b2D418d2Db7d72D5741cbccf5e6DSC5F0020.JPG|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 November 2013|title=UN-QUALITY Stamp|date=11 November 2013|format=Photo}}</ref> The receiver was subcontracted from Union Switch and Signal, not Underwood. Many carbines were refurbished at several arsenals after the war, with many parts interchanged from original maker carbines. True untouched war production carbines, therefore, are the most desirable for collectors.<ref name="Fulton_Armory">{{cite web |url=http://www.fulton-armory.com/M1Carbine.htm |title=A Pocket History of the M1 Carbine|author1=Gibson, Robert|website=Fulton Armory |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012152834/http://fulton-armory.com/M1Carbine.htm |archive-date=2007-10-12|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The M1 carbine was also one of the most cost effective weapons used by the United States military during World War II. At the beginning of World War II the average production cost for an M1 carbine was approximately $45, about half the cost of an M1 rifle at approximately $85 and about a fifth of the cost of a Thompson submachine gun at approximately $225. The .30 caliber Carbine ammunition was also far cheaper to produce than the standard .30-06 ammunition; used fewer resources, was smaller, lighter, faster and easier to make. These were major factors in the United States military decision to adopt the M1 carbine, especially when considering the vast numbers of weapons and ammunition manufactured and transported by the United States during World War II.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}}

==U.S. combat use==
===World War II===

[[File:USMC M1 Carbine.JPEG|thumb|U.S. Marine in combat at Guam]]
[[File:First Iwo Jima Flag Raising.jpg|thumb|M1 carbine at first Iwo Jima flag raising]]

The M1 carbine with its reduced-power .30 cartridge was not originally intended to serve as a primary weapon for combat infantrymen, nor was it comparable to more powerful assault rifles developed late in the war. However, it was markedly superior to the .45 caliber submachineguns in use at the time in both accuracy and penetration,<ref name="George, John 1981 p. 394"/> and its lighter .30 caliber cartridge allowed soldiers to carry more ammunition. As a result, the carbine was soon widely issued to infantry officers, American paratroopers, non-commissioned officers, ammunition bearers, forward artillery observers, and other frontline troops.<ref name="Rush_GI">{{cite book |author1=Rush, Robert S. |title=GI: The US Infantryman in World War II |publisher=Osprey Publishing Ltd.|date=21 November 2003 |isbn=1-84176-739-5|pages=33–35|quote=Officers were issued .45 M1911 pistols as individual weapons until 1943, when they were issued the M1 carbine in place of the pistol}}</ref>  The first M1 carbines were delivered in mid-1942, with initial priority given to troops in the European Theater of Operations (ETO).<ref name="George, John 1981 p. 394"/>

During World War II a standard U.S. Army infantry company was issued a total of 28 M1 carbines.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.militaryresearch.org/7-17%2026Feb44.pdf|title=T/O&E 7-17 Infantry Rifle Company|date=1944-02-26|work=U.S. Government (War Department)|access-date=15 June 2018}}</ref> The company headquarters was issued nine carbines (for the company commander, executive officer, first sergeant, mess sergeant, supply sergeant, bugler, and three messengers), the weapons platoon was issued sixteen carbines (for the platoon leader, platoon sergeant, two platoon messengers in the platoon headquarters, one messenger in each of the two mortar and machine gun section headquarters, and ten for the mortar and machine gun ammunition bearers), and the three rifle platoons were issued one each (for the platoon leader).<ref name="auto"/>

The M1 carbine gained generally high praise for its small size, light weight and firepower, especially by those troops who were unable to use a full-size rifle as their primary weapon.<ref name="Shore, C. 1988 pp. 191-195"/><ref name="Brotherhood">{{cite book |author1=McManus, John C. |title=The Deadly Brotherhood: The American Combat Soldier in World War II|location=New York |publisher=Random House Publishing|url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/325362.The_Deadly_Brotherhood |isbn=978-0891416555|date=27 April 1998 |page=52 |quote=Armored infantryman Herb Miller, of the U.S. 6th Armored Division, pointed out one of the M1's strong points, "I was very happy with the carbine... It's fast, it's easy to use in a hurry. For churches and houses and things like that, it was good".}}</ref> However, its reputation in front-line combat was mixed and negative reports began to surface with airborne operations in [[Place:Sicily|Sicily]] in 1943,<ref>{{cite book |author1=Gavin, James M. (Lt. Gen.)|title=War and Peace in the Space Age |location=New York |publisher=Harper and Brothers|date=1958|pages=57, 63|url=https://www.amazon.com/War-peace-space-James-Gavin/dp/B0006AVLH0 |quote=Col. Gavin's love affair with his M1A1 carbine ended in Sicily, when his carbine and that of Maj. Vandervoort jammed repeatedly.  Noticing that carbine fire rarely suppressed rifle fire from German infantry, he and Vandervoort traded with wounded soldiers for their M1 rifles and ammunition; Gavin carried an M1 rifle for the rest of the war.}}</ref> and increased during the fall and winter of 1944.<ref name="Burgett">{{cite book |author1=Burgett, Donald|title=Seven Roads To Hell|location=New York|publisher=Presidio Press |date=14 April 1999|isbn=0-440-23627-4|pages=153–154 |quote=Burgett, a machine-gunner in the 101st Airborne from Normandy to the Battle of the Bulge, witnessed several failures of the .30 carbine to stop German soldiers after being hit.}}</ref>

In the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, soldiers and guerrilla forces operating in heavy jungle with only occasional enemy contact praised the carbine for its small size, light weight, and firepower.<ref name="Chapman">{{cite book |author1=Chapman, F. Spencer |title=The Jungle Is Neutral: A Soldier's Two-Year Escape from the Japanese Army| publisher=Lyons Press|edition=1st|isbn=978-1-59228-107-7|date=2003|page=300}}</ref> However, soldiers and marines engaged in frequent daily firefights (particularly those serving in the Philippines) found the weapon to have insufficient penetration and stopping power.<ref name="Dunlap"/><ref name="Brotherhood52">McManus, p. 52, "Richard Lovett, of the U.S. Americal Division, was one of several who did not like the carbine. "It didn't have stopping power. Enemy soldiers were shot many times but kept on coming."</ref> While carbine bullets would easily penetrate the front and back of steel helmets, as well as the body armor used by Japanese forces of the era<ref>{{cite book |publisher=U.S. Army |work=Technical Manual, Handbook on Japanese Military Forces: Body armor|date=15 September 1944 |title=Chapter X, Equipment| format=TM-E-30-480|url=http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/Japan/IJA/HB/HB-10.html}}</ref><ref>George, John, ''Shots Fired In Anger'' NRA Press (1981), p. 450</ref> reports of the carbine's failure to stop enemy soldiers, sometimes after multiple hits, appeared in individual after-action reports, postwar evaluations, and service histories of both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps.<ref name="Dunlap"/><ref name="Brotherhood52"/>

The carbine's exclusive use of non-corrosive-primer ammunition was found to be ideal by troops and ordnance personnel serving in the Pacific, where barrel corrosion was a significant issue with the corrosive primers used in .30-06 caliber weapons.<ref name="Dunlap"/>  However, in the European theatre, some soldiers reported misfires attributed to moisture ingress of the non-corrosive primer compound.<ref name="Shore, C. 1988 pp. 191-195">{{cite book |author1=Shore, C. (Capt) |title=With British Snipers To The Reich|url=https://www.abebooks.com/9780935856026/British-Snipers-Reich-C-Shore-0935856021/plp |publisher=Lancer Militaria  |date=1988 |pages=191–195|quote=Small-statured men such as Capt. Shore and Sgt. Audie Murphy liked the carbine, as its small stock dimensions fit them particularly well.}}</ref>

====Selective-fire version====
[[File:United Nations troops fighting in the streets of Seoul, Korea HD-SN-99-03081.jpg|thumb|U.S. Marines fighting in the streets of Seoul, South Korea. September 20, 1950. The M1 carbine in the foreground has a bayonet mounted.]]
Initially, the M1 carbine was intended to have a select-fire capability, but the requirement for rapid production of the new carbine resulted in the omission of this feature from the Light Rifle Program. On 26 October 1944, in response to the Germans' widespread use of automatic weapons, especially the Sturmgewehr 44 [[Engineering:Assault rifle|assault rifle]], the select-fire ''M2 carbine'' was introduced, along with a new 30-round magazine. The M2 had a fully automatic rate-of-fire of 750-775 rounds-per-minute. Although actual M2 production began late in the war (April 1945), U.S. Ordnance issued conversion-part kits to allow field conversion of semi-auto M1 carbines to the selective-fire M2 configuration. These converted M1/M2 select-fire carbines saw limited combat service in Europe, primarily during the final Allied advance into Germany. In the Pacific, both converted and original M2 carbines saw limited use in the last days of the fighting in the Philippines.<ref name="Dunlap"/>

