M2 Carbine

[Mike D]

A friend who owns a carbine with an M2 receiver has brought it to me to fix. I haven't even broke it down yet, but I think it just needs a trigger housing pin and a good cleaning.

The gun does not have all its M2 parts and is currently semi-auto only. Despite these facts, it is still an M2 receiver, and my friend legally owns it.

It has a GI M2 walnut stock. Doesn't look like a pot-belly? Crossed cannons on right side, IO in slingwell and a M R just outside the sling well. Is that a rebuild mark? There is no circle P?

Also has an M2 slide. Not sure what other parts are in there yet.

I'll break it down in a little while and give more info on the parts. I was thinking about filling out a data sheet.

Please ask questions, as I will, too. I know more than the average Joe about carbines, but still a novice, really. I've never had the chance to handle an M2, and would like to learn what I can, while I can, about this gun. Your questions and comments will surely help.

More to come...especially after the kids go to bed! Mike D

Information

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[Tired Retired]

When you say it is a GI stock but not a potbelly, sounds like it could it be a Type IV? It would looke like a Type III with an extended barrel channel but the M-2 cutout on the left side.

Also, I assume that it is an Inland (not a Winchester) receiver?

Of course, pictures are a must in this case....

[Mike D]

The only carbine reference I have is by Reisch. I'll check it as far as the stock goes. The first carbine I ever owned had a pot-belly. This stock seems more flat on the bottom.

Inland receiver, 7 mil range. Inland barrel dated 11-44.

Pics will be later.

[Mike D]

Stock is a Type IV. Serial # 7,049,xxx. Do you think an 11-44 dated barrel would be original? Slide, trigger housing, sear, and hammer are still M2. No other M2 parts.

Why wouldn't the gun shoot? When whoever removed the disconnect lever, they didn't have the proper pin and used what looks like part of a nail instead. Loose fit, I guess the hammer wasn't striking the firing pin fully.
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[phil441]

The gun does not have all its M2 parts and is currently semi-auto only. Despite these facts, it is still an M2 receiver, and my friend legally owns it.

I assume that you mean in the eyes of the BATFE? Cool!

[Mike D]

Yes, that is what I mean. When I asked him if he was familiar with the laws regarding it, he said, "Yes, I legally own it." He is a retired Air Force Colonel, so I believed him and left it at that.

Regarding the carbine, is there a serial # range for M2's?

[Tired Retired]

Mike, you are probably going to have to wait until some of the more senior collectors chime in... (I call them the ole' farts just to neddle them)... several of them own M2's and definitely know alot more info about their production and how their function differs from the M-1's we all play with.

I do know that if your friend wants to keep it semi-auto now, he just needs to substitute M-1 parts for the problematic M-2 parts. Kinda make it to an M-1. You can general locate the missing parts on GB or a few other places. Gary's Guns has several M2 parts listed. If your friend has the proper paperwork, he should be able to order the right replacement parts. I ain't no expert, just my opinion....

Ed

[mar53]

War Baby book says first serial number recorded as M2 Inland is 6782789. Also says Inland began production of the M2 in April 1945. (Page 244). Pre production M2 were started in late 1944. The Ruth/ Duff owners guides says this serial is in the range of April - June 1945, but that book is old and a lot of the dates are not totally accurate. In any case, a lot of these manufacturers used parts out of order, so it is quite possible that 11-44 is the original barrel.

[Tired Retired]

Not looking at references, but I would make a logical GUESS that out of all the categories of carbines produced, that M-2's would be the most likely to have replacement barrels. Think of the number of runs fired....

I would actually hate to have to feed one of those now - think of the ammo cost for a day at the range!

[KEN]

Nice looking gun. I think the barrel date is too early for the serial number. I would expect to see that date on a 6.3 to 6.6 million range gun. 3 or 4-45 would probably be more likely. However, with M1 Carbines, or in this case M2, anything is possible. But most likely it has been re-barreled or put together sometime in its past. Hard to tell from your pictures, but appears to have a first type M2 stock, Type IV as you indicate. Also appears the slot has been filled. The surefire way to tell if its a factory M2 stock is to remove the action from the stock and look at the way the stock was originally cut. Does it look factory done, or whittled out? I think its probably a factory stock. The MR stamp is an arsenal inspection stamp from Mount Ranier Arsenal. It means one of three things. Either the gun was inspected at the Arsenal, re-worked at the arsenal, or the gun that stock was originally on went through the arsenal. We probably will never know for sure. If it is a legally registered M2, it should be fitted with all the correct parts and restored to its correct configuration. I'd love to know its history and see how the Form 4 is filled out.