IMI M1 Carbine worth a Mini-14?

M

mark357

New member
What do you think? I have an opportunity to get a NIB IMI M1 Carbine w/ a load of access. but would have to trade in a used stainless Mini-14 for it. Atleast I think I could trust the M1 mags better. Is it worth the effort?
 
I made the switch and never regretted it.

Stainless Ranch for an IAI carbine. Inferior round but a better rifle, more reliable and handier. However, the M1 wasn't a direct replacement, the AR15 was. M1 was a later purchase and is my fav short-range tool.
 
It totally depends on what you want to do with it. For short-range personal protection I think it's great. It's sooooo light and handy. More energy at 100 yds than a .357 at the muzzle. If you want a deer hunting round, I would use a soft-point hunting load (Winchester makes a hollowpoint, which would also be good for defense), but keep it close, say 50 yds or less. Not a bad little gun at all, I love mine. Mags are usually always reliable if in good shape, and you get either a 15 or 30 rounder. I find them at gun shows for about 10-15 bucks, which isn't bad at all.

Then again, if you want more range, more power and versatility, keep the 14.

I plan on getting a Mini-14 to add to my collection anyway, so why not both?!
 
Is the IMI M1 carbine a totally new manufactured weapon, or reconditioned??

I saw some pictures of one, they looked very nice.

I agree Mini 14 mags dont always work well... what brand works best?
 
Stock, barrel, sights, gas operation group all new. SOme other new stuff, but some remanufactures. Allparts are re-parkerized. Mine is really nice. It even has a good trigger. I read that there is 100% interchangability between this and GI guns, unlike the Iver Johnson and Universal carbine from a few years back.
 
Thanks for the quick replies. I agree w/ the majority of you guys. It'll probably end up being the wife's rifle.
 
There's a write-up in this month's American Rifleman about it. I'd like to see something from Fulton Armory first though. If it meets Mil-spec with regards to dimension, I may consider a 5.7 mm Johnson Spitfire version which was mentioned in the article. That round is suppose to be hot.
 
I checked out those sites. The old days have me spoiled, $50.00 for a mini 30 rounder! You would think I was looking for 15 rnd mags for my Browning BDM. If I keep it I'll pick a few up but the M1 carbine is looking better and better. W/ the money the mini is worth plus the cost of good mags I could pick up an AR-15. Appreciate the help guys.
 
Mark; I agree, it's a pain trying to get reliable Mini-14 mags. Don't know much about the redone 30 cal carbines on the market. Seems to me they would be pretty handy IF reliable. I've "heard" that M1 carbine 15 round mags can be unreliable but maybe somebody else can confirm this. Try somethin' different, go with the M1 carbine. Good Luck, J. Parker
 
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