M1 carbines......your thoughts?

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Was at a local gunshop last week browsing and saw that they had two M1 carbines in the used gun rack: a Universal 'civilian' model and a refinished (or appeared to be refinished) military model with bayonet lug....prices were $295 & $395, respectively.
I picked them up and handled them.....kinda short for my frame; sights didn't come right 'on line' like some other models. Both came with 15 round magazines.

I'm wondering who might be interested in these firearms, other than a person with a hankerin' for nostalgia?? The guns themselves aren't all that accurate, surplus ammo has dried up, factory ammo is outrageously expensive (esp. when comparing the round to something like the .223), then gun is difficult to mount a scope on, the round isn't really a long range round and lacks much of a punch....most states outlaw it for big game, and it really lacks the range for any serious varminting.

I realize that they are 'inexpensive', but a Ruger mini14 or mini30 isn't that much more expensive, and ammo abounds for either rifle.

Not trying to pick on the gun.....I know the history behind the idea (light carbine to replace the .45 for folks such as cooks, orderlies, hospital personell, ect, i.e. people who most likely wouldn't be in a fight, but might find themselves in one at any minute), but the rifle/round just seem to have more things going against them nowadays than for them.

Your thoughts?........and did anyone here actually carry one in the service? My Uncle supposedly did while in the marines in the pacific in WWII, but he never really gave an opinion on it, and passed away before I could ask him.