Absolutely no question whatsoever: the M-1 Carbine first.
1. Sure it is a small gun with a small cartridge, but a small gun that is quickly available at your home and in your hands is better than a Boat Oar that is stuffed under your bed, never handy, and shoots an elk round.
2. People (I always hear that they are veterans) bemoan the fact that the m-1 carbine round is so weak, that it would not reliably down charging enemy troops with a single shot (as would the Garand). On the other hand, however, remember this:
In battle, they were all shooting full metal jacket ammo. Using modern factory ammo with a hollow point bullet in th Carbine is a whole different animal.
At 100 yards, the m-1 carbine has as much foot pounds of energy as a 44 mag handgun cartridge has at the muzzle!!! 900 ft pounds..
Anybody out there volunteering to stand in front of a hollow point?
I may be wrong, but I think that at 200 yards, it still has 500 ft pounds of energy, i.e., the power of a .357 mag handgun at the muzzle.
3. The Carbine is easily mastered by women and children. They like em and can shoot them well.
4. The Garand is an ultimate "offensive" weapon, and if we were required to "capture a hill" or "take out a bunker" then it would obviously be the first choice. But guess what, we are never going to use a rifle for that purpose. The practical use in this country is always for defensive purposes. And for defense, the Carbine wins hands down (and remember you can get a 30 shot clip!)
Just my opinions, Mannyrock
