New to Carbines

[rmiller45]

I was in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania for vacation and I picked up an M1 Carbine. It is listed as a GM Saginaw Ser No. 345XXXX. Very attractive rifle, I got it and two boxes of ammo for 625.00. This is my first carbine, I was hoping to get an authentic USGI version but I think I was sold a commercial model since it has a perforated metal handguard and no bayonet lug. I will post some pictures as soon as I can. You can see the serial number and the word Saginaw under the rear sight, but just barely. It also have the letters IA on the magazine. Hoping to get it out to the range soon and put some rounds through it.

Information

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[frankderrico]

rmiller45, welcome to the forum. The people here are the best.
You did get a USGI carbine. It sounds like someone put a commercial handgaurd on it. That happens, but you can change it.
How about some pictures?.....Frank

[Bubba-7]

Just about every military part on it will be stamped with a letter code. That tells the manufacturer of the part. Other than the hand guard, your carbine could be original WWII or rebuilt once or several times. But still the parts should have a code on each part. Take it appart, post part codes and we will be happy to tell you what you have.
If the barrel band is about 3/8 inch wide, the screw comes out. If the band is one onch wide, the screw does not come out. Doing so may strip the threads in the band or screw or both.
And thanks,

[topaz]

This might help

[rmiller45]

thanks for the assistance I will try and get some pictures posted up this evening

[Rustship]

Always good to see another Texan on board...Welcome

[INLAND44]

Hey Topaz; there was no 'M1A2' carbine. There was a prototype but no official designation existed because it was not produced or issued. You have an 'M1 Carbine'.

[topaz]

Inland, I`m not sure what your talking about.It must be me I`m sure. Was I talking about a m1a2 ?( The videos) on the m1 carbine was only to help the person in this thread to break down the carbine. I think he understood that. Sorry if I mislead you or any one else.

[topaz]

This is a video on breaking down an m1 carbine not a m1A2 as the video states, It is a m1 carbine

[INLAND44]

But the guy in the video (sorry, I thought it was you) distinctly makes a point of terming it an 'M1A2', of which there were none. In fact, he states that you can tell by the adjustable sight.