Does anybody else like late model features?

[INLAND44]

I like the looks and function of most of the later parts on my rebuilt carbine, but like the look of a flatbolt better, so that was the only thing I changed. Each to their own I guess.

The combination of flat bolt and 'potbelly' stock is particularly appealing. I wanted a carbine from the time I was going to see war movies in the '50s, and that's the 'look' that was imprinted in my mind. I didn't even know there had been a 'straight' stock until I started going to gun shows around '90, and until then I also did not realize that anyone could just walk into a show and buy a U.S. military WWII small arm. I have only one carbine, the one I bought for $225 sometime around '92, and it has the original Type III stock. Every time I go to a show, I still look for a decent military-marked 'potbelly', like an 'SA'-marked, but I never buy. I think I'll go ahead and get one just to see if I want to use it sometimes. My Inland is a rebuild anyway, but I got lucky because it has a Type II band. I don't have a flat bolt, though, and I doubt if I'll go to the trouble of finding a good one and getting it gauged.

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[imarangemaster]

I posted this on another thread, but it probably belongs here. Sorry

I understand the desire to "restore" a carbine to WWII form. I restored a 7.62x39 Saiga to it's intended (semi auto) AK103 form. It, however, was just a sporter with no "History."

My M1, however, has at some point been rebuilt with late features. All are probably shortly after the war, maybe Korean war. As it has not been re-finished, the stock is a WW2 NPM with cartouche, and the parts finish is pretty close, it was certainly not recent. The fact that it was then probably used by Israeli Mash Az police in its current updated form is a second "cool" factor. Some day I will pick up a CMP Inland and restore it with repro parts just for looks (and less expense).

Right now, though, my "B" Underwood sits on the closet shelf with a "SEY" 30 rounder and a stock pouch with two 15s for a house and farm weapon. With my trashed right shoulder pending yet another open surgery and rebuild, even the Saiga with a brake on it is too much recoil. The carbine, on the other hand, will do just fine with 110 JSP Remingtons!

[Maniac]

It's hard to deny the allure of an all-original, as-issued M1 Carbine or Garand, I happen to own 3 such carbines. Originals like this are very rare for obvious reasons but one thing we must keep in mind, ALL M1 carbines and most M1 Garands were made only during WWII and although I'm sure in some rare case, as-issued, early-featured examples of both MAY have been used in Korea it is unlikely they were. Therefore, it stands to reason that there's a much better chance that a Garand or Carbine could have seen action in North Africa, Italy, the Pacific theater, hit the beach on D-day and fought through Europe, then years later, after updates, used to defend the perimeter at Pusan, stormed ashore at Inchon or fought the good fight at Chosin Reservoir. An all-original, early featured one didn't likely have a chance to do that. JMHO

[Jim Long]

Hey.. Don't those Marines in the photo know they're supposed to HATE the carbine? Guess they didn't get the memo...

[dbarn]

I'm partial to two late Winchesters. If I were to take a carbine into battle, it would be one of these two.

[Bubba-7]

In 1969 my older brother picked up a DCM 5.7 Winchester from a SGT. I shot it a lot and when I had my own money I bought a DCM Rock-Ola ($90.00 w/3 mags and ammo.) I had no clue what a Rock-Ola was but a M1 carbine. To me, they were suposted to look like those two, rebuild with late features. Other than a few exceptions I try to only buy 5.0 and higher. I have several carbines over 5.0 serial number.

[jim c 351]

My favorites are 3 transsitional carbines with the hand stamped "1". They have serial number ranges 6,7xx,xxx, 6,89x,xxx & 6,9xx,xxx. They have late parts and are correct with these parts.
Jim C

[phil441]

Ditto on the flat bolt. It looked more like the Garand I had to clean in ROTC way way back when.
The round bolt always reminded me of my .22 bolt actions.....

[us019255]

To my way of thinking it sort of depends upon the use and preferences of the person.

I have the flip safety on all my shooters. A real improvement.
None of mine came with a round bolt so flat it is.
When I rebarrelled a receiver with a commercial barrel and put it on a repro M1A1 stock for a trunk gun (fits well into a padded tennis racquet case, but that is another story), I put a type 2 band and flip sight. Felt I didn't need a bayonet, and the flip site seems less likely to get out of wack. and looks "cool"

[doncb]

Love my carbine, I fired my first one in airforce basic training in 1956. Ive loved them eversince. I have a garand also but prefer my little lighweight toy over anything i have ever fired. don b in Fl.