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Posted: 8/4/2026 8:11:28 PM EDT
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I got the itch for both but what should I buy first a reclaimed m1 with new stock/barrel from CMP or a surplus carbine from Atlantic? Not looking for anything historical or collectible just want something different from the modern stuff I have and a fun range toy |
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OK, USA
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As stated above, the M1 Carbine is an absolute hoot to shoot. The M1 Garand is too an amazing rifle, but... it will begin to pound your shoulder after a few clips go PING. Get both. 
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A socialist may indeed be academically superior.
And yet, they are most certainly emotionally retarded.
Public education is the opiate of the masses.
And yet, they are most certainly emotionally retarded.
Public education is the opiate of the masses.
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OP, get a .308 reclaimed Garand & get it chopped to a Canada legal 18.6", 50 state + Snow Mexico legal, add a gas block and will be easier on the shoulder than an M1A. Buy ammo at any WalMart. Carbines are great guns, only have two, but banned in New Jersey, not sure if that just got overturned in their AWB reversal. Not legal in Syrupistan. Carbines are still being made. |
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Originally Posted By backbencher: OP, get a .308 reclaimed Garand & get it chopped to a Canada legal 18.6", 50 state + Snow Mexico legal... I don’t think I’ve ever bought a gun with the criteria being that I could take it to NJ or Canada. I have no desire to visit either of those places. |
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I bought an M1 Carbine from the CMP about 20 years ago when they still had some. We absolutely love that little Carbine. It's just so much fun to shoot and not nearly as costly as 30.06. Ours is a 1943 Inland that had been used by the Austrian Border Guard after WW2. Super reliable and I would trust my life to that weapon even though it's 83 years old. Another Carbine I had years ago needed a set of new springs to run reliably so you may need to do that if you get one that's not already sorted out. M1 Garands are good too if you go that way. |
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Originally Posted By glocktalk: Yeah not on my list of requirements either Originally Posted By glocktalk: Originally Posted By GarrettJ: I don’t think I’ve ever bought a gun with the criteria being that I could take it to NJ or Canada. I have no desire to visit either of those places. Yeah not on my list of requirements either Ban state travel requirements are an excuse to buy all kinds of guns you wouldn't normally own - SKS, Mini-14, etc. I don't have a particular desire to visit New Jersey, but avoiding it adds a lot of time to the drive to see my nephews in Connecticut. And I'd like to drive to Alaska some summer. |
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Originally Posted By backbencher: OP, get a .308 reclaimed Garand & get it chopped to a Canada legal 18.6", 50 state + Snow Mexico legal, add a gas block and will be easier on the shoulder than an M1A. Buy ammo at any WalMart. You ain’t bringing any gun to Canada, especially a semi-auto. Shy of hunting, there is no exemption to just bring a gun into their country. |
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Originally Posted By Screwball: You ain’t bringing any gun to Canada, especially a semi-auto. Shy of hunting, there is no exemption to just bring a gun into their country. Originally Posted By Screwball: Originally Posted By backbencher: OP, get a .308 reclaimed Garand & get it chopped to a Canada legal 18.6", 50 state + Snow Mexico legal, add a gas block and will be easier on the shoulder than an M1A. Buy ammo at any WalMart. You ain’t bringing any gun to Canada, especially a semi-auto. Shy of hunting, there is no exemption to just bring a gun into their country. It seems folks take long guns across the border all the time enroute to Alaska. |
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Buy both, of course. Both are fun to shoot. The carbine is an awesome plinker that is very controllable; kids love it. The garand is a powerhouse that always brings a smile to my face, and everyone at the range wants to shoot it. |
3-7-77
Proud Member of the Leather Head Mafia
“In my opinion, the M1 Rifle is the greatest battle implement ever devised” - George S. Patton
LETS GO REDWINGS!!!
Proud Member of the Leather Head Mafia
“In my opinion, the M1 Rifle is the greatest battle implement ever devised” - George S. Patton
LETS GO REDWINGS!!!
