I'm new to this forum, so hello to all!
My first "M-1" carbine was a Universal copy of the M-1 for $85 back in the late 70's. The gunshop I bought it at had a whole bunch of various M-1 carbines that had been released for sale by the Miami Police dept.. I'm guessing they caried them in their cruisers at one time as the one I bought had C-32 stamped on the bottom of the pistol grip and MPD electro-penciled on the magazine.
Anyway, years later I wanted to kick myself because the salesman had showed me an all original looking Winchester with the flip sight and no bayo lug front band. The stock was darker and a little more dinged than the Universal but nothing bad. It was about $15-$20 more, so guess which one I took!!! To be young and ignorant!! Now I'm older and...never mind!