Breaking my handgun addiction, or how I gave an old soldier a new home on the Fourth.

[TeamPB]

After 3 years of bidding at Rock Island Auction House I won. A combination of Covid, economic uncertainty, riots and Fathers day gave me a good feeling about an online (less DEEP pockets participating?) auction. I know a little about carbines, like shooters, not collector's pieces and this looked interesting. It came in on Thursday, but I got caught in a two and a half day 4473 wait. My LGS stayed open on Independence day and the state of Colorado came through. I picked it up on a break from work, stripped, inspected, cleaned and lubed last night. I replaced the magazine catch, spring and safety spring. It looks good for the range today. RMC stock (great condition), Underwood receiver and barrel, mix master. It really looks like it got a rebuild a long time ago and then sat for a long time. It will have a second (or 20th) life of shooting and care.

 

[Muddyboot]

Great purchase, plenty of magazines, spare parts, and ammo choices make the M-1 Carbine a wise buy any time.

 

[JH1951]

Well done! I added one to the stable this year as well.

 

[jbtrucker]

My old soldier dad would have really liked your M-1 thanks for sharing.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Of The 9 manufacture's. What brand is yours?

 

[AJ]

Of The 9 manufacture's. What brand is yours?

There are ten manufacturers:
1.) Winchester
2.) Inland
3.) Saginaw Gear
4.) S'G'
5.) IBM
6.) Rock-Ola
7.) Quality Hardware
8.) Underwood
9.) National Postal Meter
10.) Standard Products
and if you count the one manufacturer that did not get accepted you could include : 11.) Irwin Pederson.

 

[TeamPB]

Of The 9 manufacture's. What brand is yours?

Underwood receiver and barrel. So I would call it an Underwood. The story of WWII carbine production is amazing to me. The success of the Carbine Board (located in the Underwood building I believe) in allocating parts, QC, managing parts interchangeability and all the other wartime needs is very impressive. Carbine collecting is also impressive and beyond my abilities, but I am lucky enough to have a Standard Products M1 as well. I like the way these rifles handle and shoot.

 

[kmyers]

One of the few firearms I keep saying someday one will reside here. Nice example that you have.

 

[Hair Trigger]

There are ten manufacturers:
1.) Winchester
2.) Inland
3.) Saginaw Gear
4.) S'G'
5.) IBM
6.) Rock-Ola
7.) Quality Hardware
8.) Underwood
9.) National Postal Meter
10.) Standard Products
and if you count the one manufacturer that did not get accepted you could include : 11.) Irwin Pederson.

Two M1 carbines I'd love to own; 1- a Rock-Ola made, and 2- one of the paratrooper carbines with the metal folding stock. Did Rock-Ola make any of those? That would cut my number to one.

I didn't know until recently that Rock-Ola was really the company owner's real last name, without the hyphen. I always thought it was named that because it made juke boxes, but some historians think the name gave rock and roll its name.

A very fine collection of carbines you have there.

 

[LCC]

Reccomendations for a reliable M-1 Carbine that doesn't cost a $1000, or is there such a thing?

 

[Valmet]

That’s awesome OP. Those are classic old guns that have really increased in value. The great thing about the rebuilds IMO is that they’re collectible but one can also shoot them regularly without feeling too guilty.

 

[AJ]

Two M1 carbines I'd love to own; 1- a Rock-Ola made, and 2- one of the paratrooper carbines with the metal folding stock. Did Rock-Ola make any of those? That would cut my number to one.

I didn't know until recently that Rock-Ola was really the company owner's real last name, without the hyphen. I always thought it was named that because it made juke boxes, but some historians think the name gave rock and roll its name.

A very fine collection of carbines you have there.

Thank you about the collection. Most of it has moved on to others. I had one of every manufacturer and the M1A1's were original as far as could be researched.

M1 Carbines are still useful as a home defense weapon.

 

[ameridaddy]

You did good! It looks near-new!

 

[SPEEDGUNNER]

War Baby Comes Home!

Enjoy!

 

[LVSteve]

Glad you got something worthwhile from that crowd. I gave up on the Rock Island shower because of their outrageous buyers' premiums and "grouping" habits.

 

[hittman77]

Congratulations!
Hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine.

Just bought my 3/44 dated Inland a year or so ago and have no idea why I didn't get the interest many, many years ago.

 

[TheHobbyist]

I congratulate you. If one stumbles across my path it is sold.

 

[Muley Gil]

I shot one years ago and have always wanted one. Somehow, I never got around to buying one. I sent my money to the CMP a couple of years ago, but didn't make the cut.

Maybe one day.

 

[TeamPB]

Reccomendations for a reliable M-1 Carbine that doesn't cost a $1000, or is there such a thing?

My humble opinion: the market sucks now, you will probably have to spend $1000 to have an M1 Carbine you will like to own and shoot.

Hang out on the CMP Forum. Pay very, very close attention to the For Sale, carbine section and pounce quickly.

 

[TeamPB]

Glad you got something worthwhile from that crowd. I gave up on the Rock Island shower because of their outrageous buyers' premiums and "grouping" habits.

Yes, I agree, the premiums hurt! This time, I took the total I was willing to spend including tax, shipping and premiums and worked backwards to my bid. I "won" for $100 less than my maximum bid, Yay! Somehow my cashiers check was $75 higher than my original all inclusive maximum total, sigh. Oh well, so far the little guy has exceeded my expectations. We are off to the range now!