====Infrared sight versions====
The ''M3 carbine'' was an M2 carbine  with the M2 infrared night sight or ''sniperscope''.<ref name="Century 2000. page 290"/> The M3 did not have [[Engineering:Iron sights|iron sights]].<ref name="Century 2000. page 290"/> It was first used in combat by Army units during the invasion of Okinawa, where about 150 M3 carbines were used. For the first time, U.S. soldiers had a weapon that allowed them to visually detect Japanese infiltrating into American lines at night, even during complete darkness. A team of two or three soldiers was used to operate the weapon and provide support.<ref name="Rush_GI"/>  At night, the scope would be used to detect Japanese patrols and assault units moving forward.  At that point, the operator would fire a burst of automatic fire at the greenish images of enemy soldiers.<ref name="Rush_GI"/>  The M3 carbine had an effective range of about 70 yards (64 meters), limited by the visual capabilities of the sight.<ref name="Article">{{cite web |title=M3 Infra Red Night Sight |url=http://www.rt66.com/~korteng/SmallArms/m3irsnip.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005050126/http://www.rt66.com/~korteng/SmallArms/m3irsnip.htm |archive-date=2008-10-05|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Fog and rain further reduced the weapon's effective range.<ref name="Rush_GI"/><ref name="Article"/> However, it is estimated that fully 30% of Japanese casualties inflicted by rifle and carbine fire during the Okinawan campaign were caused by the M3 carbine.<ref name="Rush_GI"/>

The system was refined over time, and by the Korean War the improved M3 infrared night sight was in service. The M3 sight has a longer effective range than its predecessor, about 125 yards (114 meters). However, it still required the user to carry a heavy backpack-mounted battery pack to power the scope and infrared light. They were used primarily in static defensive positions in Korea to locate troops attempting to infiltrate in darkness. M3 operators would not only use their carbines to dispatch individual targets, but also used tracer ammo to identify troop concentrations for machine gunners to decimate.<ref name="Leroy_M1"/> In total, about 20,000 sets were made before they became obsolete, and were surplussed to the public.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}}

===Korean War===
[[File:Korean War HA-SN-98-07010.jpg|thumb|right| M1 carbine in action during Korean War with 30-round magazine, stock pouch for two 15-round Magazine and grenade launcher near a captured Soviet [[Engineering:Degtyaryov machine gun|DP-27 machine gun]]]]
[[File:Chinese POWs captured by USMC in Korea HD-SN-99-03152.JPG|thumb|U.S. Marines with M1 carbine with mounted bayonet holding captured Chinese soldiers during fighting on the central Korean front]]

By the Korean War, the select fire M2 carbine had largely replaced the submachine-gun in U.S. service<ref name="The M16 2011. page 6">{{cite book|url=https://ospreypublishing.com/the-m16 |title=The M16 |author1=Rottman, Gordon L. |publisher=Osprey Publishing |date=20 December 2011|page=6}}</ref> and was the most widely used carbine variant.<ref name="Leroy_M1"/><ref name="Canfield">{{cite magazine |author1=Canfield, Bruce |url=http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/arms-chosin-few/|title=Arms of the Chosin Few |magazine=American Rifleman|date=2 November 2010|access-date=10 May 2011}}</ref> However, the semi-auto M1 carbine was also widely used- especially by support troops. However, in Korea, all versions of the carbine soon acquired a widespread reputation for jamming in extremely cold weather,<ref name="Dill">{{cite book |url=https://www.americanheritage.com/winter-yalu|author1=Dill, James|title=Winter of the Yalu|publisher=Changjin Journal|date=December 1982|quote=A soldier remembers the freezing, fearful retreat down the Korean Peninsula after the Chinese armies smashed across the border}}</ref><ref name="Canfield"/><ref name="Hammel_Chosin">{{cite book |author1=Hammel, Eric |title=Chosin: Heroic Ordeal of the Korean War |publisher=Presidio Press |edition=1st |isbn=978-0-7603-3154-5 |date=1 March 1990 |page=205}}</ref> this being eventually traced to weak return springs, freezing of parts due to overly viscous lubricants and inadequate cartridge recoil impulse as the result of subzero temperatures.<ref name="S.L.A. Marshall, 1951">{{cite book |author1=S.L.A. Marshall |title=Commentary on Infantry and Weapons in Korea 1950–51, 1st Report ORO-R-13 of 27 October 1951, ''Project Doughboy'' [Restricted]|publisher=Operations Research Office (ORO), U.S. Army}}</ref><ref name="Clavin">{{cite book |author1=Clavin, Tom|author2=Drury, Bob |title=Last Stand of Fox Company: A True Story of U.S. Marines in Combat |location=New York |publisher=Atlantic Monthly Press |isbn=978-0-87113-993-1 |date=2009 |pages=82,113,161|quote=In addition to their bulky cotton-padded ''telegroika'' coats, which could freeze solid with perspiration, Chicom infantry frequently wore vests or undercoats of thick goatskin.}}</ref>

There were also many complaints from individual soldiers that the carbine bullets failed to stop heavily clothed<ref name="O'Donnell_Korean">{{cite book |author1=O'Donnell, Patrick K. |title=Give Me Tomorrow: The Korean War's Greatest Untold Story: The Epic Stand of the Marines of George Company |publisher=Da Capo Press|edition=1st|isbn=978-0-306-81801-1|date=2 November 2010 |pages=88,168,173}}</ref><ref name="Clavin"/><ref name="Jowett">{{cite book |author1=Jowett, Philip S. |url=https://ospreypublishing.com/the-chinese-army-1937-49-pb |title=The Chinese Army 1937–49: World War II and Civil War|publisher=Osprey Publishing |isbn=978-1-84176-904-2 |date=10 July 2005 |page=47}}</ref><ref name="Thomas">{{cite book |author1=Thomas, Nigel|author2=Abbott, Peter| title=The Korean War 1950–53|url=https://ospreypublishing.com/the-korean-war-1950-53-pb |publisher=Osprey Publishing Ltd.|isbn=978-0-85045-685-1|date=27 March 1986 |pages=37, 47|quote=Many Chinese troops carried either rice or ''shaoping'', an unleavened bread flour mixture in a fabric tube slung over the shoulder}}</ref> or gear-laden<ref name="Andrew">{{cite news |author=Andrew, Martin Dr.| title=Logistics in the PLA |url=https://alu.army.mil/alog/issues/MarApr10/spectrum_lpa_logistics.html|work=Army Sustainment|location=PB 700-10-02, Volume 42 Issue 2| date=March–April 2010}}</ref><ref name="Thomas"/><ref>Chinese troops frequently wore bandolier-type ammunition pouches and carried extra PPSh or Thompson magazines in addition to 4–5 stick grenades.</ref> North Korean and Chinese (PVA) troops even at close range and after multiple hits.<ref name="Canfield"/><ref name="S.L.A. Marshall, 1951"/><ref name="Breakout">{{cite book |author1=Russ, Martin |title=Breakout: The Chosin Reservoir Campaign, Korea 1950|publisher=Penguin Publishing|isbn=978-0-14-029259-6|date=1 April 1999 |pages=40| quote=The failure of the .30 carbine round to stop enemy soldiers may not have been due to inadequate penetration. Marine Lt. James Stemple reported that he shot an enemy soldier with his M2 carbine four times in the chest and saw the padding fly out the back of the soldier's padded jacket as the bullets penetrated his body, yet the enemy soldier kept on coming.}}</ref>  Marines of the 1st Marine Division also reported instances of carbine bullets failing to stop enemy soldiers, and some units issued standing orders for carbine users to aim for the head.<ref name="Clavin"/><ref name="O'Donnell_Korean"/>  PVA infantry forces who had been issued captured U.S. small arms disliked the carbine for the same reason.<ref name="Spurr">{{cite book |author1=Spurr, Russell |title=Enter the Dragon: China's Undeclared War Against the U.S. in Korea, 1950–51|url=https://www.abebooks.com/first-edition/Enter-Dragon-Chinas-Undeclared-Against-Korea/15445827432/bd|location=New York, NY |publisher=Newmarket Press |isbn=978-1-55704-914-8 |date=1988 |page=182|quote=Chinese frontline PLA troops disliked the M1/M2 carbine, as they believed its cartridge had inadequate stopping power. Captured U.S. carbines were instead issued to runners and mortar crews}}</ref>

A 1951 official U.S. Army evaluation reported that&nbsp;..."There are practically no data bearing on the accuracy of the carbine at ranges in excess of 50 yards. The record contains a few examples of carbine-aimed fire felling an enemy soldier at this distance or perhaps a little more. But they are so few in number that no general conclusion can be drawn from them. Where carbine fire had proved killing effect, approximately 95 percent of the time the target was dropped at less than 50 yards."<ref name="S.L.A. Marshall, 1951"/> The evaluation also reported that&nbsp;..."Commanders noted that it took two to three engagements at least to settle their men to the automatic feature of the carbine so that they would not greatly waste ammunition under the first impulse of engagement. By experience, they would come to handle it semi-automatically, but it took prolonged battle hardening to bring about this adjustment in the human equation."<ref name="S.L.A. Marshall, 1951"/>

Despite its mixed reputation, the M2 carbine's firepower often made it the weapon of choice, when it came to night patrols in Korea.<ref name="S.L.A. Marshall, 1951"/> The M3 carbine with its infrared sniperscope was also used against night infiltrators, especially during the static stages of the conflict.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}}

