Opinion

[imarangemaster]

cafdfw's post about getting an Inland stock from Charlie got me thinking. My CMP Inland already has correct Inland barrel, slide, and flat bolt (and parts). The stock is a black walnut GI Type II (cut down) or III with cartouches sanded of, but decent shape.

The trigger housing on the CMP, however, is a SG Saginaw with mixmaster parts, Trigger pull is great, and finish is close to the Inland upper. My Underwood trigger guard assembly, though, is a Type III Inland, that is completely correct for my CMP's serial number range with all Inland parts. The only incorrect part is the "EI" flip safety. The finish is as close to the Inland as the SG trigger group, and trigger pull is almost as good.

Sure , the CMP Inland has a type II Winchester rear sight and post war type III band. Those are part of its history and I really don't plan on changing them out (besides, I prefer the type II adjustable sights). It has it's own CMP charm and history, and that is great. Do you guys think I am ruining it's CMP history by replacing the SG mixmaster trigger group with the correct Inland group and maybe a nice, correct Inland stock? I'd leave the sight an bayonet lug.

Lastly, what is a used Inland (unmarked) type III push safety go for? Anyone want to tradean Inland push for a Winchester EW type III push?

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[frankderrico]

Rangemaster, my opinion change the parts the way you want. You're not selling them anyway. You can always put them back the way they are now.....Frank

[frankderrico]

Forgot to mention, I'll be back in a couple. I'm on my way to pick up a new to me IBM.....Frank

[imarangemaster]

Thanks Frank. You are probably right. The Underwood is a mixmaster anyway as it is, and could have been mixed up after re-importation even more (though I doubt it as it appears a complete Inland trigger housing group was put on it). Probably just pick up an Inland type 3 safety. Used unmarked ones seem fairly cheap.

[Tired Retired]

RM, you asked so I will tell you my opinion.... and it is a long-winded opinion....

You have waited a long time to get this carbine and it means alot to you, especially given the financial effort you put into getting it. Of course, you can invest whatever you want into it to make it "right for you". We all know you will probably not sell it and you want it to be the best weapon it can - FOR YOU.

Me? While I have been tempted to move parts around from one carbine to another to match up manufacturers, I actually feel guilty about it. I look at each weapon as its own individual "self" - it has been places and done things that the next carbine didn't. I know this is a foolish comparison, but I wouldn't want to take the shoes (or hair fashion) off of one of my daughters and put it on another daughter just to make one "more right" or to "look better". I can't seem to bring myself to do that to my carbines either.

The only changes I do not feel guilty about is when there is a mechanical improvement or repair - spring need replacing or recoil plate will not sit in a stock correctly. I look at that as going to a doctor to heal something that is broken - to make it shoot or function better.

One example is I felt guilty when I sent one back to CPM to check some bore pitting on a SG NPM. They were trying to make up for the pitting on a SG so THEY changed out the poor condition birch M2 stock for a correct NPM M1 Highwood. I didnt ask for it and it really increased the value of the weapon, but I will always know that this Barvarian Stock (has a serial on the sling cut) did not spend the last 50 years on this metal NPM which probably spent 50 years in Italy. I'm not complaining, it is a big mechanial/appearance/value improvement, but a loss of history...

We all have have our opinions as to what is "right" - change, keep, late features, early features, flip, adjustable, type whatever band, etc. What you have to do is up to YOU... and your repuation, situation and your desire to respect your weapon (vice just make money off of it like some humpers) says alot. No one on this forum is going to be negative to you enjoying your war baby!

Now the big question - when are you going to shoot it???????

Ed

[imarangemaster]

Dang you Ed, you are re-enforcing what my first instinct was, to leave it un-messed with as received. I think if I did swap parts out, I would always know it was "not original as received" I like the daughter analogy! The stock and recoil lug fit is absolutely perfect, it is a GI WW2 stock, so I am not in a hurray to replace it. Dang nabit' You are right. I'll probably put one of my M2 mag catches on it, though, as I like 30 rounders.

NO, I won't sell it. You are right. The Underwood may be expendable, as are most guns. The ones that aren't are ones with special meaning: my CMP Inland, my 29-2 .44 Magnum I got from my cousin, my Glock 19 duty weapon I carried for years, and the 10-22 Ruger my wife gave me for Christmas 36 years ago, and a single shot Universal 101 12 GA I got for Christmas from m y parents in the 1960s.

SIng I am still in a sling for the next 4 weeks after shoulder rebuild, it will be awhile until I could shoot it. My wife did offer to shoot it fore me so I could make sure it works! HAHAHAHA!

[imarangemaster]

ED, your post got me thinking about a guy that was selling tons of "Blue Sky" carbines at gun shows in the late 80s. He was a regular snake oil salesman. He would buy a ton of Blue skies at $119 each, take them apart, and put together "correct" carbines with all Inland, Winchester, etc parts. He wasn't as sophisticated as modern humpers, as he didn't match up correct version of parts, etc. It might be a low serial number Inland with a Type III hammer and type VI trigger housing, etc. He was selling them for about $250 TO $300 as "CORRECT" He sold tons. I felt like I should wash my hands every time after I saw him. I think I would feel like him every time I shoot the Inland if I changed the parts. Ugh!

I felt bad selling $119 Blue Skies for $175!

[Tired Retired]

RM

Shoot it on your left shoulder off a bench rest - you may not be as accurate, but you will at least be pulling the trigger! So what if you don't hit anything. Just don't let your right shoulder get jealous.

Wife shoot your carbine? Hmmmmm... tell her she is welcome to order her own Inland!

Don't worry about the snake oil salesman - they are all over the place in the world of firearms. They all know what they are doing, their way is the only correct way and they are sure that you have no idea what you are doing. I was looking at pistols at a gun shop the other day and I was holding a pistol a certain way to see how my eyes picked up the front sight. Well, seems that the gunshop "expert" felt I needed an impromptu class on the proper way to draw and present a pistol since he shoots IDPA. hmmmm... ok..... so I stood there silently as he instructed me and demostrated how I should draw, grip, present, push and and then pull the trigger. "Thank you" I said - I didn't have the heart to tell him "good luck with that" when someone is shooting back at him! LOL ... hmmm, did I mention that I didn't buy a pistol there? Anyway, back to the topic at hand...

What I like about buying carbines from CMP (like the one you have) is that I don't have to worry about Orest or the staff telling us what to do with them! They just want to help you GET one!

As far as cafdfw's post, he does have a good idea - you can also get a second stock to use at the range or for "show" while keeping your original stock in the safe where it won't get beat up at the range. Charlie does great work and getting a second stock will bring out the looks of your Inland when you want to "dress her up".

[imarangemaster]

I actually have a beautiful, almost new Springfield Armory Birch type V potbelly and matching 4 rivet hand guard that I got to put on the Underwood for shooting matches. For shooting, I prefer the potbelly. For looks, I like the GI type III. As nice as the finish on the Inland is, It should look pretty cool in the potbelly! That will be it's tuxedo for fancy occasions.

[Mike D]

I dont have a CMP rifle, but I feel there is one in my near future. Can't beat the price. I don't feel like I could change anything on one either, they are what they are. But if it was just one part that cought my eye every time I picked it up, what would it hurt? It is your rifle.

On the other hand I do have a rifle that is an import, with the barrel shot. And I have no problem with getting rid of that bad barrel. I am also replacing the other parts with "correct" ones. To me, if the gun has no history, why not? That is all part of the fun of collecting. Stripping it down, finding out about the different parts on it, and LEARNING the whole time doing it. And I must say, I get the same enjoyment out of this forum! I love this stuff!