[tsenn]

I'm thinking of getting a m1 carbine. What are my options? Prices of older military ones, refurbished, or new? What do you think? Thanks

[PenHolder]

Locally in San Diego, several shops have the "new" carbine knock-offs
from IAI (the M888) out of Texas. I believe they've got new receivers
and new stocks, an assortment of new and re-furbished parts on the
inside, and are built to GI specs. They cost low-to-mid $500s (before
CA taxes 'n' fees 'n' safety devices) as best I can remember.

The manufacturer used to have a web site, but now it looks like it's
been taken over by some "your super search engine" nonsense, so I won't
bother linking to it.

Even if you're not interested in an IAI, if you're new to the carbine
they can give you a chance to heft one in person to see how you like the
feel.

-PH

[standingbear]

theres nothing wrong with getting an m1 carbine.alot of people i know bought one then later sold them because they expected it to be like a garand or something in range and performance.30 carbine is a pistol cart.stick with orig usgi equipment as far as mags go and youll be fine.universal made the m1 carbine some time ago but theres is different than standard usgi made guns.parts are for the most part,noninterchangable between universal and usgi.ive seen the universals selling around 300 dollarsbat a local shop.iver johnson made them also,the parts are pretty much interchangable between usgi and iver johnmson.(incidently,iver johnson made a m1 out of stainless steel some time ago)seen them going for round 400 on gunsamerica while back.mix match usgi run bout 500 and collector pieces run 700 and up(the matching numbers,dated this and that)i personally dont buy a gun to just marvel at and display so i cant see spending over 500 for 1.iver johnsons are good guns.mixmatch usgi are too.had nothing but problems with a universal i had.spare parts are cheap for usgi guns.hope this helps.

[ChairborneRanger]

Get a real USGI Carbine, as originally sold through either DCM or CMP---it will probably run in the $500-$600 range for a decent one, however, it will APPRECIATE in value if you take care of it. Over the past 5 years, real, USGI, Carbines have been appreciating at a faster clip than even Garands.

I would avoid the IAI's, Iver Johnsons, Universals and other commercial 'knock-offs' like the plague.

[MarineTech]

The manufacturer used to have a web site, but now it looks like it's been taken over by some "your super search engine" nonsense, so I won't bother linking to it.


IAI's ISP forgot to re-register the domain, and it was snaked out from under them by some Chinese company. Their new site is at:

http://www.iaiamericanlegend.com/

If you're looking for a gun to collect, by all means go for a USGI carbine and pay the extra money. If you're looking for a cheap plinker that you don't mind getting dinged up a bit, the IAI will probably fit the bill nicely. My Inland USGI carbine was starting to get a little long in the tooth, so I relegated it to the gunsafe and bought an IAI. It has been a decent rifle for me and I keep in the trunk of my car with 2 15 round magazines (1 FMJ, 1 JSP) in a repro canvas case for "just in case" situations. Haven't needed it for defense, but I have put down 2 deer and a bear that were involved in vehicle collisions here in Maine. It has been a reliable and accurate gun.

IAI cuts the chambers a bit tight to aid accuracy, and some of the early production guns were cut too tight and had problems with functioning. That's been pretty well resolved now, and I haven't had a problem with mine in the 18 months I've owned it. I've got about 1500 rounds through it now without any serious bobbles.

[Sven]

http://www.BattleRifles.com

http://www.Jouster.com

LOVE my carbine... do some searches here and you'll find my posts. All sorts of fun can be had with this gun - some call it "the original fun gun". Quick to shoulder, light recoil, in between a pistol and a full-sized rifle in power, 15 and 30 round mags available where legal...

...gotta love the War Baby. For a military example with mixed parts in good shape, look to pay $500-750, depending on your region. You may have to pay more for a collectible carbine... one with original parts in really good shape.

