Inland M1A1 Carbine (Paratrooper)
Inland Manufacturing Division, General Motors · Carbine · Out Of Production · 1942
Also known as: M1A1 Carbine, Paratrooper Carbine, Carbine Cal .30 M1A1
Overview
The Inland M1A1 Carbine was the folding-stock 'Paratrooper' version of the U.S. M1 Carbine, the only small arm developed specifically for American airborne forces in World War II. Built exclusively by the Inland Division of General Motors, it replaced the standard wooden buttstock with a left-folding steel wire stock and pistol grip, reducing overall length to about 635 mm (25 in) when folded for jumps. Inland produced roughly 140,000 M1A1 carbines in two runs during late 1942 and 1944; they were issued first to the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions and later across U.S. Army Airborne and Marine units.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2360 g (83.2 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 2650 g (93.5 oz) |
| Overall Length | 905 mm (35.63") |
| Folded Length | 635 mm (25.00") |
| Barrel Length | 458 mm (18.03") |
| Height | 120 mm (4.72") |
| Width | 32 mm (1.26") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Short Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 15 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 607 m/s (1991 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1311 J (967 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 275 m (301 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1829 m (2000 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 40 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 508 mm (20.00") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Parkerized |
Calibers
- .30 Carbine · primary — also known as 7.62x33mm, .30 M1 Carbine
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Cross Bolt Push Button Safety
- Features: Folding Wire Stock, Short Stroke Gas Piston, Rotating Bolt, Detachable Box Magazine, Lightweight Design, Pistol Grip, Adjustable Rear Sight, Blade Front Sight, Sling Swivels
Base model
Service history
Operators
- United States Army (Airborne) · adopted 1942 · as Carbine, Caliber .30, M1A1
- United States Marine Corps · adopted 1943
Conflicts
- World War II (1942-1945)
- Korean War (1950-1953)
Production
Estimated total produced: 140,000 · Production years: 1942-1944
Produced by Inland only, in two production runs
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Frederick Humeston / William Roemer (Winchester) / Inland engineering
Discontinued: 1944
Notes
Inland was the only WWII contractor to build the M1A1 paratrooper variant. The folding stock is held by a spring-loaded cam rather than a positive lock. All wartime M1A1 stocks were walnut.
Background
Designed for paratroopers who needed a compact shoulder weapon that could be carried during a jump, the M1A1's wire folding stock became an icon of WWII airborne troops.