How a M1 Carbine Works

Wikipedia: The M1 carbine (formally the United States Carbine, Caliber .30, M1) is a lightweight semi-automatic carbine that was a standard firearm for the U.S. military during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. The M1 carbine was produced in several variants and was widely used by paramilitary and police forces around the world, and also became a popular civilian firearm after World War II. The M2 carbine is the selective-fire version of the M1 carbine, capable of firing in both semi-automatic and full-automatic. The M3 carbine was an M2 carbine with an active infrared scope system. Despite having a similar name and physical outward appearance, the M1 carbine is not a carbine version of the M1 Garand rifle. On July 1, 1925, the U.S. Army began using the current naming convention where the "M" is the designation for "Model" and the number represents the sequential development of equipment and weapons.[9] Therefore, the "M1 carbine" was the first carbine developed under this system. The "M2 carbine" was the second carbine developed under the system, etc. Prior to World War II, the U.S. Army Ordnance Department received reports that the full-size M1 rifle was too heavy and cumbersome for most support troops (staff, artillerymen, radiomen, etc.) to carry. During pre-war and early war field exercises, it was found that the M1 Garand impeded these soldiers' mobility, as a slung rifle would frequently catch on brush or hit the back of the helmet and tilt it over the eyes. Many soldiers found the rifle slid off the shoulder unless slung diagonally across the back, where it prevented the wearing of standard field packs and haversacks.[citation needed] Additionally, Germany's use of glider-borne and paratrooper forces to launch surprise blitzkrieg attacks behind the front lines generated a request for a new compact infantry weapon to equip support troops. This request called for a compact, lightweight defensive weapon with greater range, accuracy and firepower than a handgun, while weighing half as much as the Thompson submachine gun or the M1 rifle. The U.S. Army decided that a carbine-type weapon would adequately fulfill all of these requirements, and specified that the new arm should weigh no more than 5 pounds (2.3 kg) and have an effective range of 300 yards (270 m). Paratroopers were also added to the list of intended users and a folding-stock version would also be developed. Type M1, semi-automatic carbine M2/M3, selective-fire carbine Place of origin United States Service history In service 1942–1973 (United States) 1942–present (other countries) Used by See Users Wars World War II Hukbalahap Rebellion Chinese Civil War (limited) First Indochina War Indonesian National Revolution[1] Korean War Malayan Emergency Second Taiwan Strait Crisis Algerian War Suez Crisis Cuban Revolution Vietnam War Laotian Civil War Bay of Pigs Invasion[2] Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation Six-Day War Cambodian Civil War The Troubles Angolan Civil War Black September[3] Lebanese Civil War Insurgency in Aceh[4] Mexican Drug War Syrian Civil War[5] Production history Designer Fred Humeston William C. Roemer David Marshall Williams Designed 1938–1941 Manufacturer Military contractors Commercial copies Unit cost About $45 (WWII) (equivalent to $700 in 2021) Produced July 1942 – August 1945 (U.S. military) 1945–present (commercial) No. built 6,121,309 (WWII)[6] Variants M1A1, M1A3, M2, M2A2, M3 Specifications Mass 5.2 lb (2.4 kg) empty 5.8 lb (2.6 kg) loaded w/sling Length 35.6 in (900 mm) Barrel length 18 in (460 mm) Cartridge .30 Carbine Action Gas-operated (short-stroke piston), rotating bolt Rate of fire 60–70 aimed rounds/min (M1/A1) 750 rounds/min (M2)[6] Muzzle velocity 1,990 ft/s (607 m/s) Effective firing range 300 yd (270 m) Feed system 15- or 30-round detachable box magazine Sights Rear sight: aperture; L-type flip or adjustable, front sight: wing-protected post