30 Cal Carbine Conversion

[Prince of Wales]

Is it practicle to convert the M-1 Carbine to 357 mag?  Or are there semi-auto carbines available in this caliber?Thanks. POW

[John Traveler]

Years ago, I examined an M1 Carbine converted to 5-shot .357 magnum.

My impressions at the time were "Why bother?"

The rimmed cartridge limited it to five rounds feeding from a new  custom magazine.  Feed lips, ramp, and rails needed extensive work for reliability.   The thin bolt rim gave little protection against blown primers.  The small GI barrel shank did not give one a feeling of robustness or stability.  Accuracy at 100 yards was still mediocre  fist-sized groups, and muzzle energy was still similar to the GI ball ammo.  It would still be suitable only as a plinking/small game/protection carbine.

I was wondering why you wanted a semi-auto .357 carbine with the numerous fine lever-actions available.

John

[gunnut69]

The M1 Carbine could probably be so modified but JohnTraveler is probably correct, why bother..  If I were after a mid power level autoloader I'd be interested in the 7.62x39 the russian short.  Ammo is very common and rifles such as the SKS and ruger Mini-30 are not only available but quite reliable to boot.  If rifle/pistol ammo interchangeability is the goal how about a Ruger Single action in 30 carbine.  While I believe they've been dropped from the line they can still be found on the used gun market.  You'll have cartridge interchangeability and be spending less to boot...  
PS-The only specimen I saw that was fairly functional was a straight pull based on a rebarrel m1 Carbine..

[Prince of Wales]

John I am using a lever 357 Mag carbine now and like it very much. Just thought if I could have something with a more rapid rate of fire I would like that better.
It also seems that 357 is a lot more plentiful than 30 cal. How would the two rounds compare in energy at close range?
Thank you guys for the info. You know what they always say "when something seems too good to be true it probably is". Best of luck. POW

[wiley]

be done in 45 WM. Tim LeMag, in Fenton Mi, I think

[tw]

Why the 357 Mag when the 357 Sig lends it self to this application so well.  The Marlin camp nine carbine can be redone with some resonably simple bolt face work and recambering of the bbl.  The other manufactures that offer similar guns off them in 40 cal. and that would involve a new bbl but save the bolt face work.  I have a camp 9 that I did and it is very accurate and has more than enough power to tip bowling pins at 100 yards and accuracy is 2 to 2-1/2 inches at that same range.  Ruger offers similar carbines but I have not examined one closely enough to see if it would be a candidate for this project.

[Prince of Wales]

I like the availability of the 357 Mag thats why I asked. Seems as if the 30 cal is harder to get in the remote location where I live. Also I felt the 357 Mag might have an advantage in delivered power but just guessing on that.
 I am an ex-service man (1960s) that has used the 30 cal carbine and just like its compact dimensions. As an American veteran I am not at all attracted to the Russian made AK guns.
 You feel the 357 Sig is easily adapted to the M-1? I like that idea and would like to learn more about it. Thanks for your input. POW

[Flint]

The carbine must run higher pressure (don't have a manual to tell me at hand) than the 357, as when Ruger made the 30 Carbine on the Old Model, pre-73 frames, they put the 30 Carbine revolver on the 44 frame, not the then smaller 357 frame.  Notwithstanding, I do recall that there were 357 conversions made 30 odd years ago to 30 Carbine rifles, and the only problem is/was most likely dealing with the rim.  A rimless case would work better.  Not having seen one, perhaps as mentioned, the 357 SIG might work, but wouldn't interchange with the lever action rifle you have.

[Mikey]

Flint:  if the problem with converting the 30 carbine to 357 magnum is the change-over to a rimmed cartridge, why not just use the 9mm magnum case?????  That's as long as the 357, I think.   You could go all the way to 200 grain loads.  I also think that you would reach of point of 'limitations' so to speak converting to the 357 sig but I'm probably wrong on that count.  But, that's a 40 S&W necked to 9mm and I think you could probably do just as well if not better with the 9x23 Winchester case or, as I mentioned above, the 9mm magnum case.  There is also the 9x25mm case designed by (who's the Blue guy - Dillon), which is a 10mm case necked to 9mm - probably give you more poop for the same conversion costs.  Just an opinion.  Mikey.

[Flint]

I think Prince of Wales' problem wwould still be the sharing of ammo, as the Lever action rifle would not accept the 9mm Magnum.

[Prince of Wales]

I`m am not as much interested in sharing ammo with a 357 rifle that I have. Just concerneds about availability of the 30 cal rounds.
 I should have began the thread as "what common round can be chambered to the 30 Cal Carbine"? That would have been a more direct way to learn what I was after. Just seemed that 357 had ample power and availability combined but 9mm or 45 ACP or anything common is fine with me as well. Best of luck. POW