.30 Carbine Cartridge History

savageT · 06-14-2002, 07:32 AM

Always loved the .30 M1 and M2 carbine as a G.I. in the USAF. Is there a govt. program available to purchase one as is the M1 Garand or 03's?
Can you tell me the history of this unique cartridge and does anyone else use this particular shell? Also, what is the meaning of "Ball " Ammunition? Thanks for your help.
JimT

Eric · 06-14-2002, 11:34 AM

All I know is that in the early 60s, the government sold, I believe, 150,000 M1 Carbines to NRA members to get rid of them. I wish I could recall exactly...but they were dirt cheap. Alas, my kingdom for a time machine.

Big Dog · 06-14-2002, 02:27 PM

Many M1 Carbines were given to Israel by Nixon, as "Military Aid". Some of them are now being used by the Israeli civilians for defense. Their military neither wanted or needed them, and kept them in storeage for years.
The Dominican Republic had a carbine, the Cristobal Carbine, that used the .30 Carbine cartridge. This was a selective fire weapon, in both standard wood stock and folding stock versions.
Many small nations with smaller statured people still like the little GI carbine. The Vietnamese liked it before they switched to the M-16.

guffster · 06-14-2002, 09:21 PM

I believe I saw where the CMP also offers m1 carbines or you can get the ones IAI offers, which are all USGI part except for the handguard is metal instead of the wood.

Calvin · 06-15-2002, 05:22 PM

The .30 carbine was originally formed from .32/20 brass. It was necked down to take a .308 caliber bullet weighing 110 grains with a muzzle velocity of just under 2000fps. The "ball" is nothing more than a full metal jacket. The term came from the fact that ball ammo had a rounded nose. HTH

savageT · 06-15-2002, 09:10 PM

Thank You One and All for sharing your knowledge.
JimT

06-14-2002, 07:32 AM	#1
savageT Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 40	.30 Carbine Cartridge History Always loved the .30 M1 and M2 carbine as a G.I. in the USAF. Is there a govt. program available to purchase one as is the M1 Garand or 03's? Can you tell me the history of this unique cartridge and does anyone else use this particular shell? Also, what is the meaning of "Ball " Ammunition? Thanks for your help. JimT __________________ savageT

06-14-2002, 11:34 AM	#2
Eric Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: USA Posts: 673	All I know is that in the early 60s, the government sold, I believe, 150,000 M1 Carbines to NRA members to get rid of them. I wish I could recall exactly...but they were dirt cheap. Alas, my kingdom for a time machine. __________________ I told him straight up, "You are an idiot for bringing those two fists to this gun fight."

06-15-2002, 05:22 PM	#5
Calvin Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 1,996	The .30 carbine was originally formed from .32/20 brass. It was necked down to take a .308 caliber bullet weighing 110 grains with a muzzle velocity of just under 2000fps. The "ball" is nothing more than a full metal jacket. The term came from the fact that ball ammo had a rounded nose. HTH __________________ I've gone to look for myself. If I should return before I get back, please ask me to wait.

06-15-2002, 09:10 PM	#6
savageT Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 40	Thank You One and All for sharing your knowledge. JimT __________________ savageT

06-14-2002, 02:27 PM	#3
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,205	Many M1 Carbines were given to Israel by Nixon, as "Military Aid". Some of them are now being used by the Israeli civilians for defense. Their military neither wanted or needed them, and kept them in storeage for years. The Dominican Republic had a carbine, the Cristobal Carbine, that used the .30 Carbine cartridge. This was a selective fire weapon, in both standard wood stock and folding stock versions. Many small nations with smaller statured people still like the little GI carbine. The Vietnamese liked it before they switched to the M-16.

06-14-2002, 09:21 PM	#4
guffster Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: MS, 20mi. outside Mphs.TN Posts: 277	I believe I saw where the CMP also offers m1 carbines or you can get the ones IAI offers, which are all USGI part except for the handguard is metal instead of the wood.