Auto-Ordnance M1 Carbine (.30 Carbine)
Kim du Toit
January 17, 2007
6:13 AM CDT
One of the things that has been bugging me recently is that the prices of the venerable M1 Carbine have been rocketing. As one who owns an example of same, that wouldn’t be much of a concern (always nice to see yer gun appreciate in value), but fer goshsakes: an M1 Carbine for close to a thousand dollars?
I don’ theenk so, Lucy.
Fortunately, since late 2005 Auto-Ordnance has been coming to the rescue with a faithful reproduction of the M1 Carbine:
It comes with either a birch- or walnut stock and a 15-round mag (unless you live in GFW California, where it’s only available with a 10-rounder). Pay no attention to the orange plastic thingy on the bolt charger: it’s just a shipping cover.
The new Auto-Ordnance M1 Carbine sells for about $650 (still expensive, but not too bad for a brand-new semi-auto rifle, really). I’d like to get one someday, because Daughter has all but appropriated mine.
It’s too bad they’re not available for a realistic market price (about $350), because I could see myself buying a bunch and putting them all over the place, especially in the truck/trunk, just in case.
Oh, and for those who’ve heard that the .30 Carbine cartridge is a weenie, I’d beg to differ. In fact, loaded with softpoints (like these by Remington), that 110gr bullet is ballistically on a par with a same-sized .357 Magnum bullet at anywhere up to 100 yards. And at about 6lbs fully loaded, the M1 Carbine is a delight to carry, and has little or no recoil to speak of. Can you spell “SHTF”, children? Thought so.
Afterthought: it would also make an excellent choice for any ladies who want to be able to shoot a semi-auto SHTF rifle, but are frightened by the typical “assault rifle” recoil.
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