M1 Carbine questions

[PurdueRifleman2008]

Hello, I'm currently in the market for an M1 carbine from around the WWII era and was just wondering if there was any make or years that were better than others or if there were some models and years I should just stay away from.

My intended use is plinking around the farm and the occasional carbine match.

 

[sarge83]

Go for a USGI model if you can. CMP program if you can qualify and it's pretty easy to do. You got a WWII gun, that is authenticated with a certificate. There were several manufactures with Inland being the biggest and Irwin Pederson being the smallest and commanding the most in price. CMP can get you a service grade for $465 neighborhood.

If you can't get a USGI model, Plainfield and Iver Johnson made civilian versions which are pretty good. Stay away from anything that is a Universal=POS 99% of the time.

I think Auto Ordinance or the Israelis make a copy that is okay, haven't heard much about them however.