===Vietnam War===
[[File:ARVN and US Special Forces.jpg|thumb|ARVN soldiers with M1 carbines and U.S. Special Forces with M16s]]

The M1 and M2 carbines issued to U.S. forces were first given to American military advisors in Vietnam beginning in 1956,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Laemlein|first=Tom|title=The M1 Carbine in Vietnam|url=https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2018/6/13/the-m1-carbine-in-vietnam|website=American Rifleman}}</ref> and later, the {{wipe|United States Air Force Security Forces}} and United States Army Special Forces. These weapons began to be replaced by the M16 in 1964, and they were generally out of service by the 1970s. By the war's end, it was estimated that a total of 1.5 million M1 and M2 carbines were left in Vietnam.<ref name=":0" />

At least 793,994 M1 and M2 carbines were given to the South Vietnamese and were widely used throughout the Vietnam War.<ref name="bmc"/> A number were captured during the war by Viet Cong,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Diagram Group |title=Weapons: An international encyclopedia from 5000 B.C. to 2000 A.D. |place=New York |publisher=St. Martin's Press, Inc. |year=1991 |url=https://archive.org/details/weaponsinternati00diag |isbn=0-312-03950-6 |url-access=registration }}</ref> with some made compact by shortening the barrel and/or stock.<ref name="Leroy_M1"/> "While the carbine's lighter weight and high rate of fire made it an excellent weapon for small-statured Asians, these guns lacked sufficient hitting power and penetration, and they were eventually outclassed by the AK-47 assault rifle."<ref name="Rottman_Green"/>
The M1/M2/M3 carbines were the most heavily produced family of U.S. military weapons for several decades. They were used by every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}}

==Foreign usage==
[[File:The British Army in the United Kingdom 1939-45 H36961.jpg|thumb|Winston Churchill fires an American M1 carbine during a visit to the U.S. 2nd Armored Division on Salisbury Plain, 23 March 1944.|alt=]]
[[File:The Chindits MH7287.jpg|thumb|British officers: Brigadier "Mad" Mike Calvert (left) gives orders to Lieutenant-Colonel Shaw, while Major James Lumley stands with M1 carbine under his arm, after the capture of Mogaung in Burma during the second Chindit expedition, June 1944.]]

After [[Social:World War II|World War II]], the M1 and M2 carbines were widely exported to U.S. allies and client states (1,015,568 to South Korea, 793,994 to South Vietnam, 269,644 to France, etc.),<ref name="bmc">{{cite web|url=http://www.bavarianm1carbines.com/carbinesnara.html|title=Foreign Military Assistance and the U.S. M1 & M2 Carbines|website=BavarianM1Carbines.com |date=1963}}</ref> they were used as a frontline weapon well into the Vietnam War era, and they continue to be used by military, police, and security forces around the world to this day.

===British Army===
During [[Social:World War II|World War II]], the British SAS used the M1 and M1A1 carbines after 1943. The weapon was taken into use simply because a decision had been taken by Allied authorities to supply .30 caliber weapons from U.S. stocks in the weapons containers dropped to Resistance groups sponsored by an SOE, or later also Office of Strategic Services (OSS), organizer, on the assumption the groups so supplied would be operating in areas within the operational boundaries of U.S. forces committed to Operation Overlord.{{Citation needed|date=April 2007}} They were found to be suited to the kind of operation the two British, two French, and one Belgian Regiment carried out. It was handy enough to parachute with, and, in addition, could be easily stowed in an operational Jeep. Other specialist intelligence collection units, such as 30 Assault Unit sponsored by the Naval Intelligence Division of the British Admiralty, which operated across the entire Allied area of operations, also made use of this weapon.{{Citation needed|date=April 2007}}. The carbine continued to be utilized as late as the Malayan Emergency, by the Police Field Force of the Royal Malaysian Police, along with other units of the British Army, were issued the M2 carbine for both jungle patrols and outpost defense.<ref name="J.W.G. Moran">{{cite book |author1=Moran, Jack William Grace, Sir |title=Spearhead in Malaya |date=1959 |url=https://www.gohd.com.sg/shop/spearhead-in-malaya-j-w-g-moran-1959-1st-edition/|publisher=Peter Davies |location=London |edition=1st|page=239}}</ref><ref name="Crawford">{{cite book |author1=Crawford, Oliver|title=The Door Marked Malaya|url=https://www.gohd.com.sg/shop/the-door-marked-malaya-oliver-crawford-1958-1st-ed/|location=London |publisher=Rupert Hart-Davis|date=1958 |page=88|edition=1st}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cameron-highland-destination.com/jungle-beat-roy-follows-fort-brooke.html|title=The Jungle Beat – Roy Follows, of Fort Brooke and Cameron Highlands|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>  The Royal Ulster Constabulary also used the M1 carbine.<ref>Central Office of Information British Information Services ''Survey of Current Affairs'' 1977 H.M Stationery Office</ref>

===German Army===
Small numbers of captured M1 carbines were used by German forces in World War II, particularly after D-Day.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Goldstein, Donald M.|author2=Dillon, Katherine V.|author3=Wenger, J. Michael |title=Nuts! The Battle of the Bulge |publisher=University of Nebraska Press |date=4 November 1994| edition=1st |isbn=978-0028810690 |page=75 |quote=captured German film shows German officer armed with a M1 carbine in the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944}}</ref> The German designation for captured carbines was ''Selbstladekarabiner 455(a)''. The "''a''" came from the country name in German; in this case, ''Amerika''. It was also used by German police and border guards in Bavaria after World War II and into the 1950s. The carbines were stamped according to the branch they were in service with; for instance, those used by the border guard were stamped "''Bundesgrenzschutz''". Some of these weapons were modified with different sights, finishes, and sometimes new barrels.

===Japanese GSDF===
A variant was produced shortly after World War II by Japanese manufacturer Howa Machinery, under U.S. supervision. These were issued to all branches of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, and large numbers of them found their way to [[Place:Southeast Asia|Southeast Asia]] during the Vietnam War. Howa also made replacement parts for US-made M1 carbines issued to Japanese police and military.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}}

=== Israel Defense Forces ===
The M1 carbine was also used by the Israeli Palmach-based [[Social:Special forces|special forces]] in the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. And, because of their compact size and semi-auto capabilities, they continued to be used by Israeli Defence Forces after the creation of Israel. The Israeli police still use the M1 carbine as a standard long gun for non-combat elements and Mash'az volunteers.

=== French Army ===
The U.S. provided France with 269,644 M1 and M2 carbines from World War II to 1963.<ref name="bmc" /> The carbines were used by the French Paratroopers and Legionnaires, as well as specialists (e.g., drivers, radio operators, engineers), during the Indo-China War,<ref name="mcnab2002">{{cite book |author1=McNab, Chris |editor1-first=Charles C. |editor1-last=Unwin |editor2-first=Mike R. |editor2-last=Vanessa U. |title=20th Century Military Uniforms |date=31 July 2002 |edition=2nd |publisher=Grange Books |location=Kent |isbn=1-84013-476-3|page=84}}</ref> the Algerian War<ref name ="Algeria">{{cite magazine|language=fr|magazine=Gazette des Armes |issue=220 |date=March 1992|title=L'armement français en A.F.N.|pages=12–16|url=http://fr.1001mags.com/parution/gazette-des-armes/numero-220-mars-1992/page-14-15-texte-integral|first=Jean|last=Huon}}</ref> and the Suez Crisis.
[[File:Female South Vietnamese Popular Force members on patrol in Bến Cát District.JPEG|thumb|right|South Vietnamese Popular Force members on patrol with M1 carbines]]

[[File:CheMuleFull.jpg|thumb|Che Guevara atop a mule in Las Villas province, Cuba, in November 1958, with an M2 Carbine]]

=== South Vietnam ===
The U.S. provided the Army of the Republic of Vietnam with 793,994 M1 and M2 carbines from 1963 to 1973.<ref name="bmc" /> Along with tens of thousands of carbines left behind by the French after the First Indochina War, the M1 and M2 carbines were the most widely issued small arm during the early stages in the Vietnam War and remained in service in large numbers until the fall of Saigon. The South Vietnamese would also receive 220,300 M1 Garands and 520 M1C/M1D rifles,<ref name="rifles147">{{cite book|last=Walter|first=John|title=Rifles of the World|publisher=Krause Publications|year=2006|location=Iola, WI|page=147|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Eq2Dnj4sDZIC&pg=PA147|edition=3rd|isbn=0-89689-241-7}}</ref> and 640,000 [[Engineering:M16 rifle|M-16 rifles]].

The Viet Minh and the Viet Cong also used large numbers of M1 and M2 carbines, captured from the French, ARVN and local militia forces of South Vietnam, as well as receiving many thousands of carbines from the North Vietnamese Army (NVA), China and North Korea. Over time, the SKS and eventually the [[Engineering:AK-47|AK-47]] would replace the carbine to become the dominant weapons used by the Viet Cong.

=== South Korea ===
The Republic of Korea Armed Forces received 1,015,568 M1 and M2 carbines from 1963 to 1972.<ref name="bmc"/> Along with hundreds of thousands of Carbines and M1 Garands provided by the United States Army before, during and shortly after the Korean war, South Korea would become the largest single recipient of American M1 and M2 carbines.

