USGI M1 Carbine sources

[KAR120C]

I've got a Garand from the CMP, and would love to get a carbine as well. I know the CMP doesn't sell them... well they are selling receivers, but assembling a rifle from a receiver is almost certainly beyond my skill level. I'm wondering what are my chances for acquiring a genuine USGI carbine?

I'm not seeking any particular manufacturer, I don't need it to be "correct", i.e. all parts consistent with receiver vendor and time of manufacture, and it doesn't have to be in pristine condition. I would love for it to be WWII vintage, but that isn't absolutely necessary. So, any help with the following questions would be greatly appreciated...
- How much can I expect to pay?
- What are the best places to look?
- What kind of scams/fakery should I be on the lookout for?

My girlfriend's father is a veteran (tail end of WWII saw no combat, Korea was forward artillery observer, wounded). I showed him my Garand, and he was very pleased to see it. Said he shot it well, but never carried it in combat. In Korea he was issued a carbine. I'd love to be able to let him handle one of those again too. He's been bed ridden since a stroke a few years ago, so little things like this can have a huge boost to his morale.

And yes, I'd also love to own and shoot another piece of History.

 

[mattw]

Expect to pay around $500-$700 depending on the manufacturer and the condition that it is in.

Look for them at your local gun shops first, then the pawn shops, then internet auctions like www.gunbroker.com and www.auctionarms.com and www.gunsamerica.com

The only big thing to look out for is make sure no one is trying to sell you a Universal brand, I wouldn't get an Iver Johnson brand either.

The best place to get a cheap one that you know will be in great shape is IAI. I bought an IAI M888 at a gun show for $500. It functions perfectly with no problems whatsoever. I would recommend these carbines as they are cheap and brand-new looking. (korea-looking vintage guns they build on their own recievers and make new stocks for. as far as I can tell most everything else is USGI parts.)

 

[busterbrown]

gunbroker.com, auction arms, m1 carbine parts.com are a few places. prices are going up- expect to pay $400 - $600. ammo can be had for $150 per 1000 rounds of Wolf. plan lots of ammo since this is a really fun gun to shoot!

 

[jeremywills]

Ok, i have never really asked on this one, these so called universals i see all the time, these are commerically made or basically made as a civilian equivalent? Im just asking for my own info, as long as it shot well and was reliable I could care less as I need to add one of these to my growing milsurp carbine collection, but if they are utter crap, then Ill pass. If I had the funds theres a sweet Underwood beauty at a Pawnshop thats cherry but I dont have 8 bills unlike my recent pawnshop finds where these folks didn't know what they had sadly this one does, curses

 

[mattw]

I haven't heard much as to the reliability of the Universal carbines but I do know that many of the currently produced aftermarket stocks and stuff do not fit them and the parts interchagability with USGI is questionable. I wouldn't get one simply because I have doubts on parts availability.

 

[Flyboy73]

Got an IAI M1 Carbine, i am thinking of selling. Never fired.


Brion

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Are there any companies that do a lot of C&R business who carry M1 Carbines?

 

[lawdogso]

P.M. sent to kar120c reguarding my M1 Carbine for sale