Inland .30 Carbine vs Kel Tec SU-16CA - opinions?

[Keykutter]

Unless the .30 Carbine ammo has come down in price, it was the most expensive of all between the .223, 9mm, 5.56, yes there is a difference between 5.56 and .223. Don't ask me exactly what it is and most will work for each others uses but some AR's will just not shoot .223. Especially Remington.

Now, with that said, I have a stockpile of .30 Carbine and have not priced it in quite a while. Maybe it has come down. Do check the prices before you decide though because it used to be pricey to shoot the 'War Baby'.

KK

[karle]

yea .30 carbine will be MUCH more expensive to shoot...... would go with the su-16ca given ur 2 options......BTW do u live in a state that won't allow the plain C model?? because if not would suggest that one.....tho they do tend to cost 50-100 bucks more because of higher demand....

also am with the other ppl depending on ur intended use also look at the sub 2k.......and YES i also recommend the 9mm over the .40 due to ammo cost

[Turtlez06]

My 2 cents. I agree that it is apples to oranges comparison. But, I do own both an ar-15 and m1 carbine. I love my carbine. It is a blast to shoot and my go to gun for home protection. There are many aftermarket parts for the carbine if you chose to alter it. There are rails, stalks, barrels. The are of course a few drawbacks. The 30rd mags can be had cheap from korea, but do not attach well. The GI mags are the best but hard to come by. It is a short range rifle with just ok accuracy. Rounds are expensive in comparison to the AR. Of course there are infinite alterations for the AR platform and rounds and mags are inexpensive. I vote for the carbine. The AR can be had anytime. Good luck with your purchase. Either way you come out a winner.

[Phillip Gain]

Thanks for all the input, folks.

I'm actually going to delay purchasing either, for now, in favor of purchasing a carry pistol for my wife. She's had her LTC for a few months, but hasn't carried at all. She's re-taking the class as a refresher and getting some range time with an instructor, then we'll go shopping.

(If you're about to ask why I'm not instructing her, it's because she doesn't react well to me as a teacher. Of anything.)

[GoBangz]

+1 on the Sub2000 in 9mm. Go with the Glock version, and you can get your wife a Glock as well. Glock magazines are everywhere. I have a Sub2K in 9mm Glock and a 9mm XDM. I'm thinking of trading in the XDM for a Glock, just for the interchangeability.

[mactex]

I own three Ar15 (Bushmaster) and 4 M1 carbines. Keep in mind they will be making those Kel-tecs for a while to (come barring any unforseen circumstances), but the Inland M1 haven't been made in years. With the right ammo the .30 ammo can delever the muzzle velocity of a .357 mag at 100 yards. I think they make a good home defense gun. Most of mine are WW II/Korea vintage but I do have one of the newer Auto Ordance reporductions w/ the folding stocks that has served me well through a lot of rounds. You are going to spend about the same on a case of ammo in .223 and .30 carbine, but there is not denying that in a bind, there is a lot more .223 around. {NOTE: Just to avoid any misunderstandings, most guns that will chamber and shoot 5.56 will shoot .223 but NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. The 5.55 is a hair longer and is loaded to much higher pressures, so it IS NOT SAFE TO FIRE 5.56 IN GUNS CHAMBERED FOR .223. Even if the 5.56 round will chamber in you .223 weapon does not mean it will be safe nore prudent to fire it in that weapon.** I would go with the M1 at this point as they will only go up in price as they become more scarce. It is a fun gun to shoot and I have found many novice or first time shooters are more comfortable with the M1 than the AR. Either way good luck, good luck and enjoy which ever you decide on.

[gunnerbob]

I own both. Get the M1 Carbine. It's a blast to shoot, a historic piece, parts are common for making it a little more vintage. It does make a decent Whitetail rifle when within 75yds using SP/HP. It makes a decent home defense weapon as well, when loaded with the same SP/HP. It hits harder than a 9mm/.45acp pistol.

The Kel-Tec is a cool gun. The ammo is cheaper... it again makes a good plinker. Wouldn't hunt with it(even where legal). I think .223/5.56 is not a prefered home defense load, even with SP/HP... too much chance of over-penetration unless you hand load it sub-sonic.

Get the M1.

[JohnD13]

DO you reload? If you do then the M1 carbine is relatively budget friendly, if your buying factory ammo, it gets a little expensive. Not really bad, but not as cheap a 5.56. Loaded with a soft point, it has impressive expansion at reasonable ranges, up to 75 or 100 yards, and you can hit pretty well out to probably 200 yards with the sights on the gun. I went with the carbine myself.