What size groups would you expect from a new civilian M1 Carbine?

Answer 1

Bound's hubby here:

The M1 Carbine has never been viewed as a highly accurate rifle. In fact, the 100/110 grain FMJ Round nosed bullet actually detracts from its accuracy potential!

When I bought my Iver Johnson, back when owning a carbine was relatively unregulated and legal in the Socialist Republic of New Jersey, I was a bit amazed at how inaccurate it was! I would not be surprised if you were to see consistent 8-10" groups at 100 yards. My carbine will not shoot to the sights, since the rear sight is off-set ... I am awaiting to install a new WWII style flip sight.

Bottom line, do not expect minute of angle accuracy from a carbine ... a target rifle it is not!

Good luck!

EDITED TO ADD: The Iver Johnson I am referring to was the deluxe version of the new, 1990s vintage NEW M1 Carbine. Unlike the Auto-Ordinance, the commercial version of the IJ was a continuation of the carbine line started in WWII. However, this M1 Carbine did start with all new parts, nothing was used GI ... and was kept to GI tolerances, unlike the version manufactured by Plainfield Machine Co.

Answer 2

The M1 Carbine is kind of a freak. It's not really a "carbine" because a carbine is a short rifle firing a real rifle round.

It was designed to replace the 1911 .45 ACP pistol for officers and rear troops. This never happened but it was adopted and loved by the men who had to carry them.

As such, it actually fires a modified pistol round and has poor range, flight trajectory and accuracy. It also has very poor stopping power.

Despite all this, the GIs of WWII loved them because they were so light and you could get 30 round mags. They proved themselves in urban warfare and were very good for airborne troops and truck drivers and artillery guys.

On a real good day, from a bench rest, you might get some 5 or 6 inch groups at 100 meters. By comparison a Swiss K31 Carbine firing 7.5mm Swiss ammo can do a 1.25 inch group. At 300 yards, forget about hitting anything with the 30cal Carbine.

Answer 3

Whoa, slow down guys.. The asker must be asking about the new Auto-Ordnance M1 Carbine (hence, "NEW" and "civilian" in the question).

This isn't your WWII M1 Iver-Johnson or Winchester.. The A-O M1 is made from all new parts, with new and better barrels.

According to American Rifleman, the new M1 made by Auto-Ordnance in Worcester, MA held 2" groups at 100 yards.

Read the review here:
http://www.auto-ordnance.com/pr_ar0506.html

The .30 carbine round was never intended to be a long range knock down "rifle" (it is a CARBINE after all). It was meant to be used within 100 yards ideally. In that range, and especially in close quarters (buildings), the carbine holds its own. The round at close ranges is similar (actually superior) to a .357 in ballistics - using soft-nose rounds will give you energy transfer, instead of the FMJ military rounds.

The 100 yards trajectory of a 110gr .30 carbine is FLAT.

http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/ballistics/results/default.aspx?type=centerfire&cal=25

Compare .30 carbine velocities at 100 yds, ft lbs of energy, and trajectory (up above link) to a .357 (below).

http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/ballistics/results/default.aspx?type=pistol&cal=5

I don't think this little carbine deserves the bad rap it gets... Its not a Garand and wasn't meant to be. Sure beats a .45 though.

Answer 4

Check out some enthusiast websites like perfectunion.com for tuning info. You may find that you need to bed the stock, do some trigger polishing, and torque the barrel band to get the best groups. Also try different kinds of ammo, results can vary widely. With the correct ammo you should be able to get under 2"
Also you will probably want to get an Ultimak scout mount if you want to put glass on it.

Answer 5

I'm just going to take a wild guess since no one else has chimed-in. I'm no M1 shooter, but I'd guess that you'd be doing well to shoot a fist-sized group, open sights, at 100 yards. The gun itself is probably capable of 2" or less groups at 100 yards.

Answer 6

1 inch at 100 yds on a bench rest.