I hate to say this, but they might be better off with Mini-14's.

By M-1 I assume you mean the M-1 Carbine. My Dept. has several M-2's in our inventory. The .30 Carbine is akin to a pistol round in the .38 Spl.+P to .357 Mag. performance. It won't penetrate most soft body armor. It is adequate(barely) for urban patrol duties. Given the choice between the M-1 Carbine and nothing as my choices for a patrol carbine. I'd take the M-1. It will give you better longer range accuracy and more fire power than a pistol.

That's what O/T is for..."collars for dollars!"

Better a mini-14 than an M-1 Carbine, though if the option is nothing or the carbine, the carbine has an edge.

Our department has authorized the carrying of M1 Carbines, matter of fact, we had qualifications this last Thursday.  For giggles
and grins, I qualified on mine.  Though it will
likely not be carried unless the AR and Benelli
is out of action at the same time.

Our guys, found a source out of Shotgun news, I think.  They bought a bunch.  The stocks are in
rough shape but the actions and barrels are very nice.

I do agree, the M1 is a good weapon but it just
barely makes it as a duty carry weapon.  But
then again, if it's no carbine or the M1, the
the M1 will do just fine.  This will work well
for the SRT guys, because this will open the
door for the SRT guys to have the ability to
deploy them on patrol duties.  Which suits me
just fine!  Going in on a building with entry
with a heavy assed shotgun with no light system
really really bites!!!!

TCLEOSE (our governing LE board here in TX) has
told us 20 rounds at 50 yards, scoring no less than 70% is acceptable.  Our department added the stipulation of no rounds outside the scoring areas.  In other words no misses.  Each round that misses the target = collateral damage or injured bystander.  If any misses, the shooter must reshoot.  Our AR qual is much more stringent with no less than 80% plus running to differant distances with mag changes under two minutes.  

The M1's will do you guys fine.  Just make sure
they are good functional weapons. Good luck and
have fun!!!

Brownells [url]www.brownells.com[/url] carries some very nice new, walnut, military finish Carbine stocks...

239-000-021  Carbine Finished Stock $68.63  
239-000-023  Carbine Finished Handguard $27.92

Prices are what your armorer can get them for.