Inspector General Joseph K. Mansfield conducted a tour of the Western outposts in 1853 and reported that the troops made many derogatory comments about their carbines.

His report also stated that "There is no probable certainty of hitting the object aimed at, and the recoil is too great to be fired with ease."

The Model 1847 musketoon's inadequacies were largely responsible for Steptoe's loss at the Battle of Pine Creek (along with other poor equipment selections).

The Model 1847 carbines were also produced as a smoothbore weapon, and a small number of these also were later rifled.

The Model 1847 carbine featured a small lock and chain or metal bale for attaching the ramrod which was especially useful while reloading on horseback.