M2 Carbine
Selective-fire variant of the M1 Carbine.
The M2 Carbine is a selective-fire variant of the M1 Carbine, meaning it can switch between semi-automatic and fully automatic fire. It belongs to the M1 Carbine family, a lightweight semi-automatic weapon chambered in .30 Carbine (7.62×33mm) that served the U.S. military in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The M1 Carbine itself was not a shortened version of the M1 Garand rifle, despite the similar name and appearance. Under the U.S. Army’s naming system adopted on July 1, 1925, “M” stands for “Model,” and the number indicates the order of development; thus, the M1 Carbine was the first carbine under this system, and the M2 Carbine was the second. The M3 Carbine was an M2 fitted with an active infrared scope.
The need for such a weapon arose before World War II, when the U.S. Army Ordnance Department found the full-size M1 Garand too heavy and awkward for support troops like staff, artillerymen, and radiomen. During field exercises, the Garand snagged on brush, knocked helmets forward, and slipped off the shoulder unless slung diagonally, which then prevented wearing standard packs. Germany’s use of glider and paratrooper forces for surprise attacks behind the lines also prompted a request for a compact defensive weapon that was lighter than a Thompson submachine gun or M1 rifle but offered better range, accuracy, and firepower than a pistol. The Army specified a carbine weighing no more than 5 pounds (2.3 kg) with an effective range of 300 yards (270 m). Paratroopers were later added as intended users, leading to a folding-stock version.
The design process began in June 1940, when the military called for a lightweight semi-automatic rifle for rear-echelon personnel like military police, medics, and officers, who faced attack but weren’t expected to carry the Garand. It was chambered for the new .30 Carbine cartridge, approved in early 1941. Winchester initially didn’t submit a carbine design because it was working on the Winchester G30 rifle, which originated from Jonathan “Ed” Browning, half-brother of John Moses Browning. After Ed Browning’s death in May 1939, Winchester hired David Marshall “Carbine” Williams, who had developed a short-stroke gas piston design while serving a prison sentence.
Quick Facts
- Is Ranged
- yes
- Origin
- United States
- Designer
- Fred Humeston / William C. Roemer / David Marshall Williams
- Design Date
- 1941
- Manufacturer
- Military contractors / Commercial copies
- Production Date
- July 1942 – August 1945 (U.S. military) / 1945–present (commercial)
- Service
- 1942–1973 (United States) / 1942–present (other countries)
- Part Length
- 17.75 in
- Range
- 300 m
- Cartridge
- .30 Carbine
- Feed
- 15- or 30-round detachable box magazine
- Sights
- Rear sight: aperture; L-type flip or adjustable / Front sight: wing-protected post
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The M2 Carbine was the selective-fire version of the M1 Carbine, capable of firing in both semi-automatic and full-automatic. It was developed after the M1 Carbine had been standardized on 22 October 1941. The M2 Carbine was the second carbine developed under the U.S. Army's naming convention, where 'M' stands for 'Model' and the number represents sequential development. The M3 Carbine was an M2 Carbine with an active infrared scope system.
The M1 Carbine series originated from a June 1940 U.S. military proposal for a lightweight semi-automatic rifle for rear-echelon and support personnel, such as military police, medics, and officers. The weapon was designed to use the new .30 Carbine cartridge developed by Winchester, approved in early 1941. The M1 Carbine was not a carbine version of the M1 Garand rifle, despite similar names and appearance.
The .30 Carbine cartridge is a rimless version of the obsolete .32 Winchester Self-Loading cartridge, but with newer propellant making it approximately 27% more powerful. A standard .30 Carbine ball bullet weighs 110 grains, with a muzzle velocity of 1,990 ft/s and 967 ft·lbf of energy from the M1 carbine's 17.75-inch barrel. The carbine round is twice as powerful as the .45 ACP round used by the Thompson submachine gun, offering better range, accuracy and penetration.
Reader's Guide
The M2 Carbine, as a selective-fire version of the M1 Carbine, extended the role of the carbine series to provide automatic fire capability. The M1 Carbine series was widely used by military, paramilitary, and police forces around the world after World War II, most notably by the armed forces of South Korea and South Vietnam. The carbine's lightweight design—half the weight of the Thompson submachine gun or M1 rifle—allowed support troops to carry more ammunition. The .30 Carbine cartridge, with non-corrosive primers from the beginning of production, was the first major use of this type of primer. Categorizing the M1 Carbine series has been debated; while commonly compared to later assault rifles like the StG 44 and AK-47, the M1 and M2 Carbines are underpowered and outclassed. Instead, the carbine falls between submachine gun and assault rifle, and could be called a precursor of the personal defense weapon since it fulfilled a similar role.
Did You Know?
- The M2 Carbine is the selective-fire version of the M1 Carbine, capable of semi-automatic and full-automatic fire.
- The M3 Carbine was an M2 Carbine fitted with an active infrared scope system.
- The .30 Carbine cartridge was the first major use of non-corrosive primers from the beginning of production.
More in Battle Rifles and Carbines 1-24
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