Denix M1A1 carbine review

[@jeffyoung60]

It never occurred to the U.S. Army during WW2 that the M1A1 paratrooper carbine might make for a useful tank crew or armored combat vehicle crewman's Personal Defense Weapon (PDW), although that term did not exist back then. But the U.S. Army acknowledged the need for a defensive carbine in 1936 and 1940 for soldiers who were not first-line combat infantry, such as artillerymen, mortarmen, radiomen, mechanics, supply troops, administrative troops, etc. The U.S. Army typically supplied one M1 or M1A1 Thompson submachinegun per tank. Later on, this became one M3 'greasegun' submachinegun per tank. The rest of the tankers carried a revolver or M1911A1 semi-auto pistol. Yet a lot of American tankers surreptitiously obtained more small arms, such as M3 submachineguns for the rest of the crew. Evidently no thought about supplying M1A1 carbines to tankers. For that matter, the M1A1 would have been even more suitable for combat service and combat service support troops like clerks, cooks, supply personnel, truck drivers, etc., than the regular M1 Carbine. The M1A2 Carbine entered the war in the spring of 1945 so that vast majority of wartime carbines are the early M1 versions with the L-shaped, two aperture, flip up rear sight. The advantage the M1A1 would have over the M3 greasegun is longer range. The M1A1 was effective out to about 200 yards although in modern observation, 150 yards for effective stopping power was tops. The M3's effective range was 50 yards, compared to 25 yards for the M1911A1 pistol. The M3 could probably still hit out to 75 yards if the buttstock was extended and properly used with proper aiming.

[@steventhompson3614]

the sling loop on the replica is correct as its the early style

[@Black_Patriot-Veteran-1970]

I like this Denix replica, but they need to add the front flat spring that goes under the barrel band.

[@Truffle1947]

Yeah the Denix replicas have alot of things that could be changed tomake them more accurate :)

[@reddevilparatrooper]

I have an Auto-Ordnance reproduction M1A1 Carbine. I love taking mines shooting out in the desert here in Nevada or on cross country road trips for self protection. Very handy and accurate at short range like very close to 50 or 100 meters. Good for close range combat. 😊❤

[@Truffle1947]

Nice 😁

[@K37-h1z]

Been thinkin about buying one just for fun. There's a decent priced one at my local gun shop. Not the a1 though. If I can't find a granand for a cheaper.

[@incrediblefruit]

Annoys me that I had quite a few mgc replicas back in the 80's that were really accurate but denix don't really seem to care about accuracy as much...cheap but as there's no other companies making them there's no competition....

[@Truffle1947]

It is true. Some of the old replicas are amazing. I want a hudson garand so much it causes me physical pain.

[@oldspec3006]

These make a good display item, but not great for general reenactment as the stock is quite fragile. I bought an Auto Ordinance stock and dropped an Air Venturi M1 Carbine action into it.

[@Truffle1947]

Agreed. I have some deac M1 carbines. At some point I will get hold of one of the nice reproduction folding stocks and mount it on one of them :D

[@Black_Patriot-Veteran-1970]

If you "parkerize " the metal using primer paint, they tend not to gray up in cold weather, because they are already that colour.

[@Truffle1947]

Yeah that is true. I did that to me denix Garand as it was a bit of a mess when I got it. If you use the right shade then oil it you csn get a nice effect.

[@Black_Patriot-Veteran-1970]

@@Truffle1947That's what I did, and yes it does.

[@Crackshot1983]

How did you get the sling swivel off? I can't for the life of me get it off

[@Truffle1947]

Sorry for late reply. I never removed the swivel?

[@Black_Patriot-Veteran-1970]

Denix needs to add the barrel band spring up front. You forgot to mention.

[@SteveMrW]

Nice review, what type of oil did you use on the wood?

[@Truffle1947]

Thanks. I cannot actually remember. I borrowed a tub of something off my mate. I have just messaged him so he can tell me what it was called. Any dark woodstain will do if you go into a DIY store and find one you like the colour of and when I hear back what the oil was that I added onto top I shall let you know :D

[@SteveMrW]

@@Truffle1947 I have just finished working on my Denix M1 Carbine. I disassembled it and used Danish dark oak wood stain on it and it looks much better.

[@Truffle1947]

@@SteveMrW excellent. Makes a huge difference :D

[@GlenfordAlcaraz-us3cv]

Gud pm sir panu po malaman kung original ung selector switch ng carbine M2

[@Truffle1947]

Hello. I hope you can translate this. If you have an M2 carbine my best advice would be to load up as many pictures as you can find on the internet and compare them to what you have. But I have not heard of fake selector switches?

[@ericwalter651]

Do you know if one could put an original stock on a denix carbine?

[@Truffle1947]

I am afraid I do not know for sure but I seem to remember soneone saying you can. Might need a little modification. Sorry I cannot give a certain answer

[@ericwalter651]

@@Truffle1947 thank you for responding. it's no problem just a thought

[@Truffle1947]

@@ericwalter651 If you can find a stock cheap I would give it a shot. You can also get really nice repro folding stocks that I do know will fit as I have seen them on denix more than once!

[@ericwalter651]

@@Truffle1947 actually I've already got a stock and that's why I was wondering

[@Truffle1947]

@@ericwalter651 do it!

[@rico66hharvey88]

Nice one Chris

[@ArvisBalodis-g9o]

hickok45 machine gun

[@Truffle1947]

? I think I am missing something?

[@robertmunoz7543]

POOPATROOPER?🤪 Jman

[@Truffle1947]

🤔

[@Black_Patriot-Veteran-1970]

To protect the zinc metal on the carbine: Buy a holster for it.

[@Black_Patriot-Veteran-1970]

This is what I did to my Denix M1A1 carbine: 1). Refinish the wood in Dark Walnut (getting rid of that horrible orange finish) 2). "Parkerize" the gun parts and wire stock using a Gray Primer spray paint. 3). Get rid of the unsightly bolt holding the handguard in place, using a real 2 rivet handguard w/ metal lip. 4). Drill a hole near the front of the stock to install a barrel band spring. 5). Add a real oiler, sling and M1 pouch. 6) Cartouched the wood stock using Bardall's cartouche copper stamps. 7). Oh I almost forgot: Grind the molded "flip selector switch" into a "push button" selector switch to give it the early look. Takes some work, but it's worth it!

[@Truffle1947]

That sounds great. Do you have a link to any photos? I would like to see it.

[@Black_Patriot-Veteran-1970]

@@Truffle1947 It's being used by a friend of mine for a movie shoot but as soon as I get it back I'll send pics.