Page "M1 carbine" Paragraph 5

In 1938, the Chief of Infantry requested the Ordnance Department develop a " light rifle " or carbine, though the formal requirement for the weapon type was not approved until 1940.

This led to a competition in 1941 by major U. S. firearm companies and designers.

The prototypes for the carbine competition were chambered for a new cartridge, the. 30 Carbine, a smaller and lighter. 30 caliber ( 7. 62 mm ) round very different from the. 30-06 in both design and performance.

The. 30 Carbine cartridge was intermediate in muzzle energy ( ME ) and muzzle velocity ( MV ).

Essentially a rimless version of the obsolete. 32 Winchester Self-Loading cartridge, the. 30 Carbine had a round-nose bullet.

From an barrel, the. 30 Carbine cartridge produced a muzzle velocity of approximately.