From: hudson@ualr.edu
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: M1 Carbine questions
Date: 20 Nov 92 22:33:11 GMT
Organization: University of Arkansas at Little Rock

In article <1992Nov19.204833.27089@spectrum.xerox.com>, matthews@xerox.com (Dave Matthews) writes:
# I have pretty much decided that my next toy is going to be a semi auto rifle.  I will be buying it before
# Slick takes the oath of office.  It will be used as a plinker/truck gun.  The choices have come down to
# the SKS and the M1 Carbine because toy budget has taken a beating lately. The carbine is winning
# because it has better sights, removable mags,and probably won't get banned as quickly thus better
# long term parts availability.   Since I reload the ammo cost difference between 7.62x39 and .30 Carbine
# is on the order of 2-3 cents per round for plinkers.  I am also assuming that Chinese 7.62x39 will go 
# up in price or stop being imported if SKS/AK type rifles are banned.  

You can't reload anywhere near the price of the NORINCO chinese FMJ stuff, 
for plinking, and it's reasonably accurate.  I have both a carbine and an 
SKS, and I shoot the SKS most because it's cheap and accurate (enough).  
Also, if you might HUNT with the gun, get the SKS.  It can do a good job on 
deer, the carbine is very marginal in that case.

# I have been told that the M1 carbine in not very accurate - but nobody has defined what not very
# accurate means.  Are they good enough to hit a woodchuck at 100 yards?  

It is not a long range rifle, but reasonable accuracy to 100 yards is 
easily seen.  I think that the SKS has a little edge in the accuracy 
department on the carbine.

# Will 30 round mags work with the M1 carbine magazine catch or do I need to upgrade it to the M2 catch?

My carbine seems to have the M2 catch already on it.  Most of the carbines 
have been rebuilt several times, and M2 parts are very common (why bother 
to stock both M2 and M1 parts when they interchange, so the U.S. Army made 
the M1 parts obsolete).

# Any pet loads?  The books all seem to list about 12-14 grains of 2400 with 100-110 grain bullets.

Take care using the powders, H110, Herc 2400, etc... since they are in the 
funny category that don't like light charges either...

# The current price seems to be about $140 + shipping + $10 for paper work.  Does anybody know of any
# better deals or want to make a private sale on a shootable carbine?  

This is about right, $139.00 wholesale...

# Is there any reason to go with an SKS over the M1 carbine?

Cheaper ammo, a little better accuracy, and you can hunt deer "properly".
However, the M1 Carb is more "fun", has better sights, is smaller and 
lighter (didn't you mention "truck gun"??) and is more like an assault 
rifle in that it has removable mags.

# Dave 	(Matthews@Xerox.Com will not work for incoming mail.  Please use DMatt.Henr801h@Xerox.Com)

I think you will like either one.  I bought a Carbine first, then order a 
couple of SKSs for folks, like 'em, and bought me one.  I like it, too.  
Suggestion: buy both.

One other thing, the carbine will probably look like it has been in a 
couple of wars (they were).  Expect to refinish the wood.  Metal will 
usually be in good shape.
___________________________________________________________

Keith Hudson		hudson%eivax@ualr.edu	(best)
   N5EEZ		mkhudson@ualr.edu	(secondary)
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          University of Arkansas at Little Rock
      Department of Electronics and Instrumentation
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