M1 carbine

The History of US M1 Carbine

The M1 Carbine holds an important place in firearm history, as it is often regarded as the first precursor to the personal defense weapon (PDW) concept. During World War II, it became an essential tool for rear lines and specialized troops. The need for a short, semi-automatic rifle was first identified by the US Ordnance Department in 1938, leading to the commencement of the M1 Carbine's development in 1940. Various prototypes were presented for evaluation in 1941, all of which initially failed to meet the Ordnance Department's standards. In response to these initial rejections, Winchester Repeating Arms Company proposed a new design, using the framework of the G30 M2 rifle, transforming its design into a more compact form, and switching to the .30 caliber. This prototype proved to be very successful, leading to a formal request for submission in September 1941 with its official approval as the M1 Carbine on October 22 of the same year. The manufacturing and first deliveries of the M1 Carbine to the troops commenced in 1942.

US M1 Carbine Review

The M1 Carbine is gas-powered and uses a short-stroke tappet mechanism positioned within the gas block. This mechanism exerts minimal force on the operating rod or slide, with the cycling action being sustained by inertia once the slide disengages from the tappet. A key component of the M1 Carbine is its rotating bolt mechanism, which is structurally very similar to the M1 Garand. This design marks an improvement over Ed Browning's earlier tilting bolt concept. Contrary to some beliefs, the M1 Carbine is not simply a smaller version of the M1 Garand, despite sharing a similar bolt design. The gas system is different on the Garand, meaning that the parts between the two are not interchangeable. Most metal components on the M1 Carbine are finished with grey phosphate. Initially, standard models featured blued bolts and magazines.

The carbine's structure also includes the integration of bayonet lugs with Type 3 bands, introduced later during World War II. To disassemble the bolt, the slide is pulled back and lifted from its track on the right side of the receiver. The trigger assembly is held in place by a simple cross pin found forward of the magazine well. The M1 Carbine uses double-stack steel magazines, available in 15 or 30-round capacities. The 15-round models were more common during WWII, as the curved magazines for the 30-round capacity were not introduced until the later models in 1945. Sighting on the M1 Carbine consists of a protected front post and a basic twin aperture rear peep sight, typical of most WWII-era carbines. The trigger system of the carbine is a single-stage design, typically breaking at a pull weight of approximately 2950 g (6.5 lbs). Most models manufactured during the war featured a safety push button located just behind the magazine release.

US M1 Carbine, chambered for 7.62×33

Figure 1: US M1 Carbine, chambered for 7.62×33 (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.30_Carbine)

US M1 Calibers

The rifle can be chambered for the following calibers:

7.62x33

US M1 Variants

The rifle is available in the following variants:

US Carbine M1A1
US Carbine M1A2
US Carbine M1A3
US Carbine M2
US Carbine M2A1
US Carbine M2A2
US Carbine M3

The receivers of US M1 Carbine usually come without holes so in order to install scope mounts, they should be manually drilled on the sides by a gunsmith.

The receiver of US M1 Carbine, chambered for 7.62×33

Figure 2: The receiver of US M1 Carbine, chambered for 7.62×33 (Source: https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/military-rifles---m1-carbine/saginaw-s-g-division--u-s--model-m1-carbine.cfm?gun_id=102401689#lg-5)

Scope Mounts Interchangeable With US M1 Carbine

Rifles That Have One-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With US M1 Carbine

For one-piece mounts to fit on a rifle, mounting surfaces on these rifles must match in every dimension.

Rifles That Have Two-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With US M1 Carbine

To meet interchangeability conditions, two-piece mounts must match in all dimensions except the B distance. B distance can vary because two-piece mounts can be installed and adjusted closer or further apart.

Currently, we cannot find any rifles that would match the exact dimensions of the US M1 Carbine mounting surface thus we are unable to provide you with a list of interchangeable scope mounts. Should you happen to own this rifle and would be willing to share with us more information regarding interchangeability, we kindly ask you to contact us at [email protected]

Thank you for your help!

Best Scope Mounts for US M1 Carbine

Best Detachable Scope Mounts for US M1 Carbine

Given the vintage nature of the US M1 Carbine models, finding readily available scope mounts on the market can be challenging. For those looking to equip their US M1 Carbine with a scope, this EAW lateral slide-on mount presents a suitable solution. It is made in Germany and comes with a 30-year warranty.

Help Us Build Our Riflescope Mounts Database

If you happen to own this or any other rifle, we would appreciate it if you could help us expand our database by sending us some photos of the rifle receiver (the bare mounting surface of the rifle without the scope mounts installed). For your help, our company offers a fair return in terms of practical rewards.

Please send us an email for more information. You can contact us here: [email protected]

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EAW Lateral Slide-on Mount for US M 1 Carbine, Picatinny rail

CA$672.20

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EAW Lateral Slide-on Mount for US M 1 Carbine, 26 mm

CA$784.50

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EAW Lateral Slide-on Mount for US M 1 Carbine, 30 mm

CA$800.54

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EAW Lateral Slide-on Mount for US M 1 Carbine, LM rail

CA$800.54

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There are two terms found for similar thing: quick release scope mounts and quick detach scope mounts. Term quick release scope mounts is used mostly in Europe and quick detach scope mounts is used mainly in USA, although they mean the same thing. With these terms we describe a scope mount that can be quickly removed from the rifle in the field without using any tools and quickly attached back on the rifle when needed.

