Help with a M1 carbine purchase

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Enfielder

Enfielder

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Finger Lakes, Ny
Hey guys. I'm not a complete newbie to carbines but I know the basics as to what to look for.
So far, I haven't laid eyes on the rifle as it is second hand information from a friend about an estate sale.
Which ones are the hens teeth? I do know that Garands were taken apart, the parts put in a mixing machine and were haphazardly re-assembled after WWII, but did carbines suffer the same issue?
I have a slim possibility to acquire a carbine for a low price and I'd like some basic info or direction as to where to look for what I need to know.
As long as you want to sit and type out your knowledge, I'll read it.

Thanks.
 
A website you should check out for information: uscarbinecal30.com
Very useful in finding what you want.
 
First MAJOR delineation is; Is it U.S. GI or is it a civilian production?

Then, of the civilian versions, exactly which one is it?

There is absolutely no easy answer that can be generically applied to an unseen Carbine and knowing how to identify the components is going to be important unless it's at a buy-it-regardless price.

Some *Carbines* aren't worth slowing down for and others can be too valuable to knock around shooting.

There's not a doggone thing wrong with a GI arsenal re-furbished gun presenting as a mix-master of parts - just be sure to pay accordingly.

Early Winchesters *generally* rule the roost but I always fall for the ironically manufactured ones like; Rockola and I.B.M.;)

In case you do not know. Do not buy it if the receiver is either marked M-2 or even if the M-1 is overstruck with a 2. Regardless any other parts or configuration.

If you get it, concentrate on GI 15 round magazines and then, trust me on this, first chance you can afford one - just dive right in and buy a whole case of ammo. You will come to understand that in real short order.:thumbup:

Todd.
 
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This is a question that actually requires a lot more information and photos.

And, yes, all US military small arms were cleaned in batches at the Squad & Platoon level, and the parts not having serial numbers were fully interchangeable. I addition, combat units, as they rotated out of contact, turned int their arms to Higher (Regiment/Brigade/Corps) where the armorers there stripped down all the arms to component parts, and gauged everything gauge-able. The arms were reassembled with parts pulled from bins based on being "in specification." This was not nefarious, it was Standard Operating Procedure. (Weapons in combat do actually break on a frequent basis, so, rebuilding broken weapons is in the unit's interest.)

It's also part of the great victory of the US in WWII, of having dozens, hundred, thousands of subcontractors turning out identical parts, to specification, that they did not need to be fit, and therefore serialized to a given arm.

Bruce Canfield has a number of books which cover the WWII Carbine production and give the production numbers per each.
 
unklebuck said:
I agree with the comments on variations, but if it's under $500 grab it ! Any M1 is worth that.
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The only carbine I wouldnt pay $500 for is a 2nd Gen Universal. They use too many proprietary parts and the slides are well known for cracking. Jack First HAD some replacements made up, but they were $$$$ and I dont know if they still stock any.

First Gen Universals are mostly GI-compatible and are good to go.
 
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NIGHTLORD40K said:
The only carbine I wouldnt pay $500 for is a 2nd Gen Universal. They use too many proprietary parts and the slides are well known for cracking. Jack First HAD some replacements made up, but they were $$$$ and I dont know if they still stock any.
Click to expand...
I agree totally, just don't look on Gunbroker. Everything is going sky high, its truely amazing at what is selling for currently.
 
There were 11 different companies making the carbine during the war. If Standard Products was running short of a certain part, Saginaw Gear would have a batch sent over. Most carbines were mix-masters to begin with.
Buy the books before you buy the gun.
War Baby, is the Bible($$$) Harrison and Canfield’s books are good (not perfect) too.
A great site to visit is the CMP forum. There is a ton of excellent material there and a bunch of great people who will give you sound advice.
They also have a sales forum there with reputable sellers who won’t let you get taken for a ride.
 
In 1995, my wife told me she was at a yard sale. They had a dbl brl with a man's name on it for $100. I told her to go back and buy it. Of course it was gone when she got there. I asked her who's name was on it. L.C. SMITH. $500 is a small gamble for a possible Winchester, or Rockola.
 
Thank you all. I've been away from my computer so I haven't read anything until now. This is all good info.

I too am a sucker for the "off" brands of carbines and such. Rockola being my pick if I had a choice.
 
ApacheCoTodd said:
First MAJOR delineation is; Is it U.S. GI or is it a civilian production?

Then, of the civilian versions, exactly which one is it?

There is absolutely no easy answer that can be generically applied to an unseen Carbine and knowing how to identify the components is going to be important unless it's at a buy-it-regardless price.

Some *Carbines* aren't worth slowing down for and others can be too valuable to knock around shooting.

There's not a doggone thing wrong with a GI arsenal re-furbished gun presenting as a mix-master of parts - just be sure to pay accordingly.

Early Winchesters *generally* rule the roost but I always fall for the ironically manufactured ones like; Rockola and I.B.M.;)

In case you do not know. Do not buy it if the receiver is either marked M-2 or even if the M-1 is overstruck with a 2. Regardless any other parts or configuration.

If you get it, concentrate on GI 15 round magazines and then, trust me on this, first chance you can afford one - just dive right in and buy a whole case of ammo. You will come to understand that in real short order.:thumbup:

Todd.
Click to expand...
 
unklebuck said:
ApachecoTodd. Question about the M-1 .30 carbine. I'm not familiar with the M-2, or overstamp. Can you explain the problem with them, please ?
Click to expand...
M1 Carbines were semi-auto weapons.

Later, M2s were manufactured that were Select-fire (machine-guns). Also, some of the M1s in the Government's inventory were converted to select-fire and had the *1* of the M1 over-struck and a *2* added.

Many of these complete firearms and also stripped receivers made it into civilian hands and later, the U.S. government determined that while it was a *given* that M2s were machine guns, M1s that were over struck - regardless of current configuration - were also permanently and forever machine-guns to include stripped receivers.

Todd.
 
Enfielder said:
I have a slim possibility to acquire a carbine for a low price ...
Click to expand...
If it's really a good price, you should pounce on it. Even if you don't like it, in today's market I'm sure you could sell it for a healthy profit.

Otherwise, my advice is that now is not a good time to buy any gun, much less a desirable collectible like an M1 Carbine. It's a seller's market, and you'll get reamed.
 
unklebuck said:
Good advice. Thanks for the explanation on the M2. I guess the problem would be the federal registration ?
Click to expand...
There's really no more registering machine guns for the general public that aren't already in the system and above-board.

Every now and again they had an *amnesty* that they always failed to tell anyone about but those were really for Service Members to address *bring-backs* and will probably never happen again.

Todd.
 
carbine85 said:
GI Carbines in decent shape are fetching $750.00 - $1200.00 and more in many cases. I watch auctions all the time and see them for more than a M1 Garand.
Click to expand...
They made more Carbines than Garands, 5 million or so, but there may be more appeal, i.e., lighter, less recoil, less expensive ammo.
 
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