I picked up an M1 Carbine at a gun show recently, the little beauty just called out to me. All the research I normally do before a purchase just disappeared and well, I took a chance - simple as that.
Here's what I got and what I found when I took it apart.
The gun was sold as a Universal, when I disassembled it, the receiver was stamped Iver Johnson. I paid $395 out the door including tax and NICS.
The sight ramp just flops around, it looks as if the tiny return spring is missing, I jammed a small piece of black cardboard under the rear lip and it's as good as new. When I took the bolt out, I found an improvised oil soaked "shock buffer" at the back of the receiver which I removed. What concerned me a little was that a small portion of the bolt's rear end has been heavily peened but I can't see how it could have happened, part of the hammer maybe, I don't know.
The gun doesn't appear to have seem shot a lot and was advertized as such, the stock is like new and is constructed of an attractive paler wood, the bore looks new and the bluing on the feed ramp is unworn. I also picked up an original GI manual, cleaning kit and 2 original 15 round magazines still in wax cloth wrapping.
I live only 5 miles from Fulton Armory who specialize in the carbine and Garand, and they offer a full range of 'smithing starting with a $75 safety inspection and cleaning which I'm giving some thought to.
Visually the gun looks essentially new with the exception of the wear on the bolt rear and the other minor points mentioned.
I would appreciate any advice on how best to proceed.
Thanks
Newton
Here's what I got and what I found when I took it apart.
The gun was sold as a Universal, when I disassembled it, the receiver was stamped Iver Johnson. I paid $395 out the door including tax and NICS.
The sight ramp just flops around, it looks as if the tiny return spring is missing, I jammed a small piece of black cardboard under the rear lip and it's as good as new. When I took the bolt out, I found an improvised oil soaked "shock buffer" at the back of the receiver which I removed. What concerned me a little was that a small portion of the bolt's rear end has been heavily peened but I can't see how it could have happened, part of the hammer maybe, I don't know.
The gun doesn't appear to have seem shot a lot and was advertized as such, the stock is like new and is constructed of an attractive paler wood, the bore looks new and the bluing on the feed ramp is unworn. I also picked up an original GI manual, cleaning kit and 2 original 15 round magazines still in wax cloth wrapping.
I live only 5 miles from Fulton Armory who specialize in the carbine and Garand, and they offer a full range of 'smithing starting with a $75 safety inspection and cleaning which I'm giving some thought to.
Visually the gun looks essentially new with the exception of the wear on the bolt rear and the other minor points mentioned.
I would appreciate any advice on how best to proceed.
Thanks
Newton