Choate M1 Carbine stock..?

[MikePaiN]

I have a beautiful AO M1 Carbine, the wood is really nice, much better than I expected. I find that I'm nervous over it and worry about beating it up to the point that I don't want to take it out. Not only that but my part of my intent of buying it was as a SHTF rifle.....
I been thinking of switching out to a ploy stock and metal guard. For ~$100 I can pick up the Choate set from Brownells. Anyone use these? Is there anything I shout know before ordering?
thanks

 

[Storm]

My first M1 Carbine (sadly long gone) was a Rockola in a Choate foldable stock with the metal ventilated handguard. While at the time I would have preferred an original stock, I have to say that the rifle in the Choate was a blast to shoot and the stock was quite nice and solid, as I remember it. If the Choate that you are looking at is the same or similar I'd say to go for it.

 

[greyling22]

I've got one of my m1's in a non-folding choate stock. I bought it as a shooter, was given the choate as a freebie, and the choate fits me better. it's got about an inch long LOP, and came with no hardware, so I had to use my parts. (no biggie, just not what I was expecting, and maybe they were just missing on the freebie)

The stock has lots of sharp edges. first thing I did was take some sand paper to it round some sharp edges and take the tips off the checkering. I also beveled the place where the choate logo is stamped so my thumb didn't rub, and cleaned up some mold seams. Finally I cut off the sling swivel in the pistol grip. I didn't use it and it flopped around a lot. besides, there are slits in the butt where the oiler normally goes to attach a sling to. But the stock fit tight and has worked fine. Choate just needed to spend a little more time designing their mold and an extra couple minutes tidying up their product before shipping it out. But I have those complaints about almost everything. Also, the freebie was cracked at the back of the receiver, I guess someone had overtightened the screw. I sent it back to choate and they shipped me a brand new one, and threw in a handguard within a couple days. Very good CS. Now I just need a scout mount and a red dot. stupid expensive ultimak grumble grumble grumble............

stock came with no handguard. you have to buy it separately. shoot me a PM if you need to see pics or have more detailed questions.

 

[greyling22]

I'm not a photographer, but I did my best. if you want more detailed pics let me know.

 

[wadcutter45]

I have the Choate folding stock on an IAI M1 carbine. It is great. Rock-solid and very rugged. You won't be disappointed.

 

[jerkface11]

You can count on choate to build a tough stock. My dealings with their customer service have went very well too.

 

[DBR]

I prefer a conventional style stock for my M1 carbines. I have a couple of these:
http://www.ramlinestocks.com/ramlinestocks.html#Carbine

They fit well and both of the rifles I used them on were more accurate than with the original wood stocks.

 

[MikePaiN]

Thanks for the input....especially the pics grey, they look great
I didn't know other stocks(besides Choate) were available. I do like a conventional stock and the Ramline is much less expensive. Now the question is; How's the Ramline's quality?
One last question. Do these stocks come with their own barrel band hardware? The Choate doesn't look anything like mine....

 

[ulflyer]

Mike: If you want a conventional wood stock, you should be able to get one for less than $50 if you shop the CMP forum, or GB. Look for an M2 "potbelly" stock which is noted to offer better accuracy than the the M1 stock. It has a longer channed on the front where the barrel rests. They are fairly plentiful, having come out right at end of WW2 and then used during post-war days as replacements or rebuilds. Heres a couple GB offerings:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=192333788
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=192360433

 

[kBob]

Went by my local gun shop last month actually looking for 10/22 wood and was offered my pick of some Carbine stocks in a barrel for $20. Just wood no metalexcept the hole liner. Several decent looking and raty looking M2 pot bellys and an ugly stock that some bozo tried to free hand checkering on and had sanded all the cartouche of of. I took it home ad sanded the checkering attempt and shelac finish away and now have a decent looking piece M-1 High wood, even if technically incorrect, to offer a friend that has a carbine. I saw the work as an opertunity to practice wood working and refinishing skills.

-kBob

 

[greyling22]

here's a picture of one in a ramline stock. http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=179080

I've got a spare m1 wood stock in pretty rough condition I'd let you have for $5+ the cost of shipping. if you're really just looking for something to trash, but with the m1's going up in value the way they have the past few years I'd hate to see one destroyed. if you really want a beater gun and took the $100 on a stock and rolled it into an sks you'd be getting pretty close. cheaper and more effective hunting ammo too. then you'd have your m1 in you nice stock to use in a non-destructive manner.

