Worth getting an M1 carbine?

[BerettaNut92]

Nippy could have chosen anything.

But he chose the M1 Carbine.

M1 Carbine--The world's 2nd cutest killing machine.

 

[444]

Not really adding anything to the thread, but.... Ordinarily I would tell you no, the M1 Carbine isn't worth getting. But, for that price, it sounds like a heck of a deal. M1 Carbines have priced themselves into the collector status over the last few years meaning that IMO the only person that could justify the price is a collector. As a carbine, they arn't worth it.
Assuming the carbine is a USGI carbine, you are paying about half price for it. I would certainly go for it.
I paid more than that for mine. I think I paid about that much for my last one 15 years ago.

 

[whm1974]

Ok I'm looking at the carbine now. There is some wear on the recever and bolt. My buddy said he hasn't shot it since the 70's. He has over 100s round left over from then. one 15 round mag had ammo in it, but he doesn't know how long it's been loaded.

On the recever: "Plainfield Machine Dunellen, NJ Cal 30 M-1" I just notice on the rear site it has "PMC"

No banynet lug. No markings to inacate it was USGI. So is this a copy, USGI, or one the carbines that some companys got stuck with after WWII was over?

-Bill

 

[bigjim]

I recently picked up a M1 Carbine. Quality Hardware was the maker. I have historical provenance connecting this gun to a Man that was at Normandy on D-day doing aerial recon Photography. The gun is 98% condition and is correct in everyway. I gladly paid 800 dollars for it and would buy ten more like it if they could be found.

Collecting USGI milsurp is very satisfying! Lots of nice guns out there and priced so the average guy can own a fine piece or two. My goal is to someday have two each of the legal to own weapons from 1900 to the end of the Korean war. One to preserve history and one to shoot.

I have got the 1903, 1903A3, 1917 enfield, M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, M14, and the 1911s covered.

I had a young neighbor boy over with this father and we watched Saving Private Ryan and afterwards we all handled these guns. We sat and talked the three of us "guys" about the horrors of war and the awful burden it places
on the lives of the brave men that fight them. We talked about freedom and what our roll in keeping freedom is. We talked about a lot of things. There was a turning point when he looked at his dad and his eyes got real big.
He asked.... Dad you were in the Army? His dad then told the boy about the first Iraq war. Up until that time the boys father never felt able to talk about it with his son.

I honestly believe that evening had a impact on this young man.

So yeah...buy the M1.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

On the recever: "Plainfield Machine Dunellen, NJ Cal 30 M-1" I just notice on the rear site it has "PMC"

Definitely not USGI. Plainfield made M1 Carbines after WW2 and later Iver Johnson used the Plainfield name; I *think* IJ bought them out. I had an IJ Carbine in the 80s which had to go back to the factory because the bolt was too soft, causing the locking lugs to peen.

I'd pass on it, even though you can upgrade an IJ Carbine with USGI parts.

 

[deezulsmoke]

Pass. Plainfield's are not USGI and not worth even $300.

Deez.

 

[whm1974]

Hmm I'll do some checking. As far as I can tell the gun is in good condition. Is Plainfield USGI specs?

-Bill

 

[Browns Fan]

A used M1 carbine for $550 or more? Jeez, I remember when I coulda bought one new at Kmart (of all places) for $150 brand new!

 

[whm1974]

Ok I did some looking online and Univerls go for high as $500. Gunshops listed the Plainfield from $350 to $500.

Now if this was a USGI I would be getting a good deal. Now I do want an M1 Carbine(not as much as AK though) but I'm not willing to pay a whole lot for one.

I also do not want to worry about ruining the colletor value by shooting a lot or by modding one.

My friend is putting in a case, over 100 rounds of ammo, and it comes with one 15 round and two 30 rounds magazines, and a sling.

I'll do some more research before I buy.

-Bill

 

[deezulsmoke]

The demand drives the market. The Plainfield and Universals are NOT GI spec. The parts are not interchangable. If you look online you can get average Universals, Plainfields and Iver Johnson's for 200-400. If you shop, you can still get a USGI armory rebuild carbine for about $500-700. They are shooters, they are not coolectors per se. Unless they have all original and matching parts, which almost all of the armory rebuilds will not have, they are not really collectors as yet. I have 4 of them and shoot them regularly. There is no difference between one of these for shooting and shooting a CMP Garand. If you really want a USGI spec carbine that will make a really nice shooter that you can mod, then get the AO/Kahr arms carbine. They are USGI spec and are really good values at $400-$500 online. I have one that I have mounted a scout rail to and put a inport replica paratrooper stock on. Love it and it shoots just as well as any of my USGI carbines.

Deez.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

The Plainfield and Universals are NOT GI spec.

Actually, the Plainfields (at least the IJ-made Plainfields) will accept GI parts. Where they fall short compared with the GI contract guns is in the quality department.

 

[whm1974]

Ok he has some left over from the 70's. So what do I look for to tell if ammo is bad? I have shot ammo older then me before but...

