Where to buy M1 Carbine???

[aypstony]

I am kind of looking around for a new or used M1 Carbine. I would consider the better M1's from Winchester or the lower end Universal M1's. I just want to know some good places that could have them.....thanks.

[TheBigCAx]

Check our LIST in C&R Infor Center. I seen-em there. Also, consider the auction boards. There are a couple links on the list.

[cwalker3]

Fulton Armory has them but they are expensive. I'm looking for one myself, but not at FA's prices.

[Custman]

A nice GI Carbine will go for $500+ depending on condition and manufacturer. The last time I took my Underwood Carbine to the range I was offered $500 cash for it I did not take it nor even consider taking it. The Universal Carbines I have seen around for $300 this was before 9-11 so I don't know if the price on those went up.

[cwalker3]

I'd snatch up a carbine for $500 in a heartbeat. Fulton's wants $1099 for one. I've heard alot of good things about their guns, but that's too much for me right now.

[slag]

Get a USGI carbine. Most gunshows will have quite a few to pick from in the $500 to $800 range. A USGI will maintain its value.

[cwalker3]

Originally posted by slag
Get a USGI carbine. Most gunshows will have quite a few to pick from in the $500 to $800 range. A USGI will maintain its value.

Thats what I'm looking for. Unfortunately, gunshows are few and far between around here.

[cwalker3]

Check out http://home.att.net/~ra-carbines/home.html

[Custman]

Riverbank has some nice Carbines but they seem overpriced also. I personally feel that $500 is too much for a rebuilt Carbine but in reserching this for you I have not found any for less than even $600 in very good condition.

[Flinter]

I'm not sure if you have seen them or not, but I took my extra tax return and bought an IAI M-1 Carbine a couple of months ago. This is the Israeli company that makes a couple of other guns. I've owned 4 carbines over my lifetime and I can say that this is the best one hands down. IAI claims that they have solved some of the feeding probs that plague aftermarket carbines. I have put about 300 rounds through mine so far without a hitch. The price was just a little over 500 with tax and all.

[1 Patriot-of-many]

Ouchy.....They are $375 at www.aimsurplus.com
right now....just got one,just have to pick it up from the dealer...I imagine it's the Birch stock rather than the Walnut for that price though.Comes with Bayo and sheath.

[Faulkner]

Here's another place that has some good quality USGI M1 Carbines.

http://www.mactec.e-gun.com/gunlist.html

[sfc ret]

I'd be careful about buying a USGI carbine, you may buy one that is a shot out old whore, or a bubba basement put together special. for the money and piece of mind, get the AIM IAI carbine, the barrel and receiver are new (IAI) the parts are surplus.....and it has a 1 year warranty. I bought one a couple years back, and it hasn't had one problem, it's super accurate and is a nice little shooter.

[Schuetzenman]

Originally posted by sfc ret
I'd be careful about buying a USGI carbine, you may buy one that is a shot out old whore, or a bubba basement put together special. for the money and piece of mind, get the AIM IAI carbine, the barrel and receiver are new (IAI) the parts are surplus.....and it has a 1 year warranty. I bought one a couple years back, and it hasn't had one problem, it's super accurate and is a nice little shooter.

Got to agree here if you want a shooter go for the M888 carbine from IAI. If you want a collector piece then you have to get the real GI carbine.

[Faulkner]

Well, if you are wanting a brand new shooter in a M1 carbine then the IAI probably is the best way to go, but I think there are still a lot of good USGI bargains out there if you look around and know what you're looking for. Gunshows ain't always the best place, unless you catch one in the parking lot before it gets in the door.

The M1 carbine was basically overengineered for the cartridge it fires and it's hard for them to be "shot out". Abused yes, but with the medium powered round and non-corrosive ammo they don't hardly get shot out. They are a pretty straight forward design and easy to maintain in good working condition.

Here is a picture of my group of USGI carbines and they all shoot great. (The top carbine is a Iver Johnson, not a USGI.)

http://www.picturefuse.com/images/1201/2236.jpg

[1 Patriot-of-many]

WOW!!! Awesome bunch of carbines you have there!!!!

[Schuetzenman]

Faulkner you're the reason I can't find a carbine under $500 bucks! You hogged them all up!:( :mad: :(





:)

[Faulkner]

I guess I need to update my picture . . . I've added a another since it was taken.

M1 carbines are more addicting than any dope you could possibly find. I've dealved into other guns like Garands, Lee Enfields, and 1911's, but I always come back to the M1 carbines.

