M1 Carbine purchase help!

Hi everybody,
Im new to the forum and am in need of some help with a few things. Im am thinking about purchasing an Inland M1 Carbine for $549.99. I am new to collecting mil surps and have loved these ever since i first saw one and thought this was a decent price, compared to most everything iv'e seen online. It was originally marked for $899.99 but has been slowly going down over the last several months. The serial number is 5,25x,xxx and from my research it is supposedly made between Jan-Aug 1944.
The stock is poor-fair??? and has noticeable dings but is about the best ive seen around me. The only problem i have is on the right side of the butt stock there is a plastic plate that is nailed to the side of the butt stock with the number 77 and also the number 77 painted in white on the butt plate. Soooo... my two questions are....

1)Is this something the importer did (Century Arms I believe) or was this done as some military routine and...

2) If it is importer related, I would be removing it, so would the holes left from the nails decrease the value/ Is it worth the $550 anyway.

Also......
Do these usually come with ammo pouches and slings because this one does not and are original ones available.
It also looks like it has a bayonet lug and i would love to get one for it if i did purchase it.
Any help on any of this stuff would be much appreciated
Thanks.....

First of all... Your not going to get much help by posting this under the M1/M14 forum.

And over on the Carbine forum there is some kind of :madsmile: clan :madsmile: thing goin' on, so watch yourself! Just kidding.:rolleyes:

The carbine your looking at sounds like your average mixmaster. Make sure you check the barrel/muzzle, especially if it has been imported. Many are worn out.

As far as the stock, take the plate off, might be a nice cartouche under there, whatever floats your boat. But keep it, its part of the gun. As long as the stock has no big cracks in it.

Is it worth $550, I don't know, I haven't seen it. If its been in the shop that long offer them less. They want to get rid of it, thats why the price keeps dropping. Pics would help with determining value. If the stock isn't all cracked up (they all have dings) and the bore is shiny with a tight muzzle it might be worth $550. You never know what interesting part you might find mixed up in there. Offer them $450 and start pulling out cash. You never know. :D

Now, if we can get you moved over to the right forum. Someone else might feel like putting in their $.02!

:sos: Doug - We need a transfer! :sos:

UHHHHHHHHH this is the Cabine forum

Onaconnabecause I moved it :madsmile: :wave:

ok so I guess I've been moved to the right forum?
Sorry for crashing the system :p Thanks for responding and setting me straight:thup:.
In response to Mike D's post:
The problem with offering less money is this gun is at Dunhams so I dont think there are up for much wheelin and dealin. I have it on layaway right now and if i decide i dont want it I get my money back within 30 days which should give me enough time to do some research. I do plan on taking my bore light up there and making sure it isn't a smooth bore lol!
The stock or the hand guard was free of cracks and dont get me worng about the dings in the stock I prefer them as it adds to the character of the gun.
There were only 2 serial numbers that I could see, and they matched, 1 on the stock and one on, I believe the top of the bolt? or maybe the barrel tang( If thats what the back large part of the barrel just after the receiver is called) right under the word INLAND. I will try to go take a picture the guys up there are cool and I shouldnt have a problem doing that.
Thanks

Make sure there are NO import stamps or marks anywhere on the gun. If so, walk away and buy from CMP for the same or less without the import stamps!

Parts are not number matched. Look for import marks on barrel.Good luck and keep asking here. GK

Im not sure what you mean by parts are not number matched....the other parts without numbers?

CMP does not have any in stock but is accepting orders....does this mean i order one and then they get it for me or I have to wait inline with the 1,000 other people before me to get one whenever the get one in?
They also say that it is not sold with a magazine.....does any one know where I can get an original magazine the only ones I could find were repro and around $30. It also says "Bores will have some heavy pitting and exterior finish may show significant wear and some surface pitting. Muzzle will gauge over a three (3) on gauge." Im guessing bore pitting affects the rifling making it a poor shooter?What does : Muzzle will gauge over a three (3) on gauge mean?:dunno:
This will manly be a showcase gun other than the couple times a year I take it out to play(no more than 30-50 rounds a year) and id like it to be a good shooter. I dont want to overpay cause if i ever run in to a nicer one I would like to be able to get most my money back.
:dunno::runaway:
Is there anything specific I should be looking for...as far as what would increase or decrease this rifles value( mainly decrease...Ijust dont wanna get screwed!!!!)
Im officially dumb a$$ on CMP's site in BIG BOLD YELLOW letters says: Delivery time 2-months lol

If it is Import marked and the barrel is no good, keep your $550.

Import marked subtracts $100-150, my guess.

Muzzle gauge measures the wear on the muzzle, which has alot to do with accuracy. Over a 3, chances are it won't shoot great. Those CMP rack grades sound a little rough to me.

Carbine accessories are available everywhere. You won't have any trouble finding original items.

If the metal finish on your gun is in good shape, bore and muzzle are good, and there are no import marks, then $550 is OK. Plus you can do layaway.

Just need more info. Pics would really help you here.

I've got a service grade from CMP. Barrel has no pitting and guages 2.5. The only problem is the finish is poor. (so what?) Its a 6.7 million Inland and is easily restorable.