MI carbine handguard

overland

New member
Quick question: Should it be a little loose or very snug? Just installed a new CMP stock and handguard on my old CMP M1 and the handguard it is a bit loose where it meets the receiver. I seem to remember that this is normal, but I might be wrong.
 
If you post this question on the Curio and Relics mini forum those guys will give you an answer quick like. Myself i dont know sorry.
 
The Carbine handguard should have a slight amount of movement fore and aft.
This prevents binding and warping of the barrel as it heats up.

For the same reason BOTH hand guards on the M1 rifle should be slightly loose.
 
Both my Inlands, which I or the family have had since NIB 1945 and the 60s respectively--the former unmolested, the other having only gone through the typical post war/Korea refit, otherwise 98%--have had somewhat loose forends from the get go. I've seen others tighter, but I think a little loose is pretty normal.
 
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gak, any chance that you could post a picture of your '45 NIB carbine? Are you saying that your family got a unissued carbine in the crate? That would be fantastic to see.
 
COSteve gak, any chance that you could post a picture of your '45 NIB carbine? Are you saying that your family got a unissued carbine in the crate? That would be fantastic to see.

Wow I would like to see that too.
 
Some loosenes allowed but kept to a minimum...

did a modification on a steel handguard for mounting a scope for daughter to use for deer hunting.
Bent the rear tab to eliminate shifting to get a good consistent group.

With the wood handguard, some suggest that the screw tightening the bayonent/ handguard retainer be set tight, then shoot a group, back off the screw 1 one and shoot another group, then some relation to getting a smaller group but takes time.
 
CO Steve and Ed said:
"gak, any chance that you could post a picture of your '45 NIB carbine? Are you saying that your family got a unissued carbine in the crate? That would be fantastic to see."
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Pics - Keep in mind no longer NIB of course (intervening years, last thing one thought of was to "not use") but still vg condition--only seeing light father's post war and then my personal use over the years. Also, it is 6-44.
Top is the 44, bottom a refit 43. Note anomalous hi-wood on "new" 44 (has a 4 hole handguard), low-wood on 43--with two hole handguard. I apologize for perhaps gilding the lily a bit here, but here you go:
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_Xutf-8XBXL01lZGlhIENhcmQvQmxhY2tCZXJyeS9waWN0dXJlcy9JTUcwMTY4MS5qcGc_X_.jpg

_Xutf-8XBXL01lZGlhIENhcmQvQmxhY2tCZXJyeS9waWN0dXJlcy9JTUcwMTY4My5qcGc_X_.jpg

_Xutf-8XBXL01lZGlhIENhcmQvQmxhY2tCZXJyeS9waWN0dXJlcy9JTUcwMTY4OC5qcGc_X_.jpg

and proof positive of WWII-issue bayo/lug
_Xutf-8XBXL01lZGlhIENhcmQvQmxhY2tCZXJyeS9waWN0dXJlcy9JTUcwMTY4Ny5qcGc_X_.jpg


My father got it out of a junkyard on Guam--still getting potshot at--in 1945 at war's end as he and his crew scrounged for engine parts to make his B-29 flyable for ferrying the long distance home. Took it out of the box and stuck it behind his (pilot) seat. When stateside, they told him to keep it. It is one of very few bayo/lug-fit WWII issued--though never saw action--carbines. (Sadly, bayo long gone now) Contrary to popular myth, a few made it into action late--most if not all in the Pacific Theater. So not all bayo-lug guns (or ramp sights) were post-war or Korea refits. The Ordnance dept order was issued IIRC in mid 44. As most things gubment, it took awhile to make the rounds.
Will try to get to those pics.

Postscript: really make you ill -- ca 1985, NIB (certified/extensive papers/not retrofitted) original Inland M2 at a local store here in Phoenix area - $750. At the time I was particularly cash poor and thought that was a bit much for me to be spending on "superflous" items :)

Postscript 2: I hadn't handled in awhile. Fore-end fit on the 44 is quite good, only slightly loose. 43 very good too, slightly looser.
.
 
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COSteve said:
gak, any chance that you could post a picture of your '45 NIB carbine? Are you saying that your family got a unissued carbine in the crate? That would be fantastic to see.
Ed4032said
Wow I would like to see that too.

--
Pics posted above,
Not earth shaking, but interesting, also note LOP and OAL length variance between the two. A little of this may be camera angle, but I'd say very little -- it's a pretty straight shot down and doesn't account for most of the difference. The receivers/mags and "pistol grips" are lined up pretty well, but the butt of 43, again perhaps re-stocked at some point, is still off the pic, and the end of the barrel is sticking further out than the 44. Maybe someone more expert than I can say whether this was a common difference between hi-and-low wood stocks. Both guns are 100% Inland throughout btw. One smith opined at some point he thought very few if any of the internals had been swapped out on the 43--though the latter also has the round bolt like the 44 (inaccurately ascribed by many to the select-fire M2s only)--other than standard late or post-war refits. It's in pretty good shape, but not like the 44 of course, and looks like it saw at least some action.

Didn't mean to hi-jack if I have.
 
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