M1 Carbine help

[1BLINDREF]

I'm looking for an M1 Carbine for my son as a graduation present. It would also be his first rifle. He wants an M1 Carbine because he is into the history factor of the gun. I want to buy one that is one of the 9 original makers of the M1. I'm probably looking at an Inland as I don't want to spend $1000s for a collector piece. I'm looking for a nice "shooter" in the $600-$700 range.
Any ideas of where I can find a decent gun for a fair price? Thanks.

 

[SKSgunnut101]

here's one for $650 http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=73583959. You could wait for a Winchester from the CMP in September for $695

 

[Lone_Gunman]

You could wait for a Winchester from the CMP in September for $695

Just curious, where did you hear the $695?

 

[SigfanUSAF]

I want to buy one that is one of the 9 original makers of the M1

10:

Inland
Winchester
Saginaw
Underwood
National Postal Meter
Irwin Pederson
IBM
Rock-Ola
Quality Hardware
Standard Products

Outstanding graduation present by the way!

 

[nbkky71]

Another inexpensive alternative are carbines by IAI (israeli arms intl). They went by the model number M-888. The company was based out of Houston, TX and stopped making carbines a few years ago. They can be found in the $450 range.

Fair warning: some of batches of their carbines did have some quality problems.

I owned one as a plinker for a number of years and only had one problem with it: a broken extractor after about 500 rounds. Mine was all USGI parts built in a IAI receiver (aftermarket stock and metal handguard)

Here's one on gunbroker:
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=73890050

 

[Gustav]

Check the following places:
www.auctionarms.com
www.gunsamerica.com
www.gunbroker.com
www.shotgunnews.com
also it is worth checking or subscribing to The Gun List magazine.
Deals are out there and also they turn up at gun shows.
Pick up a copy of Blue Book Of Gun Values and maybe a copy of Infantry Weapons Of WW II by Bruce N Canfield or his book on M1 Rifles & Carbines either Canfield book makes a great gift to go with any carbine.
Good luck on your quest.

 

[azhunter12]

You can either order one from CMP of just look at some of the previously mentioned websites. AZhunter

 

[SKSgunnut101]

I heard on their website (CMPs) that they had a Winchester carbine that was in a contest worth $695

 

[Noxx]

A little more money, but Miltech http://www.miltecharms.com/ offers beautiful restored pieces.

 

[nbkky71]

A little more money? Miltech carbines are priced from $1,195-$1,495. They look nice but have zero collectability.

 

[sarge83]

Also, check around pawn shops. Some will want a mint for a piece of junk, however, some will be reasonable priced. Just make sure it is a USGI and not a Universal. In my area shooters are going for between $500-$700 if you can find one.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

A little more money? Miltech carbines are priced from $1,195-$1,495. They look nice but have zero collectability.

I disagree that Miltech restorations have zero collectability. In fact, I think that is just plain wrong. Miltechs resale on the secondary market for about the same (or not much less) than they cost to initially restore. I have handled several of their rifles, and they do very nice work.

I agree that in general restorations are not always good ideas, and on some guns it hurts the value more than others. But there are so many M1 Carbines out there that restoring them in a respectful and historically correct way will enhance their value. I think that restoring a rare firearm tends to hurt its value, but even still, it never goes to "zero collectibility".

 

[Spiggy]

Also, check around pawn shops. Some will want a mint for a piece of junk, however, some will be reasonable priced. Just make sure it is a USGI and not a Universal. In my area shooters are going for between $500-$700 if you can find one.

+1, search your pawn shops, used gun rack, and classifieds ads. I've seen a few pop up under $700 here in SoCal in the last few weeks, Two(2) Rebuilds showed up on a local forum for $350 each and they were GI-Compatable rebuilds (albiet, not original). If that's the case, it's gotta be easier outside of here

 

[1BLINDREF]

Thanks for the info so far.
There is a big gun show at Valley Forge (Pa) this weekend. I'll be taking a pocket full of cash to see what I can find.

Any tips on what to look for would be very much appreciated!!

 

[Sunray]

"...Miltech restorations have zero collectability..." You're right. Their collectability is less than zero. They're very high priced bubba'd firearms that you'll never get your money back upon a resale. Mind you, any milsurp that has been "restored" has less value as a collector piece.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

As I pointed out already, Miltechs sell on the secondary market for almost as much as they do new. To have a collectibility less than zero, you would have to give someone money to take it off your hands, and no one is having to do that.

I agree that they don't hold value in the same way an unrestored firearm does, but to say they have zero collectiblity is overboard.

If you go to gunbroker and search "miltech" under auctions ended in the last 90 days, you will see that restored M1 Garands are selling for $1200-1500, and restored M1 Carbines are going for $800 to $1000. Go check it out if you dont believe me.

 

[1BLINDREF]

I picked up a nice Inland shooter today at the Valley Forge gun show. The look on my sons face was worth every penny He sat it on a chair next to him at dinner. My wife thinks we are absolutely insane

Thanks to everyone for your help

 

[dm1333]

They're very high priced bubba'd firearms that you'll never get your money back upon a resale

How in the heck are they bubba'd? Have you seen a picture of one or held one in your hand? I'd love to have one of their bubba jobs.

 

[robert garner]

My wife thinks we are absolutely insane
You didn't get one for yourself? maybe she's right?
now go forth and rectify your oversite!
It's Fathers day!

 

[1BLINDREF]

I bought a Mossberg 590 Special Purpose for me
Not as collectible, but it put a BIG smile on my face as well

 

[1BLINDREF]

Happy 18 year old

My son shot his new baby last night. I think he still has a smile on his face today
The little carbine shot flawlessly all night. 150 rounds and not one problem! Now I know what everybody was talking about when they said that the M1 carbine is a fun gun to shoot. My son bought a 1/2 case (500 rounds)of Federal 30 cal. for $135.00. He'll have to start working some OT.

 

[Eljay]

I was going to post a separate thread, I hope 1blindref doesn't mind a minor hijack on the same subject. At my house on Father's day I was showing my father and some other guests some guns. Dad (75, Korea Vet) said when in the Army he really liked the M1 Carbine and it was very accurate out to "500 yards". I said dad don't you mean the Garand, he said "no the carbine". I didn't want to call BS on dad on father's day so I let it drop. A carbine a 500 yds?? BTW dad also says that when guys shot the 45 auto the recoil was so great that they would hit them self in the head!