CMP M1-Carbine

I have looked for the answer to this question but I haven't actually found a direct answer. Are CMP Carbines more or less desirable (value-wise) than those who were not CMP? From what I can put together, most of them are a hodgepodge of parts, but are considered fairly reliable as shooters. Is that correct? Are all CMP's considered imports? Would someone give me the short course on buying CMP carbines? I am supposed to look at one that was bought through CMP years ago. The price is $900. Thanks in advance for any input.

Here goes the can of worms! Depends on which side of the fence you are on. Folks value the CMP carbines like they are gold and import marked carbines like crap.


Loren

Believe me, I am not trying to start an argument, I am just seeking info. I have found lots of info on what CMP is all about, but very little about the quality, desirability, comparative value, etc. Thanks.

Is value determined by an import, or lack of import, mark? Some say yes, some say it adds to the history of the weapon, some say no.

In general an import mark usually detracts value. Harsh deep stampings, as in the Blue Sky take a beating. The lighter or hidden under the stock markings, not so much.

Look at what else the carbine has to offer. Condition, condition, condition. Maker, what is the finish like, is the stock desirable. Early or later parts. Part markings, maybe a rare or hard to find part.

If I add up what the parts are worth, and feel I can sell them for more then the asking price, I feel the carbine is worth considering.

Have I bought a carbine that was over priced just to get a stock or a few nice parts, yeah sure. Have I bought an import marked carbine and changed the barrel, yeah I have. Have I paid more then a single part was worth because I wanted/needed it, you bet.

Bottom line for me, there are more things to consider then just an import mark.

Thank you JimF, that's the kind of info I am looking for. I am told this gun has no import marks. Does CMP mark the guns they sell?

Oddball, no CMP does not mark their guns. They do give a certificate with the guns serial number.. I even got a certificate with a barrelled reciever. Their guns come by the way of the U.S. Army and many were returned from governments overseas. Their armorers go through them so that would be a positive. Try and find out if the carbine you are looking at is a DCM rather then a CMP. They came from the Army and the ones I have seen unless they were shot alot seem to be in better condition than the ones returned from overseas. IMHO

Regards.....Frank

Hey Odball,
Often times sellers will include the paperwork they received from the CMP when selling a carbine.

Take a look at this IBM that sold on Gunbroker.
Not sure if the paperwork was included, but I thought pricey.

FWIW,
Charlie-Painter777

WWII IBM M1 Carbine, M-1, Exc : Semi Auto Rifles at GunBroker.com

Real Pricey on that IBM!

Oddball, generally the non-imported and Bavarian/Austrian return guns bring a well deserved CMP price bump. You pay a small premium, however, a CMP gun goes through a rather thorough process including striping, inspection and ultimately a rather strict grade is assigned. Go on their site and look at the grading criteria. Anything from service grade and up in my opinion is going to be a reliable genuine weapon that will appreciate over time. Also keep in mind there are some shady characters out there who will strip genuine GI parts from a CMP rifle, install post war cheapo parts and make a double killing. I would also consider joining the CMP and routinely checking their for sale/trade forums......I have seen some very nice CMP graded guns with certificates sell for way less than that IBM that Charlie just pointed out. Look before you leap and find an expert you trust to give you some help while you are getting your feet wet.......Don't do what I did and buy a several pieces of expensive junk until you learn some basics. You are off to a great start by starting here......a trusted source willing to give you some help. Regards, Rick.

I'll also answer the question, but with a different twist. When you purchase a carbine, you really don't know the train of ownership. It could be just as it was in service, or it could have had parts swapped out by a dozen different owners in between. With a CMP carbine, you know the actual chain of custody/US Gov. to you, or who had it in between. That isn't saying that nothing might have been changed while it was in foreign service: it is only saying the the ownership was US Gov. up to the time CMP received it. Some folks place a high value on knowing the history of ownership. Personally, I don't see a lot of added value in that info, but some folks do.

Thanks everyone for the insight. I have no idea if this carbine has papers or not, but I know it is in the box. I will know more Sunday. From what I have read, there haven't been any carbines available at CMP for some time no, that is except for a few that are being auctioned off. I have no idea when this gun was purchased. How much did these guns sell for? Thanks again for the help.

The NRA guns were direct sale like CMP but not messed with at all, off the rack into the box. If I was offered a put together corrected carbine, I'd probably pass. How many parts are worn out, fake or not supposed to be there?

The DCM sales of Garands were also desirable as you could strike gold and get a white sack or NM rifle just as easily as a beater NG gun.

My personal preferences on carbines are:
First: original vet bring back or 1960s DCM (predesessor of CMP) sold carbines. They are generally the most desirable. My 12-43 Inland is one of these.
Second: Recent CMP sold carbines. They have upgrades consistant with post WWII (Korea or early Vietnam) I had a rack grade Inland that was actually a great shooter. The CMP Bavarians are especially nice.
Third: Imports from Israel. Century brought a bunch in. The Israelis really maintained their carbines and used USGI parts to service them. While their stocks may be beat from being well used, they are generally mechanically excellent. The current carbines from Big 5 are Israeli imports. These are not as nice as the earlier Israeli imports by Century, but I still prefer them to older imports (Blue Sky" etc.)
Fourth: general imports from Korea or who knows where.

My Standard Products duty weapon has all the late upgrades. It is my go to weapon. It is not an import, but I do not know it's origin (DCM. CMP, or ????) It is 90-95% finish and an ME of 1. AWESOME shooter.