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Originally Posted By glocktalk: I got the itch for both but what should I buy first a reclaimed m1 with new stock/barrel from CMP or a surplus carbine from Atlantic? Not looking for anything historical or collectible just want something different from the modern stuff I have and a fun range toy BUY BOTH is the answer, of course. If you want "fun" inside 100 yards, clanging steel, blowing up water bottles, etc, the carbine will do it. If you are like me and like "the big boom!" , get the Garand. It is also fun inside 100 yards. It does amazing things to water bottles, launching them 10-20 feet in the air. Unlike the carbine, it can easily reach out for steel at 200 yards or more, much more. I wanted a carbine but bought a compact, light-weight AR, instead. |
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When I was in the Army one of my buddies bought an M1 carbine. No idea, now, what brand it was. All I remember about it was it was light and surprise to say, shot patterns like a Glock. Well, better than a Glock, but not like my M1971, 03 Springfield, or even my issue M14. I don't remember the worn out M16's we had in Basic and AIT shooting worse than the M1 Carbine. Used to walk by barrel of them in the local Rose's stores 40 years ago. Pulled on out, looked at one time. No urge to buy one. When I got a chance to get a CMP M1 Garand I bought one. Shot it, fell in love with it and bought a couple more. Ended up with seven of those before I started making gifts to the kids out of my stash. I've got two left and won't part with those. So, I don't get the M1 Carbine thing. I'll stick with the AR15 for the lightweight short carbine needs. Ammo is easy to get, magazines are easy to get, parts are easy to get and the darn things shoot nice groups with the right ammo. |
How you live your life is important. Just be sure the memory of how you died doesn't overshadow the tales of how you lived your life.
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The M1 Carbine, in perfect condition and pristine working order - will just barely function. It's just not a reliable gun, and even then will occasionally jam. Where the Garand will run, and run, and run. M1 Carbine is light and fun and totally worth every penny of it's $350 value and the 10cent ammo. At current prices of both.... not really. It's a fun gun to shoot and lots of history, but it's not a gun that naturally points on target, hits hard, hits at all even, or works that well. Get one for the history and fun, but the Garand is the better gun. If recoil is an issue, M1 Carbine. But the heavy gas operated Garand isn't the shoulder pounder of a 1903, I'll say that much! JMHO. I have both. Sold off the carbine. Fun to shoot at times. But IMHO, get the Garand. |
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Originally Posted By lazyengineer: The M1 Carbine, in perfect condition and pristine working order - will just barely function. It's just not a reliable gun, and even then will occasionally jam. Where the Garand will run, and run, and run. M1 Carbine is light and fun and totally worth every penny of it's $350 value and the 10cent ammo. At current prices of both.... not really. It's a fun gun to shoot and lots of history, but it's not a gun that naturally points on target, hits hard, hits at all even, or works that well. Get one for the history and fun, but the Garand is the better gun. If recoil is an issue, M1 Carbine. But the heavy gas operated Garand isn't the shoulder pounder of a 1903, I'll say that much! JMHO. I have both. Sold off the carbine. Fun to shoot at times. But IMHO, get the Garand. That's quite the hot take on the M1 Carbine, you must have had a bad carbine then, both of mine are fantastic. only ones I've heard of having chronic problems are the post war civilian manufactured ones. |
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Get a M1 carbine and learn how to reload. Reloading is fairly easy for 30 carbine. I reload and cast for 30-06 and 30carbine. I run reduced loads for the 30-06. You just have to find the sweet spot for bullet weight (180gr 90-5-5) and powder (faster rifle like RL10/A2230 speed), and the accuracy is fine, and the recoil goes down along with the cost. Still functions fine becuase there is still 25kpsi. My favorite is my Inland 1943 with its original barrel and FAT Birch stock, named "Blonde-ee" cuz the stock is light wood. That stock is WAY better than the walnut stocks on my other 4 carbines. The carbine is IMO better hiking and truck gun than an AR. What do I take to the forest on a walk-around? either my PM9 in a belt holster, or a marlin 795 with SSS 60 gr, or a Smith 15 in a drop holster, or a M1 carbine. And I got plenty of other to choose from. |
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