05.01 2007 05:48 | M2 Carbine gas blowback airsoft rifle in review

M2 Carbine gas blowback airsoft rifle

M2 CARBINE GAS BLOWBACK RIFLE IN REVIEW

Modern day technology brings us the M2 Carbine as fully automatic gas blowback airsoft rifle.

For WWII airsoft combat use. By WWII GUNS.

Marushin M2 Carbine gas blowback rifle

Name Marushin M2 Carbine gas blowback rifle Manufacturer Marushin Model Marushin M2 Carbine gas blowback airsoft rifle Ammo capacity 15 Weight 2,250g Power N/A Power system Internal gas tank (magazine housed) & HFC134a gas Hop Up Yes Power source HFC134a Shooting mode Semi, Full Auto Construction Metal and wood

Pros Cons Verdict + Absolutely looking like real M2 carbine rifle + Affordable for high-end fully automatic gas gun + Practical and highly functional + High grade materials for airsoft gun, only metal and wood used + Smooth and quick blowback recoil - Slow velocity of BBs resulting from use of large 8mm BBs High-end gas blowback rifle that can be given the best rating possible for usability. It functions well and provides excellent close range weapon for World War II airsoft re-enactment. Purchase Marushin M2 Carbine gas blowback airsoft rifle

History of M2 Carbine

M2 Carbine was a late-war development of the M1 Carbine that was reaching front line units on 1945. The M2 Carbine introduced fully-automatic firing capability and longer banana-shaped magazine that could house thirty rounds instead of just fifteen thus greatly increasing firepower of soldiers who were carrying it. 570,000 M2 carbines were eventually manufactured and many of these ended up in subsequent wars in Korea and Vietnam. Indeed the M2 Carbine proved to be quite popular among frontline troops and would go on to be used heavily in WWII, Korea, and in the earlier years of the War in Vietnam.

Both M1 and M2 Carbine used the same controversial .30 Carbine ammunition, which unknown to many, was first major use of non-corrosive primer. Because the rifle had a closed gas system, not normally disassembled, corrosive primers would have led to a rapid deterioration of the gas system. The .30 Carbine ammunition received lot of criticism from soldiers who felt it was inadequate for combat use (for lack of man-stopping power). However, the Army was satisfied to replace M1911A1 pistol with M2 Carbine that allowed much higher probability of actually hitting the enemy and delivering greater amount of firepower to far longer distance than what M1911A1 pistol was capable off. Indeed the M1 carbine had a high practical rate of fire. This, and the carbine's light weight, compactness, and low recoil made it a convenient self-defense weapon if not frontline combat rifle. These advantages made the weapon popular with many soldiers, but others did not appreciate it as much. For example, the quality of the original 300-yard (270 m) sight was a subject of some criticism, as was the carbine's performance in extremely cold temperatures beyond its designed minimum operating temperature.

The weapon was designed primarily to offer non-frontline troops a better weapon than existing pistols, but without the recoil, cost, or weight of a full power weapon. Despite this design aspect it was also easier for less experienced soldiers and smaller framed people to fire the weapon than the full power rifles of the day such as for example M1 Rifle "Garand". In addition, it was useful for soldiers like radiomen, engineers, and medics that had to carry a lot of other equipment. Also, officers or NCO's would sometimes choose it over a submachinegun.

True to its classification "carbine", the M2 Carbine went on to be the most effective carbine of World War II thanks to its fully-automatic firing capability and magazine capacity that were unprecendented of the time. Axis powers were not able to field any equivalent carbines and were limited to shortened versions of their standard bolt-action rifles that were hopelessly obsolete against firepower of Allied infantry.

The M2 Carbine was important addition to the likes of M1 Rifle "Garand", BAR and Thompson submachine guns that formed the bulk of Allied infantry firepower.

"It is one thing to stand on a well-policed firing point on a nice spring day and carefully aim in at a nice round, black bullseye superimposed on a lovely white background. It is quite another to run up a hill, stumble over a log, fall into a water filled shell crater, then aim in with a palsied hand at an erratically moving target which would just as soon exchange a few with you in transit.

The pistol carriers will argue that it is better to be inadequately armed than not to be armed at all. The odd thing is that you occasionally run across ex-pistol carriers who gave gotten tangled up in a few torrid skirmishes. Significantly, they're always carrying carbines or rifles…

A pistol carries about half as much ammunition as a carbine… This means you are obliged to change magazines twice as often for the same amount of fire.

