Need help finding an M1 Carbine for my nephew
Hello all :)
I am a fish & game officer here in the southwest going on some two decades, recently my nephew decided to follow in my footsteps and just graduated training. We are issued Beretta 92s for normal duty use, but long guns are our choice. I followed in my fathers footsteps and was handed down an original Winchester manufactured M1 Carbine that has served as my primary long gun since I was sworn in.
My nephew is incredibly fond of the M1 Carbine as well and wants to use one as his primary long gun, at some point I will pass the Winchester down but not just yet, so I would like to find one for him.
Ive looked into used surplus but can't bring myself to hand him something with unknown history, use, abuse, etc. I would be okay with a surplus rifle that has been fully inspected and refurbished to like new by a true master of the platform, but I don't know of any such individuals that are widely trusted & respected.
The other option is a new manufacture, but most seem to have iffy reliability, which is unacceptable. The only name that seems to pop up as having no issues is Fulton, but there are not many of those reviews. I am not seeking to find & rebuild one on my own as Im simply not that educated in the nuances of the platform, my Winchester has been 100% just as it was for my father so it has never been touched.
Again, this will be used as a duty rifle so reliability is the #1 factor in choosing.
Are Fultons worth the $1600 they are asking for the M3?
It appears they make their own receivers, does anyone know if they are forged, cast, or of any issues?
Any help or direction would be greatly appreciated.