There are still good bargains out there if you keep your eyes and ears open. I bought a real nice early WWII Winchester from a old hunting buddy of my father's. This guy had one of the DCM carbines he purchased through the NRA in the early 60's for $25.00, and I figured it's worth at least $500.00. He was showing it to me and I told him I collected them and asked if he'd sell it, and the haggleing began. He didn't have a clue what it was worth, so he says "I paid $25.00 for it, you think you could give me $100.00 for it." "Nope," I said, "I'll give you $300.00 for it." "I ain't taken $300.00 for this gun, why don't you give me $150.00." he says. "I'll come down to $250.00, and I won't give you a penny less for it." I told him. "$200.00, and it's yours." he responded and I said okay. This old timer said it was the queerest haggleing he ever did over a gun, but I wouldn't have been able to sleep nights if I'd have "stole" it for $100.00.

[Forrest]

That sure is a sweet collection Faulkner.

I'm going to visit a friend tomorrow who just inherited a M1 and wants to get rid of it. It's got an Inland receiver but the forend is stamped with what looks like a bomb or tire with flames/wings coming off of it (his description). But he also says it is unfired...

Any clues as to who made the barrel or if it is a reimport? I think I can get a good deal but want a USGI. I'll just buy a new one if his is commercial.

[Schuetzenman]

Forrest, it's a flaming bomb and is the std. US ordnance mark found on all US military rifles back then. As to the barrel and who made it, they always have that stamped into the barrel below the flaming bomb ordnance mark. There will also be a date stamped there for example 10-43. This October of 1943 and will be the date the barrel was made. This date and when the receiver was made do not always match but if it's the original barrel it will ususlly be within one to two months of the receiver build.

Oh and if the bolt is full round it's an M2 bolt, but if it is half round on top its an original M1 designed bolt. That makes it worth a little more IMO.

[Faulkner]

Originally posted by Forrest
. . . It's got an Inland receiver but the forend is stamped with what looks like a bomb or tire with flames/wings coming off of it (his description). But he also says it is unfired...

Any clues as to who made the barrel or if it is a reimport? I think I can get a good deal but want a USGI. I'll just buy a new one if his is commercial.

Schuetzenman pretty much hit it on the head. A INLAND marked receiver is a USGI. Inland Division of General Motors made more M1 carbines than any other manufacturer, kind of the Springfield of carbines. The barrel should have additional marking along with the flaming bomb, these additional markings will give us more information as to whether it's original or not, or import stamped or not.

One other thing, don't let the "import" thing necessarily scare you off. One of the nicest carbines in my collection is import stamped, and it doesn't always have the negative impact on value that some think.

[Forrest]

Thanks for the info gentlemen. I'll let you know how I do on my shopping. He's got a lot up for sale but unfortunately it's mostly sporting stuff which just doesn't do much for me.

some examples...

winchester 42 (3 of them)
colt derringer #4 x2
winchester 1904
winchester 61,77,58,70,1897,1911 SL, 12, 24,50,25,370
beretta 1200
perkins black powder DB (london fine twist)
H Pieders rolling block 22
S&W 629, service revolver,terrier,60

most of these are NIB. he just had a baby 2 weeks ago and is needing to raise some cash!

[Raptor]

If you want a nice carbine I have a commercial grade M-1 carbine which runs like a champ! The only rough spot is the top of the bolt, but the stock is great and the bore is super!
E-Mail me for more info and pictures!!

[Forrest]

Well the rifle turned out to be a little different than described. It wasn't an Inland. It's an Underwood Barrel 8-43 on a Standard Products receiver :), and most importantly it now belongs to me!

The previous owner bought it in the mid 60's through some Gov program and put it away in a safe and never fired it. Overall it is in very good condition. The wood needs a little sanding and oiling but the bluing is approx 95%. The bolt is the M2. Bore is shiny with minor pitting in about a 1/2 inch square area.

I feel I got a reasonable price at $500.00

[Schuetzenman]

:eek: Don't you dare sand that stock on a DCM carbine! :cryeyes: You want to screw away about $200 bucks of the carbine's value! I'm serious don't do it! :eek: :cryeyes: The most you should do to it is rub in a coat or two of Boiled Lindseed Oil. Falkner chime in here, anybody get in here and tell this guy not to screw with the stock or anything about it.

DCM issued carbines are worth $600 usually as is, no alterations, additions or subtractions. BTW, bug that guy to look through his Dad's stuff and see if he can find the papers from DCM that go with the carbine! Having those will cement the carbines worth at the highest end of the collectors spectrum.