Maximum effective range is all with the carbine… [T]he maximum effective range of a pistol in combat [is] five to seven yards… They both jam on occasion, but the pistol has more functional jams… Neither of them takes any prizes as "brush cutters" or penetrators, but in this field too the carbine has the advantage.

Arms For Officers
anonymous
Marine Corps Gazette
November 1944"

The gas blowback airsoft M2 Carbine

The Marushin M2 Carbine is of rare breed as it is chambered to heavy-hitting 8mm BB (most airsoft guns are chambered to 6mm BB) and does not utilize plastic parts. It is based on two popular Marushin rifle designs that have been offering World War II airsoft fans solid rifle options in the last few years. These designs are specifically the Marushin M1 Carbine MAXI, which was a fixed slide gas rifle, and the Marushin M1 Garand gas blowback rifle that introduced the LD-2 gas blowback system on 2006. Marushin M2 Carbine is utilizing many common parts of Marushin M1 Carbine, but features completely new internals as it has the Marushin LD-2 gas blowback system inside. Marushin M2 Carbine is part of the Marushin LD-2 gas gun series that will eventually see refurnished M1 Carbine, Kar 98k and MP-40 to name a few.

The gas system operates very simply and it does not interfene at all with realistic appearance of this beatifully recreated M2 Carbine airsoft rifle. Gas is charged to internal gas tank via valve that has been hidden under the magazine (curiously Marushin has brought back two-valve gas design that was last seen about 10 years ago). This means each magazine has their own separate gas tank for refilling. Naturally this has been developed to allow quick and realistic reloading action during "combat". To observe this system operated in real please see our M2 Carbine gas blowback airsoft rifle firing video.

Cosmetic details & feel

The Marushin M2 Carbine feels and handles exactly like carbine should. It is relatively short (910mm), lightweight and fits well to its operator in terms of ergonomics. For these factors it is quick to aim, fire and reload. In other words it is ideal rifle to operate in combat, but for all its advantages it had a seemingly major drawback in World War II. The .30-06 ammunition was by all accounts underpowered in frontline combat duty and lacked the destructive “stopping power” of its big brother, the M1 rifle “Garand”. However, use of the diminutive .30-06 ammunition was justified as M2 Carbine was simply continuing M1 Carbine’s role of replacing M1911A1 as effective small arm for support troops and frontline officers.

Despite its intended role both M1 and M2 carbines were popular weapons to be given for South Korean, Vietnamese and post-war Japanese troops as their generally smaller bodies were not so well suited for the heavy and long M1 rifle. The M2 Carbine is indeed, for its compact size and firepower, advantageous rifle in WWII airsoft gaming. For its size, it suits well younger players and will teach benefits of firing discipline, as its 15-round magazine will empty very quickly when firing in full automatic. The large 8mm BB is an contributor to the less-than-real ammunition capacity as is the internal gas tank that is housed in all magazines.

The Marushin M2 Carbine gas blowback airsoft rifle is fully made from real wood and zinc metal, total weight being 2,250g.

Practical functions

When it comes to practicality and functions the simplicity of M2 Carbine is its beauty. For its simplicity M2 Carbine is straightforward to use and works reliably. The magazine loading and cocking action is identical to real rifle and looks authentic (or shall we say cool for our younger readers) to boot. Unlike in its big brother the M1 Carbine, M2 sports semi and full automatic fire selector that can be found on left side of the receiver. As this Marushin production has full automatic gas blowback mechanism the selector is fully functional. Both rear and front sights are adjustable

Firing gas blowback airsoft M2 Carbine

Loading action is pleasure with the metal magazine locking in place crisply and cocking movement producing loud chambering noise. Pulling the trigger produces crisp firing action with the slide recoiling powerfully (for airsoft rifle). Blowback action cycles smoothly and quickly giving impression of high rate of fire. Click here to view our video of M2 Carbine.

Summary

High-end gas blowback rifle that can be given the best rating possible for usability. It functions well and provides excellent close range weapon for WWII airsoft combat.

M2 CARBINE IMAGE GALLERY

CLICK HERE TO VIEW M2 CARBINE GAS BLOWBACK AIRSOFT RIFLE OPERATING & FIRING VIDEO