The M1 Carbine fires a pistol cartridge. You would never assualt with it. It is designed for CQB support of the M1 Garand, the same as the German MP40.
No the M1 Carbine does not fire a pistol cartridge. I did once have a Ruger Single action which was chambered for the Carbine round. It had so much blast that I traded it off fair;y soon.
The M1 carbine round is in the same class as the original German 8mm Kurts as well as the AK and M16.
The US airborne units carried a bunch of M-1 Carbines, because they expected to be cut off from supply, and the lighter M-1 Carbine and lighter ammunition let them carry more ammunition. Carried a bunch of M-1 Garands too.
M-1903 Springfield: 16 rounds to the pound
M-1 Garand: 19 rounds to the pound
M-14 Garand: 20 rounds to the pound
M-1 Carbine: 30 rounds to the pound
M-16: 40 rounds to the pound
Love how people act like the STG44 was a Nazi death ray, and the M1 carbine is denigrated as mere handy pistol.
The facts are, 125 grains 7.92 at 2250 fps for the vaunted STG44. Yet the 30 Carbine is 110 grain 7.62 at 1990 fps.
There is almost no practical difference.
Oh, except there is one difference. The M1 is half the weight and twice as ergonomic as the German try. When I held an StG44 I was amazed at the weight and awkwardness of it. The AK outclasses it in every way too.
But 30 Carbine is a far far better round than people realize.