US M1 Carbine

Histoire, fiche technique et photo

Image : US M1 Carbine

US M1A1 Carbine history

To cope with the German strategy of “Blitzkrieg”, the American armed forces decide to equip their troops with a light gun operating in semi-automatic mode.

Several engineers have worked on this weapon, including David M. “Carbine” Williams. Winchester was responsible for manufacturing the M1 Carbine.

His main asset lies in his weight (2.36 kilograms), allowing officers or radio operators to have a light and handy weapon without encumbering them in their work. But its small size greatly reduces the lethal value of the balls.

The semi-automatic mode is also one of the highlights of the M1 Carbine, which was used during the Korean War and part of that of Vietnam.

An M1A1 Carbine Para version has also been designed to equip the airborne troops, and is thus equipped with a collapsible butt.

US M1A1 Carbine specification

Creator/User: United States of America
Denomination: M1 Carbine
Number built: 6,200,000 (between 1941 and 1945)

Fire mode: semi-automatic
Caliber: .30 Carbine (7,62 mm)
Feed systemm: 15/30-round magazine
Effective firing range: 270 m
Maximal range: 2,010 m
Rate of fire: 30 rounds/min

Weight: 2,36 kg
Length: 904 mm