The history of carbine production is fascinating...

http://www.fulton-armory.com/M1Carbine.htm

-s

[Wildalaska]

Ditto to Sven, the M1 carbie is an awesome fun little gun, and cheap to shoot to boot

WildimapoetAlaska

[Sven]

Also check out my thread on this new snazzy forward scope mount for the M1 Carbine:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24415

Great for your 'retro-low-drag tactical' work.... personally, this will be used on my (soon to be acquired) rebuilt Winchester M1 Carbine with a 2x red dot or 1x Halo sight - the ultimate tin can killer!

[vanfunk]

I have an all-WWII Inland carbine, and my friend and neighbor has a '01 IAI carbine. I paid $524 (retail) for mine, three weeks before he paid $499 for his.

Here's the comparison: (and I'm really trying to be as objective as possible)...

Stock: USGI is walnut and finished to a higher standard and looks much better. IAI stock is roughly hewn and is not attractively finished. It's "beefier" though, and makes a good stock for range work.

Barrel: I get 3.5" to 4" groups with my USGI at 100 yards; My neighbors IAI routinely shoots into 3" with Korean milsurp.

Function: I've never, ever had a failure of any kind with my USGI carbine, using U.S. surplus, Czech commercial stuff, gobs of Korean, etc. The IAI routinely chokes on all of the above, mostly FTF, sometimes FTE. It's not horrible, but certainly at least 1 failure for every 100 rounds fired. USGI mags used for both. Oh, and the bolt hold open notch is too shallow to work reliably on the IAI - a common problem, as I understand it (but easily fixed).

Value: My USGI carbine will increase in value, the IAI will not (well, at least not for a long, long time...).

Overall advantage: definitely USGI.

Unsolicited advice: save your pennies and bide your time until you can get a USGI carbine. It doesn't matter if it's "all original" (virtually no WWII carbines are, anyway), and all GI manufacturers and subcontractors were turning out carbines and parts of the highest quality. You can find USGI carbines for $500 if you look. Avoid the auction sites and gravitate to the "for sale" forums of C&R and Milsurp websites.

HTH,
vanfunk


PS edited for spelling

[Devonai]

I paid $325 for my Standard Products M1 Carbine. The stock was in fair condition, but it still has the cartouche. The rest of the weapon is in good condition. I may have to replace the recoil spring, however, as the bolt sometimes fails to fully chamber a round (hangs up on the feed ramp). It's nothing a quick tap on the charging handle won't cure, but I'd rather it didn't do it at all.

I think I got a screaming deal. Who cares if it's not the prettiest girl at the dance?

[Sven]

Sorry to keep bumping this thread (not really)... someone just posted the following on BattleRifles.com (http://www.battlerifles.com/viewtopic.php?t=14345&start=10):

try telling that 350 pound hog I got last year that the carbine doesn't have any punch. He is still in my freezer so you can come over and tell him anytime. One shot in the head at about 80 yards was all he needed.

Lol.

[tsenn]

Thanks for all the replies, I thought I'd get some. I have a couple I'm going to look at, even though they are fairly high priced. One I know is a Winchester and I think it is all original. The other is a Standard? I believe. I'll let you all know how they look. Thanks

[vanfunk]

Beware of statements like "all original" when referring to USGI carbines. That can be interpreted to imply "as it came from the factory" with an attendant high price, or a blend of "all USGI parts". Either one is fine, of course, just don't pay a high price for "all original" unless you know what to look for. For example - I see carbines being listed routinely as "as issued in WWII" that have a bayonet lug attached. The carbine WAS likely issued in WWII, but the bayonet lug had to be fitted post war. True, untouched, unoverhauled WWII carbines are rare birds indeed. A "mixmaster" as most USGI carbines are, is likely to shoot and function every bit as well as a genuine "as manufactured" collector's piece.
HTH,
vanfunk

[Wildalaska]

One of the easiest ways to tell whether your carbine is "original" WWII is to look at the receiver and rear sight..if it has an early flip sight that has no peening on the receiver there is a chance it was never modified...if it has a flip sight and peening then someone changed it back to early config...

WildlovecarbinesAlaska