M1 .30 carbine conversions?

[skinnygun 0]

Would a .357 magnum be a good conversion in a M1 carbine and still use the .30 carbine mags ?What else besides the barrel needs to be changed?Thanks

[Ronswin 26]

Would a .357 magnum be a good conversion in a M1 carbine and still use the .30 carbine mags ?What else besides the barrel needs to be changed?Thanks

 

I'm not sure the conversion would be straight forward with without possibly major gunsmithing taking place to accomodate the .357 mag cartridge. I do remember a decade or two ago seeing a pre-production prototype .357 M1 carbine being evaluated in a major gun magazine (Guns & Ammo?). It was a small outfit and the numbers of rifles were going to be really low. Our own BattleRifle G3 (Woodworker Extraordinaire!) posed this very same question on another forum some years back:

 

http://www.gunandgame.com/forums/pistol-ca...on.html#post278

 

article on M1 "Wildcatting":

 

http://www.thegunzone.com/carbine-wildcat.html

 

I have considered this conversion a few times (ammo may not be readily available):

 

http://www.e-gunparts.com/DisplayAd.asp?ch...=766960&MC=

 

Also, Tony Rumore might be of assistance on a conversion:

 

http://www.benchrest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27300

Edited July 10, 2006 by Ronswin

[okie shooter 0]

Is it the M-1 carbine conversion you need or just a pistol caliber carbine.

 

If just a pistol caliber carbine rifle there are plenty of them around already. In my opnion I wouldnt want to mess up a usgi carbine any way and wouldnt really want to start in on a m-1 plainfield or iver either though.

 

Just my two cents.

[ironhead7544 35]

I have heard of it being done but it will be expensive and have limited mag capacity. There are a number of different rounds that can be used in the carbine. I built one in 357 AutoMag. It a fairly simple conversion that uses the standard mags with no problem. The 15 rounders hold 7 rounds and the 30 holds 14. You have to drop the 357 AutoMag loads about 10 percent but you can still get 2000 fps with a 158 grain bullet. This makes it a little more useful for hunting. If I were going to do a conversion today Id get it in 45 Winchester Magnum. Also check with Tromix as previously recommended. He has some neat stuff.