An American semi-automatic carbine, chambered for the proprietary .30 Carbine cartridge. Despite the name, it is not the shortened variant of the M1 Garand, but instead its own distinct design with an short-stroke piston mechanism. Adopted in 1942, the M1 Carbine was a standard firearm for the US military during World War II, the Korean War and into the Vietnam War. Although the Carbine was the most-produced US small arm of WW2, it is a relatively rare sight in media, particularly in comparison to the far-less-common Thompson submachine gun.
Distinguishing features of the Carbine are the two pins on the upper stock just forward of the bolt. World War Two-era Carbines had a clean barrel from the stock to the muzzle and simple flip-tab rear sights, though later versions added a bayonet lug and more advanced graduated rear sights. The standard feed system is a 15-round box magazine.
The M1A1 Carbine is the variant that features a metal side-folding stock and a pistol grip.
The M2 Carbine is the name given to Carbines made capable of firing on full-automatic. It is distinguished from the M1 in media through the use of the curved 30-round magazine instead of the 15-round box.
The M3 Carbine is an M2 with a prototype night-vision scope attached to the top.
