Since the inception of mobile police patrols, carbines have played an important, albeit a discrete role, in administering justice. Vintage photographs of stalwart Texas Rangers invariably include a longarm of sufficient caliber to encourage even the vilest of vulgarians to surrender, or at least seek cover. Winchester 92's, 94's, 1905's and occasionally 1894 Marlin lever actions, were generally accepted as subordinate weapons to the Ranger’s Model P Colt as a badge of authority on the frontier. A determined Ranger with a carbine could usually stay on a man at 100 paces, four times the practical range of a sidearm, increasing his own chances for survival while limiting his adversary’s capability to return accurate gunfire at such distances.
I recall an article about 20 years ago in which Colonel Jeff Cooper opined that a Model 94 could still do yeoman service as a patrol carbine, with less cost, training and liability than most modern rifles being touted as appropriate for the mission. I consumed his message with some trepidation, but finally conceded that his logic, though unorthodox, was manifestly unflawed.
The mission was simply to provide the average cop with a shoulder arm of superior accuracy, energy and range than his sidearm, in a compact, affordable and reliable package. Ruminating on those revelations today, it still reveals logic, though I doubt seriously many of my contemporaries will abide by the concept of a century old carbine in harmony with computer equipped patrol cars.
Few lever actions are seen today as patrol carbines, yet the concept, founded upon logic, failed to consider predisposed emotion in the equation. We will carry the 9MM and perceive it as a modern cartridge, yet it pales in comparison to the energy level of the 30-30, which by every standard is a 19th century arm bearing an antiquated action, with an arcane magazine and loading system.
Several years ago, while authoring a white paper prospectus for my agency on available patrol carbines, I evaluated and reported on four models, the Colt/Armalite AR-15 type rifles, Ruger PC 9, Marlin Camp 9 and M-1 Carbine. Finally championing the Colt, I had to incorporate the caveat that if price were the sole issue, surplus M-1 carbines with soft point ammo would suffice. I could have included the Model 94 in that group as well, had I not chosen to examine only autos.
The concept of 20th century patrol carbines for American police had it’s genesis during the era of the Model T Ford. Most urban police agencies had little need for ­rifles until the advent of the motor­car, then suddenly several events occurred to encourage their use. First, the auto brought mobility and speed for the criminal and the cop, with both choosing more formidable weaponry. While shotguns were favored by both sides of justice, few true carbines were pressed into police service until WWII. Large agencies like NYPD and Chicago PD adopted Win­chester Model 92s, along with various pump shotguns and the Thompson submachine guns during the Depression era of gangsterism. Next was the need for greater penetration than that of the veteran .38 Special round nosed lead cartridges most officers carried at that time, and some much later. Cars of that era, while lacking technology, were robust by today’s standards of bodywork and sheetmetal. As a young brick cop in the early 70s, I routinely saw older cars that had been hit by .38 Special. rounds which failed to completely penetrate past the door panels, creating ­only a rounded indentation.
Finally, firearms technology improved to the point of offering reliable semi-auto rifles with large capacity magazines, even before WWII. One example is that of the famous Texas lawman Frank Hamer, who finally stopped Bonnie and Clyde, using BAR equipped deputies and his own Remington semi-auto Model 8 .35 caliber rifle with special 20 round magazines. Events such as these sealed the fate of many gangsters in the 20s, and 30s, and supported the idea of carbines by their effective use in the hands of cops.
The end of WWII brought about a new wave in policing, due in part to the return of millions of GIs who had spent the last few years carrying and using rifles and submachine guns. Many of those veterans chose a career in police work, and due to their own experiences, found the longarm more effective and comforting than the marginally effective revolvers most agencies issued. While short barreled shotguns were good for close encounters, the carbine gave additional range and accuracy.
When Swat Teams came into vogue in the mid 70s I was assigned to one of two teams in my agency. As training and equipment were sparse in those days, we capitalized on surplus military goods which were plentiful. Initially, we equipped the squads with Ithaca 37Rs, and Thompsons from the department arsenal. The Thompson’s removable buttstock made the heavy subguns more portable and compact in corridors and hallways, especially when conducting operations in near darkness. In the late 70s we finally traded the 50 year old Thomp­sons for AR-15s and M-16s, though the regulation S&W revolvers were still the accepted sidearms for tactical use.