What powder would I use to reload for .30 m1 carbine? I guess Bullseye is out of the question?

So $300 isn't that bad considering I'm getting stuff with it.

-Bill

 

[Longbow]

How to tell if an M1 Carbine is an import?

I have a chance to buy an M1 Carbine from a friend. He said its a U.S. GI. I'm aware that there are some that were imported back from Korea(?) some years back. How can I tell if this one is legit? What are the markings of an import? I know Blue Sky is one, but are there others?
Asking price is $400. I think its marked Inland. Thanks in advance!

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I have been looking at GI M1 carbines for about a year, just accumulating information. To me, it is just about collecting. I will shoot it, but from what I have read they are not the most accurate little beasts.

Just as a bench mark, the nice examples I have been seeing in Houston are all running right at a grand a pop. I was looking at an Underwood online that was 895, an IBM at 849 and I am hoping to find an IH (I vaguely remember that they made one but I have not taken the time to check. Anyway, I am budgeting a grand for a nice one some day.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Since it's Plainfield, I'd pass. It's not even interesting to collectors.

 

[TMM]

for ammo, Cheaperthandirt.com has some fair deals. $10 for 50 of the S&B stuff. $8/50 for Wolf.

~TMM

by the way. get the gun! if you don't like it, you can probably sell it for twice what you got it for.

 

[joab]

Not a too bad deal but not too great of a deal either.

You can buy brand new M1 carbines for about $550, with a factory warranty

 

[res88qe1]

M1 Carbine

I have a M1 Carbine from the War; has been in my possession for some years now.



I want to sell it so anyone that is interested send me an email and I will send you a few pictures of it and we can come to some sort of negotiation on a price.

It is in kind of rough but good shape the barrel is kind of pitted from the war and needs to be blued, have the magazine with it.

These weapons are very expensive in great shape, and still worth allot in ok shape as well.

Look forward to hearing from you, prefer individuals from the United States Only due to the nature of this transaction.

Thanks Again
God Bless
Wolf

 

[Redneck with a 40]

Look's like I'm going to have to part company here when it comes to the non-G.I spec M-1's. I recently bought a Universal M-1 at a gun show for $300. I must have gotten a good one, because mine is a shooter! I've had no failures after shooting 100 rounds, which is encouraging, its plenty accurate too, I shot one ragged hole from 50 yards with commercial ammo. I also bought a case of Wolf 30 carbine and there is nothing wrong with it, it fires out of my carbine just fine, feed's fine too. The Wolf is not as accurate, but for plinking, its plenty accurate. Also, the price was right, $175/1000 rounds. Maybe I just got lucky, but I like my Universal 30 carbine.

 

[Sunray]

Your buddy is confused. However, some FOREIGN/non-American made carbine ammo is corrosive. Not a big deal, but you have to clean for it. Flush with hot water then clean as per normal. American made carbine ammo has never been corrosive. Mililtary issue included.
Plainfield's are the best of the commercially made carbines. They are an exact copy, can use milsurp parts interchangeably and shoot well, depending on its condition.
Universals came in two models. Early and late. The early types are ok. The late models are junk. A late model will have a toggle for the bolt hold open, two return springs and a very poorly stamped op handle(they tend to break).
"...brand new M1 carbines..." That'd be the Kahr/Auto Ordnance. First produced in 2005. They're too new for any reliable "field reports" as to accuracy and reliablity. MSRP is $777US.
It comes with the 'flip' style rear sight that was discontinued in 1943/44. It uses a roll pin for the front sight pin too. AO wants $3.30 for said pin. Gunparts wants $1.30 for an issue solid pin. Whether or not it can use milsurp parts is unknown.

 

[res88qe1]

M1

this one I have was made for the war not after it is the real one.

 

[Rubberleggz]

I have a m1 that I am assuming was a paratrooper model. It has the front adn rear pistol grips in walnut wood. in great shape too. any idea how much it goes for?? serial is only 5 characters long.....

 

[GTSteve03]

Holy thread-res, Batman!

This one was over 2 years old. If you want to sell your M1 carbine, there's a For-Sale section a little further down.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

I have a m1 that I am assuming was a paratrooper model. It has the front adn rear pistol grips in walnut wood. in great shape too. any idea how much it goes for?? serial is only 5 characters long.....

We'd need to know the manufacturer before making even a SWAG at the value. I can tell you that the stock is not GI, if it has two pistol grips. GI folding stocks look like the one below:



(It's a replica paratrooper stock.)

 

[Moose458]

The CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program) is currently selling M1 Carbines. Starting sept 4 they are selling 3200 Underwood Carbines for $565.00and in Jan. they will start selling Winchesters for $695.00 I believe. They will continue selling different makes over the next year or so. I just got mine and it has been refurbished to look as good a new. Stock has some dings but very servicable. CMP also offers new walnut stocks with the CMP cartouche.