 

[MikePaiN]

grey, that's a nice offer, I will think about it.
I don't know about the value of this M1 going up, it is a new Auto-Ordnance reproduction that I bought as a shooter/shtf rifle. Its just so beautiful in person that I've found myself polishing it with lemon oil far more than shooting it....way more than shooting it Its a shame because the rifle can shoot...
After going over the options, I like the Choate fixed stock best, the price for the set(*incl. the hand guard) is still under $100, its tough, I won't mind using it and the Choate seems the best option to preserve the weapon's accuracy.

 

[greyling22]

oh, I missed the part about it being an auto ordinance. you're right, they do have very nice wood. I've always admired them. I refinished the stock on my GI shooter (not an original ww2, a greek replacement) and it turned out too well. the worn metal didn't match the nice stock. I really like the choate. the m1 wood stock always seemed...chunky to me. the wrist is WAY too thick of the gun and the stock needs more LOP. the choate makes the gun leaner. add red dot and soft point ammo and you have a pretty mean little package. a lot lighter than my AR too.

 

[benEzra]

I had a Choate fixed pistol grip stock on my mini-14 while the Feinstein non-ban was in effect. It was a good stock, very strong and relatively light.

 

[MikePaiN]

Okay, my last question(I hope )
Do these stocks come with barrel bands and any hardware needed?

 

[greyling22]

the original freebie one did not. neither did the replacement one choate sent me. The barrel band is pretty much permanently attached to the barrel. I had to pull the barrel band retaining spring thing and the metal recoil lug thing at the back the the receiver off the wood stock and move them over to the plastic one. The choate uses it's own rubber recoil pad.

 

[MikePaiN]

It was a tough derision, seriously I've been on and off between the Choate, Ram-Line and doing nothing, since I posted this. After a long shooting session on Sunday with multiple guns and worrying the whole time about the M1....I finally ordered up the Choate fixed and its ventilated handguard.
MidwayUSA had the best pricing and I found a $10 off code so the whole setup cost me $83 total with shipping and an NRA donation.
I'll keep you posted on how it goes and get some pics up when I get it together..

 

[sansone]

you will like the choate.. I put one on my Rem7600 pump to save the beautiful walnut from getting beat-up while I work-up a handload. Now I like the choate better than the walnut because of the pistol grip and adj LOP spacer system

 

[rondog]

If you're going with the Choate, might as well put an Ultimak handguard on it too. Aluminum with a rail for optics, I have one on a Plainfield carbine. Pretty cool having an M1 carbine with a red-dot sight on it!

Not my carbine, just photos off the 'net.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Rondog, just FYI, the top Carbine in your post has an Amega Ranges scout mount, not an Ultimak. But I agree with you 100% re the merits of an Ultimak on an M1 Carbine. My 1943 Underwood:

 

[MikePaiN]

Those rails do look good on on the M1 ....but just in case of an EMP attack I'm sticking with iron sights

 

[greyling22]

the irons are still there. I've wanted an ultimak rail for a few years now. I'm just unwilling to swing the 90 bucks. plus a red dot. I'd love to buy one used. (hint hint)

Mike, I really think you'll like the choate. I'd also invest in 1 piece of 400 grit sandpaper to knock the sharp edges off. and a 30 round mag makes the gun look really cool. pity none of mine work very well.

 

[MikePaiN]

I'd also invest in 1 piece of 400 grit sandpaper to knock the sharp edges off. and a 30 round mag makes the gun look really cool. pity none of mine work very well.

I've got them both.....and my 30 round KCI's work perfectly.

 

[MikePaiN]

The stock and handguard came in tonight, nice products, but it wasn't a "drop-in fit for this AO. I did have to get the roto-tool out and do some light fitting(and may have to do a little more if there is any change in accuracy). Other than that its a great handling stock, feels good with the extra LoP and pistol grip and best of all my wood is lemon oiled up and put away for safe keeping.
I'm digging the new M1 "Assault" Carbine look, too

(sorry about the work area picks, I'm to beat to bother posing it)

 

[greyling22]

looks good. for added modernity (is that even a word?) go with a 30 round mag and a black sling. people will wander over and ask "what's that?"