The M-1 Carbine, millions of which were available on the surplus market, found immediate ­favor with Officers who were fortunate enough to own, or be issued one for their patrol cars. My Sheriff, whom I served under as his Chief Investigator in the 1980s, authorized surplus M-1 Carbines in our marked units, along with a half dozen 30 round mags. This in conjunction with the Model 870 Remington pumps gave our Deputies the added advantage of range and penetration when necessity called, while ensuring limited penetration in dwellings.
The costs were negligible, when compared to AR-15s even of that era, as good surplus M-1 carbines could be purchased for under $100.00 in excellent condition. Some federal programs even made them available for nominal fees to local law enforcement entities, through the military surplus channels.
This was back when new AR-15s were under $400.00, AR-180s were $300.00, and Bill Ruger’s fine Mini 14 in GB trim could be had for around $200.00, yet even these were princely sums when compared to city budgets and take home pay. We debated the merits of the relatively new 5.56MM rounds for urban use, and most of us remained concerned about over penetration in inner city environs. The compact .30 carbines answered the call for limited penetration and superior range.
As we entered the 1980s, and auto pistols became more visible in police holsters, a number of agencies favored subguns like the Uzi, H&K MP-5, and Colt 9MM AR variation, the 6450, all chambered exclusively for the 9MM parabellum. Logic held that a single cartridge chambering in both the issue sidearm and longarm was more efficient, if only marginally effective at distances greater than 25 yards. At the time, the ­belief was that any police target past pistol range, was only suitable for tactical rifle teams, generally equipped with scoped .308 Remington 700s.
Suddenly, in the l990s, the substance and psychology of the police longarm changed, due not in small part to the proliferation of the Norinco SKS, AKs and AKMs imported into the US in huge numbers, artificially inflating the market value and intrinsic properties of the arm. 7.62 X 39
Ammo was inexpensive and plentiful, resulting in substantial sales of these models, which by virtue of their numbers, resulted in the inevitable and occasional criminal use by some offenders, who acquired their weapons through illicit channels.
The media immediately took note and hyperbole followed ignorance in reporting. The fact the a stolen .25 auto was still the choice of most street hoodlums was inconsequential to the liberal media, hot on the heels of award winning controversy.
Consequently, the Police market ensured a variety of technologically advanced carbines, with Marlins’ Camp 9 and Camp .45 becoming the least expensive alternatives to higher priced Patrol carbines sought for issue in the early 1990s. Ruger’s PC 9 and PC .40 brought about a resurgence of popularity of the brand in police circles, due not in small part to Ruger’s extensive research and development of the model, along with the interchangeability of Ruger pistol magazines in those models. Ruger has long owned a market share with their Mini 14 versions. The selective fire AC-556 GB was one of the finest, especially with it’s stable, side folding buttstock for compactness and convenience, and a fine rear aperture sight for speed and acquisition.
Colt’s variety of models are perhaps the most widely issued Patrol carbines currently, with H&K’s MP-5 second only due to their increased cost.
My own agency accepted the Colt M-4 5.56 Carbines for Patrol use, to supplement the shotgun in certain critical engagements, even though our Tactical Team still favors the MP 5 for close quarters entry/arrest capability. Our Sher­iff’s Department issues stainless Ruger Mini 14s, with a comparable savings of about 1/3 over the Colt offering. Both are fine choices, though my personal predisposition falls to the Colt/ Armalite system.
Sighting arrangements on Patrol carbines should be enhanced with electronic optics, to include laser or even flashlights, although at some point, weight and bulk provide diminishing return when engaged in close quarters management. Slings are a necessity, with spare magazine carriers a consideration, but not a requisite. My favorite sighting systems for Patrol carbines is a luminous front post, along with low, or fixed power compact scope, with daylight laser mounts as an option.
Folding stocks are fine if space is a premium. If not, stick to the full stock model, which allows greater control and stability when prone. Periodically check the functioning, including all magazines to ensure mag lips remain undamaged. Perform the very same evaluation on the carbines as you would an issue shotgun, or your duty sidearm, then take advantage of range time to ensure your confidence with your “longarm” of the law.