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Alpine M1 Carbine - scope |
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7171M11971 
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Joined: Sep 05 2025 Location: Tujunga Status: Offline Points: 5 |
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 Topic: Alpine M1 Carbine - scopePosted: Sep 19 2025 at 5:45pm |
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I am new to this forum. This is my first post. I have an Alpine M1 carbine from the 60's. I inherited it 10 years ago. It's in excellent condition, shoots perfectly. Here is my question (with a little background)? I am in my early 70's, I shoot paper targets at a local a range. But I can no longer see the bullet holes in the target. So I want to put a scope on my M1. Can someone recommend a scope mount and scope for this M1. I see several options, some state not for use on Alpine. I do not want to drill holes in the gun. Does someone have a setup I could use for example? I would like to be able to see target bullet holes at 50 to 300 yards. Thank you! Allen
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Allen C
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1st M1 88
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Posted: Sep 19 2025 at 10:35pm |
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Just my thoughts, but I would use a spotting scope.
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Snippity4
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Posted: Sep 19 2025 at 11:05pm |
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I second the suggestion for a spotting scope. I would only go with a rifle scope if your eyes aren't good enough to shoot with open sights at whatever distances you want to shoot at. It takes a quality higher power rifle scope to see bullet holes clearly in regular black target paper at 300 yards. The spotting scope can also be used with other firearms.
Edited by Snippity4 - Sep 19 2025 at 11:56pm |
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floydthecat
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Posted: Sep 20 2025 at 4:46am |
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We all have opinions. I think when we start hanging optics on a carbine we defeat one of its best features. The little gun is light, handy and intended to be effective at pistol caliber ranges. Qualification requirements were very liberal, basically placing 5 out of 7 rounds inside a 3 x 5 target at 25-yards. Our M14’s were zeroed on a 25-meter range, then we qualified at longer ranges with pop-up targets at 25, 100 and 250-meters. As long as we hit and dropped a target to make it fall, that was all that was required. I zero all my rifles at 25-yards and can expect to hit anything I can see at longer ranges. Owning 78-year old eyes, I can’t see much past 75-yards anyway 😂.
Having voiced my personal and very biased opinion….scope mounts that attach to the dovetail slot only do turn up. My brother had one an a Universal. Go to ebay and do a search for “M1 Carbine Scope Mount”. There was a seller listing these for like $15….if he is still active and has any. There are hand guard mounts available and some guys here on the forum use them for mounting optics like red-dots. The problem with hand guard mounts is that they move under fire and the zero will change every time you disassemble the rifle and do require a long eye relief scope or optic.
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New2brass
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Dan Pinto, How Can I help Joined: Nov 29 2015 Location: CCC Status: Offline Points: 5527 |
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Posted: Sep 20 2025 at 8:40am |
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sleeplessnashadow did a post on what he was shooting with, but I cannot find that post. Maybe he will chime in. as to the handguard scope mounts, they are not all created equal. UltiMAK and similar have clamps that go around the barrel so they do not move. As to the effects of being placed there is a whole different discussion on harmonics and types of scope in relation to distance from the eye. Also, some commercial barrels are different than the USGI so the correct one would need to be ordered. as to the dovetail mounts, these have been around a long time. I have seen some in different lengths and some may require different rings.
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floydthecat
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Posted: Sep 20 2025 at 8:57am |
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I made myself curious and went to look. NOT ANY ADVERTISEMENT, but the dovetail mounted versions are all over the place on ebay for cheap.
Just drift out the rear sight and use the hardware provided. These might be the best way to mount a scope on a carbine and the ones I see accept Weaver bases.
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W5USMC
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Posted: Sep 20 2025 at 10:24am |
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Since the OP mentioned that he is wanting to see his actual bullet holes in his targets out to 300 yards leads me to agree with 1st M1 88 and Snippity4, a spotting scope would be the way to go.
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Wayne
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7171M11971
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Posted: Sep 20 2025 at 12:54pm |
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Thanks to all for your wise input! A spotting scope is where I started this thought process and it sounds like the best option as many of you have recommended. I know 300 yards with an M1 carbine is not very realistic but I had to ask. 100 yards is probably a long shot. Thanks again, Allen (7171M11971)
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Allen C
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Skippy
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Posted: Sep 20 2025 at 1:10pm |
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Here is a photo of my PRS Carbine. 😊 It has a 3x9 FFP scope and is actually pretty fun to shoot. It has the Numrich Arms Co. U.S. Carbine Scope Mount which requires drilling a hole in the receiver. This mount is not very rigid though, and you can’t remove the bolt with the scope mounted.
Here is one of the dovetail mounted versions - they are surprisingly secure. You probably could use a cantilever mount to install a nice scope but may have to worry about ejecting brass hitting the scope tube. You have to file down the screw on this mounting kit to get a proper fit.
This is all just horsing around – I think M1 Carbines are best left with iron sights. The spotting scope is probably the best option.
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floydthecat
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Posted: Sep 20 2025 at 5:43pm |
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I second, 3rd. and 4th. Skippy’s motion above about leaving the little booger alone!
