What Carbine to get?

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

Check out this site.

U.S. Carbines during the American Occupation

[I.H.1989]

[/COLOR]As far as parts, A spare recoil spring, extractor, extractor spring and plunger are about all I keep. A recoil spring should be 10 1/4" long. 10 1/8" will work, but when they get to be around 10" they will give you problems. Check the extractor of chips. A bolt disassembly tool is an excellent investment. Finally, the piston nut should be tight, and the piston move freely.

Would it be a good idea to have a couple extra receivers and barrels as well, or would those be unnecessary? the reason i ask is because i had to have the receiver on my first one replaced

[Bruce McAskill]

Receivers breaking is not a normal happening with USGI carbines. There are receivers that had been demilled and then rewelded back together again. These depending on how well it was done have been know to let go in the past. But for the most part USGI parts are considered to be the best of all of them available. Get the best conditioned one you can afford and keep it clean and lubed and it will out last you in your old age.

[imarangemaster]

I would get a few spare parts: Extractor, plunger and spring, firing pin, ejector and spring, recoil spring, and maybe a hammer spring. I also have a spare head-spaced round bolt. A recoil spring should be close to 10 1/4". Shorter than 10 1/8", I'd replace it. You can save the short recoil spring for shooting underpowered loads like Aguila.

[fn111557]

This thread needs pictures! Here are my two I.B.M.’s, one is an “AO” sub-contract. I take them out to the range as often as I can. Most of the time I will get some guys, wife/girlfriend, interested in shooting because it is a “CUTE LITTLE GUN”. They are great attention getters, and loads of FUN!
Good Luck with your search, and ENJOY!

[I.H.1989]

thanks. first thing i'm planning on doing is getting the receiver replaced on my first one, then i will start considering getting another m1 carbine, or maybe go to the CMP and get myself a Garand

[bonnie]

Avoid those with import markings. While there are some good ones, most were abused by the Korean army. If a seller doesn't say "not import marked", ask.

Avoid any with Korean markings on the stock.

Over the years I had several Korean returned carbines that were in rebuilt, new condition. All new USGI internals, tight bores, reparkerized and cheap at the time. The Korean wood, while new and functional, did not look as nice as GI birch. No where near a pretty GI walnut stock. Other then the big Bluesky stamp on the barrel, these were very good guns. One of my best shooting carbines is import marked. Still a USGI gun.

There were some well used to rough condition carbines brought back from Korea also. With any shooter M1 carbine, condition is #1 to me.

I was in Korea in the early 70s. At the time the Korean army used the Garand and carbine. Tough people.

[Mikesm44]

Hello. I am not going to claim to know nearly as much as you all about carbines, I have never owned a USGI one, but I have a few. Right now 2 National Ordinance, a Universal, an Auto Ordinance and an Underwood, but the Underwood doesn't really count. It has been highly altered by a previous owner.

Anyway, I feel like I should talk a little bit about my experience with Auto Ordinance. About a year and a half ago I received a new Paratroop model from them. I wasn't sure about it, but like someone else's experience it was a trade. Another reason I took it was at the time I only had the National Ordinance and I felt like I should have one I could shoot with confidence. I had problems with it almost immediately. If I remember correctly, literally after the first round it jammed. I got in contact with them and I sent the rifle back for repairs expecting the worst. Like I said that was about a year and a half ago. Now on an average day I can put 500 rounds through it no problem. It will jam, usually stovepipe, but so does my Universal. I do not know anything about the company, but for me everything turned out very well. I will say a lot of people come up to me when I shoot it and when I tell them "Auto Ordinance" they all have something to say. I cannot tell if it's simply a bad rep or if their products aren't that great. Mine seems fine. Also, like someone else said their parts will not mix and match with others.

[mil-surp60]

Well as others said t/y for ya service ,i was an army cavalry , air mobile SSG for yrs,Now on to what to get , considering the repros are way over priced and have no collector value what so ever , it is like any other commercial rifle , once you leave the gun shop it just went down in value by about 35% if not more, and they do have issues. I have dads 43 winchester m1 and it still works like the day it was issued, i would not buy any repro for the prices they are asking or even if they were cheaper, plenty of carbines out there , i would look for a rock-ola if posible ,second choice would be a winchester. Dont fall for the repro game get a real carbine with some history my friend youll be glad of it over any repro gun,Hope that helps. Once again thanx for ya service and watch your six troop.