Hello. I am very happy to say I have finally found and purchased my first USGI M1. I currently have two National Ordinance M1s as well as an Auto Ordinance. The one I just bought is a Saginaw. Looked it over, and as far as I can tell almost all the parts are SG. My only complaint is the gas piston seems to be locked up. I will get it opened up and take a look at it probably tomorrow, but I'm not expecting anything bad inside. It seems like it is just dirty or has been sitting for the last 30 years. Let me know what you think.
Looks like a nice addition to your collection! I see lots of "positives" about your new carbine. I wonder if it might be one of the NRA carbines from the 60's? Did the seller have any "story" or past history to share with you? I've had a couple of slings like that one, and still don't know the whole story on them. There are some respected carbine collectors that swear they are USGI, or at least were on carbines they've had for 30 - 40 years. Have fun studying and identifying all the internal parts! - Bob
Looks like a nice addition to your collection! I see lots of "positives" about your new carbine. I wonder if it might be one of the NRA carbines from the 60's? Did the seller have any "story" or past history to share with you? I've had a couple of slings like that one, and still don't know the whole story on them. There are some respected carbine collectors that swear they are USGI, or at least were on carbines they've had for 30 - 40 years. Have fun studying and identifying all the internal parts! - Bob
No, he didn't have much of a story. He said he bought it over 30 years ago and may have shot it once. If he didn't shoot it someone did because it is clearly dirty inside the slide, but the rest is very clean. For sitting around dirty for 30 years it doesn't have any signs of corrosion, that I can find anyway. The barrel looks new. Not just really nice, mirror new. It is Saginaw marked as well.
What do you mean one of the NRA carbines from the 60's? I don't know what that is referring too.
Thanks for the compliments. I like this carbine a lot too.
It is on my Winchester which has been with me for 30-40 years, the sling and SW oiler were on it when I got it. The carbine is in original configuration.
What do you mean one of the NRA carbines from the 60's? I don't know what that is referring to.
"In 1963 a quantity of M1 carbines in serviceable condition was released for sale to members of the NRA through the Office of the Director of Civilian Markmanship." I'm quoting this directly from the NRA publication "U.S. Cal. .30 Carbine." There are still quite a few of these carbines in the hands of the original owners or their family members. Some I've seen for sale on the Internet have had the original sales documents. They sold for about $20 at the time they were released by the DCM.