IAI/IMI M1 buy it or walk away?

[RoyG]

Found a M1 carbine in a small shop here. Guy told me it was an Israeli M1 or he would of not put it on the rack for sale. A GI one would of gone home with him. Wood is in great shape and all the metal looks good also. No rust or pitting anywhere I looked. It has a 15 round mag with it.

Came home to research it and I find there were two different Israeli M1s. I'm not sure which one this one is. Is one better then the other?

And the price???

How's $250 plus tax sound?

 

[kfranz]

At $250 it's tough to go wrong....

 

[RoyG]

This one has the metal handguard/heat shield not the wood one on the GI.

 

[critter]

I thought the IMI was the Isralei carbine while the IAI was a commercial carbine built in Texas. Others may correct my assumptions. Not a bad price in either case. Just be sure what you are getting.

 

[nbkky71]

$250 is not a bad price at all.

However... some of the IAI carbines were reported to have reliability problems in the past. Usually it's been hit-or-miss when buying them. Some people on other forums have reported that after breaking it in with a couple hundred rounds they worked great. If you do decide to get it, be prepared to administer a little TLC on it.

I got one of the IAI carbines a couple years ago for $350. The only problem I've had with it was a broken extractor. I've replaced all the bolt internals with USGI parts and haven't had a lick of trouble since.

The stock on mine was pretty crude as well, so I ended up swapping it out for an M2 stock and wooden handguard.

 

[RoyG]

So if it's either an IMI or a IAI I should be able to put GI parts into it if I have to. I know the Universals are not built to mil-spec.

The stock on mine was pretty crude as well, so I ended up swapping it out for an M2 stock and wooden handguard.

The stock on this one is really nice.

 

[RoyG]

Also do they use standard GI mags?

 

[jobu07]

As was said, for $250 you can't beat it.

 

[Target Practice]

I have an IAI Garand. IIRC, IAI does not equal IMI. IAI was based in Houston, TX. I saw was because they have since gone out of business.

My IAI Garand is garbage. It consistently fails to come to full battery, and the op rod consistently jumps off the bolt lug. I'm thrilled if it fires twice in a row.

But, for $250...dunno...

 

[only1asterisk]

IIRC IAI used imported surplus parts to assemble its guns. I'd give it a shot for $250. Maybe you might talk it down to $200.

David

 

[Moonclip]

These guns used to sell new in my area for around $400 and up.

 

[JohnKSa]

As pointed out, IAI is NOT IMI. IAI is a (now defunct?) company that sold parts kit guns that they put together.

 

[Berg]

Yeah I remember when they were $400. A gun mag tested one and said IAI used better quality barrels and the carbine would group better than a GI model. I would have bought that one if I saw it for $250.

 

[RoyG]

Went back and it was gone.

Did leave with a Win 120 though. Came with 3 chokes, manual, warrenty card and a case. Looks almost new.

 

[Commissar Gribb]

I wouldn't pass up an IMI M1 carbine

hehe

 

[AgentOrange]

I Know This Is An Old Thread, But Just For Future Reference, I Own One Of The Imi M1 Carbines. Ive Got Somewere Around 5k Rounds+ Thru It, And Have Never Ever Had Even The Smallest Problem. Mine Is One Of The Ones That Was Built From Completely Brand New Usgi Parts, And Only The Receiver Is Imi, But It Is A Nice Forged One.