Take the compact M1 Carbine and give it a modern set of sights, and you get something like this Inland Scout. It is a new rifle in .30 Carbine with a 16-inch barrel, a 15-round magazine, and a black and wood finish. The model number is ILM160.

Inland Manufacturing builds these in the United States. The M1 Carbine pattern came from the Second World War, and it was designed to give support troops a lighter weapon than the Garand. Today it is a popular recreational rifle, and the new-production versions let you shoot without worrying about the value of an original.

The Scout designation suggests an optic-friendly configuration, so check the photos to see how the sights and mounts look. A short barrel keeps the carbine quick on target, and the .30 Carbine cartridge is easy on the shoulder. Hunters use it for hogs and small game at modest ranges, and target shooters enjoy it for the light recoil.

When it arrives, inspect the stock, the sight base, and the finish. Test the magazine for fit and function. Break in the rifle with a few boxes of standard ammunition. The rifle ships to your FFL dealer, where the background check is completed.