The M1 Carbine (Weapon, 13) Paperback – Illustrated, November 22, 2011

Leroy Thompson and Osprey deserve much credit for an excellent overview of the M1 Carbine, which also includes the M1A1 "Paratrooper" model and the select fire M2 Carbine.The author begins the story of this weapon with the rationale for acquiring a light rifle by the US Army - the desire to replace the pistol in the hands of support troops as well as members of crew-served weapons teams (mortarmen, machinegun crews, artillery crews and rocket launcher teams, etc.).The author moves on to the many arms manufacturers that submitted prototypes and their effectiveness during testing to the decision to acept the Winchester offering that would become the famous M1 Carbine.The author spends some time on the production of the M1 Carbine, which is important because it stresses the ability of American industry to quickly produce war materials in an unprecedented volume. The book shows that the M1 Carbines built during WWII were made not only by firearms manufacturers, but also by auto companies, typewriter manufacturers, even the Rock-Ola jukebox company!The author notes the improvements made to the carbine as WWII ground on as well as their distribution to soldiers within the various types of units. The author moves on to evaluation of the carbine in combat, using a great deal of veterans' recollections and informed opinion - both pro and con. He also includes SLA Marshall's findings in regard to the M1 and M2 Carbines in Korea.The author finishes with the M1/M2 Carbine in the hands of US allies, police forces and American civilian shooters (I personally have a Universal Carbine I have fired thousands of rounds through with fewer than a couple dozen malfunctions).This is an excellent book which should appeal to readers of both military history and firearms. I recommend this book with five-stars.

This was a gift for my brother who has our Dad's M1 Carbine that he brought back from the war.My brother is not a big gun guy, but he enjoyed the history and general information about one of the rifles that won the war.It tells the story of my dad during the war. My dad carried this M1 Carbine many miles all thru Europe, from D-Day to the end of the war. My brother Is going to pass down the rifle and the book to his son who is a Major in the Army....20+ years and four deployments to Iraq. It will be in the family for many years to come. My Dad would have liked this this.

Nice survey of the development and use of the M1 carbine. There's very little detail of the myriad different modifications.

This book provides a nice overview of the Carbine, with the history, a bit about the various manufacturers and models. A worthwhile addition to your library if your are interested in this weapon, or want to learn more without spending a lot. The book is well written and easy to read. Only very minor downside is that there were a couple instances of info repeating, but I didn't find that too detracting. Recommended.

I just picked up a pristine Inland M1 Carbine that came from the CMP store. Not having ever owned one before, I knew nothing about the rifle, so I picked up Leroy Thompson's book about it. I was not disappointed.Thompson's book is an excellent overview of the developmental history and use of rifle. He spends just the right amount of space going over the early development, then moves right into field use: WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. There are also just enough photos to give you a taste of the Carbine's use in different settings without smothering information.The sources page also gave me a direction to go to learn more about its use. I have two other books on its use coming from Amazon and look forward to reading them.

This is an easy to read history of the great little M1 carbine. It follows its progression from development all the way up to Vietnam. The chapter on law enforcement use was very intersting as I had seen the carbine being used in old news reel footage in the hands of police officers. Some of his research varies a little from what I have learned over the years but that doesn't distract from the book at all.

There are several really good reviews already written about this book so I can not really add to what has already been said. However, I am so pleased with this book I wanted to get my 5 stars posted in full agreement with those reviews. In a nutshell the book covers the history of development, combat use in WWII Europe and the Pacific as well as Korea and early Vietnam. Loads of documentation and pictures and well written. I highly recommend this book.

I have owned two M1 carbines, and can recommend this book. Mr. Thompson gives a concise yet detailed overview of the firearm. Only one quibble: the author reports that future USMC Lt. General Lewis "Chesty" Puller approved of the carbine. In WW2, perhaps; but Burke Davis' biography of Puller ("MARINE!") reports that in Korea, Puller apparently believed the oft-told tale of Carbine bullets failing to penetrate Chicom winter clothing, and FORBADE anyone within his HQ to carry one at the front. Otherwise, a fine book.