M1 Carbine advice?

G

GnL

New member
I have an opportunity to buy an M1 Carbine made by GM Inland Division. the barrel is marked Blue Sky/Arlington, V.A. (I have no idea what that means). Its serial number is 6349XXX and is in original issue, "excellent" condition. Asking price is $370.

I am new to WWII rifles/carbines, and though I have done some research on M1s on the internet, I don't really know what to look for on this gun. I am interested in the historic value of the weapon but also want to be able to shoot it. I understand that the Inland carbines were GI issue as opposed to commercial manufacture which appeals to me for its historic value. I don't know about the barrel markings, though. Is this what is referred to as an "import" (e.g. used in Korea)?

Any advice as to how to evaluate its condition, its ability to fire safely, or appearance, would be very helpful.

thanks in advance...

GnL
 
$370 is an excellent price for a G.I. M1 Carbine in the condition you describe. I recently bought a Rock-Ola M1 made in 1943 for $500, and I got a very good deal on it. Even the new commercial IMI carbines go for over $400 these days, and they're not nearly as desirable as a genuine G.I. issue M1.

I don't know about the barrel stamping, but your serial number is right in line with the range of carbines made by GM Inland. For an M1 Carbine in excellent condition, the asking price is an absolute steal.

M1 Carbines are fun shooters, and should be perfectly safe to fire. Have a gunsmith check it out to be sure, but by all means buy it! You won't regret it. It's a great little carbine with genuine historical as well as practical value.
 
great...

Thanks for the help so far. I plan to have a looksee with my own eyes in the next few days. I have only seen photos of it to date. The gun is being sold out of a collection that was part of an estate.
 
The carbine you describe is a "re-import." At sometime in its life it probably was in US service and was later sold or given to a friendly foregin nation for their army. Blue Sky brought it back and because its an import, it must have the importers name stamped on it. I've had two Blue Sky Carbines and liked them both, still have one of them. The price you show is a fair price. Non-reimports go for much much more, so this is a good way to get a Carbine. Buy it. enjoy it!
 
I agree mostly with what has been said. Its definitely an import. $370 is a pretty good price, and I would consider it for that.

However, this gun is more of a shooter than a collectible in my opinion. I dont think imports are going to increase in value over time as much as non-imports.

Bottom line: Buy it, and have fun with it.
 
thanks to all...

Thanks, everyone. I bought it for $350 and plan to have fun shooting it. It had a few more nicks and scratches (historical character?) on the stock than I realized from the photos but the barrel and firing mechanism looked great. So I got $20 off the original asking price. It's mine now...

GnL
 
Scoops...

I'm still kicking myself for passing up a real nice Inland with an Inland/GM barrel(dated 9/45). Asking price.....
$425! I walked away. GRRRRRH. Sometimes I can't sleep at night just thinking about it.:(
 
I'm shooting an Inland that belonged to my Dad, he got it from the CMP in the mid '60's. Paid $25-$30 for it. Great shooter, my son loves it. Last time we had it at the range he loaded up a 30 round mag and let 'er rip. Asked him if that was fun, he grinned and said yeah! I told him now he's got to find all the brass, the grin kinda disappeared.
 
SK....

I have a friend that lives in Kalifornia who bought his Carbine from an elderly lady. Her husband passed away and she wanted to GIVE him the rifle. He offered her $50 for it (around 1970), so they settled on $30.

Hearing stories like mine and Scoops is saddening to think we're getting a bargin at $400+. These little carbine's used to be SO CHEAP!

:o *starsfan*
 
So what is a mint Winchester worth on todays market? I was pissed over forking out 300 bucks for the darn thing and having to clean all the grease out of it. But that was 15 years ago too.
 
radom.....

I saw two Winchester's at the gun show last weekend. One was in VERY GOOD "mint" condition, and the guy was asking $750! The other had a price tag of $850!!! Can ya' believe that? They used to practically give these things away!
The other was a Blue Sky re-import made by Inland, but man it was in pitiful shape....cracked stock...barrel was shot out...slight rust on the barrel...muzzle was "bugered up"....guy was asking $375. HUH? No way.

I really want a Carbine. I don't know about you, but I'm NOT going to pay those kind of prices for one. I might go as high as $500 (want one THAT bad!).

Safe shootin' to ya',

*starsfan*
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top