NRA Gun of the Week: Inland M1A1 Paratrooper Carbine

by
posted on December 19, 2015
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

During World War II, the Dayton, Ohio-based Inland Manufacturing Division of General Motors became one of the largest firearm manufacturers in the U.S., and will be best remembered for its M1 Carbine, producing more than 2.5 million rifles—along with most of the tooling used by other companies producing this rifle—for the war effort. Eventually Inland returned to automotive manufacturing and left GM altogether in 1999, but in 2013 the company was revived under the name of Inland Mfg., and is located close to the original company’s Ohio headquarters. Its products are distributed by MKS Supply.

All of Inland’s carbines are 100-percent American-made with 100-percent American parts, and are faithful copies of the original Inland Manufacturing carbines, right down to part construction and stampings.

The M1A1 Paratrooper is modeled after a late production 1944 M1A1 Paratrooper model with a folding "low wood" walnut stock, type two barrel band, and includes the same adjustable sights that were actually introduced in 1944. It has a 15-round magazine capacity, but a 10-round mag is offered to comply with certain states’ laws.

Watch as American Rifleman’s Kelly Young takes our latest NRA Gun of the Week downrange and highlights many of the carbine’s authentic features.

Specifications 
Manufacturer: 
Inland Manufacturing, LLC.
Distributor: MKS Supply
Model: M1A1 Paratrooper Carbine
Action: gas-operated, semi-automatic rifle
Caliber: .30 Carbine
Finish: Parkerized
Stock: folding wire with leather-wrapped cheekpiece; walnut pistol grip and handguard
Front Sight: fixed
Rear Sight: adjustable aperture
Trigger: 7-lbs., 5-oz. pull
Barrel Length: 18"
Overall Length: 36"
Weight: 5 lbs., 7.5 ozs.
Magazine: 15-round-capacity, detachable box
Twist: four-groove, 1:20" RH
Accessories: owner’s manual, shoulder sling, oiler
MSRP: $1,200

Latest

SA Echelon Alpha 01
SA Echelon Alpha 01

Affordable & Feature-Rich: The Springfield Armory Echelon Alpha 4.0C

Springfield Armory entered the world of modular, striker-fired handguns in 2023 with its Echelon line of pistols, and for 2026, Springfield is introducing an entry-level Echelon model with the Alpha 4.0C.

5 New SBRs for 2026

It has never been easier for gun owners to buy and use short-barreled rifles, and for the occasion, we have five of the latest SBRs on the market right now.

Review: Military Armament Corporation MAC-5K

SDS Arms, under its Military Armament Corporation (MAC) brand, imports Turkish-made roller-delayed handguns of the H&K MP5 pattern called the MAC-5K.

8 New Revolvers for 2026

Despite the incredible array of polymer-frame, striker-fired, semi-automatic handguns on the market, the classic revolver not only refuses to die, it has seen something of a resurgence in recent years.

The Armed Citizen® May 18, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

8 New Semi-Auto Shotguns for 2026

For 2026, the semi-automatic shotgun market has seen even more growth, with some manufacturers expanding their current offerings and other makers entering the marketplace with novel designs.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.