Main advantages:

possibility to use multiple scopes on the rifle,
easy transportation of the scope and the rifle separately,
if scope fails, it is possible to immediately detach it and use iron sights.

FIXED vs DETACHABLE scope mounts

Fixed scope mounts are mounted to the rifle with screws and sometimes even with glue. This means that it is impossible to attach or detach the scope mount using bare hands without using tools. It also means that they are not meant for constantly being attached on or detached off the rifle. Once you screw the mount on the rifle, it normally stays there for a longer period of use.

Detachable scope mounts offer possibility to attach or detach them without using any tools. This is extremely handy while transporting the rifle and the scope separately and it also offers multiple solutions of different optics on the same rifle. Detachable scope mounts can be attached or detached from the rifle in a matter of seconds, using bare hands.

Fixed Mount

Fixed Mount

DETACHABLE vs REPEATABLE scope mounts

It is important to know and understand expressions “detachable” and “repeatable” while talking about scope mounts. Term detachable scope mounts implies scope mounts that can be quickly attached or detached without using any tools. However, when you detach this kind of mount and attach it back on the rifle, it is recommended to zero the rifle before using it again. Procedure of detaching and again attaching the mount will probably need a sighting in before next shooting, because mount will not be secured on the rifle in the perfectly same position and conditions as it was before detaching it off the rifle.

On the contrary, repeatable scope mounts are most sophisticated mounts. These scope mounts are also detachable, however – they provide removing scope from the rifle and attaching it back again without zeroing the rifle every time. This means that they are made more precisely and that they are offering a possibility of using different optical sights / scope on the same rifle. These mounts are ideal for hunters who can use optical and iron sights interchangeably, depending on the needs in different situations. With the repeatable scope mounts, it is useful to keep them oiled as well as the upper part of the rifle, so that repeatability is more ensured. With a touch of oil, the repeatability might be better, because parts of the mount will always return to their previous locations.

Different types of repeatable scope mounts:

Pivot mounts,
Dentler mounts,
Picatinny repeatable mounts,
12 mm dovetail repeatable mounts (for break barrel rifles, such as Steyr Duett, Blaser B750, Fair Combi, Fair SLX 800, Bettinsoli rifles, etc.),
Original repeatable mounts, made by manufacturers of rifles for their rifles (Blaser mount, Sauer SUM mount, Mauser M03 mount, Steyr Monoblock mount, etc.).

Repeatable Mount

Repeatable Mount

TIP OFF / ROLL OFF vs SLIDE ON mounts

Nowadays, there are a whole lot of different possibilities, made for attaching riflescopes on the rifles. There are also a lot of different expressions, having the same meaning. It is good to know that tip off and roll off mounts are basically the same thing. They represent quick release scope mounts for dovetails and rails which can be rolled or tipped off the rail vertically to the side of the rail. On the contrary, there are also slide on mounts available on the market. They represent quick release scope mounts that can be slided on or off the rail or dovetail from front or rear side of the rail / dovetail. All of these expressions are mainly used for separate rings that can be attached to the rails / dovetails. As far as functioning the rifle, it does not matter which one of these mounts you choose – tip / roll off or slide on mounts. If they are installed correctly, they are all going to work. However, the main difference between them is the principle of attaching them on rails on dovetails.

Slide On Mount vs. Roll Off Mount

Slide On Mount vs. Roll Off Mount

M1 carbine

The History of US M1 Carbine

US M1 Carbine Review

US M1 Calibers

US M1 Variants

Scope Mounts Interchangeable With US M1 Carbine

Rifles That Have One-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With US M1 Carbine

Rifles That Have Two-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With US M1 Carbine

Best Scope Mounts for US M1 Carbine

Best Detachable Scope Mounts for US M1 Carbine

Help Us Build Our Riflescope Mounts Database

EAW Lateral Slide-on Mount for US M 1 Carbine, Picatinny rail

EAW Lateral Slide-on Mount for US M 1 Carbine, 26 mm

EAW Lateral Slide-on Mount for US M 1 Carbine, 30 mm

EAW Lateral Slide-on Mount for US M 1 Carbine, LM rail

VIDEO

FIXED vs DETACHABLE scope mounts

DETACHABLE vs REPEATABLE scope mounts

TIP OFF / ROLL OFF vs SLIDE ON mounts

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M1 carbine

The History of US M1 Carbine

US M1 Carbine Review

US M1 Calibers

US M1 Variants

Scope Mounts Interchangeable With US M1 Carbine

Rifles That Have One-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With US M1 Carbine

Rifles That Have Two-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With US M1 Carbine

Best Scope Mounts for US M1 Carbine

Best Detachable Scope Mounts for US M1 Carbine

Help Us Build Our Riflescope Mounts Database

EAW Lateral Slide-on Mount for US M 1 Carbine, Picatinny rail

EAW Lateral Slide-on Mount for US M 1 Carbine, 26 mm

EAW Lateral Slide-on Mount for US M 1 Carbine, 30 mm

EAW Lateral Slide-on Mount for US M 1 Carbine, LM rail

VIDEO

FIXED vs DETACHABLE scope mounts

DETACHABLE vs REPEATABLE scope mounts

TIP OFF / ROLL OFF vs SLIDE ON mounts

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