M1 Carbine selection

R

Rome

New member
45automan raised some good questions in his post about the M1 Carbine.

I'm in the market for one right now and have two basic questions.

First: What is anyone's opinion about USGI vrs aftermarket like Israel Arms or Iver Johnson pieces?

Second: Locally I've found a small assortment of what I believe are USGI models. What are the important things to look for other than the obvious items? i.e. a straight barrel, good rifling, completeness, etc., etc.

Finally, the carbines I looked at were all around $399 in basically and "original condition". Nothing fancy but obviously used. Should I be particulary concerned about numbers matching? Would you consider this an acceptible price?

Any help will be appreciated by me and 45automan, I'm sure.

Rome
 
Most of the "experts" will say that any g.i. rifle is better than any of the commercial models. It is highly unlikely that you will find a completely original all matching # carbine, as throughout their lifetime in the military most were taken completely apart periodically, any repairs made, updates to parts such as sights etc., and then reassembled with whatever part happened to be lying on the bench that would fit, some had this done more than once. The $400 dollar range seems to be pretty common for decent "mixmasters" as they are called, with ones in really good shape or mostly original going much higher. One thing that ticks me off is that there is a company that has had a big ad in the Shotgun News offering them to law enforcement only for $150. This company has done this with a couple of rifles that are not in any way verboten for the public to own.
bergie
 
Just to amplify Bergie's post, Kuhnhausen's book on the M1 carbine is full of text and pictures on the various manufacturing and materials faults in commercial carbines. You are much better off with a decent USGI rifle.

I would recommend that you buy and read Larry Ruth's book "M1 Carbine Owner's Manual" or something similar before you buy a carbine. You can get it from Fulton Armory or many other places that focus on USGI rifles. It will give you background that will help make sure you don't buy a lemon.

I think that $400 is about market for a clean used USGI import-marked carbine; unmarked carbines seem to go for maybe $50 more.
 
Some carbines are worth considerably more than others. If you buy an Irwin Pederson or a Rockola, be prepared to spend more money.

Jim Hall
 
The GI model by far is the best, although I have heard that the IMI is well built, but I have not seen one yet.
 
I got an IAI a few months ago. I think I paid $459. I have not had a chance to test it at distance, but out to 25 yards, it's more accurate than I am. (Spartacus shot a 1/4" 3-shot group from offhand!)

The IAI is supposed to be high quality, and I like it*. I did take a few minutes to sand the stock down a little more. Aah...just right.

Get one. I think you'll like it.

*with the exception of the metal handguard, which can be replaced by a wooden one for less than $20.
 
followup

I'm strongly inclined to go with a GI model, even though it is a "mixmaster" as one of the posts indicated. I'm wanting one of these rifles just because of the history....not for much for the shooting ability. I seem to have an affinity for "historical" pieces. I dont' have much of a desire for modern hi-tech weapons like my brother. (ar15/ak47). The modern weapons are accurate, however, and I have to work a lot harder to make a old weapon as accurate. But it is fun and interesting.

Thanks. I'll keep you-all posted as to what I purchase. I found four mixmasters to select from.

Rome
 
Universal Carbine

Stay away from the Universal M1 Carbine (same as Iver Johnson?). I have one, piece of junk jams all the time, sometimes drops the mags, and accuracy is non-existant.
 
"even though it's a mixmaster"

Be advised, there is no such thing as an all-[fill in the blank] carbine. No single maker, even Winchester, made all parts for the carbine.

The critical point with USGI is that everything was made to USGI specs. The modern replicas, even those that just use a modern receiver, do not permit this vital safety and functional assurance. Having said that, some of the re-imports have seen very tough use, so a safety check by a gunsmith who is familiar with USGI gas guns is mandatory.
 
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