War Baby!

[FLRon]

This is the first time I ever had a rifle "built" for me. I have had a hankering for a M1 Carbine "War Baby" for some time. I was not looking for a "correct" collectible. Rather, I wanted something very reliable for personal defense as well as plinking at the range, whenever I finally get some time to do so.

I decided to purchase my M1 Carbine from Fulton Armory, a company with an excellent reputation for quality rifle builds. The rifle has new, USGI original parts, in addition to a Fulton Armory USGI spec receiver and a barrel made by Criterion, an offshoot of Kreiger Barrels. Stocks are new walnut with a boiled linseed oil finish.

I am excited to have this historically significant carbine as part of my collection and I look forward to use and enjoy her for many years.

 

[Lever Gun Nut]

That is beautiful!

 

[lloveless]

I hope it shoots as good as it looks. Nicely done.
ll

 

[Trent]

Holy crap.

THAT is a carbine I'd buy.

 

[dogsoldier0513]

My next purchase will be an M1. I'm SICK TO DEATH of ARs...and I own a NICE one!

 

[marksg]

Now that is awsome...made me go to the fulton site and look. Let us know how it shoots.

I might have to start saving and working some O.T.

 

[Reloadron]

The "War Baby". Now those are sweet little rifles that just scream please own me. That is one sweet looking little rifle, enjoy it!

Ron

 

[bluethunder1962]

I know a lot of people say poly frames are more stable but you can't beat the look of wood. I love it. I have been wanting one for a while but don't have the money.

 

[Trent]

Every time I see a comment in this thread, I enjoy re-opening it to look at those pictures.

Just sayin'.

 

[USAF_Vet]

How anyone can look at that and think it should be banned is beyond me. That rifle is functional art. Very nice looking gun you got there. Not much a fan of the cartridge, but I do like the look of the M1.

 

[Tommygunn]

FLRon, YOU RAT!!! You owe me a NEW KEYBOARD ---- I got too much drool in the old one!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, congrats on a real nice looking gun. I have a WW2 Inland my father brought back from Korea and have always enjoyed its easy pointability and light weight. They're fun guns.

 

[Trent]

Hey! More posts! I get to look at that rifle again and read what people wrote.

I can't get over this - I've seen M1 carbines before, but that one just.. man. It's perfection.

 

[joerowlands]

I would like to know if that gun was a rebuild and if you don't mind what is the price range. It looks like the one I just got. Thanks

 

[FLRon]

Thank you all for the kind remarks. I agree that there is something special about steel and wood firearms.

As to your question, Fulton Armory offers four options of the M1 Carbine. Service, CMP Match, M3 Scout and M1A1 Paratrooper.

The difference between the Service model, which is the one I have, and the CMP Match model is that that the CMP model has a USGI receiver, which makes it Carbine Match legal.

Since I was not concerned with "match legal" i opted for the service model that has a Fulton Armory receiver. After seeing the quality of their M14/M1A builds, I had no reticence whatsoever in getting a Fulton Armory receiver. I believe the rest of the rifle build, aside from the Criterion barrel is all USGI new parts.

The price on the Service model was $1,500. and $1,600 for the Match model.

http://www.fulton-armory.com/M1-Carbine-Rifles.aspx\

I believe once you start getting into "correct" USGI carbines, you are as high in price, or higher, depending on condition and "correctness."

The most expensvive part, after the rifle iteself, aside from ammo, is new USGI magazines that I see selling for $20 - $30/each. I do hear good things about the Korean military mags that are much cheaper.

 

[Snag]

Very nice choice.

 

[Snowdog]

Besides a .22LR, the M1 Carbine is perhaps the most fun to shoot. It provides enough punch to be taken seriously (and make a mess of reactive targets for plinking), yet mild enough in terms of both recoil and muzzle blast to enjoy.

And can anyone say handy? They define the word.

 

[nathan]

That is nice gun. ALthough the price is steep, thats one super nice gun to have.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Thank you all for the kind remarks. I agree that there is something special about steel and wood firearms.

As to your question, Fulton Armory offers four options of the M1 Carbine. Service, CMP Match, M3 Scout and M1A1 Paratrooper.

The difference between the Service model, which is the one I have, and the CMP Match model is that that the CMP model has a USGI receiver, which makes it Carbine Match legal.

Since I was not concerned with "match legal" i opted for the service model that has a Fulton Armory receiver. After seeing the quality of their M14/M1A builds, I had no reticence whatsoever in getting a Fulton Armory receiver. I believe the rest of the rifle build, aside from the Criterion barrel is all USGI new parts.

The price on the Service model was $1,500. and $1,600 for the Match model.

http://www.fulton-armory.com/M1-Carbine-Rifles.aspx\

I believe once you start getting into "correct" USGI carbines, you are as high in price, or higher, depending on condition and "correctness."

The most expensvive part, after the rifle iteself, aside from ammo, is new USGI magazines that I see selling for $20 - $30/each. I do hear good things about the Korean military mags that are much cheaper.

I find 15 and 30 rd mags, usgi, still in the wrap for $15-20. Ammo can be hard to find, I recently picked up 450 rds of GI ammo still in the bandoleers/clips for $200. Wolf has brass washed steel case for $10 a box of 50. I ran two boxes through my carbine and it's good ammo, a bit dirty, but it ran well.

 

[bigfatdave]

looks nice!

the CMP has Carbine ammo for $0.40/round most of the time, and 15x GI magazines can be found for $15ea at most gun shows, as well as from the CMP the last time I checked.
Avoid anything stamped "promag", regardless of capacity.

I keep an eye on a few places for Soft Point ammo to go on sale, Midway has PPU soft points fairly frequently, the price isn't too painful if you have a coupon or catch a sale.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Pretty little thing. Kind of spendy, but pretty.