Newbie from Northern Virginia

[jrdavidson]

There doesn't seem to be a new members section, so this will have to suffice.

I'm here looking to learn and to find a shootable M1 Carbine for range work and general fun. I would prefer an authentic WWII carbine, and understand that mixed manufacturer parts happened during arsenal reworks, but the more consistent the parts mix, the better.

I like the forum so far. Thanks,

-john

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[ulflyer]

John, go to the Va gun shows and look over the carbines there. Trouble is, a lot of vendors don't know (or don't want to say) what parts are in their guns.
In that case its a crap shoot. I sell a few and will have a table at Greensboro NC this weekend in case you want to drive that far. I have records on each of mine that you can see what parts are in them. As to a good shooter, I'd suggest you not overlook a good sound mixed parts guns. The majority of them are mixed from being rearsenaled over the years and these will be much more reasonable in price than a nearly "correct" one. These were, after all, what the GI's had during late WWII and Korea, and even into Viet Nam. In my area, nice mixers, even import marked, are going for a min of $600 and nearly correct for about $800...give or take a few.

I like the Craig Reisch book for quick ref. None of them are 100% correct down to last detail, but this one is close enuf "for govt work" and easy to use, especially for someone just getting into it. Sells for about $20.

[frankderrico]

-john, welcome to the forum. Looking for carbines is half the fun. Go to gun shows, look in the local shoppers, pawn shops and gun stores, check out gun auctions. Let people know you are looking for carbines, you never really know were one will show up. There is one or more for sale right now on the WTS page. People here are easy to deal with. I have bought some from other members right here. Good luck in your search.....Frank

[jrdavidson]

Thanks for the pointers guys. I can't wait to find my very own shooter and get in some range time. I fired a friend's carbine several months back and remember how easy it was to handle. It just fit. I let him shoot my AR - we nearly traded right then and there. Loads of fun.

I will need good magazines too when I find a shooter. Any pointers on what I should look for? and where I should look? There's a lot of hype out there...

Thanks again,

-john

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Hi John,

Welcome to the carbine forum!

And you came exactly to the right place to introduce yourself to ask about carbines.

I just re-read your first post and you said you understand the more consistent the parts the better, after you said you're looking for a shooter.

Did you mean you've heard that having more original manufacture parts is better as far as for being a good shooter?

Just curious if that's what you meant because arsenal refurbished carbines often make great shooters because of the care and upgrades, and they often cost half or so the price of correct carbines.

Of course carbines with more 'original' parts are worth more monetarily to collectors, but M1 carbine parts were made to very good tolerances and the mixing of different manufacture parts shouldn't effect the quality as far as shooting. There are many other variables that do though.

~ Harlan

[Bubba-7]

Please take you time and do not jump at the first one you see. Be careful about commerical carbines that you are told are GI carbines. A lot of names look like GI carbines. There is a web site that list commerical carbines. bookmark it for future refference. Start looking on GB and learn why one carbines sold for $650 and another sold for $1,600. I and many members will look over a carbine on line if you find one on an auction, email us and we can tell you about it. One last thing, muzzle wear should be less than 2.0 on a nice carbine. Buying a nice "looking" carbine that has been refinished with a muzzle wear of 3+ is no deal at any price.
Been there, done that, over and over many times.

[stickhauler]

You might also check the carbine parts for sale thread on the CMP forums,
M1 Carbine - CMP Forums

Members there often are thinning the herd, and put carbines up for sale at slightly more than they paid when buying from the CMP. If you lived near SC, I could clue you into a shop down near Greenville that had several at fair prices a few months back. Come to think of it, I need to give that guy a call, and see what he's got now.

Or here:
R. M1 Carbine USGI unrestored

I can't say for sure this one isn't import marked though, but a decent price if it's in the condition they say it is.