My brother had a very nice M-1 carbine (with the flip rear sight) given to him by my aunt, who was a nurse and tended a home patient who's son worked in an Armory and stole a new carbine, along with several boxes of ammo, magazines, cleaning kits, etc. The thief died in the war.
The woman gave the rifle to our aunt and she gave it to my brother. We shot hundreds of rounds through the rifle, and really loved it, but my brother had an accident with his car and didn't have insurance, so had to sell most of his guns. I was about 14. I haven't seen another one as good, so never bought one.