The one that got away

[imarangemaster]

When I was young and dumb (about 26 years ago, but who's counting) I was a city cop in Bellevue Washington. I was looking for a trunk gun (they weren't authorized, but if I needed it I didn't care). I had loved carbines since I first shot my cousin's NRA purchased DCM carbine at about age 8 (he was a Postal Inspector stationed in rural Kentucky). Being young and raising a family on a cop's pay, however, I had no money to buy one.

There was an old boy with a gunshop just off of the base of Bell-Red Rd who had a gun shop. One day I walked in there (about 1983) and he had an M1 carbine there. It was a Winchester. Unfortunately it had the ugly old flip sight, a skinny barrel band with no bayonet lug, and a funny flat bolt. It was sure ugly compared to the Korean and Vietnam war vintage M1/M2 carbines I was used to seeing (we had some still in our Air National security Police unit arms room, too).

But it was an M1 carbine, and a Winchester at that, so I figured it was probably a pretty good one, even if it was "ugly." I traded a Ruger Super Blackhawk (2nd year production), some ammo, and holsters, and a bolt .308 for it. I think he had about $600 on it (he said it was a collector grade, but I knew NOTHING), but that seems too high. I got the carbine, a couple 15 rounders, two 30 rounders, a canvas GI WW2 case, and a couple boxes of ammo. The only marking I think I remember was a W on the barrel and some markings on the stock, but don't remember what they were.

I knew nothing about carbines then, but it was in awesome condition and was a great shooter with a mint bore and crown. I actually got 2 MOA from it with Lake City Ammo. I was happy with it, but after a year I had an opportunity to trade it for an Armalite AR180 with mags. After all, Costa Mesa CA PD used 180s, so they must be good, I traded.

UGH!!!!!!! Was I stupid, or what. I ended up missing it, so I picked up a commercial (early Universal made with all GI parts and furniture except receiver) with all the "cool features" until about 1990 when I got an Inland and later an Underwood Blue Sky.

I SURE wish I had that carbine now....

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