Plainfield M1 Carbine

[72 usmc]

Plainfield made an odd ball model, the PM30P model they called a paratrooper, but it was not anything like a USGI Paratrooper model. Just an odd ball short commercial carbine- IT did not look anything like a real USGI Paratrooper version. See picture in this link: Plainfield Machine Company
Then around 1980s Universal made a look-a-like commercial Paratroper similar to a real USGI paratrooper- well kind of a wee bit better than Plainfield. It is not an accurate reproduction to a real USGI Paratrooper carbine. see Universal Firearms Models

It got close ,but still not close enough.
Here is a photo of a real USGI Paratrooper: INLAND M1A1 PARATROOPER CARBINE - C32379 - Simpson Ltd
To own one of these you got to be a high roller... I never had that kind of coin. I stuck with the USGI CMP mix masters. Now RTI has some dogs for sale, but to S. Africa- I think you are out of luck???
Does your carbine show rail wear? Does it fire a fast string of ammo without a jam?