South Korea also took an active role in the Vietnam War. From 1964 to 1973, South Korea sent more than 300,000 troops to South Vietnam armed primarily with M1 and M2 carbines, as well as M1 Garands.

=== Philippines ===
The government of the {{wipe|Philippines}} still issues M1 carbines to the infantrymen of the Philippine Army's 2nd Infantry Division{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}} assigned in Luzon Island  (some units are issued just M14 automatic rifles and M1 carbines) and the Civilian Auxiliary Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) and Civilian Volunteer Organizations (CVO) spread throughout the Philippines. Certain provincial police units of the Philippine National Police (PNP) still use government-issued M1 carbines as well as some operating units of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). In many provinces in the Philippines, M1 carbines are still a highly valued light small arm. Elements of the New People's Army and Islamic Secessionist movement value the carbine as a lightweight weapon and preferred choice for mountain and ambush operations.

The M1 carbine has become one of the most recognized firearms in Philippine society, with the Marikina-based company ARMSCOR Philippines still continues to manufacture .30 caliber ammunition for the Philippine market.

=== Latin America ===
The M1 and M2 carbines were widely used by military, police, and security forces and their opponents during the many guerrilla and civil wars throughout Latin America until the 1990s, when they were mostly replaced by more modern designs. A notable user was [[Biography:Che Guevara|Che Guevara]] who used them during the Cuban Revolution and in Bolivia where he was executed by a Bolivian soldier armed with an M2 carbine.<ref>{{cite web| title=The Death of Che Guevara: Declassified| publisher=The National Security Archive| url=http://nsarchive.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB5/| access-date=2016-01-24}}</ref> Guevara's fellow revolutionary Camilo Cienfuegos also used an M2 carbine that he modified with the pistol grip and foregrip from a [[Engineering:Thompson submachine gun|Thompson submachine gun]]. Cienfuegos' carbine is on display in the Museum of the Revolution (Cuba).

In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a police battalion named ''Batalhão de Operações Policiais Especiais'' (BOPE, or "Special Police Operations Battalion") still uses the M1 carbine.{{Citation needed|reason=No sources were found for such claims|date=January 2020}}

==Users==
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->

The unit data provided below refers to original U.S. Ordnance contract carbines the United States provided these countries. Many countries sold, traded, destroyed, and/or donated these carbines to other countries and/or private gun brokers.<ref name="bmc"/>

=== Current users ===
* {{flag|Brazil}}: In service with BOPE.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://super.abril.com.br/comportamento/armas-da-vida-real|title=Armas da vida real|trans-title=Real life weapons |author1=Da Redação|date=25 March 2011 |website=Super Interessante|access-date=2016-05-05|df=dmy-all|quote=Carabina M-1|language=pt}}</ref>
* {{flag|Indonesia}}: Used by Indonesian Armed Forces in 1950s and 1960s (received from the United States). Fielded during the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation<ref name="ArmsControl">{{cite book|title=The Control of local conflict : a design study on arms control and limited war in the developing areas|volume=3|last1=Bloomfield|first1= Lincoln P.|last2=Leiss|first2=Amelia Catherine<!--|last3=Legere|first3= Laurence J.|last4= Barringer|first4= Richard E.|last5=Fisher|first5= R. Lucas|last6= Hoagland|first6= John H.|last7=Fraser|first7= Janet|last8=Ramers|first8=Robert K-->|publisher=Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Center for International Studies|url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA324492.pdf#page=196|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804022404/https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA324492.pdf#page=196|url-status=live|archive-date=August 4, 2020|date=30 June 1967|hdl=2027/uiug.30112064404368|page=191}}</ref> Still in service in the Indonesian National Police<ref>[https://www.liputan6.com/regional/read/2426067/senapan-peninggalan-perang-dunia-ini-masih-dipakai-polisi-malang Liputan6.com This World War Legacy Rifle is Still Used by Malang Police (in Indonesian). 1 February 2016]</ref>

