M1 carbine versus Ruger 40 S&W carbine

[Mike357mag]

Wow never looked up the prices of M1 carbines until tonite.  I have an inland general motors dated 7-44 in excelllent condition.  I see they go at auction for around 900 to 1000 dollars.  At that price I almost feel like selling it and buy a ruger 40 S&W with the ghost ring sights and bank the left over money.  I really do like the M1 carbine and probalby will keep it.  Does anybody have any experience with the ruger carbines in 40 or 9mm?

Mike H

[coyotejoe]

I'd keep the M1. With a few simple accurizing tricks and good ammo the M1 carbine can be surprisingly accurate and fires a much better cartridge. The 9mm and .40 S&W cartridges are optimized for pistol length barrels and really gain very little from a rifle, maybe 100 fps or so. The M1 carbine round has more than double the muzzle energy of any .40 S&W round and while its' 110 grain round nose is not very ballistically efficient it does retain downrange velocity far better than any .40 caliber pistol bullet. Plus it shoots much flatter. For a real "knock down" personal defence round try a handload with the Speer 110 grain flat nose hollow point. I've taken deer with that load and they didn't seem to know it wasn't a 30/06, large exit wound on broadside chest shots. Besides, the value of your M1 will only go up, while a Ruger carbine will be just another used gun.

[ccoker]

have you ever tried any of the commercial 110g SP loads in a M1 for hunting?
I am considering getting one and setting up with a scout style scope setup
I have a stellar Sako 243 for "serious" deer hunting, but want a nice compact, light semi auto for walking around, having fun with, setting up for night time hog hunts, etc..

[SHOOTALL]

I use the 110 gr. winchester hp , with good results on deer !
range is close