The M1 Rifle: The Gun the Army Didn't Want to Give Up

The M-1, and the M-14. two superb weapons.

The M1 carbine is a nice little weapon-I often covet my father in law's, and love my K98 carbine. Still, my 17" 5.56 is the weapon I'd most likely pick up, all things being equal. I think there's a tendency to prefer what we trained with/carried actively... and that makes sense. In the same manner, if what we carried in the Service failed us (I still know many Vietnam era veterans who hate the M-16 A1, and I'm not a big fan of the M9), it's not surprising that we'd look at the weapons of the Greatest Generation with admiration. For me, the M4 was "our M1 carbine"; it was shorter than the A2, reliable (with good ammo), and was designed to incorporate the AN/PEQ-10 which in conjunction with decent NVGs (and training) made night a force multiplier. Debates over "stopping power" and "capacity" will go on forever... but with the "black rifle" hitting it's sixth decade of service... I think there's a good chance it will one day be viewed with the same reverence.

Kinda like your favorite sweatshirt...so comfortable but maybe not the best choice anymore.