=== Former users ===
* {{flag|Algeria}}: Captured in large numbers from French military personnel during the Algerian Independence War.{{sfn|McNab|2002|p=17}}
* {{flag|Angola}}: 12,215 units<ref name="bmc"/>
** {{flagicon image|Bandeira da FNLA.svg}} FNLA: Unknown number captured/illegally acquired for use during the Angolan Civil War.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/coldwar/interviews/episode-17/tomkins1.html |title=David Thompkins Interview |publisher=GWU |date=14 February 1999 |access-date=17 October 2011}}</ref>
* {{flag|Argentina}}: 12,621 units<ref name="bmc"/>
* {{flag|Austria}}: 39,005 units<ref name="bmc"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bavarianm1carbines.com/austria.html|title=Austria's Story|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>(1950s–70s, Austrian Army and police)
*{{flag|Bolivia}}: 13,438 units.<ref name="bmc" />
* {{flag|Cambodia}}: 115,568 units<ref name="bmc"/> (Khmer Republic, 1967–1975)<ref>{{cite web |date=4 March 2015 |title=Small Arms Survey Working Papers |url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/files/sas/publications/w_papers_pdf/WP/WP4_Cambodia.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060811051132/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/files/sas/publications/w_papers_pdf/WP/WP4_Cambodia.pdf |archive-date=August 11, 2006 |access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>
* {{flag|Canada}}: 230 units<ref name="bmc"/>
* {{flag|Chile}}: 2,877 units<ref name="bmc"/>
*{{flag|Republic of China}}: 361 units during World War II.<ref name="bmc" />
* {{flag|Colombia}}: 7,037 units<ref name="bmc"/>
* {{flag|Costa Rica}}: 6,000 units<ref name="bmc"/>
* {{flag|Cuba}}: 118 units in 1963.<ref name="bmc"/> M1 carbines were used by Batista forces, by Castrist militias and by Brigade 2506.<ref name="Pigs">{{cite book|title=The Bay of Pigs: Cuba 1961|series=Elite 166|first=Alejandro|last=de Quesada |date=10 January 2009|isbn=9781846033230 |publisher=Osprey Publishing|page=60}}</ref>
* {{flag|Democratic Republic of Congo}}<ref>{{cite book|title=Modern African Wars (4): The Congo 1960–2002|url=https://ospreypublishing.com/modern-african-wars-4 |last=Abbott|first=Peter|location=Oxford|publisher=Osprey Publishing|date=20 February 2014|isbn=978-1782000761|page=37}}</ref>
* {{flag|Ecuador}}: 576 units<ref name="bmc"/>
* {{flag|El Salvador}}: 5,000 M1s and ~156 M2s until 1965, more delivered during the 1960s and 1970s.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Infantry Weapons of the Salvadoran Forces|magazine=Small Arms Review |volume=3|issue=8 |date=May 2000|first=Julio A. |last=Montes|url=http://www.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=3006}}</ref>
[[File:Ethiopian Soldiers Korean War.jpg|thumb|right|Ethiopian soldiers deployed with U.S.-made weapons somewhere in Korea, 1953. The M1 carbine has two 30-round magazines taped together "jungle style".]]
* {{flag|Ethiopia}}: 16,417 units<ref name="bmc"/><ref>{{cite book|editor1= Hogg, Ian V.| title= Jane's Infantry Weapons 1989–90, 15th Edition | publisher = Jane's Information Group| year = 1989| isbn =0-7106-0889-6| page =216 }}</ref>
* {{flag|France}}: 269,644 units<ref name="bmc"/>
** {{flag|French Indochina}}: 35,429 units<ref name="bmc"/>
*{{flag|Germany}}:
**{{flag|Nazi Germany}}: No recorded issue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bavarianm1carbines.com/germanyww2.html|title=U.S. Carbines in Germany and Austria|website=BavarianM1Carbines.com}}</ref> Captured M1 carbines were classified as the ''Selbstladekarabiner 455(a)'' ("Self-loading carbine No. 455 (American)").<ref name="rjmilitaria.com"/> There are staged pictures of late-war ''Fallschirmjäger'' troops and ''SS Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler'' ("Adolf Hitler's SS Bodyguard Regiment") soldiers armed with them.<ref name="rjmilitaria.com"/> ** {{flag|West Germany}}: 34,192 units<ref name="bmc"/> 
*** {{flag|Bavaria}}: 14,647 units<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bavarianm1carbines.com/bavaria.html|title=U.S. M1 Carbine in Germany and the American Occupation Zone |access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>(1945–early 1950s, border guard)
* {{flag|Greece}}: 38,264 units<ref name="bmc"/> from 1963 to 1973
* {{flag|Guatemala}}: 6,063 units<ref name="bmc"/><ref name="gander1995">{{cite book |author1=Gander, Terry J.|author2=Hogg, Ian V.| title=Jane's Infantry Weapons 1995/1996|publisher=Jane's Information Group|edition=21st |date=1 May 1995 |isbn=978-0-7106-1241-0}}</ref>
* {{flag|Honduras}}: 5,581 units<ref name="bmc"/>
* {{flag|Iran}}: 10,000 units<ref name="bmc"/>
* {{flag|Ireland}}: 1969–1980s, Used by the Provisional IRA, Official IRA, INLA and IPLO during the early years of their campaign and beyond.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.victims.org.uk/ira%20weapons.html|title=Families Acting for Innocent Relatives (FAIR)|access-date=29 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924072935/http://www.victims.org.uk/ira%20weapons.html|archive-date=24 September 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=2407|title=Improvised Weapons of the Irish Underground (Ulster)|website=www.smallarmsreview.com}}</ref> 
*{{flag|Israel}}: 10,000 units<ref name="bmc" />
* {{flag|Italy}}: 146,863 units.<ref name="bmc"/> First used by Italian partisans.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gianluigi |first1=Usai |last2=Riccio |first2=Ralph |title=Italian partisan weapons in WWII |date=January 28, 2017 |publisher=Schiffer Military History |isbn=978-0764352102 |pages=170–171}}</ref> Later classified by the Italian Army as the ''Carabina «Winchester» M1 cal. 7,62'' and ''Carabina «Winchester» M2 cal. 7,62''. In service until the 1990s with the Carabinieri.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fbone.it/Armamento%20della%20Benemerita.htm|title= L'armamento dei Carabinieri|language= it|website=fbone.it|access-date=18 July 2020}}</ref><ref name = ArmiEMezzi1955>{{cite book |author=Ministero della difesa italiano|date=1955 |title= Armi e mezzi in dotazione all'esercito|trans-title= Arms and means supplied to the army|url=https://archive.org/details/ArmiEMezziInDotazioneAllesercitoItaliano-1955|language= it}}</ref>
* {{flag|Japan}}: 3,974 units<ref name="bmc"/> from 1950 to 1989
* {{flag|Jordan}}: 1912 units.<ref name="bmc"/> Fielded during the Six-Day War<ref>{{cite book|title=Israeli Elite Units since 1948|series=Elite #18|author1= Katz, Samuel M.|author2=Volstad, Ron |date=23 Jun 1988|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn=9780850458374|page=14|url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1828191.Israeli_Elite_Units_since_1948}}</ref>
* {{flag|Kingdom of Laos}}: Received 74,587 units during Vietnam War and the Laotian Civil War, 1955–1975.<ref name="bmc"/><ref>{{cite book|title=The War in Laos 1960–75|series=Men-at-Arms 217|first=Kenneth |last=Conboy|date=23 November 1989 |publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn=9780850459388|page=15|url=https://ospreypublishing.com/the-war-in-laos-1960-75-35219}}</ref>
* {{flag|Lebanon}}: 900 units<ref name="bmc"/>
* {{flag|Liberia}}: 80 units<ref name="bmc"/><ref>{{cite book|editor1=Gander, Terry |editor2=Ness, Leland S.| title = Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009–2010 | publisher = Jane's Information Group| date =27 January 2009| isbn=978-0710628695| page =898}}</ref>
* {{flag|Libya}}: 106 units<ref name="bmc"/>
* {{flag|Malaysia}}<ref name="Skennerton 2007">Skennerton (2007)</ref>
* {{flag|Mexico}}: 48,946 units<ref name="bmc"/>
* {{flag|Morocco}}: 945 units<ref name="bmc"/>
*{{flag|Myanmar}}: 28,792 units<ref name="bmc" />
[[File:ME vuurt traangas, Bestanddeelnr 931-6912.jpg|thumb|Dutch police officer shoots teargas ammunition from the muzzle of an M1 carbine, during a blockade and demonstration against the nuclear power plant Dodewaard. September 18, 1981]]
* {{flag|Netherlands}}: 84,523 units<ref name="bmc"/>(1940s–1970s, Army, Korps Mariniers{{sfn|Bloomfield|Leiss|1967|pp=80-81}} and Police)
* {{flag|Nicaragua}}: 121 units<ref name="bmc"/>
* {{flag|Nigeria}}: 100 units<ref name="bmc"/>
* {{flag|Norway}}: 98,267 units<ref name="bmc"/>(Norwegian Army 1951–1970, with some Norwegian police units until the 1990s)
* {{flag|Pakistan}}: 45 units<ref name="bmc"/>
* {{flag|Panama}}: 917 units<ref name="bmc"/>
* {{flag|Peru}}: 821 units<ref name="bmc"/>
*{{flag|Philippines}}: 8,831 units<ref name="bmc" />
*{{flag|South Korea}}: The Armed Forces was equipped with 19,402 M1/M2 carbines before the Korean War, and 159,393 were in service with the Army by the end of the war.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bak |first=Dongchan |url=http://medcmd.mil.kr/user/imhc/upload/pblictn/PBLICTNEBOOK_202105270240172800.pdf |title=Korean War : Weapons of the United Nations |publisher=Ministry of Defense Institute for Military History |date=March 2021 |isbn=979-11-5598-079-8 |location=Republic of Korea |pages=29–31 |language=Korean}}</ref> 1,015,558 additional M1/M2/M3 carbines also received from the U.S. between 1963 to 1972.<ref name="bmc" />
* {{flag|Taiwan}}: 115,948 units from 1963 to 1968<ref name="bmc" />
*{{flag|Thailand}}: 73,012 units from 1963 to 1976<ref name="bmc" /> 
* {{flag|Tunisia}}: 771 units<ref name="bmc"/>
* {{flag|Turkey}}: 450 units.<ref name="bmc"/> 
* {{flag|United Kingdom}}: 200,766 units<ref name="bmc"/>
* {{flag|United States}}: 6,110,730 units<ref name="bmc"/> (1940s–1960s/1970s, Armed Forces and 1940s-present, various law enforcement agencies, and the Tennessee Valley Authority)
* {{flag|Uruguay}}: 32,346 units<ref name="bmc"/>
* {{flag|USSR}}: 7 units<ref name="bmc"/>
* {{flag|Vietnam}}: Largely captured and/or inherited from now-defunct Army of the Republic of Vietnam.<ref name="bmc"/><ref name="sog1997">{{cite book |author1=Plaster, John L.|title=SOG: The Secret Wars of America's Commandos in Vietnam|publisher=Simon & Schuster  |edition=1st|date=20 January 1997|isbn=0-451-19508-6|url=https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/379390.SOG}}</ref> Some used by the Viet Cong and the Viet Minh, taken from American, French and South Vietnamese forces/armories with a few modified to make them compact.<ref name="Leroy_M1"/>
** {{flag|South Vietnam}}: 793,994 units<ref name="bmc"/> (1960s–70s)
* {{flagicon|Kingdom of Yugoslavia}} Chetniks (OSS-supplied during WW2)<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Yugoslav Part II: World War II small arms: an assortment of small arms from friends and foe alike|first=Paul|last=Scarlata|magazine=Firearms News|date=1 October 2017|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/YUGOSLAV+PART+II%3A+WORLD+WAR+II+SMALL+ARMS%3A+AN+ASSORTMENT+OF+SMALL...-a0510936519}}</ref>

==Variants==
The standard-issue versions of the carbine officially listed and supported were the M1, M1A1, M2 and M3.<ref>Department of the Army Technical Manual TM9-1276 and Department of the Air Force Technical Order TO39A-5AD-2, Cal. .30 Carbines, M1, M1A1, M2, and M3. February 1953.</ref>

[[File:M1A1 Carbine tri army.jpg|thumb|M1A1 carbine. Paratrooper model with folding buttstock and late issue adjustable sight and bayonet lug.]]

===Carbine, Cal .30, M1A1===<!-- M1A1 links here -->
* Side-folding stock, 15-round magazine
* Paratrooper model
* About 150,000 produced

The M1A1 was designed in May 1942 for paratrooper units, and came with a folding stock, but was otherwise identical to a standard M1.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Harrison|first=E.H.|title=U.S. Cal .30 Carbine|publisher=National Rifle Association|year=1992|pages=6}}</ref> M1A1 carbines were made by Inland, a division of General Motors and originally came with the early "L" nonadjustable sight and barrel band without bayonet lug. Inland production of M1A1 carbines was interspersed with Inland production of M1 carbines with the standard stock. Stocks were often swapped out as carbines were refurbished at arsenals.

===Carbine, Cal .30, M1A2===
* Proposed variant with improved sight adjustable for windage and elevation
* Produced only as an "overstamped" model (an arsenal-refurbished M1 with new rear sight and other late M1 improvements)

===Carbine, Cal .30, M1A3===
* Underside-folding pantograph stock, 15-round magazine
* Type standardized to replace the M1A1 but may not have been issued
* Pantograph stock was more rigid than the M1A1's folding stock and folded flush under the fore end. A more common name for this type of stock is an "underfolder".

===Carbine, Cal .30, M2===
[[File:US M2 Carbine.jpg|thumb|M2 carbine with the selector lever on the left side, opposite the bolt handle]]
[[File:M2CarbineGTAPage3.jpg|thumb|Exploded view of the M2 carbine]]
* Early 1945
* Selective fire (capable of fully automatic fire)
* 30-round magazine or 15 standard issue
* About 600,000 produced

Initially, the M1 carbine was intended to have a selective-fire capability, but the decision was made to put the M1 into production without this feature. Fully automatic capability was incorporated into the design of the M2 (an improved, selective-fire version of the M1), introduced in 1944.  The M2 featured the late M1 improvements to the rear sight, addition of a bayonet lug, and other minor changes.

