M1 Carbine Straight Pull

With the exception of commercial models like the Blaser R93 in the UK, say the words straight-pull and you used to think of the generic, manually-operated (man-opp) AR15. Since then this pool has been added to by man-opp AK47/74, Ruger Mini 14 and more recently FN FALs and L1A1 SLRs. The latest addition is a resurrection of the old US M1 Carbine, produced by ITL Shooting Supplies.

Much like the latest L1A1s the M1 is produced from components from multiple weapons which were in this case sourced from Holland and Germany. However, the barrel is new, which was made for ITL by Armalon and is exact apart from the complete lack of a gas block, so it’s impossible to fit a piston and turn the gun into a section 5. I was also shown a report from the Forensic Firearms Consultancy that found the gun to be a Bona Fide section 1 firearm.

SUBSTITUTE

Without getting too historic the M1 Carbine was created as an alternative weapon to the full power, 30-06 M1 Garand, where people like mortar crews, radio operators, NCO and officers might not need a big rifle. Equally as something with a bit more range and shootability than either the Colt 1911 A1 pistol or Thompson sub machine gun, both in 45 ACP calibre. Chambered in .30 US Carbine it fired a 110-grain FMJ bullet at 1990 fps/982 ft/lbs with a quoted effective range of 300-yards. On paper it gave twice the speed and energy of the 45 ACP, but in reality did not have the stopping power, though the M1 proved easy to shoot and went on to serve for many years after WW II.

So I wonder where this little rifle and cartridge would fit in? For me as a historic shooter the attraction is obvious and had I the money I would buy all examples of these military-type straight-pulls. At club level calibres like 9mm, 45 ACP & Colt, 38/357 Magnum, 44 Magnum and to a lesser extent .30 Carbine have all been offered in lever-action, straight-pull and bolt-action mechanisms. Both Armalon and Southern Gun Co offer their own .30s which have proved popular for Gallery Rifle events as well as general use. However, as we shall see the ITL M1 Carbine rather sits in a class alone.

GOOD JOB BUT…

The receiver is made by Inland Division with the barrel being designed, manufactured, headspaced and fitted by Pete Sarony’s Armalon Ltd, they also refinished the components. ITL supplied two stocks, a modern Chiappa copy of the standard furniture, and the M1A1 side-folding airborne unit. Fit and finish is good with all metal components being well blacked. The only exception to this were the sights, which had obviously come from a parts bin and though authentic had not been finished to the same standard. The Chiappa woodwork shows too much bulge in the belly of the forend and like their 22 M1 Carbine repro fit in certain places is not amazing!

On a personal note I was disappointed to see that the rifle did not show the bayonet bar and adjustable aperture rear sight. The first just makes the M1 look right and the second is much preferable, certainly to a civilian shooter as it’s easy to adjust. Instead this rifle came with the L-shaped aperture that gives 200 and 300-yard settings. Here windage is accomplished by drifting it left or right, but there’s no elevation correction available! The action uses a twin-lug rotary bolt; to cycle a just pull back on the cocking handle and let it go.

Just by the cocking hook is a manual bolt hold open plunger. The safety is a 2-position lever at the right/front of the trigger guard it’s flipped parallel with the barrel to FIRE and pushed up to 90° for SAFE. Just in front of this is the cross bolt magazine release button. The M1A1 stock does not lock into position just pulls out and is retained by spring pressure, as is the original. It gives the gun a certain look and I found it easy to shoot with!

SMALL BUT

Calibre aside the M1 Carbine is a decidedly small and compact rifle and for a gun that was probably much carried and little shot by comparison it must have been a joy to have over the big and heavy M1 Garand! In terms of feel and handling the nearest thing you could compare to it is Ruger’s 10/22 and Mini 14, which doubtless took some inspiration from the M1 carbine.

In military service the original M1 was joined later by the M2 a full auto/selective fire version that used a 30-round magazine. The M3 mounted an infra red sniper scope and is perhaps most famous as one of the first dedicated night vision rifle set ups! In TV circles it was doubtless the inspiration for the T.H.R.U.S.H. gun from the Man from Uncle spy series. Though perhaps now eclipsed by the generic AR15 the M1 Carbine was always a popular gun in the US with sports shooters and there were and still probably are a lot accessories for it.

The standard magazine is a double column, 15-shot box. Like the Mini 14 there’s no need to be adding extended cocking handles etc., as the M1 is naturally laid out with the right hander in mind. Just push in the mag until it locks, pull back and release the operating rod and you are ready. Pull the trigger then cycle the action to carry on. The short, slightly tapered straight wall rimless case does not give any primary extraction problems, equally recoil is mild. There is no automatic last round hold open, so the bolt closes on an empty chamber. It is possible to pull back on the operating handle and push down on the ‘hold open’ plunger to lock the action open.

Like all the M1 Carbines I have handled this system quickly wears and the slightest knock tends to close the action. ITL supplied two sorts of ammo both 110-grain, round-nosed, military specification FMJ from Remington and PPU of Serbia. So it was then down to the range to see what it could do.

IRON SIGHTER ONLY

Though not a problem to a classic shooter like myself the M1 is on the surface an iron sights only proposition! There’s no provision for fixing a scope of any type without doing some work, though I have seen adverts in the States for scout-type barrel mounts and rails for the receiver. This is definitely where Armalon’s PC Carbine and Southern Gun Co’s LA30 score in the competitive edge department as fitting optics is not an issue.

Accuracy was surprisingly good, which I put down to the Armalon barrel! Off a bag at 100-yard with either ammo the M1 was holding an easy 2”. Very good for a military iron sighter as I normally consider 4” a yardstick. Typically the gun shot high, as the lowest setting on the L-flip is set for 200-yards. Here the PPU shot nearest to POA being just 3” high, whereas the Remington was a good 6”. However, group sizes were near identical.

Research showed this was how that sight was originally set up with the shooter being taught that at 100-yards this POI (point of impact) variation made little to no difference in a combat situation. Equally it could be accounted for by aiming slightly lower!

LITTLE BEAUTY

The M1 is light, pointable and very shootable, offering minimum recoil and a smooth and reliable action and to date I’d say it’s the most well behaved straight-pull I’ve had the pleasure to use. Given my shooting interests I welcome the M1 Carbine, however I think it’s overly expensive for what it is. On pistol ranges with factory ammo you have to make sure .30 Carbine did not exceed the range energy spec too. If you’re thinking of getting one then you’ll need to apply for a variation for 30 M1.

ITL later informed that they do have mounts for the M1, which would doubtless make it more appealing and for that matter practical to potential buyers. After all if it will shoot 2” @ 100-yards with the iron sights then it’s bound to be a tack driver with a scope. They also offer slings, oil bottles and bags, and you can get the bayonet bar and adjustable sights on request.