Buying an M1 Carbine, what should I be looking for?

[JayMarshall]

Hey everyone, a local shop has what seems to be a pretty decent M1 Carbine for 799.00 (although I think I can talk him down to 650-700) and I was wondering what I should be looking for when it comes to manufactures, serial numbers, unique marking/stamps, and overall condition. The Carbine in question has an adjustable rear sight and bayonet lug, so I know it isn't one of the very early models. Also from what I can tell this is a mil surp and not one of the commercial copies made in the post war days. One strange thing is the first three or four inches of the stock are painted yellow, not sure if this rifle may have been leased out to a foreign country after the war or something, I know the Koreans did something similar with their Carbines. I will try and get a serial number and manufacturer of the rifle in a day or two when I go back to the shop.

 

[NAMVET72]

I would look at the ones CMP sales first. Check out their website.

 

[JayMarshall]

It seems the CMP was cleared out quite awhile ago. I live relatively close to the North Store and from everything I hear they haven't had carbines in stock in a long while.

 

[rule303]

$650 on up seems to be the going rate now that the supply from the CMP has dried up. I would make sure that it is not import marked for that price. And check the muzzle erosion, if you dont have a gauge, an M2 ball round can give you a rough idea. Carbine ammo was always non corrosive, so generally if the muzzle erosion is not excessive, the bore will be OK. Almost all are "mixmasters" put together from parts from any manufacturers when rearsenalled. All of the manufacturers produced quality guns, so from a shooter standpoint it doesn't matter, as a collector you may want to familiarize yourself with the different contractors marks, dates, etc.

 

[Tommygunn]

You don't know it wasn't an early one just because it has an adjustable rear sight & a bayo lug. Many were retooled at the end of the war and updated with the parts mentioned. A decent way to tell is the serial # and/or date marked on barrel near the front sight.

 

[velocette]

Jay;
Go here: http://forums.thecmp.org/forumdisplay.php?f=6
For the CMP forum on M1 Carbines.
All the information you could ever want is there.

Roger

 

[BBDartCA]

Ammo is a pain sometimes for the 30 carbine. The cheap surplus stuff dried up during the Nixon administration. Thats why some people gravitate to the Mini 14.

 

[USSR]

Jay,

Since you are no doubt, at that price, buying a non-collectable M1 Carbine, first, confirm that it is indeed a USGI carbine. The manufacturer name will be stamped on the receiver under the adjustable rear sight. The barrel should also have stampings behind the front sight indicating that it is a USGI barrel. Inspect the bore for any pitting or damage. Then, take a military .30-06 M2 round (yes, a .30-06 round), and insert it bullet first into the muzzle. If the distance between where the bullet no longer enters the muzzle and the case mouth is 1/8" or less, then the barrel is pretty much worn out and I would pass on it. A like new barrel will expose about 1/4" of bullet between muzzle and case mouth. Hope that helps.

Don

 

[JayMarshall]

Thanks for all the help, I'm going back today to get the manufacturer, serial number and to check the muzzle wear. I will be sure to let you know and post some pics if I do decide to buy it.

 

[451 Detonics]

Check the barrel near the sight as well...if it has a "Blue Sky" stamp I would walk away from it unless you can buy it for under $400. The Blue Sky guns were re-imports from Korea that were cobbled together guns that everyone else including the CMP turned down.

 

[BP Hunter]

I recently purchased a brand new Auto Ordnance M1 carbine a few months ago and have placed a few hundred flawless rounds throught it. I spent $699but you can get it cheaper at the galleryofguns website. I wasn't sure what to look for in an "old" M1 carbine so I bought one brand new instead. I am very happy with it. Good luck!

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Almost all are "mixmasters" put together from parts from any manufacturers when rearsenalled.

Most WWII contract manufacturers of M1 carbines either sub contracted some of the parts for their guns or got parts from other manufacturers (few made most of the components in-house). So a lot of M1 carbines were mixmasters from the start. On arsenal rebuilt, they could be updated with the round bolt, flip safety, adjustable sight, barrel band with bayonet lug, magazine catch for 30 shot mag, pot belly M2 stock, etc.) with the only regard being that the parts were mil spec. Almost all WWII era carbines that survived are mixed with some parts from different manufacturers.

(Parts should all be standard and interchangable, so no effort was made to match manufacturer. Thompson collectors point out that while Thompson upper receiver and lower trigger frame were marked with the same serial number at the factory, in arsenal rebuilds, no effort was made to match upper and lower by serial number.)

 

[chris in va]

It seems the CMP was cleared out quite awhile ago. I live relatively close to the North Store and from everything I hear they haven't had carbines in stock in a long while.

Actually, here's what happens.

I went to the North Store last year for my Garand purchase. I got there shortly after they opened and browsed around for a couple hours. A guy came in and instantly bought up every carbine they had, $400 IIRC. Cleaned them out, around seven total.

I really think you have to get there first thing and beat the dealers.