Research into a conversion kit for selective fire began May 1944; the first kit was developed by Inland engineers, and known as the ''T4''. Inland was awarded a contract for 500 T4 carbines in September 1944. Although the conversion was seen as satisfactory, the heavier 30-round magazine
put greater strain on the magazine catch, necessitating the development of a sturdier catch. The slide, sear, and stock design also had to be modified. On fully automatic fire, the T4 model could fire about 750 rounds per minute, and generated a manageable recoil.<ref name="Leroy_M1"/>

Although some carbines were marked at the factory as M2, the only significant difference between an M1 and M2 carbine is in the fire control group. The military issued field conversion kits (T17 and T18) to convert an M1 to an M2. Legally a carbine marked M2 is always a machine gun for national firearms registry purposes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.atf.gov/firearms/firearms-guide-identification-firearms-section-1|title=Firearms Guide - Identification of Firearms - Section 1|accessdate=August 19, 2021|publisher=BATFE}}</ref>

These M2 parts including the heavier M2 stock were standardized for arsenal rebuild of M1 and M1A1 carbines.

A modified round bolt replaced the original flat top bolt to save machining steps in manufacture.  Many sources erroneously refer to this round bolt as an "M2 bolt" but it was developed as a standard part for new manufacture M1 and later M2 carbines and as a replacement part, with priority given to use on M1A1 and M2 carbines.<ref name="Ruth"/> The slightly heavier round bolt did moderate the cyclic rate of the M2 on full automatic.<ref name="Small_Arms">{{cite book |author1=Smith, W.H.B. |title=Small Arms of the World|publisher=Stackpole |date=May 1990|edition=12th|isbn=978-0880296014|quote=illustrates an M2 carbine in an M1A1 stock on p.642 and a parts breakdown of the M2 on p.646 is shown with a flat top bolt}}</ref>

Despite being in demand, very few M2 carbines saw use during World War II, and then mostly in the closing days against Japan.<ref name="Leroy_M1"/> The M2 carbine was logistically compatible with the millions of M1 carbines in U.S. service, and offered longer range, better accuracy and better penetration than (pistol caliber) submachine guns like the M1 Thompsons and [[Engineering:M3 submachine gun|M3 Grease Guns]].<ref>America's Favorite Gun. by Gold V. Sanders. Popular Science Aug 1944. pp. 84–87, 221</ref> Therefore, after World War II, the M2 carbine largely replaced the submachine-guns in U.S. service, until it was itself replaced by the M16 rifle.<ref name="The M16 2011. page 6"/>

The M2 model was the most widely used carbine variant during the Korean War.<ref name="Leroy_M1"/> A detailed study of the effectiveness of the M2 in the war was assembled by S.L.A. Marshall. He found that many troops complained on the lack of effective range of the gun, which allowed the enemy to get close enough to throw hand grenades. A more detailed analysis showed however that most troops who complained actually tended to run low on ammo, because they fired their M2 on fully automatic too soon. Troops who fired their guns on semi-automatic at distance generally complained less about the M2's effectiveness. Generally, the more seasoned troops used the latter approach. The carbine was usually given to second line troops (administrative, support, etc.), who had little combat experience and also did not have much training in [[Social:Small unit tactics|small-unit tactics]], but who usually had to engage the enemy at some critical moment, like a breakthrough or ambush. Marshall noted that almost all killing shots with carbines in Korea were at ranges of 50 yards or less. The M2 was a preferred weapon for night patrols. The M2 was also used in the early stages of the Vietnam War by special forces, ARVN advisers, and air crews.<ref name="Leroy_M1"/>

Contemporary authors have struggled to categorize the M2 carbine. While it did introduce select-fire capability and an intermediate cartridge, its stopping power and weight was far below that of the StG 44. As such, it is considered by some to be an early predecessor to the [[Engineering:Assault rifle|assault rifle]] or [[Engineering:Personal defense weapon|personal defense weapon]].<ref name="Leroy_M1"/>

===Carbine, Cal .30, M2A1===
* M2 with an M1A1 folding stock. Like the M1A1, it was made for paratroopers.

===Carbine, Cal .30, M2A2===
* Arsenal-refurbished (over stamped M2) model

===Carbine, Cal .30, M3===
* M2 with mounting (T3 mount) for an early active (infrared) night vision sight
* About 3,000 produced
* Three versions of night sight (M1, M2, M3)

[[File:M3 Sniperscope.jpg|thumb|right|Original Korean War era USMC M3 night vision scope]]

The M3 carbine was an M2 carbine fitted with a mount designed to accept an infrared sight for use at night.  It was initially used with the M1 sniperscope, and an active infrared sight, and saw action in 1945 with the Army during the invasion of Okinawa.  Before the M3 carbine and M1 sniperscope were type-classified, they were known as the T3 and T120, respectively. The system continued to be developed, and by the time of the Korean War, the M3 carbine was used with the M3 sniperscope.

The M2 sniper scope extended the effective nighttime range of the M3 carbine to 100 yards.  In the later stages of the Korean War, an improved version of the M3 carbine, with a revised mount, a forward pistol grip, and a new M3 sniperscope design was used in the latter stages of Korea and briefly in Vietnam.  The M3 sniperscope had a large active infrared spotlight mounted on top of the scope body itself, allowing use in the prone position. The revised M3/M3 had an effective range of around 125 yards.<ref name="Article"/> Eventually, the M3 carbine and its M3 sniperscope would be superseded by passive-design night vision scopes with extended visible ranges; the improved scopes in turn required the use of rifle-caliber weapons with flatter trajectories and increased hit probability.

==Derivatives==
===Ingram SAM===
The Ingram SAM rifles are M1 carbine derivatives in [[Engineering:5.56×45mm NATO|5.56×45mm NATO]] (SAM-1), [[Engineering:7.62×39mm|7.62×39mm]] (SAM-2) and [[Engineering:7.62×51mm NATO|7.62×51mm NATO]] (SAM-3). The 5.56×45mm versions accept M16 magazines, the 7.62×39mm accept AK magazines and the 7.62×51mm versions use FN FAL magazines. They did not catch on in competition against the Ruger Mini-14 in both the police and civilian markets. The Ingram SAM rifles are occasionally found on auction sites for collectors.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}}

=== 9×19mm Parabellum ===
Iver Johnson's 9×19mm Parabellum carbine was introduced in 1985 until 1986 using modified Browning High Power 20-round magazines.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}}

Chiappa Firearms produces a 9mm M1 carbine derivative called the M1-9 which uses [[Engineering:Beretta 92|Beretta M9/92FS]] magazines. The Chiappa is not [[Engineering:Gas-operated reloading#Short-stroke fixed|gas operated]] and instead relies on [[Engineering:Blowback (firearms)|blowback]] operation.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}}

==Military contractors==
* Inland Division, [[Company:General Motors|General Motors]] (production: 2,632,097).  Receiver marked "Inland Div."  Sole producer of the M1A1 carbine.
* Winchester Repeating Arms (production: 828,059).  Receiver marked "Winchester"<ref>''Canfield'', June 2007, p. 37</ref>
* Underwood Elliot Fisher (production: 545,616).  Receiver marked "Underwood"
* Saginaw Steering Gear Division, [[Company:General Motors|General Motors]] (production: 517,213 ).  Receivers marked "Saginaw S.G." (370,490), "Saginaw S'G'" (for weapons manufactured in Grand Rapids) and "Irwin-Pedersen" (146,723 )
* [[Biography:John Pedersen (arms designer)|Irwin-Pedersen]] (operated by Saginaw Steering Gear and production included with Saginaw total)
* National Postal Meter (production: 413,017).  Receiver marked "National Postal Meter"
* Quality Hardware Manufacturing Corp. (production: 359,666). Receiver marked "Quality H.M.C." or "Un-quality" (receivers subcontracted to Union Switch & Signal).
* International Business Machines (production: 346,500).  Receiver marked "I.B.M. Corp." Also barrel marked "IBM Corp"
* Standard Products (production: 247,100).  Receiver marked "Std. Pro."
* Rock-Ola Manufacturing Corporation (production: 228,500). Receiver marked "Rock-Ola"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanrifleman.org/ArticlePage.aspx?id=1596&cid=7|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722050137/http://www.americanrifleman.org/ArticlePage.aspx?id=1596&cid=7|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 July 2011|title=Rock-Ola M1 Carbine|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>
* Commercial Controls Corporation (production: 239).  Receiver marked "Commercial Controls".  Formerly National Postal Meter.

