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From: wdo@inel.gov (william d orr)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: .30 cal carbine (was Re: Long gun for rural property advice request)
Message-ID: <35592@mimsy.umd.edu>
Date: 14 Jun 91 00:56:23 GMT
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In article <35510@mimsy.umd.edu> MEDELMA@cms.cc.wayne.edu (Michael Edelman) writes:
#The M1 Carbine is very good at doing what it's supposed to do. It's not
#a marksman's rifle, or a sniper's weapon, or anything like that. It
#was conceived as an alternative to the sidearm for non-infantry troops.
#The cartridge has ballistics similar to the .357- i.e., a hot handgun
#round. Given the choice of reaching for my .357 or my carbine in a tight
#situtation, I'd grab the carbine with a couple of 30 round magazines.
#IMHO, of course.           --mike

Your explanation of the purpose of the M1 Carbine is right on the money.
Specifiically it was a replacement for the M1911 45 Calibre pistol for 
infantry officers.  At the time it was a problem that few infantry officers 
could hit anything at all with the stock mil .45 so it was viewed that a 
short barrel easy to aim carbine would be the likely answer over the M1 Garrand.

Bill