M1 carbine and M2 carbine
A firearm that has become iconic in the imagery of the Korean War is the U.S. Carbine.
The carbine is a handy weapon for the individual whose duties take him to the line only occasionally, for rear area troops dealing with minor threats to their local security, and for minor escort and convoy duties where there is a danger of being jumped suddenly and at close range. For example, three men in a jeep, moving through country where they might be jumped by a small enemy group at a bad spot in the road, are doubtless better protected if they carry one tommy gun and two carbines, rather than a tommy gun and two M1 Garand rifle.
Although US production of the M1 Carbine ceased at the end of World War II, enough carbines had been produced to supply the needs of the US armed forces for decades as well as supplying US allies. However, US arsenals carried out extensive overhauls on a substantial number of those World War II carbines, upgrading them to late-war configuration. Stocks of the carbine were to prove sufficient for postwar needs, though most used in Korea were of M2 configuration.
The M2 Carbine included conversion parts that allowed for select-fire operation. In addition to purpose-built M2 Carbines, many M1 Carbines were upgraded to a select-fire configuration. These lightweight, compact carbines entered the battlefields of Korea, where they offered much more firepower in their select-fire configuration than the semi-auto-only M1 had offered during World War Two. It’s handiness, lighter weight and less-bulky ammunition made it popular with combat noncoms and officers alike. US soldiers and Marines seemed to feel that the Carbines performed quite well in comparison with the Chinese-supplied PPSh-41 Burp Gun.