Best M1 Carbine in .22

I've read some not so nice reviews about them but I'm sure YMMV.

On another note, there is a M1 stock available for the 10/22

http://www.eabco.com/m1_carbine_ruger_1022_tribute.htm

I like that Norm. Great idea.

A friend put one of those carbine stocks on his 10/22. I don't remember what he did for sights but the stock looked great.

Just being a little subversive here, but you could get him a carbine that is chambered for either the .22 Carbine or 5.7 mm Johnson (i.e. 22 Spitfire) round. That would get him the sensation of the gun he remembers with higher velocities and lower recoil and it would get you a new hobby; forming and loading the cartridge cases from .30 Carbine brass.

But for a simpler solution, I would probably go with a 10/22 and the EAB stock.

Try to find a Marlin model 99.

Marlin 99 carbine--I saw one at the gunshow last year listed at $100 used. They have been out of production for years, but have a lot of parts in common with the Model 60 and Model 795. Marlin made the Models 99M1 and 99M2; the stocks were styled on the M1 Carbine stock with handguard and barrel band. They had an adjustable sight that fit the Weaver Tip-Off riflescope grooves in the receiver. The 99M1 had a 9 shot tube magazine flush with the end of the forearm; 99M2 had a detachable box magazine.

The 99M1 Marlin differs from the 99 in that it was indeed made to pay homage to the Garand/Carbine weapons of the M1 designation. They were fitted with a shorter magazine tube (9 rounds instead of 15) to make it less noticeable, and also are equipped with sling swivel anchors, a barrel band, and an over-barrel wood handguard. The rear sight is a removeable, adjustable unit with more of a GI-look than the ones used on the 99.

I have two of them. One is a pre-'69 (no serial number) and that one is intact, complete with it's rear sight (these can fetch $80 or more, as many owners removed and subsequently lost them when they scoped their guns.) This gun appears in original and unrestored condition.

The other one has been nicely refinished, and has a sling and scope on it. The original rear sight is missing. It has a serial number, and was probably made around 1970.

I got the first one maybe three years ago for $140 at a LGS, and the second one maybe one year ago for about the same.

Admittedly, I have not yet gotten around to shooting them. I'm looking forward to getting a chance in the coming month or so; I was just going through a phase during which I was acquiring rimfire guns faster than I was ammunition for them. But, these guns feel solid and sturdy in the hand, and I expect they'd help satisfy a thirst for a M1-styled .22 rifle. Now, if I could only come across a 99M2; these used a detachable box magazine instead of the tubular unit..

I like the Ruger tribute kit for the 10/22 as well, as mentioned by Norm in post 2. Looks like you'd expect to pay close to $400 for all the features of the kit, including the stick magazine, plus the cost of a basic 10/22, and you'd have what he's looking for with Ruger reliability.

MedWheeler,

You should get around to shooting them Both my Marlin 99 and my Glenfield 75 ( same rifle minus the over barrel wood) are among the most accurate non modified rimfires I own. I really think you will enjoy them.

Tentwing

I saw a new Ruger 10/22 in carbine configuration the other day.

Have no idea where to find one except the LGS where I saw it.

http://www.ruger.com/products/1022Carbine/specSheets/21102.html

Chiappa has made their share of low quality firearms but it seems the Citadel M1-22 is a good one. There are lots of positive reviews and the price certainly is nice. It seems to be a quite faithful reproduction, too. Original M1 Carbine sights, stocks, bayonet lugs and other parts fit the M1-22. Even the magazines look the same from a distance. Of course this is a new design and uses lots of polymer.

I've been looking at them for a while and am about to pick one up, it looks like a fun 22lr plinker that just happens to look and function like a real M1 Carbine.

I'd get a 10/22 and put the EAB carbine stock and some Tech Sights TSR-100s on it. Stick with a known reliable rifle.

A 10/22 with the M1 Carbine Tribute stock is a good choice but it doesn't look or function as closely to the M1 Carbine as the Citadel M1-22. If possible it would be good to handle both versions. At least check the operation of a standard 10/22 if not familiar with it since the tribute stock doesn't really change function, it seems to be a cosmetic upgrade.

Tentwing (re: post 11.),

It's coming soon. I also do own a Glenfield 75 in near mint condition, and it also pre-dates the GCA serial number requirement. I got it before I got either of the 99M1 rifles.

I picked up a Citadel version on a lark sometime back.

It works. It's pretty darned reliable (I'm pretty sure any problems have been ammo related). Trigger isn't any great shakes, but the mechanical accuracy is fairly good.

With all that said, the reason I bought it is the reason I shoot it. FUN! I have taken jacks with it, but mostly it's a range toy.