==Commercial copies==
Several companies manufactured copies of the M1 carbine after World War II, which varied in quality. Some companies used a combination of original USGI and new commercial parts, while others manufactured entire firearms from new parts, which may or may not be of the same quality as the originals. These copies were marketed to the general public and police agencies but were not made for or used by the U.S. military.<ref>{{cite web |title=THE M1 CARBINE OWNER'S GUIDE - |url=https://scott-duff.com/product/the-m1-carbine-owners-guide/}}</ref>{{Page needed|date=February 2021}}

In 1963, firearms designer Col. Melvin M. Johnson developer of the [[Engineering:M1941 Johnson rifle|M1941 Johnson rifle]] offered a conversion of US Military M1 carbines to his new Johnson MMJ 5.7mm Spitfire cartridge, while also introducing a newly manufactured version of the M1 carbine called the "Spitfire" made by his Johnson Arms, Inc. business that was designed and built specifically for this new 5.7&nbsp;mm (.22&nbsp;in) wildcat cartridge (also known as the 5.7&nbsp;mm MMJ or .22 Spitfire).<ref name="BAR"/>  The Spitfire was advertised firing a 40-grain (2.6 g) bullet with a muzzle velocity of 3050&nbsp;ft/s (930&nbsp;m/s), though handloaders with careful selection of modern powders and appropriate bullets consistently safely exceed those numbers while remaining within the M1 carbine's maximum pressure rating of 38,500 psi (265 MPa).<ref name="BAR">{{cite book|url=https://www.abebooks.com/9780873491785/Cartridges-World-Complete-Illustrated-Reference-0873491785/plp |author1=Barnes, Frank C. |title=Cartridges of the World| location=Iola, WI |publisher=DBI Books Inc. |isbn=978-0-87349-033-7 |edition=6th |date=1997 |pages=52,127}}</ref>  In comparison, the "standard" load for the .30 Carbine has a .30 Carbine ball bullet weighing 110 grains (7.1 g); a complete loaded round weighs 195 grains (12.6 g) and has a muzzle velocity of 1,990&nbsp;ft/s (610&nbsp;m/s), giving it 967&nbsp;ft⋅lbf (1,311 joules) of energy when fired from the M1 carbine's 18-inch barrel.<ref name="BAR"/>

Johnson advertised the smaller caliber and the modified carbine as a survival rifle for use in jungles or other remote areas. It provided for light, easily carried ammunition in a light, fast handling carbine with negligible recoil. While the concept had some military application when used for this role in the selective-fire M2 carbine, it was not pursued, and few Spitfire carbines were made.

[[File:M1 carbine kahr.jpg|thumb|left|An Auto-Ordnance AOM-130 carbine manufactured in 2007]]

More recently, the Auto-Ordnance division of Kahr Arms began production of an M1 carbine replica in 2005 based on the typical M1 carbine as issued in 1944, without the later adjustable sight or barrel band with bayonet lug. The original Auto-Ordnance had produced various parts for IBM carbine production during World War II, but did not manufacture complete carbines until the introduction of this replica.  The AOM110 and AOM120 models (no longer produced) featured birch stocks and handguards, [[Engineering:Parkerizing|Parkerized]] receivers, flip-style rear sights and barrel bands without bayonet lugs.  The current AOM130 and AOM140 models are identical except for American walnut stocks and handguards.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.auto-ordnance.com/ao_aom110_f.html|title=Auto-Ordnance M1 Carbines |website=Auto-Ordnance.com |publisher=Kahr Arms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060503052627/http://www.auto-ordnance.com/ao_aom110_f.html |archive-date=2006-05-03 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://americanrifleman.org/ArticlePage.aspx?id=1699&cid=4|title=M1 Carbine|magazine=American Rifleman|access-date=29 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911131832/http://www.americanrifleman.org/ArticlePage.aspx?id=1699&cid=4|archive-date=11 September 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2014, Inland Manufacturing, LLC in Dayton, Ohio introduced the reproduction of the "Inland M1 carbine".  Inland Manufacturing, LLC is a private entity that is producing reproductions of the M1 carbine and M1A1 paratrooper models that were built by the original Inland Division of General Motors from 1941 to 1945.  The new Inland M1 carbines feature many of the same characteristics of the original Inland carbines and are manufactured in the US.  The M1 carbine is modeled after the last production model that Inland manufactured in 1945 and features a Type 3 bayonet lug and barrel band, adjustable rear sights, push button safety, round bolt, and "low wood" walnut stock, and a 15-round magazine.  A 30-round mag catch was utilized to allow high-capacity magazines. A "1944" M1 carbine is also available that has the same features as the 1945 only with a Type 2 barrel Band and 10-round magazine and is available for sale in most states with magazine capacity and bayonet lug restrictions. The M1A1 is modeled after a late production 1944 M1A1 paratrooper model with a folding "low wood" walnut stock, Type two barrel band, and includes the same adjustable sights which were actually introduced in 1944.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tactical-life.com/firearms/inland-manufacturing-m1-carbines|title=Inland Manufacturing Releases 'American Classic' M1 Carbines|author=Robert A. Sadowski|work=Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews|access-date=29 October 2015|date=2014-10-13}}</ref>

An Israeli arms company (Advanced Combat Systems) offers a modernized [[Engineering:Bullpup|bullpup]] variant called the Hezi SM-1. The company claims accuracy of 1.5 MOA at {{convert|100|yd}}.<ref name=
"Hezi_SM-1">{{cite web|url=http://securityarms.com/20010315/galleryfiles/2800/2803.htm|title=ACS (ADVANCED COMBAT SYSTEMS Ltd.) Hezi SM-1|date=15 March 2001 |website= SecurityArms.com |access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>

=== Commercial manufacturers ===
* Alpine of Azusa, Calif.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.M1CarbinesInc.com/carbine_alpine.html|title=Alpine|publisher=Post WWII Commercially Manufactured M1 Carbines (U.S.A.)|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>
* AMAC of Jacksonville, Ark. (acquired Iver Johnson Arms)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.M1CarbinesInc.com/carbine_amac.html|title=AMAC M1 Carbine|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>
* AMPCO of Miami, Fla.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.M1CarbinesInc.com/carbine_ampco.html|title=AMPRO|publisher=Post WWII Commercially Manufactured M1 Carbines (U.S.A.)|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>
* Auto-Ordnance
* Bullseye Gun Works of Miami, Fla.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.M1CarbinesInc.com/carbine_bullseye.html|title=Bullseye Gun Works|publisher=Post WWII Commercially Manufactured M1 Carbines (U.S.A.)|location=Miami, Florida |access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>
* ERMA's Firearms Manufacturing of Steelville, MO.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.M1CarbinesInc.com/carbine_ermas.html|title=Erma's Firearms Manufacturing Co |publisher=Post WWII Commercially Manufactured M1 Carbines (U.S.A.)|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>
* Erma Werke of Dachau, Bavaria serviced carbines used by the West German police post World War II.  Manufactured replacement parts for the same carbines. Manufactured .22 replica carbines for use as training rifles for police in West Germany and Austria and for commercial export worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.BavarianM1Carbines.com|title=U.S. Carbines during the American Occupation of Germany and Austria|website=Bavarian M1 Carbines.com|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.M1CarbinesInc.com/carbine_em1.html|title=Erma WerkeThe ERMA-Werke Model E M1 .22 LR Self-Loading Rimfire Rifle|website=ERMA-Werke |location=Dachau, Bavaria|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>
* Federal Ordnance of South El Monte, Calif.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.M1CarbinesInc.com/carbine_fedord.html|title=Federal Ordnance|publisher=Post WWII Commercially Manufactured M1 Carbines (U.S.A.)|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>
* Fulton Armory of Savage, MD<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fulton-armory.com/m1-carbine.aspx|title=The Fulton Armory M1 Carbine |work=Fulton Armory|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>
* Global Arms<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.M1CarbinesInc.com/carbine_global.html|title=Global Arms|publisher=Post WWII Commercially Manufactured M1 Carbines (U.S.A.)|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>
* H&S of Plainfield, NJ (Haas & Storck, predecessor of Plainfield Machine)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.M1CarbinesInc.com/carbine_hs.html|title=H&S M1 Carbine|publisher=Post WWII Commercially Manufactured M1 Carbines (U.S.A.)|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>
* Howa of Nagoya, Japan, made carbines and parts for the post-World War II Japanese and Thai militaries, and limited numbers of a hunting rifle version<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.M1CarbinesInc.com/carbine_howa.html|title=HOWA M1 Carbine|publisher=Post WWII Commercially Manufactured M1 Carbines (U.S.A.)|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>
* Inland Manufacturing of Dayton, Ohio<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inland-mfg.com/About-Inland/about-Inland.html|title=About Inland Manufacturing|publisher=Post WWII Commercially Manufactured M1 Carbines (U.S.A.)|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>
* Israel Arms International (IAI) of Houston, Texas assembled carbines from parts from other sources<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.M1CarbinesInc.com/carbine_iai.html|title=Israel Arms International|publisher=Post WWII Commercially Manufactured M1 Carbines (U.S.A.)|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>
* The Iver Johnson Arms of Plainfield, NJ and later Jacksonville, Ark., (acquired M1 carbine operations of Plainfield Machine) and followed the lead of Universal in producing a pistol version called the "Enforcer".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.M1CarbinesInc.com/carbine_ij.html|title=Iver Johnson Arms|publisher=Post WWII Commercially Manufactured M1 Carbines (U.S.A.)|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>
* Johnston-Tucker of St. Louis, Mo.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.M1CarbinesInc.com/carbine_johstontucker.html |title=Johnston-Tucker M1 Carbine|publisher=Post WWII Commercially Manufactured M1 Carbines (U.S.A.)}}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* Millvile Ordnance (MOCO) of Union, N.J. (predecessor of H&S)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.M1CarbinesInc.com/carbine_millville.html|title=Millville Ordnance Company|publisher=Post WWII Commercially Manufactured M1 Carbines (U.S.A.)|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>
* National Ordnance of Azusa, Calif. and later South El Monte, Calif.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.M1CarbinesInc.com/carbine_natord.html|title=National Ordnance M1 Carbine|publisher=Post WWII Commercially Manufactured M1 Carbines (U.S.A.)|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>
* NATO of Atlanta, GA<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.M1CarbinesInc.com/carbine_nato.html|title=NATO M1 Carbine|publisher=Post WWII Commercially Manufactured M1 Carbines (U.S.A.)|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>
* Plainfield Machine Company of Plainfield, N.J. and later Middlesex, N.J. (P.O. Box in Dunellen, N.J.), M1 Carbine manufacture later purchased and operated by Iver Johnson<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.M1CarbinesInc.com/carbine_plainfield.html|title=Plainfield Machine Co.|publisher=Post WWII Commercially Manufactured M1 Carbines (U.S.A.)|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>
* Rock Island Armory of Geneseo, Ill.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.M1CarbinesInc.com/carbine_ria.html |title=Rock Island Armory M1 Carbine|publisher=Post WWII Commercially Manufactured M1 Carbines (U.S.A.) }}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* Rowen, Becker Company of Waterville, Ohio<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.M1CarbinesInc.com/carbine_rb.html |title=Rowen Becker M1 Carbine|publisher=Post WWII Commercially Manufactured M1 Carbines (U.S.A.) }}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* Springfield Armory of Geneseo, Ill.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.M1CarbinesInc.com/carbine_springfield.html|title=Springfield Armory, Inc.|publisher=Post WWII Commercially Manufactured M1 Carbines (U.S.A.)|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>
* Texas Armament Co. of Brownwood, Tex.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.M1CarbinesInc.com/carbine_texarm.html |title=Texas Armaments M1 Carbine|publisher=Post WWII Commercially Manufactured M1 Carbines (U.S.A.)}}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
* Tiroler Sportwaffenfabrik und Apparatenbau GmbH of Kugstein, Austria manufactured an air rifle that looked and operated like the M1 carbine for use in training by Austria and West Germany.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.M1CarbinesInc.com/carbine_tyrol.html|title=Tiroler Sportwaffenfabrik und Apparatenbau GmbH|website=Post WWII Commercially Manufactured M1 Carbines (U.S.A.) |location=Kufstein, Austria| access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>
* Universal Firearms of Hialeah, Fla. – Early Universal guns were, like other manufacturers, assembled from USGI parts. However, beginning in 1968, the company began producing the "new carbine", which externally resembled the M1 but was in fact a completely new firearm internally, using a different receiver, bolt carrier, bolt, recoil spring assembly, etc. with almost no interchangeability with GI-issue carbines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.M1CarbinesInc.com/carbine_universal.html|title=Universal Firearms Corp.|publisher=Post WWII Commercially Manufactured M1 Carbines (U.S.A.)|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>{{clear}}  Universal was acquired by Iver Johnson in 1983 and moved to Jacksonville, Ark. in 1985.
* Williams Gun Sight of Davison, Mich. produced a series of 50 sporterized M1 carbines<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.M1CarbinesInc.com/carbine_williams.html|title=Williams Gun Sight M1 Carbines|publisher=Post WWII Commercially Manufactured M1 Carbines (U.S.A.)|access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>

