Purchase M-1 carbine

[KrankyKraut]

I'm considering getting a M-1 carbine. It'll be strictly for shooting. I am not interested in collecting. Now, the question is: Should I get a new AO/Kahr or a used USGI? My thinking is that the Kahr will have a brand-new barrel (and therefore be more accurate), whereas the USGI probably won't. Also some other parts of the USGI may be worn, and the gun may thus be less reliable than a factory-new gun. Add the cost of a nice-condition USGI, and the balance swings even more in the favor of the new gun; from a purely practical user standpoint. Of course, the new gun won't have the history or character of a WWII gun. Are parts fully interchangeable between a new Kahr and the old carbine, especially magazines? Am I missing anything?

 

[mindwip]

Put it this way, making up the prices so bare with me.


You buy a new M1 carbine for $600
You buy a Used USGI for $500.

You want to sell your Used USGI you can sell it for $500 or more because they are going up in value. If you put in a new barrel you can get even more.
You want to sell your now used New M1 carbine you might get 500 or less for it.
One will gain value one won't.


Also if you buy from CMP you will get a great deal price wise, and the barrels should be very good. The M1 carbines are all rated at Service grade, which means its in great to good condition. The parts should be nice too. I bought a Rack grade Garand from them which is lower in condition then the Service Grade and the only bad part was a spring that cost my 3 bucks, and the stock it beat to hell but i love it. My 2 Garand service grade look like...well like new.

To put my actions to my words, i have a CMP M1 carbine heading to my house sometime this month. I hope

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Also some other parts of the USGI may be worn, and the gun may thus be less reliable than a factory-new gun.

Personally, I think a worn USGI carbine is probably more likely to be reliable than a new one by Kahr.

 

[30Cal]

A buddy of mine at work and I just got CMP Italian carbines. The metal on both is essentially new. The wood; not so new, but decent.

See linky below for photos.
http://tyoberg.multiply.com/photos/album/18

 

[1BLINDREF]

I just bought an M1 Carbine (Inland) for my son as a graduation/birthday present. I knew nothing about them when I started my search for one about 3 months ago. Boy did I learn alot!
Buy a USGI carbine.
They are getting a little pricey, but you can get a really nice shooter with no import marks for about $600.-$700. It will be well worth the money. The same gun could have been had about 6 months ago for probably around $500.-$550. You'll not only be getting a great gun that will go up in value, but it will have a certain cool factor that you won't get with a Kahr. As far as the barrel goes, you don't have to worry too much about them. Most of the M1s have been re-barreled and the 30 carbine ammo was non-corosive anyway. Check Gunbroker and some of the other on-line auctions to get an idea of what they are selling for. Don't let the prices of the collector grade M1s scare you away Be patient and do your homework. I learned alot from some of the guys at the range where I shoot. It will be worth the time and investment! Good luck

 

[vnepilot]

Buy a USGI, you get the gun and the history for less money, Thats a deal in itself. What ever you do stay away from the universal make, as some parts are different than USGI.

 

[Ratzinger_p38]

Getting a USGI leads to an addiction, which has hit me, of 'perfecting' it.

 

[VA27]

I traded into a brand new (AO/IAI/Kahr). It was nice and new and shot good and was a joy to own. I sold it for more than I had in it and bought a 5-digit Inland mixmaster for $450! The Inland is now worth a lot more than I payed for it just over a year ago. The (AO/IAI/Kahr) is just a used gun now while the Inland is a piece of history!

If you just want a shooter, look for a used (AO/IAI/Kahr), should be able to pick one up for $400 or so.

If you want a shooter that is a piece of history and will keep or increase its value, go US GI.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I just went through the same consideration. I found that for the price of the Kahr I could get a very nice Inland that has shot well for me. I have now put almost 1000 rounds down it and found it to be reasonably accurate and a lot of fun to shoot.

I went for the Inland first. I may buy a Kahr someday just so I don't beat up my nice Inland.

 

[Wayne G.]

I'd get the USGI. As already mentioned, it will hold its value.

 

[Eightball]

My Inland's a hoot to shoot, and cost me less to acquire than an AO around here; that, and the CMP has an article stating that the versions with bayo lugs seem to be more accurate for whatever reason--a feature which many AO's lack.

I like my Inland, so you should have an idea of my vote

 

[mindwip]

To recap we have 10 USGI to 1 AO/Kahra. With VA27 voting twice. Its a close race only time will tell who wins.


I hope this answered your question, please tell us what you end up getting and we want pics.

 

[FMJMIKE]

Get a USGI M1 Carbine....... This is my house gun. Inland.........