Favorite USGI Carbine Mfr?

[carpediem]

If you own, handled, or shot M1 carbines from different manufacturers are there one(s) you prefer. If so, why?

I've read that interchangeability was capitalized on and that manufacturers didn't make all the parts. In spite of that, are there any differences between manufacturers other than "brand name" and collectability (e.g. part quality, reliability, etc.)?

No doubt you're all rather sick of all these pesky n00b carbine questions - please bear with me (I searched but couldn't find any answers).

Thanks

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Any USGI Carbine in decent condition is a good rifle. Six decades on, virtually all of them have enough wear and have had enough parts replaced so that one is much the same as another.

I have both an Underwood and a Rock Ola. Functionally there isn't much of a difference. The mag well on the Rock Ola is a bit tighter preventing an aftermarket 30 rounder from locking in. Other than that, no difference.

 

[Noah Zark]

The question of a preference of manufacturer is more emotion-based than founded in reality. Lots of collectors put a premium on Winchester because of the name, and many consider Rock-Ola to be desirable because they made the fewest.

Dave M said it best in his response. To echo his post, I once owned 32 M1 Carbines and my favorites were the ones that fired reliably.

Noah

 

[Trebor]

From a practical point of view, the only part from the original manufacturer is likely to be the receiver and maybe the barrel. That means that from a functional point of view, they are all about the same now. Any real "difference" in manufacturers was erased when the carbines were rebuilt.

 

[DMK]

Inland

1) I have a good chance of getting one for a decent price.

2) They made the M1A1 and that's just cool.

3) It doesn't matter who made your USGI carbine unless you just want to brag about the name on the receiver.

 

[carpediem]

a good chance of getting one for a decent price.

Sounds good to me

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

The IBM ones are complete junk.

PS - I sell junk occasionally and would be willing to take one off your hands...

 

[Patriot-Brewer]

One that works is true. I have a Winchester and I believe an Inland and one shot great right out of Turners, the other jammed and got a new bolt and now runs great. I have no favorite, although I'm a little partial to the Winnie because it's a Winnie. Man, haven't played with those in a long time.

 

[trainwreck100]

International Harvester--why? because it would be fun to carry an IH carbine in a Case-IH tractor...have to paint it red though...

 

[Noah Zark]

International Harvester--why? because it would be fun to carry an IH carbine in a Case-IH tractor...

I'd love to have an IH M1 Carbine, too, but they didn't make any.

Noah