==Hunting and civilian use==
[[File:Patty Hearst- Hibernia bank robbery.jpg|right|148px|thumb|Patty Hearst holding a M1 "Enforcer" carbine during her infamous bank robbery attempt]]

Some U.S. states prohibit use of the .30 Carbine cartridge for hunting deer and larger animals due to a lessened chance of killing an animal in a single shot, even with expanding bullets. The M1 carbine is also prohibited for hunting in several states such as Pennsylvania<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pgc.pa.gov/HuntTrap/Law/Pages/HuntingandTrappingDigest.aspx|title=Hunting & Trapping Digest|website=Commonwealth of Pennsylvania}}</ref> because of the semi-automatic function, and Illinois<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dnr.state.il.us/admin/systems/Digest/Digest.pdf |title=Illinois: Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2007–2008, Statewide Deer Hunting Information|publisher=Illinois Department of Natural Resources|page=11
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227160129/http://dnr.state.il.us/admin/systems/Digest/Digest.pdf |archive-date=2008-02-27 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> which prohibits all non-muzzleloading rifles for big game hunting. Five-round magazines are commercially made for use in states that limit the capacity of semi-automatic hunting rifles.

The M1 carbine was also used by various law enforcement agencies and prison guards, and was prominently carried by riot police during the civil unrest of the late 1960s and early 1970s; until it was replaced in those roles by more modern .223 caliber semi-automatic rifles such as the Ruger Mini-14 and the Colt AR-15-type rifles in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

The ease of use and great adaptability of the weapon led to it being used by Malcolm X and Patty Hearst. Both were featured in famous news photographs carrying a version the carbine. One of these firearms was also the weapon used in the 1947 assassination of notorious American mobster Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel.

==See also==
* List of U.S. Army weapons by supply catalog designation SNL B-28

==Notes==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
* Barnes, Frank C., ''Cartridges of the World'', Iola, WI: DBI Books Inc., {{ISBN|0-87349-033-9}}, {{ISBN|978-0-87349-033-7}}, (6th ed., 1989).
* {{cite magazine|author=Canfield, Bruce N. |title=A New Lease on Life: The Post-World War II M1 Carbine |magazine=American Rifleman |date=June 2007}}
* Dunlap, Roy F. ''Ordnance  Up Front'', Plantersville, SC: Small-Arms Technical Pub. Co., The Samworth Press, {{ISBN|1-884849-09-1}} (1948).
* George, John (Lt. Col.), ''Shots Fired In Anger'', (Second Edition, enlarged), Washington, D.C.: NRA Press, {{ISBN|0-935998-42-X}}, 9780935998429 (1981).
* Hufnagl, Wolfdieter. ''U.S.Karabiner M1 Waffe und Zubehör'', Motorbuchverlag, 1994.
* [http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/history/year_1978.html IBM Archives]
* [http://libraryautomation.com/nymas/changjinjournal.html Korean War cold weather malfunctions]
* Laemlein, Tom., ''The M1 Carbine''.  Stamford, CT: Historical Archive Press, 2006.  {{ISBN|0-9748389-2-6}} {{OCLC|82494967}}
* Marshall, S.L.A., ''Commentary on Infantry and Weapons in Korea 1950–51'', 1st Report ORO-R-13, ''Project Doughboy'', Report ORO-R-13 of 27 October 1951 [Restricted], Operations Research Office (ORO), U.S. Army (1951).{{ISBN|0-935856-02-1}}, {{ISBN|978-0-935856-02-6}} (1988).
* United States Government.  Departments of the Army and Air Force.  ''TM 9-1305-200/TO 11A13-1-101 Small-Arms Ammunition''.  Washington, DC: Departments of the Army and Air Force, 1961.
* ''U.S. Army Catalog of Standard Ordnance Items''. Second Edition 1944, Volume III, p.&nbsp;419
* Weeks, John, ''World War II Small Arms'', London: Orbis Publishing Ltd. and New York: Galahad Books, {{ISBN|0-88365-403-2}}, {{ISBN|978-0-88365-403-3}} (1979).
* Riesch, Craig, ''U.S. M1 Carbines, Wartime Production'' (8th Edition),  North Cape Publications, 2019. {{ISBN|1882391543}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{commons|M1 Carbine}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111203145403/http://kmike.com/M1/TM9-1276_1947.pdf US Army M1 Carbine Technical Manual]
* {{cite magazine|magazine=Popular Science|author=Bonnier Corporation|title=Lightweight Carbine Increases Firepower|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RicDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA79|date=June 1942|publisher=Bonnier Corporation|pages=79–80}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051208060137/http://www.rt66.com/~korteng/SmallArms/m1carbin.htm M1 Carbine Article]
* [http://www.olive-drab.com/od_other_firearms_rifle_m1carbine.php3 M1 Carbine Family: M1, M1A1, M2, M3]
* [http://www.rawles.to/M1_Carbine_Mag_FAQ.html The M1/M2 Carbine Magazine FAQ]
* [http://www.90thidpg.us/Reference/Reference.html 90th Reference manual page including FM 23-7 Carbine, 1942 manual]
* [http://www.90thidpg.us/Equipment/Articles/index.html Articles page including information on blank adapting the M1 carbine]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070827172534/http://world.guns.ru/rifle/rfl08-e.htm M1 Carbine page at Modern Firearms]
* [http://worldbayonets.com/Bayonet_Identification_Guide/m4_thru_m7_series/m4_m7_series_p1.html M1 Carbine Bayonet (M4 Bayonet-Knife)]


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[[Category:Police weapons]]

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