Anyone Else Like The War Baby?

[.357magger]

One of the first guns I ever owned was the M1 Carbine. That would have been around 1977-78, cut grass all summer and bought it in the fall (or my Dad did anyway). Sold/traded it a couple of years later for I don't remember what. But it's one of the few over the years that I really regret letting go.

So...last week I was at local pawnshop and they were just putting out a 1944 Standard Products M1 Carbine. Asking price was $1200. Jerry at the shop dropped it for me to $1000 OTD. So I plopped down a deposit and came back this week with Craig Reish's reference book.

Went over it head to toe, 100% GI, and as a cherry on top, no import marks. Looks in pretty darn good shape to me, right down to the visible cartouches.

Over 6 million made, but this one is mine.

Who else is a fan of the War Baby?

 

[.357magger]

A couple more glamour shots.

 

[Buick]

Oh yeah im with you. Used to play army with dads m1 carbine stock with a section of bamboo cane fishing pole taped in for the barrel with electrical tape. That was at least 45 years ago. Have always tried to keep one or two around; and a couple thousand rounds. They are first class defensive carbines all my girls can shoot effectively.

 

[raisedin99]

Absolutely, an enjoyable piece of American history bought my first one while in high school in 1965
a Postal Meter if I remember correctly and just like you sold or traded it for something else.

Second one an Inland came with 5 15 round magazines and 700 rounds of ammo for the unheard of
price of $700.00. Only problem was a previous owner sanded down the stock and totally destroyed
all the cartouches. Oh well.

terry

 

[AJ]

I have collected a few over my time............ One of each manufacturer, and two Inland M1A1's.

 

[S&W Fan]

I regret never picking one up when I had the spare funds. My dad carried one in WWII, always spoke fondly of it.

That's him on the left with his cousin that he bumped into by chance in France, 1944

 

[STCM(SW)]

A replacement for a 1911 handgun.......
Never wanted one as the great rifle of WWII is the M1 Grand!
General Patton knew that.......

 

[stansdds]

They are light in weight and compact, easy to shoot and low in recoil, but not a replacement for the M1 Garand in terms of accuracy or power.

 

[pantannojack]

So much more character than any Mickey Mouse gun. "...without my rifle, I am useless..."

 

[.357magger]

I regret never picking one up when I had the spare funds. My dad carried one in WWII, always spoke fondly of it.

That's him on the left with his cousin that he bumped into by chance in France, 1944

What a great photo. Thanks for sharing it.

Your Dad's comment is fairly typical regarding those who used the Carbine in combat from the various WW2 books I've read and the oral histories I've heard.

Regardless, a whole lot of somebody's used these weapons for a pretty long time.

 

[Glashaus]

I bought my first M1 Carbine on my 18th birthday in 1979, first gun that I actually did the paper work for. Paid $300 for it and it came with a half dozen GI 15 round mags, a sling and a nice WWII M4 Bayonet. Traded it shortly there after on a AR180. My Dad carried a M1 Carbine in WWII. I have owned a few since but had not had one in awhile before nostalgia crept up on me and I found one to add to the collection from a member on another Forum. Just a good honest post WWII rebuild Inland

 

[Faulkner]

I have had a significant historical interest in M1 carbines since the early 1990's, and I also carried one in my patrol car for about 12 years in the early 2000's.

 

[30-30remchester]

Killed my first deer with one of those when I was 12 years old. Neet little guns perfect for the role they were intended.

 

[oink]

I now kinda wish I'd bought one along the way. I never really wanted one in the past because of my father's opinion of them. He carried one for awhile as a young Lt. forward observer for a Cannon Company in the 79th Infantry Division. He quit carrying it when it let him down when he was caught out in front of his line checking on an outpost (already deceased). He had to run for his life while his guys back at the line provided cover fire. He was wounded in the left arm and was unable to return fire due to his carbine failing. I don't think I ever heard him mention what the failure was. I never thought to ask. He carried a Garand thereafter.

They seem to be fun handy little carbines. Wasn't someone making new one recently?

 

[31FordA]

The M-1 Carbine is my favorite long gun. My Dad bought me my first M-1 when I got home from boot camp. A really nice Inland for $275. Dad liked it so much he bought one for himself, but the price had gone up to $325. Over the years I have picked up several more, most I ever paid was $600 for a Postal Meter from CMP.

 

[.357magger]

They seem to be fun handy little carbines. Wasn't someone making new one recently?

Kahr/Auto Ordnance and Inland Manufacturing are the two newest commercial manufacturers. I've read good things about the Kahr, not so good about the Inland. Don't have personal experience with either.

Fulton Armory offers them as well as rebuilding/restorations. I've read great reviews for them.

There were a number of commercial manufacturers during the 70s - 90s. Iver Johnson, Universal, Plainfield, Howa, and maybe a couple of others.

 

[sipowicz]

Never even held one much less owned one. But I did get this on my 10th birthday. Was my favorite shooter until,I graduated to my Nylon 66 2 years later.

Crosman M1 Carbine | Crosman Air Rifles | Vintage Airguns Gallery Forum

 

[Glashaus]

Never even held one much less owned one. But I did get this on my 10th birthday. Was my favorite shooter until,I graduated to my Nylon 66 2 years later.

Crosman M1 Carbine | Crosman Air Rifles | Vintage Airguns Gallery Forum

Yep, I had one of those too

 

[Faulkner]

Killed my first deer with one of those when I was 12 years old. Neet little guns perfect for the role they were intended.

It's not an optimal deer rifle, but it'll do the job up close. I've taken several in the 50 to 75 yard range hunting the big woods in south Arkansas and all were one shot stops using Winchester soft/hollow points.

 

[CLASSIC12]

Bought mine a year ago, wonder what took me so long to discover this great little handy Carbine

I think it avoided the post war upgrades

U.S. CARBINE CAL. 30 M1 - Underwood Elliott Fisher Company