07-05-2019, 08:24 PM
As many of you have suggested, the M1 Carbine was a pretty ideal solution to the problem. I am a giant 45 acp pistol fan but few can hit anything at anything beyond spitting distance (conscripts under duress). So while the M1 Carbine it much more to carry than a 1911, it is profoundly and overwhelmingly more likely to hit it's target in battle than the 1911. So if there is any practical or possible way for a man to carry something bigger than the handgun, the M1 Carbine was a brilliant 1938 decision. It would be the same thing today between carrying a 9mm handgun vs a 10" 300 BLK SBR. The difference in hitting ability under stress is overwhelming.
But like any design, time & testing allows for improvement. The M2 has a sorted past at best. But what if the cartridge had been improved? Maybe neck it down to 6.5 mm and stretch it's effectiveness out another 100 yards. Maybe a redesign for a different cartridge and for reliable larger magazines. I do not know what is possible with this design but nobody seemed interested in an improvement.
In any case.... it is a great rifle with a great cartridge. Being dated does not make it bad.
But like any design, time & testing allows for improvement. The M2 has a sorted past at best. But what if the cartridge had been improved? Maybe neck it down to 6.5 mm and stretch it's effectiveness out another 100 yards. Maybe a redesign for a different cartridge and for reliable larger magazines. I do not know what is possible with this design but nobody seemed interested in an improvement.
In any case.... it is a great rifle with a great cartridge. Being dated does not make it bad.