Rock Ola M-1 Carbine

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loose noose

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I was at my LGS this morning and found the above carbine, with the Rock Ola insignia on the receiver and barrel, however the rifle itself was housed in a beat up Monte Carlo stock, absent of the rear sight. The asking price is $499.00. I was assured by the owner that the firearm was functional. I've priced the rear aperture sight for the m-1 carbine, which is anywhere from $29.95-over $100.00, and the old military stock used goes anywhere from $49.05-$99.95.

My question is should I go for it and try to restore it to it's original condition, note I lit up the bore and noted sharp lands and grooves, this would just be a shooter.
 
I was at my LGS this morning and found the above carbine, with the Rock Ola insignia on the receiver and barrel, however the rifle itself was housed in a beat up Monte Carlo stock, absent of the rear sight. The asking price is $499.00. I was assured by the owner that the firearm was functional. I've priced the rear aperture sight for the m-1 carbine, which is anywhere from $29.95-over $100.00, and the old military stock used goes anywhere from $49.05-$99.95.

My question is should I go for it and try to restore it to it's original condition, note I lit up the bore and noted sharp lands and grooves, this would just be a shooter.
Yep, buy it now! Well worth the price of restoration, and they are one of the most fun guns you can lay your hands on!
 
It is done, I even took it out and shot a magazine (15 round) thru it without even a hic cup, got it home and took some pictures which are shown below, next is getting the stock, rear sight, fore piece, and what ever else is needed once I have it broken down. I've just got a feeling it is gonna be a great shooter.
 

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I also saw the "Rock Ola" on the gas block after disassembling it, so it looks like the real McCoy, does look like the springs have been replaced, but everything else looked like it was WWII, note the barrel is and receiver are actually a grey parkerized color, probably when it was rebuilt after the war.
 
Good buy. I would have snapped it up in a hot minute. My inland is a better gun, but I like my rockola rollmark better.
 
Price is right.
Now, perfectly legit to have any military stock, front band, sight--the armorers put all the parts in tubs to be cleaned, and did not care which maker was which.
If you can find one, Rock-Ola made stocks with "I" cuts in both low and high wood; but the oval oiler cut in low and high wood are also legit. Original sight was the fixed "L" but the adjustable was also used (per Canfield). Also, per Canfield, both the skinny Type 1 and wider Type 2 barrel bands were used. Rock Ola had finished production by the time the Type 3 with bayonet lug came out.
 
Nightlord40K, The piston was securely staked and looked like it had been replaced recently also, the wood to metal fit on the that Monte Carlo full stocked M-1 Carbine was actually pretty good with the exception of the 2" near the butt plate looked like it had been beaten with a length of chain. With the sights that were on it a Williams adjustable standard rear sight, and the military front sight, I was able to hit a large tomato can at approximately 50 yards with the 5 rounds I expended on it, the last 10 rounds were shot rather rapidly to just make sure the firearm would fire and extract, and eject, which it did, in a neat little pile. Note I do reload for the .30 Carbine in a Ruger 3 screw .30 Carbine that I have as well an Iver Johnson M-1 Carbine that I have that is very reliable, so I placed it in a new Walnut stock and dressed it up to be very spiffy, but it is still just a $400.00 carbine. BTW I've ordered $280.00 worth of parts, to include a sling and oiler, as well as a M-1 repair kit. Had one once however my adult sons borrowed it and no one knows what ever happened to it.
 
Do let us know if you do not want that gnarly old bit of fire wood it came in.

Might be just the thing with a bit of work to get someone a bit shy of military stuff interested.

Seriously, let me know.

-kBob
 
I hope you’re putting the original style rear sight on it. The later, adjustable sights that virtually all M1 carbines were retrofitted with will completely hide the Rock Ola marking on the receiver.
 
KBob and Dave, I've got no use for that stock, as I've got quite a few in my possession from other rifles that I've refurbished, mostly the plastic stocks that seem so prevalent now days. If you want it you can have it for the cost of shipping. Dave, I've already plugger the holes with the appropriate screws from other projects I've had. I've already ordered the original rear sight, so yes Rudolph, I am planning on making that carbine as close to original as possible. BTW I've just been notified that the stock I ordered for $71.00 is not in stock, I won't be able to get back in contact with them until Monday. What do you folks think about going with new from Numerich?
 
numrich has some good deals on hard to find parts. I would buy the stock from them. They are affordable. show us some pics when you are done
 
I also noted the bolt appears to have been replaced, and on the receiver just under the new rear sight (will be installed) is "Quality H.N.C." whatever that stands for, and the magazine release has the 'M" underscored. The slide appears original as it is parkerized also. Does anyone have any clues as to how a new stock might appear on such an old firearm? Yeh or Ney?
 
A NOS military M1 or M2 potbelly stock will look fine.
A commercial M1 stock on military pattern would be fine.
A multiple refinish rode hard and put away wet might be appropriate but will be ugly.
A paratrooper aftermarket folding stock is pretty cool if it is a well made copy.

Because the receiver is drilled and tapped the rifle is not worth remaking with all matching, period correct parts, as long as the bolt headspaces correctly it is fine.

I would go with the later model windage adjustable, sliding elevation later rear sight, again the rifle is not origional, go with the "best" (usually latest USGI (legally allowable) M2 part).

The flip sight and push mag release and no bayonet lug might be most collectable, but that horse has all ready left the barn.
 
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