I’d love to own a M-1 carbine but I’d settle for a Ruger Mini-14 Ranch rifle or the Mini-14 Tactical.
I have both the carbine and the Mini-14...........both are real fun to shoot.
The M-1 is so lightweight and even using iron sight if you have a steady hand you can group well at 100 yards.
You really can’t go wrong with both, from an ease, weight and shooting fun standpoint that is.
Don’t forget the Mini-30. The 7.62x39 is a reliable jack of all trades cartridge suitable for self defense and hunting, and can be bought cheap. The Ruger shoots ‘em all with scarcely ever a jam.