After lusting for an M1 carbine for years, I finally got one. I do not love it. Somehow it lacks the good vibes I get from the Garand or AR15. However, it is cute, simple, light and doesn't kick. All that makes it a great gun to lend people who are new to shooting but would like to try something other than a .22
It truly is a 1940s attempt to make a "Glock" - a simple, no-frills reliable sidearm which can be mastered with only a bit of training. It is the straight-forward operation that makes it so unexciting...unlike, say, an FN49 or a 1903 or any number of other designs that require more attention from the user. The carbine is just load, rack, bang-bang-bang, drop the mag, load, rack, bang. Simple and suited for the purpuse...and handy inside my crammed flat. I like it better than Ruger/Hi-point/Marlin/Keltec carbines. Pity mine is a new one with metal handguard...would have liked wood better for looks.
Won't let go of mine...for if I do, the longing for it will be back. It is a true classic and makes a fine little brother to the Garand. Now if I could only get a 1911, a Tommygun, a BAR, an M3, a Johnson (ugly!) and an M2 .50, I'd be all set...then again, a 1903 and a 30BMG wouldn't hurt, either.