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Jond41403
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Posted: Sep 22 2025 at 1:39pm |
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Yes I certainly agree with all the above about using a spotting scope. That's the easiest and cheapest way to get the power to actually see bullet holes at that sort of distance. I have the same problem and have always used a spotting scope and can see bullet holes at 150 easily. Also try some of the splatter targets, those show up bright colors when hit. I'm almost 50 and my eyes are starting to fade and I just simply would not go to the range without my spotting scope, I love mine. I only have a couple scopes on my rifles and one is an ACOG 4x32 and the other one is a primary arms 4x32 and I can't really see bullet holes through the scopes like I can my spotting scope.hth
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Matt_X
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Posted: Sep 22 2025 at 10:27pm |
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We've discussed spotting scopes a couple of times. I don't have specific product recommendations but can say what works sufficently for me out to 100 yards on an SR-1 maybe some others can add their experiences in.
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Snippity4
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Posted: Sep 23 2025 at 12:24pm |
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The Vortex, Leupold, or Nikon spotting scopes will work fine to 200 yards. The higher end will work to 300. I shot on a regular Army rifle team, Army National Guard rifle team, and civilian CMP matches. We were restricted to 25 power but the targets were pulled and marked with spotters so you didn't need anymore than 25 power. I used a Champions Choice scope and shooting stand. Stand for right hand shooter placed on your left side. I use the same stand now and an angled Vortex 20X60X80 spotting scope. My gun club has a 200 yard covered/benched multi purpose range (50, 100, and 200 yard berms). It also has a 1,000 KD range with the target pits. Many types of NRA regional shoots center fire cartridge and BPCR shoots are held here. You can shoot 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800, 900, and 1,000 yards. My scope will see .30 caliber holes at 300 yards but when shooting the KD range at 200, 300, 600 and 1,000 yards we use target pullers in the pits that mark your shots and scoring so all you need is a scope to that will see the marking discs.
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jkingrph
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Posted: Sep 26 2025 at 6:36pm |
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I'll be 80 the end of October and yes I cannot see bullet holes in the target . I might see .45 cal holes in the right type target at up to 25 yards, but that might be stretching it. I had cataract surgery about 4 years ago, just had my eyes checked early this month, 20/20 one eye 20/25 in the other so all I need now is reading glasses.
I love my iron sights, more fun than scopes, I am big into airguns so I can shoot in my yard instead of a 50 mile one way trip to the range. I just cannot imagine ruining the handling of a carbine by adding a scope. Get a good spotting scope. I went through several over the years and finally settled on one of the high end Kowa scopes, finally settling on a TSN 55. It has what they call fluorite crystal lens and magnification from 17 to 40 power and is very small. Images are very crisp and sharp and the scope is actually small enough to hold in your hand. I would recommend a good stiff tripod and a small fluid head tripod mount. Not cheap, in fact rather expensive but a joy to use.
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Jeff
Maj, USAF, BSC Hon Ret NRA Patron member Texas Rifle Assoc Life member |
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7171M11971
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Posted: Sep 26 2025 at 9:24pm |
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Jeff, I tried the rout of air guns in my backyard. I live in Los Angeles city (although in the foothills) but apparently I can't even shoot an airsoft gun in my backyard! I have a Crosman 600 semi auto pistol that I love but I can't shot it in my backyard. It seems the only people that can fire any type of gun in LA are gang bangers during drive by shootings. So I am relegated to local ranges and their targets. I appreciate your recommendation, your spotting scope sounds great but way way out of my budget. Allen |
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Allen C
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Snippity4
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Posted: Sep 27 2025 at 12:30am |
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If you are on a budget look around at Pawn shops and gun shows. You can find used spotting scopes or good binoculars for a fraction of what a new ones cost. Most any scope will work out to 150 yards for .30 caliber rounds. For a knock around scope in the truck or four wheeler I bought a Barska 45 power spotting scope in the box at a pawn shop for $40. You could see bullet holes at 100 yards clearly. I saw a nice Leupold spotting scope at a gun show last weekend for $100. Check Ebay for spotting scopes. A lot of them on there. You can also get camera tripods that will work with a spotting scope at pawn shops cheap. Take the scope with you to make sure the screw on the tripod works with your scope. Just a couple of options.
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jkingrph
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Posted: Sep 29 2025 at 2:33pm |
Yes, i realize that one and those fluorite crystal lens scopes are very expensive. I had some cheaper ones over the years and ended up with this one because the direction in which I shoot probably 95% of the time is more in the direction of the sun and cheaper scopes tended to give me more glare. In reality any spotting scope is better than none. I am lucky, I live in E. Texas just outside city limits of a rather small town and have a 1 3/4 acre lot, so I can off my back patio get a range out to almost 50 yards. We were the first house in this subdivision 40 something years ago, so I immediately started shooting, really hunting gophers and clearing them out of the area in a few months so my shooting is somewhat grandfathered in. There is a house across the street from my backyard that is for sale, so I plan to be out shooting any time the realtor shows it so prospective buyers will know what goes on in my yard.
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Jeff
Maj, USAF, BSC Hon Ret NRA Patron member Texas Rifle Assoc Life member |
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Smokpole
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Posted: Sep 29 2025 at 7:41pm |
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You do that and you might end up with a neighbor like me! I hope you don't mind sharing your range! *LOL*
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floydthecat
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Posted: Sep 30 2025 at 6:04am |
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Life is wonderful out here in rural America. If we don’t hear gunfire in the community on a routine basis, we go check on the neighbors to make sure they are OK and have plenty of ammo.
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shadycon
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Posted: Sep 30 2025 at 8:35am |
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It's the same here in rural Va. and I have 20 acres.
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M1's are FUN!!!
TSMG's are more FUN!!! |
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7171M11971 wrote: