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Been looking over the completed auctions on gunbroker and I see ALOT of carbines selling in the $750 to $800 range. Some of these are advertised as MINT perfect ect... just wondering what $750 carbine is like? Is this a functioning gun with only a handful of correct parts?
Do some people get lucky and find a "GEM" buying one in this price range and it turns out to be worth thousands?
This is only my opinion but....
Most carbines are shooters, relatively few are true collectables. Those "collectables" are based solely on some unique aspect of the weapon - rare production, lineout, 1st in serial run, pristine condition, etc. Shooters run the gambit as condition and "mixed" parts (mixmasters). A few will have a little bit of a premium based one one or two individual characteristics (has an original flip sight, its an IP receiver or stock didn't go thru rebuild).
What you get for $750.00??? You get a shooter, but its up to you as to the condition of the weapon that you buy. CMP rack grades were defined as poor condition carbines, but I have a couple that will shoot far better than I can see. Mine are also extremely reliable - I would trust them as a HD weapon. But again, I have seen some "pristine" carbines with extremely worn out parts, had been poorly maintained, or that couldn't hit the side of a barn INSIDE with the door closed.
So for your money, I would suggest that you look for QUALITY of condition and not worry about "correct" or "original". In my opinion, alot of people are worrying too much about what stamp is on the firing pin. The primer on the chambered cartridge doesn't care and the bullet flying toward the intended target doesn't care. I just want a reliable type III pin that doesn't break.
For $750, you can get a little bit of history and a whole lot of FUN GUN!!!
I recently picked up this Inland 6 digit with a bunch of other goodies for $606. Having a type III barrel band and adjustable sight installed ( previous owner gut down the barrel band and installed a repop flip sight) and the gun reparked, for an another $150. Should make a nice shooter.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=218531439
Here is an $800.00 Winchester I bought a few years ago. SN 6570844, all correct & all original
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSCN4044-1.jpg
Isn't that your box gun BQ?
If it is I can see why you were giving CA a hard time about paying to much for his!
Dave
Yes it is. CA's is in better condition but I paid less than he did.
I just remember the post on, I think it was cmp, about it.
BQ, I can always give you the argument that its not REALLY a USGI since it was never officially accepted! LOL
Ok, so you got a "decent" buy - Everyone is entitled to win the lottery once in their lifetime! (yes, you have probably won the lottery about 25 times, but who is counting?)
Buying for condition is good advice. I bought a SG NPM as a shooter and it has the original barrel and trigger housing, but the rest is just rebuild parts. All of the parts are nice and well finished, the weapon is nice and tight, has the type 5 slide and functions flawlessly. It also shoots better than my good Winchester which is worth more than twice as much, probably three times. One is a collectible, one is a great weapon.
BQ: that Winchester has an outstanding finish. It seems different than earlier Wins, much lighter. Did they change the type of finish or is it just that it is an unused example? The wood is just wonderful.
No change in the finish type, just that it, and ones like it, sat unused in a shipping crate for a long time. Here is a picture of the other Late WRA mentioned in this thread. As you can see it has a better finish than mine.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...72878971-1.jpg
Wow! A new unused Winchester. The finish and quality is superb. That deep blue bolt is cool and not a spot of wear on the slide stop indent. Oil and cosmoline really changes how these things look after a while.
Thanks
D
Brian,
Did they have JAO flip safeties?
Both mine and CA's have E.W. rotary safeties.
Thanks Brian,
I thought there was some evidence that Winchester used some JAO flip safeties there at the end.
While we are on the subject of cheap carbines, here is a nearly new 5.1 Inland I paid $800 for 2 years ago.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSC00544-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSC00547-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSC00548-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSC00543-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSC00542-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...DSC00527-1.jpg