[TimH]

Please tell me a little about the M1 carbine. Is that a generic name or a specific manufacturer? Caliber? Value depending on condition of course. Thanks Tim

[JBP]

This link (http://fulton-armory.com/M1Carbine.htm) should tell you almost everything that you want to know. The best place to check on prices are the auction sites like Auction Arms (http://auctionarms.com) and Gunbroker (http://gunbroker.com). Last year I picked up a NIB IAI for $299 on auction.

[TimH]

Thanks JBP. I looked over at gunbroker. The one I found for sale is a Universal. There is only one like this for sale at gunbroker. No min. bid listed.

[JBP]

Do a search on Universal here and over at The Firing Line (http://thefiringline.com/). From what I remember when I was looking for mine the Universal is not 100% GI compatible and hit and miss in quality.

[TimH]

Thanks JBP. I didn't think of looking over at TFL. You're right it seems the Universal isn't such a good buy. Especially when the seller is asking $500 :uhoh:

[M2 Carbine]

Tim the GI Carbine was made by a number of companies, IBM, Winchester Underwood, Inland. etc.

It shoots a 30 cal 110 grain full metal jacket bullet at about 2,000 feet per second. Roughly putting it in the power range of a hot 357 mag.
There is also soft point ammo available.

It's a fine small rifle. Many people say it's not powerful enough.
I've never heard of anyone that was shot in the chest with one say it isn't powerful enough.

A fairly good GI Carbine sells for about $600 plus.

There are some 1960's "civilian" Carbines, like the Universal selling in the $300 range.

The Carbine is about as simple as dirt. If you break or wear out a part, replace it and go back to shooting.
There are still a lot of GI parts around but the price is going up.

This is an M2 I dressed up a little.

http://img44.photobucket.com/albums/v135/Bell406_206B/M2_Red_Dot.jpg

The Carbine was my wife's favorite.
This is a M2 in 5.7 Johnson cal. (the 30 cal. necked down to 22 cal.)

http://img44.photobucket.com/albums/v135/Bell406_206B/Hazel_M2.jpg

[1911Ron]

Very nice wood on the first picture did you do any thing to refinsh or did it come that way. I have the IAI M-1 Carbine and want to do something to the wood just don't know what yet.

[M2 Carbine]

Ron, I don't know anything about wood working so my only technique is,

Easy Off oven cleaner if the wood is bad oil soaked like my CMP M1.

VERY light sanding if needed.

True Oil, with very light steel wool between coats, usually 3 or 4 light coats.

If I want the finish dull I use steel wool after the last coat of True Oil.

I've got a number of Carbines but the best I recall that stock has 2 coats of True Oil finished off with steel wool.
It brings out the wood grain but still leaves it GI looking.

This is one coat (so far) on my CMP M1.
I haven't hit it with the steel wool yet.

Sorry Tim for hijacking your thread for a minute.

http://img44.photobucket.com/albums/v135/Bell406_206B/New_M1_2.jpg

[MrMurphy]

They've all given good advice. Stay away from Universals, half the parts dont' interchange and quality can be low.

The IAI M1 carbine is good and the new Kahr/Auto Ordnance M1 carbine looks to be even better.

[TimH]

No prob with the hijacked theard M2 Carbine. Thanks for the info everyone

[1911Ron]

M-2 Thanks for the info i'll try that on my carbine,did that on my CMP Garand but used Tung oil and panty hose after the last coat:D