[Slater]

Anyone own one of these? This is the M1 carbine clone from IAI, which I believe is based in Texas. Local BIG 5 has some on the rack. They look pretty nice, but I understand that some folks have had problems with the quality of these carbines. Others seem pleased with the build quality and accuracy. Opinions?

[dude]

yep, they are from TX. No Idea where Isreal comes into the mix, perhaps they make the recievers. Great guns for 'shooters' but they are a little pricy.

mine shoots/looks great but the op-rod did break after a few 1000 rounds. A quick $60 for a M2 rod and she was back in Busniess. The op-rod hold-back pin and reciever hole seem to be uniformly crappy on evey one I've fondled but it is easily fixed.

The M-888s are not clones btw, but new reciever & wood Carbines w/ unissued GI barrels & parts kits. My stuff is all Springfield Armory................just as like the 'new' Springfield M1 Garands are in no way clones as someone else is making the recievers for them (maybe the same folks) and they are build with used/refinished GI parts kits.

[JShirley]

I like mine. The stock was a little rough, but some fine sandpaper and a few coats of tung oil cured that.

Very accurate for one of these little rifles, but I had a problem with my firing pin after maybe 100 rounds. IAI had it back to me within a week.

John

[MarineTech]

The IAI carbines are decent "shooter" carbines. Good to plink with and to get a feel for the M1 carbine, while saving that $200 - $300 more that you would pay for a "mixmaster" USGI carbine.

I keep my IAI as my "trunk gun" and plinker, and save my Saginaw USGI carbine for special occasions.

[Chainsaw]

Here is IAI's new web addy.
http://www.iaiamericanlegend.com/indexplain.html

I have two aftermarket Carbines assembled by National Ordnance in the 1960's, but have always admired the IAI's as well. I wouldn't hesitate buying one if i wanted a Carbine and couldn't find anything else.

[Kentucky Rifle]

..for about $405.00. It had one of the best looking walnut stocks I've ever seen. Not "shiny", but really nice and slick black walnut. Should'a bought that rifle.

KR

[QuarterBoreGunner]

I have one and it shoots great with no problems so far; interesting note, when I removed mine from the stock for a detail clean and lube I noticed that the reciever was marked below the stock line, as being made in Spain of all places.

[SanduneCC]

I have one. Shoots great. Hand size groups, off hand at 50 yards. Good enough for goofing off.

One feature I don't like, the bolt doesn't lock back on the last shot. I learn that this is a characteristic of the M1 carbine design.

[JackDRipper]

Two questions, how much are they selling for? And can Lefty's shoot them without getting casings in the face? Thanks, JR

[Slater]

The ones that I've seen at Big 5 are kind of pricey at $600 each, and $450 on sale. These have the commemorative World War II medallion in the buttstock.

[MarineTech]

One feature I don't like, the bolt doesn't lock back on the last shot. I learn that this is a characteristic of the M1 carbine design.

Replace the magazine followers in your 10 and 15 round magazines with followers from a 30 round magazine. These will hold your bolt open on the last round. Interestingly enough, aftermarket 30 round mags are almost all junk, but the followers are decent and work fine.

Two questions, how much are they selling for? And can Lefty's shoot them without getting casings in the face? Thanks, JR

I got mine for $425 out the door about a year ago. Price will depend on your area and availability for your gunshop. As far as lefties using the carbine, I think you would be OK, but there isn't a whole lot of margin for error there with that op rod handle whipping back and forth in front on your nose. You should probably try to find an M1 carbine and check it yourself. Everyone holds a rifle a little differently, and some of us are more "horse-faced" than others.

[jerryd]

Had mine about 3yrs,at first i had the extractor fall out, then the operating rod went but both times they covered it with the warranty. now it shoots great, not a match gun but a great plinker.

[NapAttack]

I've owned an IAI for about two years now. Had a problem initially with it FTF and FTE. Sent it back for repairs and they were quick and courteous. Had it back in two weeks and no problems since. Found out they were cutting the chambers tight for accuracy and getting them a little too tight.

I'll likely never own a collector carbine, even a mixmaster. I'll leave those to the collectors. But any more carbines I get will be IAI.

[swingset]

I had one for a year or so. Ran like a champ, very accurate too. I only sold it to get the genuine article, but it was a great little gun.

[Dave Markowitz]

And can Lefty's shoot them without getting casings in the face?

I'm left handed and have never had a problem getting hit by brass from either Carbine I've owned (an Iver Johnson back in the '80s, and a GI Underwood that I own now).

[SanduneCC]

I had one for a year or so. Ran like a champ, very accurate too. I only sold it to get the genuine article, but it was a great little gun.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10827

That wan't the reason you cited when you advertised to sell it :D :D :D