Funny you mention that.
My father was a newly minted Lieutenant when they sent him to the Danube with his M1 Carbine. He said he was lucky. His guys told him that the Germans knew we issued carbines to officers, so they looked for the guy with the box magazine and shot him first.
He also dropped his carbine and picked up a Garand. He never regretted it.
My dad, rest his soul, told a similar story. Chucked his M1 carbine for a Garand first chance he got.
"Would you mind not drawing fire while you're inspiring us, sir?"