Chiappa Firearms M1-9 MBR: the M1 carbine, evolved
The Chiappa Firearms M1-9 MBR (Modern Black Rifle) semi-automatic carbine combines the familiar layout of the quintessentially American .30 M1 Carbine with the affordability of 9mm and the ergonomics of modern sporting rifles
Chiappa Firearms M1-9 MBR: the M1 carbine, evolved
The Chiappa Firearms M1-9 MBR semi-automatic carbine has remained relatively under the radar ever since it was first introduced in late 2021. Largely patterned after the .30 caliber M1 Carbine – one of the most-produced weapons of World War II – the M1-9 MBR semi-automatic carbine does without the original gas tappet system, featuring instead a straight blowback working system for simplicity. Chambered in 9mm Luger, like all other variants of Chiappa’s M1-9 line, the M1-9 MBR feeds from standard Beretta 92 (a.k.a. M9) pistol magazines, of any make and capacity; M9/M92 magazines will require no modification for use.
Chiappa’s M1-9 MBR (“Modern Black Rifle”) – also known as the M1-9 NSR in some Countries – can be told apart from other variants of the M1-9 family via its distinctive features: done with the retro wooden stocks, the M1-9 MBR is kitted up to appeal to modern sporting rifle shooters and to meet the modern canons of functionality and ergonomics.
Technically speaking, the M1-9 MBR is basically identical to all other variants in the series. The receiver of the M1-9 MBR is built out of steel and aluminum, and all outer metal surfaces feature a matte black finish. The 48 cm / 19” blued steel barrels features six right-handed grooves and a 1:16” twist rate. Other features include a black polymer stock and a removable rubberized sleeve on the charging handle.
Chiappa Firearms M1-9 MBR
Unlike all other variants of the Chiappa M1-9 carbine series, however, the new M1-9 MBR features an AR-15 compatible pistol grip of Chiappa’s own manufacturing; the factory grip can be replaced with any aftermarket AR-15 compatible pistol grip, as long as it is of the standard, non-beavertailed type. Aftermarket grips with an extended beavertail will not fit.
The stock of the Chiappa M1-9 MBR semi-automatic carbine feature a standard M4-type buffer tube and castle nut; the M1-9 MBR comes from factory with a low-profile, collapsible buttstock and an adjustable cheek riser – which once, again, are replaceable with any other M4-type stocks and buffer tubes.
The Chiappa M1-9 MBR also does without the original M1 fixed front sight and adjustable peep rear sight, replaced by a set of MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rail portions: two are located just behind the ejection window, where the rear sight block should be, and all over the top handguard. Another portion is screwed on underneath the lower handguard, making the Chiappa M1-9 MBR carbine compatible with all sorts of tactical accessories – front grips, bipods, laser sights, tactical flashlights – and optical sights.
The M1-9 MBR comes from factory with a set of removable flip-up black polymer sights affixed to the front and rear top Picatinny rails.
What makes the Chiappa Firearms M1-9 MBR semi-automatic carbine stand out amidst the crowd, however, is the fully shrouded barrel. More specifically, the front portion of the barrel is entirely enclosed in a metal tube that reproduces the look, but not the function, of a modern sound suppressor, making the M1-9 MBR available for sale even where silencers and suppressed firearms are banned or heavily restricted.
Fake suppressors used as barrel shrouds are often seen on the US market with semi-automatic, civilian-grade versions of classic sub-machine guns such as the UZI or the MP5; Federal law requires that they have at least a 16-inch long barrel to be classified as long guns, and such a long, thin barrel protruding from the otherwise stubby body of the gun would otherwise result ugly at best.
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Chiappa’s M1-9 carbines feature the same barrel profile as the original M1 carbine, with the addition of a fake post-war type bayonet lug – meaning that, in this case, even without the fake silencer, one would be hard pressed to observe such “aesthetic dissonance”.
If anything, the barrel shroud will give users some good DeLisle carbine vibes. Sure thing, the M1-9 MBR wouldn’t be out of place in a Star Wars movie.
Standing in at 889 mm / 35” in length and weighing in at approximately 2,9 kilograms (6.5 lbs), the Chiappa Firearms M1-9 MBR is the gun to go if you are looking at a viable pistol-caliber carbine (PCC) for sport shooting, target practice, plinking, or home and property defense that won’t break the bank.
The M1-9 MBR is more comfortable to handle and fire than Chiappa’s own, standard M1-9s; it is compatible with readily available magazines and accessories; will reliably fire and stabilize the vast majority of commercial, sporting and defensive 9mm loads; and it is conveniently priced. Can’t really ask for much more than that.
For price and availability please refer to your local dealer, and visit the Chiappa Firearms website:
www.chiappafirearms.com
