I have an M1 carbine and love to shoot it. The 30 Carbine round has more penetrating power than you might expect. I would not have hesitated to carry it in combat in the days before body armor.
And nothing against the M3. Like the British Sten, reliable, simple and cheap to produce…lighter and a lot less expensive than the Thompson.
I did a FITH with the M3 vs my flak jacket propped on a paddy dike and picked the rounds out of the liner. But again, this was a weapon designed to kill people who’s only protection was a uniform shirt.
I have both an Inland M1C and a Winchester M1A1. It's the ammo prices that keeps me from using them more. However I have definitely thought about doing my M1A1 with with a red dot and a light, maybe even a foregrip. Why? No other reason other than to make a troglodyte stroke out.
The dude was an M551 tanker, was dropped into Panama for Just Cause. Joined the Guard afterwards, was called up for the LA riots as a dismounted M60 crewman to do riot control things. Was sent to Iraq twice (OIF both times). Always had the best kit both times in Iraq and made comments about how vastly improved it was to Panama and LA riots. Then retires and suddenly went the other direction in firearm's ownership and supporting gear.
Nowadays he spends his time raging at me or a mutual friend if we have things that is modern and up to date. This is whom I want to continue to piss off. And I have the kind of money to use as F you money to do it with, too.
His nicknames is numerous depending on how he's doing that day in foulness meters: Grouchola, Grumpula, Grumptastic, Grouchzilla, Grumptard, Grumpulous, Fuddtastic, Fuddy-Duddy, etc.
I'm still at a loss at trying to figure out why he reverted with technology. We ain't talking Paul Harrell with alice gear and nylon USGI flap holsters here. Nope. It's Barney Fife in the flesh, leather flimsy battle-rottened-no-longer-rattle, and a smell of bengay mixed with sweated out forlorn hope.