[Forrest]

I won't touch it! The reason I was saying it needed a little touch up is because he spilled some kind of gooey substance on it. Almost like a wax. It comes off when I run my fingernail over it. It's on a real small area near the butt so no big deal.

I'll follow whatever advice you all give me on this.

I'll check on the paperwork too.

He also gave me what appears to be a holster for a walther with two magazine holders on the front with the big flap that folds over. My S/42 won't fit in if anyone is interested in it.

[Faulkner]

YOU DON'T EVEN WANT SANDPAPER IN THE SAME ROOM WITH A USGI STOCK.

You can use some undiluted Simple Green to clean it up, but make sure you remove the barreled action from the stock.

If you feel it needs some touching up after that, remove all the metal from the stock (buttplate, recoil plate, retaining spring up front) and you can hand rub some of the original field finish the GI's used. Get a small can of Boiled Lindseed Oil and pour about a 1/2 inch in a old margerine dish, and mix it 50/50 with mineral spirits. You can then dip your fingers in and hand rub this on it until you cover the whole stock and kind of kneed it in, don't over do it. Let dry at least 48 hours and then buff it with a old pair of panty hose. It'll be good as new then.

Here is a picture of one I've redone recently:

http://www.picturefuse.com/images/1201/2239.jpg

By the way, I looked in my reference books and a dated Underwood barrel is correct for a Standard Products reciever. The best single source of information for M1 Carbines is "U.S. M1 Carbines - Wartime Production" by Craig Riesch. There are some other good ones, especially by Bruce Canfield, but Riesch's is the one to start with and it's around $16.00.
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1882391233.01.MZZZZZZZ.jpg

[Schuetzenman]

You say you can scrape it with your finger nail that's good. My suggestion is to get some paper towels and a blow dryer. Take the blow dryer and heat it as it softens wipe at it with the paper towels or an old hand towel or rag. Heat and wipe that should get it off. Wax itself isn't going to be bad on the wood as in make it rot or something.

Falkners advise is pretty good. I've heard a variation on this and it is supposed to be from an old time shooter at Camp Perry. It uses the BLO and mineral spirits but also includes some beeswax. Supposedly you melt the beeswax into the BLO and then as it's cooling away from flames add in the mineral spirits and stir. Pour into a small tin can like a shoe polish tin and let it harden up. Beeswax say 2 ozs and 2 ozs. fluid of BLO with perhaps an ounce of mineralspirits stired in for thinning. Don't remember the exact proportions and doubt that its all that critical. To apply use a clean dry lint free cloth, old t-shirts / undershirts work pretty good, to rub it in.

[Faulkner]

Schuetzenman, that sounds like Dick Culver's recipe. I've never tried it with the beeswax, and the only real reason I stick with the BLO right now is that I bought a big can of it. :rolleyes: I actually prefer tung oil, but BLO has a certain 'originality' to it and it does look good.

[Schuetzenman]

Originally posted by Faulkner
Schuetzenman, that sounds like Dick Culver's recipe. I've never tried it with the beeswax, and the only real reason I stick with the BLO right now is that I bought a big can of it. :rolleyes: I actually prefer tung oil, but BLO has a certain 'originality' to it and it does look good.

Faulkner,
I bought a 1 quart can of BLO in 1970 and I still have some in the can, say a quarter of it left after all these years. A little bit goes a loooooooooooooooooong way!:D

[Forrest]

I've got some BLO and #0000 steel wool. I'll give the hairdryer a try first. Finding some beeswax should be no problem.

I'll post some pics when I get a chance. It's in amazing shape (as good as the closeup you just posted Falkner), just needs a little TLC.

[Flinter]

I've used a lot of bees wax and olive oil mixes in my muzzle loaders......I doubt if you really need the bees wax, it's prob just there to solidify the solution.

[Forrest]

First time posting pictures so this might take me a couple of tries






can't get this to work
heres the link

http://www.webphotos.com/view_photo.asp?mi=1&smi=1&pl=1&a=62966 (http://)http://imagep.webphotos.iwon.com//1000032533/1000032533_352002102314PM0.2714459.jpg

[1 Patriot-of-many]

Size the pic to the size you want by left clicking on the thumbnail....Once you get to the size you want right click on the pic scroll down to properties,copy the URL address,then click the IMG button when posting,then paste the URL address.
The IMG button automatically inserts {img} {/img} on the beginning and end of your address with NO spaces....
Then you should have it working...You cannot link to the thumbnail which I think you may have.

[Forrest]

http://imagem.webphotos.iwon.com/1000032533/1000032533_352002102314PM0.1702845.jpg

[Faulkner]

That's a good looking carbine, you did good.