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

weapons of war
weapons of war

A Deadly Testing Ground: Guns of the Spanish Civil War

Great powers have often used smaller conflicts as test beds for new weapon systems, and also as dumping grounds for obsolete machinery. The Spanish Civil War was one such conflict.

Sequel: The New Taurus Judge

Not content to merely mark the gun's 20th anniversary with a special engraved edition, Taurus also introduced the New Taurus Judge this year.

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 3, 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.

Questions & Answers: A Wreck of a Remington 40-X

An American Rifleman reader writes in about a project Remington 40-X .22 target rifle that needs some serious help.

New for 2026: KJI K950 Tripod and Titan Inverted Ball Head

KJI (formerly Kopfjäger) releases the carbon-fiber K950 tripod and Titan inverted-ball head.

Book Review | Guns, Shooting and Hunting: What I’ve Learned in 60 Years

Much of what one learns is truly inexpressible to others—so it’s a wonderful rarity when someone can put their knowledge into words.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.